History Film / MrSmithGoesToWashington

* ArchEnemy:

* INeverSaidItWasPoison: Averted. When Smith tells the Senate about being offered bribes by Taylor, he tries to cover for Paine by saying he never said Paine was one of the senators in the room with him. Paine replies, "I ''was'' in that room!"

* GuileHero: Smith...thanks mainly to Saunders' working as the ManBehindTheMan.

* HotAndCold: Saunders. She warms up to Mr. Smith over the course of the story.

* BanOnPolitics: Despite being a film ''about'' politics, it studiously avoids any potentially polarizing details such as party affiliations, hot-button issues, or even what state the senators are from -- they refer to "his state" or "that state". The words "Republican" or "Democrat" are never so much as alluded to; the most we get is a glimpse of "the majority leaders" and "the minority leaders." (As for {{applicability}}... let's [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment not go there.]])

* [[No Newspapers Were Harmed NoCelebritiesWereHarmed]]: The Boy Rangers put out a newspaper called ''Boys' Stuff'', which some viewers may still recognize as ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grit_(newspaper) Grit]]''. There is a clear nod to [[https://www.americanantiquarian.org/amateurnews.htm the American amateur press]] as well.

** His speech is passable as the Mid-Atlantic accent used by old-time actors (and politicians -- you can hear Lee Pace use it as Fernando Wood in ''Film/{{Lincoln}}''). This often sounds FakeBrit or even real Brit to modern listeners.

** His speech is passable as the Mid-Atlantic accent used by old-time actors (and politicians -- you can hear Lee Pace use it as Fernando Wood in ''Film//{{Lincoln}}''). This often sounds FakeBrit or even real Brit to modern listeners.

* PaperTiger: The press corps call Jefferson Smith a "Christmas tiger" to his face, telling him that he was only appointed to fill a seat in the Senate and vote the way Senator Payne wants him to, which chafes the idealistic young senator. A Christmas tiger is a Japanese bobblehead toy, a ''hariko no tora''. It's usually made of papier-mache. They were called that likely because they were popular in the U.S. as Christmas presents or decorations.

* PlatonicLifePartners: Diz and Saunders, although Diz apparently wishes they could be more.

A senator dies in the middle of his term, and the state Governor has to pick a replacement. The crooked political machine controlled by Taylor (Arnold) would like one candidate, but this man is already known to take positions unpopular with the populace of that state. The reformers in the state are agitating for a radical to get the seat, but the crooked political machine won't stand for that.

** Taylor too can be very generous to his employees. Cross him, however, and he'll throw you under a bus. Fight, and smear your name with a massive media empire.

* BanOnPolitics: Despite being a film ''about'' politics, it studiously avoids any potentially polarizing details such as party affiliations, hot-button issues, or even what state the senators are from. The words "Republican" or "Democrat" are never so much as alluded to; the most we get is a glimpse of "the majority leaders" and "the minority leaders." (As for {{applicability}}... let's [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment not go there.]])

* EmbarrassingFirstName: ''Clarissa'' Saunders. So embarassing, it doesn't even get listed in the credits.
* {{Expy}}: The "Boy Rangers", due to the Boy Scouts of America's fierce defense of the use its protected name.

* NewscasterCameo: H.V. Kaltenborn, a renowned CBS radio commentator from the era, appears to cover Smith's filibuster

* PropagandaMachine: Taylor has a fearsome one. It is easy to forget, in the modern media age, how owning a couple of radio stations and a newspaper or two could at one time allow an individual to control the public discourse in a rural area, at least for a little while.

* AffectionateParody: In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', Creator/MelGibson attempts to do a remake of the film, which is revised to conclude with Mr. Smith doing an action-movie style CurbStompBattle wiping out the entire Senate.

* BigBad: Senator Joseph Paine.

->''"Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say, "I'm free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will."''

* VillainousBreakdown: Paine, after Jeff collapses.

* AffectionateParody: In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', Creator/MelGibson attempts to do a remake of the film, which is revised to conclude with with Mr. Smith doing an action-movie style CurbStompBattle wiping out the entire Senate.

Another fun fact: [[TheSimpsons An attempt was made to remake the film in 1999, starring Mel Gibson]]. For numerous obvious reasons, it was prevented.

* INeverSaidItWasPoison: "I was in that room!"

** Once Jeff gets wise, Taylor offers him a chance at being Senator for the rest of his life, as well as other favors, if he plays ball. Jeff refuses, and which point Taylor throws him under a bus.

A film from 1939, directed by Creator/FrankCapra, with an AllStarCast that included [[Creator/JimmyStewart James Stewart]], Creator/JeanArthur, Creator/ClaudeRains, Edward Arnold, and Thomas Mitchell. One of Capra's greatest works, maybe the best movie Stewart ever made.

A film from 1939, directed by Creator/FrankCapra, with an AllStarCast that included [[Creator/JimmyStewart James Stewart]], Creator/JeanArthur, Creator/ClaudeRains, Edward Arnold, and Creator/ThomasMitchell. One of Capra's greatest works, maybe the best movie Stewart ever made.

* {{Fainting}}: Smith collapses of exhaustion during his filibuster

* Foreshadowing: After administering the oath of office, the Vice President says to Smith, "Senator, you can talk all you want to now." Laughter ensues.

* [[INeverSaidItWasPoison I Did Not Say That Mr. Paine Was One Of The Men In That Room]]
** "I was in that room!"

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Martin Monroe. He looks down on Jeff, after reading about his shameless behavior at Mount Vernon, but comes to admire him after witnessing his hours-long filibuster.

* PaperTiger: The press corps call Jefferson Smith a "paper tiger" to his face, telling him that he was only appointed to fill a seat in the Senate and vote the way Senator Payne wants him to, which chafes the idealistic young senator.

A film from 1939, directed by Creator/FrankCapra, with an AllStarCast that included [[Creator/JimmyStewart James Stewart]], Creator/JeanArthur, Creator/ClaudeRains, Edward Arnold, and Thomas Mitchell. One of Capra's greatest works, maybe the best movie Stewart ever made.