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The concept of a selfless, sacrificing man caring for the needs of not only his family, but of the common people is prevalent in Mr. Smith. Capra explores the idea that caring for others comes before caring for one’s own self.

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two of the most reccurring subjects is selflessness and a familial sense of community.

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“The more uncertain are the people of the world, the more their hard-won freedoms are scattered and lost in the winds of chance, the more they need a ringing statement of America’s democratic ideals.”

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Film historian Ian Freer is noted as describing Capra as “the American dream personified”

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Film historian Ian Freer is noted as describing Capra as “the American dream personified”

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relating to or in the style of the movies of Frank Capra, focusing on courage and its positive effects and the triumph of the underdog.

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I left the Lincoln Memorial with this growing conviction about our film: The more uncertain are the people of the world, the more their hard-won freedoms are scattered and lost in the winds of chance, the more they need a ringing statement of America’s democratic ideals. The soul of our film would be anchored in Lincoln. Our Jefferson Smith would be a young Abe Lincoln, tailored to the rail-splitter’s simplicity, compassion, ideals, humor, and unswerving moral courage under pressure. And back we went to Hollywood to get to work on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The panic was over. It is never untimely to yank the rope of freedom’s bell.

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And here was I, in the process of making a satire about government officials; a comedy about a callow, hayseed Senator who comes to Washington carrying a crate of homing pigeons—to send messages back to Ma—and disrupts important Senate deliberations with a filibuster. The cancerous tumor of war was growing the body politic, but our reform-happy hero wanted to call the world’s attention to the pimple of graft on its nose. Wasn’t this the most untimely time for me to make a film about Washington? [....]

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I know how you feel, Jeff. Thirty years ago - I had those ideals, too. I was *you*. I had to make the decision you were asked to make today. And I compromised - yes!

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A Documentary about James Stewart's Life ....Born May 20 1908 Died July 2 1997

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May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997

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James Stewart’s Mr Smith Goes to Washington

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By the end of the session, you will be able to discuss the importance of the American dream and the trope of the 'ordinary guy'.

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An Introduction to Screen Idols of American cinema and analysis of Mr Smith Goes To Washington