Mr. Smith goes to Washington * FIRST TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- James Stewart plays the same character - just in different places.. also EIGHT KIDS?!
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My Review: 26:40
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During WWII, Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the US Army Air Corps (It didn't become its own branch, USAF until 1947). He flew B-24 bombers over Germany and was the first major Hollywood actor to join the Army. He enlisted in February 1941 BEFORE we got into the war in December 1941. He flew over 25 missions and was promoted to Colonel in 1945, becoming one of the very few Americans to go from Private to Colonel in just 4 years. He continued to serve in the Air Force reserve, and act after the war. He flew the B-52 bomber and retired as a Brigadier General. He was later promoted to Major General. He was the highest ranking actor ever in the US Military. This movie was made before he enlisted, before we entered WWII. It's A Wonderful Life was produced in 1946, after the war.
Another Jimmy Stewart classic is 'The Philadelphia Story' from 1940. He won an Oscar for Best Actor. Also stars Katherine Hepburn & Cary Grant.
I said the same thing! It’s really good to see others that share my respect for Jimmy Stewart!
Stewart had severe ptsd when filming It's a Wonderful Life. That's one of the reasons Stewart is so different.
Clark Gabel also fought as tail gunner and Hitler famously had a bounty on him and intended to torture him as propaganda,
@@alanholck7995 Oh PLEASE! I would LOVE her take on that one! :D
You should check out the movie "Harvey." Jimmy Stewart said that his role in that movie was his favorite of all the roles he played throughout the years.
omg I love Harvey ❤️
so much wisdom in a funny film
I was just thinking of that one
Love Harvey, you can actually see Harvey after awhile
I believe I've suggestion it twice before. Would love her to react to it as a light hearted movie.
I was also going to recommend that.
Glad to see that I was right in thinking someone might've already did it first in the comments.
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Stewart about a month before he passed.
He was ancient; his skin was like paper.
But he was as much an old school gentleman as I've ever seen. He deliberately backed out of the room because he wouldn't turn his back on a fan.
That's awesome.
That would have been amazing, James Stewart really was a Great man, and amazing Actor. Getting to meet him would have be an amazing experience.
"Bringing up baby" with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. This movie was so funny I couldn't breathe. And Katharine Hepburn's dresses were stunning in this.
Yes, yes yes, I would loooove for Ashleigh to watch this!
Definitely in the my top 3 comedies of all time!
Maybe she should watch "The Philadelphia Story" first. With Stewart, Hepburn, and Grant.
I prefer "Holiday" with them.
Cannot recommend this one enough!
The more you react to these old movies of the 30s and 40s, the more you'll appreciate them. James Stewart is an American treasure. You can't go wrong with any movie he's in. I would recommend "The Philadelphia Story" which starts Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, and Cary Grant.
Yes!! Please, p l e a s e, PLEASE!
Also Anatomy of a Murder
This, by the way, is what a real filibuster is. Someone talking, refusing to yield the floor, to block {something -- usually a bill or a vote}. Somewhere along the line they castrated it. Someone says "I'm filibustering" and everybody says "ok" and they all go for a three martini lunch.
It's like popping off to the pub instead of lying in front of the tractor, because he's resigned not to knock down your house today anyway.
Best filibuster ever is in Parks and Recreation.
In the beginning, you have to actually make a passionate, never-ending (supposedly good-faith argument). Then it’s basically trolling and reading a phone book for hours straight. Then everybody is like “yo, this sucks, let’s just phone it in”. Then everyone asks why nothing gets accomplished and everyone just shrugs their shoulders and collects a fat check.
Back when this was filmed, a filibuster was a rarely seen oddity.
@@menachemsalomon A fellow Hoopy Frood I see, I bet you know where your towel is.
When this movie was released it drew a lot of criticism because it suggested that some politicians might not be entirely ethical in their dealings. Some people wanted it to be banned because it portrayed members of government as corrupt and dishonest.
I know, the idea of corrupt politicians is SO shocking, right?
They had just come out of the Great Depression which resulted from the Gilded Age, yeah, I'm sure it was for entirely innocent reasons they thought the government was pure and good hearted and not bc propaganda.
While there obviously are corrupt politicians, and have been throughout history, I think mostly they just get a bad rap, because they're in power and easy figureheads for us all to blame. Mostly, democrats in power believe they're doing what's best. Republicans in power believe they're doing what's best. (Same for other party names in other countries) I can agree or disagree with any of them but I think it's a relatively small number that are in there purely for personal gain. It's just not worth the vitriol to put yourself that much in the public eye to make a few extra bucks.
Even Davey Crockett was taken to task by a constituent about his role as a Congressman - and it has continued to devolve to this day.
I'm glad this is only a fictional story and that there aren't any politicians who would ever act unethically or in their own self-interest. Could you imagine what would happen if we had corruption in the highest offices of government!?!? (Clutches pearls)
@@dannykent6190 It's important to remember that politicians, especially now, are ALWAYS in the public eye and the focus of vitriol and outrage. There's not much to be lost, materially, by behaving in a corrupt manner.
I don't think it's that most politicians aren't doing what they think is best, I think it's just very, very easy to convince yourself that the thing that's best for you and the thing that's best for the public are close to each other. And the longer you're in those positions of power, the closer and closer those things move together, the more jaded you become, and the more you start to feel like you deserve something for all of the attention you suffer and work you do.
I'm sympathetic to how it happens, but it's hard for me to believe that most politicians are just kind-hearted folks who believe in doing their best and fulfilling their mandate.
If you want to watch this actor in color, there are 2 great options: Vertigo (1958) - considered by critics one of the top 5 movies of all time in most lists, and Rear Window (1954) - also considered a masterpiece by most critics, both thrillers (and the second a great box office hit)
You have excellent taste in movies!
I would add, “The man From Laramie” to that list
And maybe “The Shootist”
He kicks ass in “Flight of the Phoenix” too.
@@karlmortoniv2951 Wow!!! How did I forget to mention that one!!!
Ashley this would be the original not the remake
I enjoyed the Philadelphia Story as well with Katherine Hepburn
In real life the great Jimmy Stewart was every bit as honorable as Mr. Smith. Stewart was one of the first Hollywood celebrities to give up acting and enlist in the military during World War II where he REFUSE to just be a celebrity and flew in several dangerous combat missions. In the master piece 10 part WWII documentary The World at War Stewart refused to allow them to mention his connections to Hollywood and only appeared as Col. James Stewart USAF.
Imagine how different the public message would be if more celebrities had personal experience with less glamourous real jobs, not "waiter" or "barrista."
And then he flew the downed plane in "Flight of the Phoenix".
ended up a 1 star general
@@jimp1151 No… he ended up being Jimmy Stewart, and that outranks most generals and all but a few Presidents. 😉
@@davidpietarila699 As much as I love Jimmy Stewart, no, he was just a one star general
Jean Arthur, who played Saunders, was one of the "it girls" of the 1920s and '30s. She was quite versatile and could play anything from a strong, smart professional woman like Saunders to a comical ditzy blonde with equal skill. She actually did a lot of comedies. Late in her career, she had enough clout that she was able to select her own final movie role, and she chose to play the female lead in Shane, opposite Van Heflin and Alan Ladd. She chose well, as Shane is a real classic, and one of the best westerns ever made. BTW, the sleazy Senator Paine was played by Claude Rains, who also played the police chief, Captain Renault, in Casablanca, so you've seen him before.
Also, Thomas Mitchell who played opposite Stewart as Uncle Billy in "It's A Wondeful Life''. Always portrays a great drunk.
@@Nefarioso And Scarlett's father in GWTW, which she's probably seen.
Claude Rains played the title role in the original "The Invisible Man."
Even being an older dude, it blows my mind that when Jean Arthur (Saunders) is on the screen, we're watching an actual real person born 122 years ago.
As far as I'm concerned, Jimmy Stewart can do no wrong. Love him!!! I cried for 3 days when he died and I still get a little choked up when I see his movies.
"I can't believe a movie from 1939 is 2 hours and 9 minutes long".... Gone with the Wind has entered the chat.
'Napolean' from 1927 is five and a half hours long, and I believe there's an Erich Von Stroheim movie from the 20s that was nine hours. The conventions of film-making hadn't really been settled yet, and people were still experimenting.
Another Jimmy Stewart film, (How The West Was Won) 1962, 2 hrs 44 mins long.
Larry Simms was billed as Baby Dumpling in the credits. Baby Dumpling was the son of Dagwood and Blondie Bumstead in the Blondie movies, based on the comic strip of the same name. Those movies were popular at the time, but are largely forgotten now, as is Larry Simms.
"Stop having kittens" is similar to "Don't have a cow." Eighty years from now people will probably wonder where that expression came from, too.
The rubbers in the movie are galoshes, AKA overshoes. I guess people don't use the word that way any more, for some mysterious reason.
Beans must have collapsed after her own filibuster.
They still use the word rubbers in the UK instead of eraser for getting rid of pencil marks.
Because no one wears galoshes anymore because almost everyone now wears shoes with rubber soles instead of leather soles. Also because people drive everywhere instead of walking.
"rubbers" is slang for galoshes. Specifically, the kind of rubber covers that you would put over your shoes.
Not to be confused with Goulash...which is a stew with meat. originating in Hungary.
Does anyone wear galoshes any more? I haven’t seen any in 40 years.
@@jsharp3165 Oh yes, and I have a pair of 'rubbers' I can put over my shoes if I want to go out into the yard or something in muddy weather.
Bulbous Bouffant, Blubber, Macadamia
Sorry. But yes, I worked in a place that made microwavable food and a popular choice of footwear was galoshes over regular steel toed boots as we had to walk through a foot bath to make sure we weren't tracking contaminates into the floor where food was made.
@@jsharp3165 I do. They're quite common in my neighborhood.
A lot of the older movies were stage productions and set as such too, which in most cases produces a work that is approachable by everyone. Another example of this is "Arsenic and old lace", which came as a broadway act before it became a movie, or all of the Marx Brothers movies which were practiced and the timing fine-tuned on Vaudeville first.
Now there’s something no reactor has done, Arsenic and Old Lace. I love that show
I have, on a few occasions, suggested Ashleigh review Arsenic and Old Lace.
Also, the old ladies in the movie were the old ladies in the play. On stage the brother Jonathan was played by Boris Karloff, which made the line about the wanted poster saying he looked like Boris Karloff a real joke. But Karloff wasn't available to make the film, so Jonathan was played by Raymond Massey in the film.
@@JohnWalker-sn9fq Me too!!
Arsenic and Old Lace is fantastic, would make an excellent Hallobeans selection!
A Christmas Tiger is someone who only ever gets his courage up occasionally.
Correct, and never to be confused with an Arbor Day platypus!
I understand why you might refer to this as a _sleeper._ But, before the internet, or at least before the age of smartphones and streaming, *generations of people knew this film.* So much so that it was referenced quite often in random conversation.
I think I might be of one of those last generations to straddle the old world and the new. When I was a kid there were three major network channels and maybe a local UHF channel or two. As kids in later generations spent a lot of time on video games, we spent the same amount of time simply watching television. Although, I did have an Atari 2600 that kept my attention as well. Anywizzle, it exposed us to _soooo much_ that had already come before. Reruns of TV shows made in the 40s and 50s and 60s. And films going all the way back to the beginning of Hollywood. Then as a teenager, cable TV became more prevalent. & Video rentals, . Both had brought all the modern (and even not so modern) movies that we may have missed in theaters to our homes. And as I moved into adulthood we had the internet, followed by smartphones. And now streaming. So much to watch. . .
For those generations to follow mine, perhaps simply _too much to watch._ So much new content, that rarely does anyone go back and watch these iconic films and television shows that came before. This film is a perfect example, as _you hadn't even heard of it._ 😳 And like I said, the very title of this film was quite literally used in conversation often. Generally when discussing what people hoped to see in a politician. Or when someone whimsically suggests what they'd do if they were a senator, etc.
I don't know if this generational divide is a good thing or a bad thing, when observed dispassionately. Oh, _I_ certainly _feel_ sad when I think about it. But then I guess that may simply (and has always been) be the way of the world. Perhaps as each generation grows older, they'll always look back and lament what was lost. 😕
*ADDENDUM:* I realize this is not a hot take. I imagine it probably mirrors the most common type of editorials one would find in local newspapers all over. 🤷🏼♂️
Great reaction Ashleigh, as always.😎👍
Yep. The limits on TV channels meant that everyone was essentially seeing mostly the same things as each other. So there was a cohesive zeitgeist and much common ground.
Didn't the Simpson's do a spin on this movie? I think Mel Gibson was going to remake it and Homer takes over the production and hilarity ensues.
"Raised in a vacuum bottle"?
Yes, 8 kids. My father-in-law was one of 12. People used to have huge families, especially if they lived on a farm. Also, remember that with childhood disease and such they would lose a child or two, so you didn't just have one or two kids and expect that they'd both make it to adulthood. Now, somebody has more than five kids, people think they're weirdos who should have a reality show!
It’s still the norm in most parts of the world to have large broods.
My mom was one of six, and two of her siblings had seven kids each. Two of my cousins have five kids apiece-they were both from the seven-sibling families. Very Irish Catholic!
In doing my family history, I’ve found tons of ancestors with 10 or more kids. One 6th great grand uncle had 15, with four (!!) sets of twins in that number. Four of the children didn’t live to age five, sadly. Four of the survivors joined the celibate sect called the Shakers, and two others also never married, so there was just a small number of descendants from all of those kids.
@@kathyastrom1315 My Father-in-Law is Catholic, but my parents are protestants and my dad had three siblings and my mom had five. My parents would have had another kid (hoping for a girl) but for Paul Ehrlich's book about overpopulation coming out about that time...and my dad's regretted stopping at two ever since.
My brother's father-in-law is also one of 12, while his mother-in-law is one of 5. Needless to say, may sister-in-law has a metric shit-ton of cousins.
One of my Many aunts had 18 children. my uncle had a family of 10, my other uncle had 9. I have over 100 first cousins...don't ask my their names. My father had 6 brothers and sisters, my mother 9. Good Catholics all of them. I'm an atheist with no children.
This film was actually the same director as Its a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra, who was a hugely successful film maker in the 1930s, and Jimmy Stewart made his name I several of his films. Without Stewart his biggest film was the original romantic road movie, It Happened One Night, the first film to win all the five main Oscars. He had a group of actors that he frequently used, HB Warner, who you recognised as the druggist was one, Thomas Mitchell the journalist here, was Stewart's forgetful uncle in Wonderful Life. You should also gave recognised Senator Payne, as Claude Raines, the French police captain in Casablanca.
And the woman that played his mother in this film (Ma Smith), Beulah Bondi, also played his mother in "It's A Wonderful Life" (Ma Bailey).
Beulah Bondi played James Stewart’s mother in four films :
• Of Human Hearts
• Vivacious Lady
• Mr Smith Goes to Washington
• It’s a Wonderful Life
so Jimmy Stewart used to call her « Ma » !
Glasses without ear pieces. Ashleigh, they are called Pince-Nez (French - nose pinch. Just as it seems, they stay on by a spring piece pinching the bridge of ones nose). Very popular in late 19th early 20th century.
I remember Morpheus wearing them in the Matrix and people thinking it was futuristic
Jimmy Stewart was such a wonderful actor, he had a very striking on-screen presence. I don't think I've ever seen a movie with him that I didn't like to at least some extent.
Ashleigh needs to watch "The Thin Man" so she can see Jimmy Stewart in the sequel "After the Thin Man".
@@silentjay01 Also to see the amazing chemistry between William Powell & Myrna Loy & the amazing married life of "Nick & Nora". Not forgetting the also amazing pooch, Asta.
Jimmy Stewart was a great actor. He was in Vertigo, Shop around the Corner, It's A Wonderful Life The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. So many great movies.
The spirt of st Louis
Cheyenne Social Club, 12 Angry Men, Harvey, & many others. Totally agree one of the best. I like seeing him with Henry Fonda.
Has Ashleigh watched ANY Alfred Hitchcock?
1939 was a great year in film history. Wizardof Oz, Gone with the Wind, Ninotchka, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach - SO MANY GOOD MOVIES!!!
This movie has a few common actors with It's a Wonderful Life. Uncle Billy, Mr. Gower the druggist, The dude that owned the tree that George Bailey crashed into, George Bailey's Mom, and there may be more.
Common ... For that studio. Each studio had their own stable of regulars.
@@rmhartman And specifically, this is a Capra crew.
@@melenatorr Good point. Harry Carrey tops that list.
And Senator Payne was played by the same actor who played the policeman Louie in Casablanca.
Charles Lane the ambulance chaser.
1939 was a great year for movies. They made Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of OZ that year, as well as Stagecoach, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Gunga Din and Babes in Arms.
And Thomas Mitchell was in three of them
I love this film so much. This was Jimmy and Frank Capra right before WWII. After the war they made the much darker It's a Wonderful Life. Both of those films pull at your heart strings, but earns its sentimental heart.
Same Same Same.
I remember watching this movie in Civics class in Junior High, early 80s. Also, “rubbers” are the rubber rain boots that would cover one’s dress shoes.
"Having Kittens" is a great saying! It should never have fallen out of fashion. ... Another great B&W film is Sergeant York, which is based on a true story. Women were quite fond of its star, Gary Cooper.
"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" is another Jimmy Stewart movie you will love. It also stars, John Wayne and Lee Marvin, among others. Another "tug at your heartstrings" movie you should consider is "Mr. Roberts".
My favorite Jimmy Stewart movie by far is “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. It’s legendary. As most of his movies are.
My Name is Nobody
Once Upon a Time in the West
Woops. Both of those are Henry Fonda. I get the two confused for some reason.
I will redeem myself by saying The Flight of the Phoenix.
'The Man Who Knew Too Much' is my favorite.
I agree. Also my favorite John Wayne movie by far.
This is my favorite James Stewart movie, even though I’m not really into politics. His character is just so genuinely sweet and pure, and I honestly think the message of this movie reaches into all areas of life. Because simple, good ideals are always worth fighting for, and characters like Mr. Smith remind us that we can fight for them in a straightforward, honest, and peaceful way. Through all the chaos in the world, movies like this can help us to be better individuals, and strengthen our endurance of character and integrity. There’s a root of goodness in all of us - we just need to tap into it and make it our center.
Ashleigh's immediate response to this film... " Ashleigh Goes To The Dictionary " to look up all of the old fashioned words and sayings! :)
The guy at 3:00 on the left with the white hair is Claude Rains, who is one of Hollywood's greatest character actors and movie stars for that matter. Claude Rains is the same guy who played Louis Renault in Casablanca.
It's sad that Ashleigh doesn't know Jimmy Stewart. He was one of the all time great movie actors that built Hollywood. His career was decades long and people loved the characters he brought to life on film.Vertigo , Rear Window , to a small part at the end as the doctor that told John Wayne he was dying in wayne's last movie "The Shootist." A great actor James Stewart.
I thought the Cowboys was Wayne’s last film. I want to say Shoots was 2nd or 3rd from the end
And Stewart’s character does appear several times and is a pretty significantly supporting role.
@@shawnmiller4781 The Shootist was the 154 th movie and the last movie of John Wayne's career. It was released in 1976 and he died a year or 2 later after his cancer returned. The Cowboys film was released in 1972.
Wayne died in 1979. His last public appearance was three months before he passed from cancer when he presented the Oscar for Best Film. You can see it on RUclips.
"Diz Moore" was played by Thomas Mitchell, who was "Uncle Billy" in "It's a Wonderful Life".
I loved Ashleigh's reactions... A mix of confusion and amazement, at the language, manners and behaviour of the times. :)
Sen Paine was played by Claude Raines who was also in Casablanca.
He played "Louie", who had "the beginning of a beautiful friendship" with Rick. He also played "The Invisible Man" in 1933.
@@creech54 What's great about "The Invisible Man" is we don't see Claude's face until the film's end.
@@Madbandit77 All he needed was that great voice of his!
Thomas Mitchell was the actor who played Diz. He is an amazing character actor. His other roles include Uncle Billy in "It's a Wonderful Life," Scarlett O'Hara's father in "Gone With the Wind," and (my favorite) Doc in "Stagecoach." He was the first male actor to win an Oscar, Tony, and Emmy.
I liked Mitchell in a small role as an newspaper editor in the comedy, "Theodora Goes Wild" with Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas.
I applaud your willingness to do reactions to old classics. There really are some good ones out there that have fallen into the pit of obscurity. I have a niece that I think is close to your age and she grew up watching old movies with my parents. She loved them! Especially the old comedies and her favorites were Laurel and Hardy films. "Way Out West" was her favorite. So, she was in class one day, in college, and she used Laurel and Hardy in a reference, and her professor was impressed that she even knew who they were. No one in that class knew the men who have been heralded as the greatest comedy duo of all time, and that shocked my niece. For fun, the professor brought in a copy of "Way Out West" for everyone to watch, and my niece left class that day in great disappointment because no one understood the humor. She had grown up with this and had a connection to the hilarity of the content, but her entire class told her it was the dumbest movie they'd ever seen, and that it wasn't funny at all.
Her professor pulled her aside before the next class and told her not to let the class reaction get her down. He told her that the experience was going to make her wiser than anyone else in that room because she was the only one connected to both sides of a generation gap. "They don't know what you know, and the value of what you understand is only being shelved because of their narrow-minded innocence. Your generation is being lead with horse blinders. All they see is the carrot. And they will be easily lead in circles because they're ignorance, unaware of the things around them that reveal greater truth. Greater wisdom. My fear is one day, they will get so attached to the carrot that they will snarl and scoff at anyone who tries to take their eyes off that carrot. Yesterday's reaction only supports my concerns about the future. But don't be discouraged, you are the better off for appreciating the things your classmates haven't the faintest realization of. Values that have already been taken from them at someone else's discretion. Things of life and heritage, and they don't even know what is missing, let alone what's been stolen."
Yes, Ashleigh is broad-minded and willing to watch anything, but I know plenty of people her age (and older!) who refuse point blank to watch a movie that's in black and white. They have no idea of the treasures they're turning their backs on. An appreciation for old movies gives us a fuller picture of the range of human possibility.
Nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture but won for Best Story.
The film to take 10 Oscars, 2 being technical, was the 1939 epic drama Gone With The Wind.
And I can't help but feel the academy kinda got that wrong. Gone with the wind is pretty good yes but I don't think it deserved 10 while something like this gets best story. It almost feels like the academy threw this a pity award. But academy bias is nothing new obviously and will never cease.
And Thomas Mitchell was in both movies!
Frank Capra later said something along the lines of, Never make your best film the same year someone else makes Gone With The Wind.
Another great Frank Capra film, among many, is _Meet John Doe_ (1941), starring Gary Cooper and the great Barbara Stanwyck. It's one that really tugs at the heart strings. And Capra again cast Edward Arnold, who played Taylor in _Mr. Smith...,_ as the heavy.
@David Hawkins Bit of trivia: in the original Broadway production the role of Jonathan was played by Boris Karloff, so the line about his looks was a huge laugh. Karloff was unavailable for the film, so the line as said by Raymond Massey has less punch.
I came here looking for someone to make the connection between this and Meet John Doe. I really feel like these two movies represent how corrupt the world can be, regardless of the times. Ashleigh should do an oldies day and watch these kinds of movies more often. Ball of Fire with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck is all about slang of the time and she might use that as a springboard to understanding.
@David Hawkins Yes, Karloff was still in the show on Broadway while the film was being shot.
Well as a DC area resident, welcome!
And if you like Jimmy (James) Stewart, the guy from It's a Wonderful Life and this, I highly highly recommend the movie Harvey . I don't think it's possible to get through that movie and not end with a smile.
I never realized how many people from “It’s a Wonderful Life” were in this movie. Another that has a lot of this cast is “You Can’t Take it with You”. I think it’s Frank Capra too.
YES..it Capra..
and I recognized senator Paine from Casablanca.
@@sallyh5413 Uncle Billy..from its A Wonderful Life.
Isn't this from the time when actors had exclusive contracts with studios?
Capra had a “stable” of actors that he preferred to work with. Much of this same cast is also in Meet John Doe, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and You Can’t Take It with You.
I've never seen this movie but I adore James Stewart. Another awesome and funny reaction, Ashleigh! I'm super excited for Monday!!
Thanks!
This movie makes me very proud to be an American (and a veteran). It should be watch on Independence Day! Director Frank Capra makes such great, wholesome films that you should watch more of. He also likes to use his actors from previous films into his other films. You should recognize a few from "It's a Wonderful Life" such as his mom, "Uncle Billy" and Mr. Gower the druggist. There are MANY other great actors here whom you'll start to know if you venture onto movies of the 30s and 40s. Jean Arthur is a darling and one of these legends. I know that Blake will enjoy this film. Thanks for reacting to it. 🇺🇸
Capra had a flare for what were considered "everyman" flicks, where the protagonist was just a common, everyday individual thrust into extraordinary circumstances- hence the similarities between "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and "It's A Wonderful Life," which was also a Frank Capra movie.
Film critics at the time had their own name for these kind of movies... they called them "Capra Corn."
@@donaldball3245 'Mr. Smith', 'Mr. Deeds Goes to Town', and' Meet John Doe' constitute what is commonly referred to as Capra's Everyman Trilogy. They are about a simple fish-out-of-water protagonist fighting the political and social elites, all while bringing a cynical tough gal along with him on a redemption arc. Jean Arthur was the cynical dame in two of those films. Gary Cooper was the protagonist in two of them. And Edward Arnold was the crooked villain in two of them. But the three of them were never in one of the films together at once!
pride is not the opposite of shame but its source
Your commentary on this film is fantastic and makes me laugh out loud time after time. Comedy gold! *that's the only man who says creek correctly in this movie*. *I understand why you wanted to end it all in" It's a Wonnderful Life" now.*.
The comment about a senator having a jar of change on his desk reminds me of Louisville/Jefferson County Judge Executive Marlow Cook (later senator from Kentucky). In 1962 he spent $34,000 in county money to buy the derelict steamboat Avalon for the city and county, and got sued (politically motivated) for spending taxpayer money on such a folly (now restored as our beloved Belle of Louisville, oldest ever operating steamboat on the inland waterways, and one of our symbols of civic pride): the deal of the century for Louisville, in retrospect.
Judge Cook worked out that $34,000 came out to six cents per taxpayer, and whenever anyone came into his office to complain, he would pay them off out of a jar of pennies he kept in his desk. He said some people insisted on checks, and he wrote several checks for six cents, but none of them were ever cashed.
All children rose when their father entered the dining room or got up from the table. And all men rose when a woman entered a dining room or got up from the table. Much different time.
Also, a "long hair" was someone who was considered an "intellectual."
A couple facts I have to share is that to give his voice that gravely worn sound was mercury. It was before they knew how bad it was. Also the boy who plays the kid helping him in the senate is named Dickie Jones who in a couple years would become the voice of Pinocchio in the Disney film.
Other Jimmy Stewart films I recommend include:
Rope,
Vertigo,
The Man Who Knew Too Much,
The Spirit of St. Louis,
The Philadelphia Story,
Harvey,
And The Cheynne Social Club.
When I first saw this film it had me bawling.
What, no mention of 'Harvey'?
@@davidrobinson4400 I just edited the comment look again.
Also, Rear Window and The Glenn Miller Story.
Pretty much anything with Jimmy Stewart in it is worth watching.
I also enjoy "Flight of the Phoenix".
The Senator who read Green Eggs and Ham was the Rev. Jesse Jackson; I recommend Jimmy Stewart in Bell, Book & Candle...one of the inspirations for Bewitched.
ted cruz read green eggs and ham. jesse jackson hasnt been a senator dc doesnt count has no vote
Incorrect. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas read 'Green Eggs and Ham' during a filibuster in 2013. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was never a Senator or any other elected official.
When you have a full day with nothing planned once you get to D.C., spend it in the Smithsonian Art museum. I once spent a full day walking through it chronologically and just soaking in all the amazing art I had only ever seen in books & on websites before. Would love to do it again some day.
I like the portrait gallery
The actor who played the other newsman, Saunders buddy (and potential "husband") was Thomas Mitchell, one of the great character actors of the 1930's and 40's. He played "Uncle Billy," the absent minded guy who lost the money in "It's a Wonderful Life." The one senator that you remembered did play the pharmacist. It's sad that all these magnificent actors are forgotten...or were never known, to the audiences today. Acting was the core of movies 60-70 years ago, not green screen, CGI mayhem and explosions. So few people remember the names, even of the top actors and directors. I'm glad you're opening the eyes of your audience to the gold mine of entertainment that was the standard in the past...and a lot of these "old Black and White" movies still stand up. "Casablanca," "It's a Wonderful Life"...so many treasures. Thank you for opening the somewhat dusty vaults and showing the wealth of talent, adventure and pure entertainment that's still out there. You're doing a service to the past and the present.
PLEASE put Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead on your to watch list. It's right up your alley, I promise.
More relevant today than ever before. Literal timeless classic.
You noticed that this movie has the same star as It's a Wonderful Life. Did you know both movies have the same director, Frank Capra? I believe they made five movies together. You Can't Take It With You is another good one.
"Uncle Billy" from It's a Wonderful Life plays Diz (Thomas Mitchell)
If you want sassy lady roles try His Girl Friday from 1940. It's a crackling madcap romantic comedy about reporters covering an impending execution in which everything including the condemned escaping goes sideways.
THIS, ASHLEIGH! You have to watch His Girl Friday. Just be forewarned: They talk extremely fast in that movie. The dialog in Gilmore Girls was deliberately patterned after the fast, witty, sarcastic humor in “screwball comedy” movies like His Girl Friday and The Thin Man.
"Bringing up Baby" is another good one.
Let's not forget All About Eve.
Uh…word of advice though. By today standards I would consider it a dark comedy more than a rom com
This was such a pleasant surprise this morning. 😊 Jimmy Stewart is an absolute legend, and I'm always thrilled to see him on your channel. However, I'm even more excited for you to see Jean Arthur, one of the greatest comedic actresses of the golden age of cinema. 💜
Oh my goodness you need to give Harvey a try. It's fantastic.
James Stewart also made a number of excellent Westerns in the 1950s, such as WINCHESTER ‘73 (1950), BEND OF THE RIVER (1952), THE NAKED SPUR (1953), NIGHT PASSAGE (1957), and my personal favorite, THE MAN FROM LARAMIE (1955). You should definitely check those out.
If Ashleigh likes witty, old Hollywood movies featuring an awesome leading lady, I think she would like “His Girl Friday” (1940)
I love this movie. Particularly the fast paced dialog and the interaction of the two leads.
I also think she should watch Bringing Up Baby, with Kathryn Hepburn. A major screwball comedy.
Gary Cooper…Sgt. York
I agree with this, she would.love Hildy.
At Princeton Jimmy fell in love with acting . An architecture major he changed majors to drama. His father owned a hardware store in Pennsylvania. He placed Jimmy's diploma in the stores front window.
Actually, he placed Jimmy's Oscar for Best Actor (1940, The Philadelphia Story) in the window, where it sat for 20 years.
Can't wait for 9 to 5. You'll be happy to know that Dolly is by far the best thing about it, her and Jane Fonda.
So glad you liked this one. This movie was my introduction to the lovely and sassy Jean Arthur, who played Saunders. I loved her look, and her extremely unique voice. In real life, she was very shy, but she had good range, and a lot of truth in all her portrayals. A favorite movie with her for me is "The More the Merrier", which has fun with the housing shortage in Washington DC during WWII.
Thomas Mitchell, who played her sidekick/wishful lover, was one of the most talented and prolific supporting actors of his time. One of his most famous roles is a Scarlet O'Hara's father in "Gone With the Wind". But this movie is chock-full of magnificent supporting players, most notably, perhaps, Claude Rains as Senator Paine. I do hope you'll get to see some more older movies and that he'll be in them: you'll see how wonderful he is, all the way from the snake-smooth, slimy King John in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" to the wise and vulnerably "Mr. Skeffington", to the wise and wonderful doctor in "Now, Voyager", to the manipulative egomaniac in "Deception", and of course you have seen him as the sly and witty Captain Renault in "Casablanca". Here is a sweet tribute to him, a short filler from TCM channel: ruclips.net/video/m27OolkakJc/видео.html
The rest of the cast is a treasure trove of supporting players from the period, all giving their all and doing what they all do best. Among them is Edward Arnold as the villain of story, Mr. Taylor. He had a chance to play a major role, as a hero, in "All That Money Can Buy", which is based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet, "The Devil and Daniel Webster". Arnold is Daniel Webster. It's a devil buying a soul story, and a lot of fun, also legit scary. Another magnificent supporting player gets a major role in this move, Walter Huston, father of direct John Huston. Huston plays the devil, and just runs away with the role.
I really do wish Ashleigh would watch more very old movies. There's so much for her to discover, and she is helping to bring some of these movies to the attention of a younger audience.
“Good intentions are ubiquitous in politics; what is scarce is accurate beliefs.” ― Bryan Caplan, The Myth of the Rational Voter
I think good intentions are genuinely in short supply these days
What an absolute classic you have chosen to review. I love this film. It’s my ‘poorly’ film. Meaning whenever I feel like crap, I watch this and it makes me feel better. Jean Arthur and James Stewart were brilliant in this.
Yes, and while it may be a classic it also shows why Ashleigh's channel is one of the best reaction channels out there she's not afraid of watching any genre or time period. To some younger people, b&w sadly is a no-go plus most reaction channels rarely venture outside the range of blockbuster hits and classic/cult movies, I'm guessing some assume that's where the big audience is (i.e. clicks) or simply that older movies per se and non-big hits can't possibly be any good thus not worth their time. Obviously, they'd be completely wrong to assume so. Ashleigh doesn't have any barriers like that seemingly, an open mind attitude is all you need it's definitely an advantage as a movie watcher.
@@LarryFleetwood8675 Totally agree. I have over 2000 movies in my collection. About 55% of them are B&W and over half of them are from the 1930’s. These are great entertaining stories with no swearing, sex or gratuitous violence. That’s why I love them so much. Ashleigh’s channel is the best because she’s not afraid to react to these movies. Other reaction channels would make you think there hasn’t been a movie made before the year 2000. Bravo Ashleigh!…..and Beans.
My suggestion for a black & white film is Clerks.
'Clerks' added to National Film Registry after drawing huge public support. "Clerks" has long been accepted as a classic and important film in New Jersey. But now its being recognized as such by the Library of Congress.
Yes, down this Kevin Smith hole she must go.
For a black and white film I recommend King Kong (1933).
A man could dream I highly doubt she'll react to it but I would love to see her get into the world of Kevin Smith
@@shilohstore6086 Technically, the View Askewniverse is connected to the *MCU, and since she has gotten into that I hope that she would soon venture into Kevin’s territory.
*see Captain Marvel
@@jrobwoo688 wasn't it great to see Stan on the bus with that script
Jimmy Stewart has been in some of the best movies ever made. He was a phenomenal actor and person. There are many other movies of his that would make for great reactions so I hope we get to see some in the future. Whoever picked this made a great choice.
When Beans' paw reached up it was like that scene in Ghostbusters where the chair grabbed Sigourney Weaver.
Happy for you that you're going to watch 9 to 5 !
Of all the other Jimmy Stewart movies to explore down the Rabbit hole with , I recommend highly Harvey
You should check out Rear Window, Anatomy of a Murder and Vertigo, so you can see that guy from It's a Wonderful Life to do some real acting in his twilight years.
A little trivia. The senate page was actually named Richard Jones. Known professionally as Dickie Jones, around this time he also provided the voice for the title character in Disney's "Pinocchio".
2:42 Eugene Pallette, usually plays a policeman, but probably most remembered for playing Friar Tuck in the 1938 Adventures of Robin Hood.
And Jimmy Stewart's best friend was Henry Fonda, whose daughter, Jane, will be in Monday's movie.
Congratulations to Blake and his new job!! Hope you, Ashley, don't lose your Tennessee wit when you move to D.C.!
Moving to DC is like losing your virginity, there is no going back.
James Stewart is a National Treasure, Someone below already mentioned it but I would recomend Harvey as well. Its a Great movie and a wonder classic James Stewart in that film really stands out in his acting.
Great reaction, Ashleigh. I'm glad you're not afraid to watch the older movies. There are some really good ones that Have been all but forgotten. Back in the old days rain boots were referred to as rubbers, so the check your rubbers outside the door line was referring to people taking off their rainboots become coming into a building.
I disagree with your comment about this movie being only for those interested inn politics. Every American should see this movie. It would help them understand how politics really works and why it's important to be informed. Sadly, the dirty power politics portrayed in it are still alive and well today. The same dirty tricks and corruption still happen, and most of us are not interested enough to try to figure it out.
One of my favorite movies. I really thought you would cry near the end. I do every time I see it. Glad you liked it. Another good review.
Jimmy Stewart always reminded me of my dad. My favorite film he's in is called 'THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH' directed by Alfred Hitchcock, I highly recommend. ✌️
A wonderful film also starring Doris Day and the source of the iconic song, "Que Sera Sera."
I enjoyed this one very much. Although I have seen "It's A Wonderful Life" every Christmas.... this is my first time watching "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and I was surprised to see at least four of the same actors were in both movies... these were actors that worked closely with James Stewart in both so I am guessing that there was a good bond with them.... off camera... if not on . I really agree with your take on this movie and exactly why I had not watched it before now.... it's not up my alley but I am glad I watched it . 4 out of 5 * is an accurate rating for this movie . Thank you Ashleigh for this and as always I look forward to Monday.
On the Beans footage here.... her tiny paw reaching up to you from your lap was so adorable.... she is so dang precious it should be a crime to be that cute and then her melted to the floor and looking up.... We all Love her
Frank Capra (director of this and "It's A Wonderful LIfe" among other classics) was always witty and literate. Another b/w classic you might enjoy is the 1950 Judy Holliday "Born Yesterday," especially if you are planning to acquire the foundations of a political education yourself.
Yes, James Stewart from “It’s A Wonderful Life” and the man that directed it is Frank Capra who directed “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
A great Director and they made a great directing team.
Also, Claude Rains the man who has white hair and the glasses you thought had no sides to them… He was the Frenchman in “Casablanca”!
"You gotta check your ideals outside the door, like you do your rubbers."
"Does that mean what I think it means?"
Slip-on rubber overshoes for rainy days, Ashleigh. 😀I had a pair when I was a kid, but I think they've gone the way of the dodo since then.
they are still very popular in England.
18 years before 12 Angry Men, a dozen or so before TV's were in peoples houses. Imagine being a Detective before finger prints, DNA tests, PC's, cell phones with easy pics and videos. Decades of great stories
This is one of my all-time favorites. Kudos to Ingibingi2000 for recommending that one!
Thankyou
@@ingibingi2000 Corrected the spelling!
When I worked on the collage newspaper in the late 60's when we first started with lead type and typesetters at a publishing company. We ended with digital typesetting.
23:00 that's real life journalist and commentator H. V. Kaltenborn playing himself at the CBS radio mic. Kaltenborn also plays himself in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Just like modern movies where real journalists (Larry King, Anderson Cooper) play themselves in movies, the effect is to ground the piece in the real world time and place of its day.
James Stewart remains one of my all time favorites. And this is when he was really young. I knew you'd enjoy this! OMG!!!! Hahahahaha!!!! - 'rubbers' means goloshes - they were rubber 'socks' you stretched over your shoes to keep them dry from rain and puddles. I'm still laughing over your reaction, though! LOL
There was a movie genre that came about in this era, called the Screwball Comedy. If you want to see a classic screwball, you should watch Bringing Up Baby. It has Kathryn Hepburn, and she was another fast talking, witty female. It's also from the 1930s.
Also, the original 1936 version of My Man Godfrey with William Powell & Carole Lombard.
@@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626 and also His Girl Friday!
@@Amanda-gg6kz I also like the 1974 remake of The Front Page starring Walter Matthau & Jack Lemmon.
James Stewart was a great acror. Glad to see people are rediscovering him now. He made so many great movies. This is one of my favorite movies of any era.
Judgement at Nuremberg (1961) is another great one. Starring Judy Garland
Kinda strange when you realize Judy Garland and William Shatner were both in a movie about Nazi war criminals
Highly recommend Jimmy Stewart in Shenandoah. It is one of his later movies, but his performance in it is amazing. For something more light-hearted, The Cheyenne Social Club is also really good. Both are in color. Cheyenne Social Club has the added bonus of Henry Fonda.
I love when you watch the classics. I bet you'd like Arsenic and Old Lace. It's hilarious. And a little creepy in a few places. Let's just say it's well-rounded. You'll see. 😄
This is one of my favorite Frank Capra films.
This was Jimmy Stewart's 2nd Capra film. Then he went and served in the army during WWII.
He came back and Frank Capra hired him for his first film after the war, and my favorite, "It's A Wonderful Life ".
"I gotta drink this over"
That's a line in going to have to remember.
I've always loved your channel and the reviews, but as a crazy cat momma with a big chonk cat myself - your relationship with Beans is DEAD ON accurate with how I am with mine and I absolutely love it! That end with Beans laid out in hungy desperation to be fed and your conversation with her has me dying! Love it!! Please love on that beautiful baby for me
Lighted and Lit are both acceptable words for the past tense of light.
Language usage changes over time. Just compare your vocabulary to that of your grandparents, I'm sure you'll see large variations.
If you like the old black & whites try a movie called "Johnny Belinda" (1948) I saw it the first time when I was about 6 years old. For some reason I had always remembered that film. And here over 50 years later, I watched it for the second time. Now I realize why it had such an impact.