Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

1939 · directed by Frank Capra

Rating

91/100

Hit

yes

Prestige lists

AFI 100, NFR

After the death of a United States Senator, the idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. The naive and earnest new senator soon finds himself battling political corruption.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), directed by Frank Capra, rates 91/100 — a hit. See how its director, cast and crew rate across their careers.

Cast

• James Stewart
• Jean Arthur
• Claude Rains
• Edward Arnold
• Guy Kibbee
• Thomas Mitchell
• Eugene Pallette
• Beulah Bondi
• H.B. Warner
• Harry Carey

Crew

• Joseph Walker — Director of Photography
• Al Clark — Editor
• Gene Havlick — Editor
• Dimitri Tiomkin — Original Music Composer
• Sidney Buchman — Screenplay

More from Frank Capra

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) — 97/100 · hit
2. It Happened One Night (1934) — 89/100 · hit
3. You Can't Take It with You (1938) — 88/100 · hit
4. Lady for a Day (1933) — 84/100 · hit
5. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) — 82/100 · hit
6. The Miracle Woman (1931) — 82/100 · hit

How these numbers work: Methodology