the films of 1939: Mr Smith Goes To Washington by ric gustafson
A man named Lewis R Foster was a Hollywood gag writer and film director at Hal Roach and Mack Sennett studios. One day, he began to write a story about a Boy Scout leader who becomes a United States Senator. Then he comes to Washington and goes against his state's senior Senator. Along the way he encounters corruption and backbiting. With the help of his female assistant he triumphs over the system. Foster finished the story in just two weeks.
He showed it to movie studios while he searched for a book publisher. Paramount and MGM turned him down. Columbia bought the rights for $ 1,500. They thought the story could be a sequel to their film ' Mr Deeds Goes To Town' that starred Gary Cooper. Frank Capra had in mind an actor named Jimmy Stewart. Stewart had started his career on the New York stage and MGM signed him to a contract in 1934. Jean Arthur was Capra's choice to play the Senator's assistant.
Capra went to no expense to recreate Washington's Senate Chamber which involved one hundred days and hundreds of carpenters. The story became a movie script with just a few minor changes. Other roles went to Claude Rains, Edward Arnold and Thomas Mitchell.
When they were done filming, the film got good praise from critics and October 16 1939 was declared ' Mr Smith' day in Washington.
The film was nominated for eleven academy awards but won just one for best original story.
research help: ' 1939 the making of six great films from Hollywood's greatest year' by Charles F Adams.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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