Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

 Second viewing, and probably first one with original audio; previously viewed between 1983 and 1986.

After a senator's death, a naïve young man is appointed as a substitute. Unbeknownst to him, there is a corruption scheme in the works, involving a wealthy businessman and an experienced senator from his state.

Although  ultimately just a sort of pamphlet for the ideals of Americanism, this film is sufficiently eventful and tense to be consistently entertaining. Of course, being what it is, it never asks the obvious question: how is a system which depends on exceptional men and exceptional circumstances supposed to thrive in the long run? It's not of course, but the U.S.A. has thrived and thrives still, which must mean one of two things: corruption isn't such a deadly disease, or there's more to the American system than is shown in the film.

Rating: 65 (unchanged)