by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent
You’ll probably recognize actor/writer/producer, multi-hyphenate Bill Duke from numerous movies and TV shows. And he’s here now as an AFI alum to share the politically impactful, and still relevant, Frank Capra film MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. This Jimmy Stewart classic has all the key human elements. It’s senatorial saga screen-written by Sidney Buchman from an unpublished work by Lewis Foster entitled “The Gentleman from Montana,” about corruption and redemption. Also starring Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, and Harry Carey, this potboiler has stood the test of time to the degree that it is listed on the National Film Registry.
Because once upon an uncensored time, America used to tell gritty stories about their broken political machinery with impunity. In the hopes of raising a conscience among the people and the politicos themselves. When you could have a fair fight within the hallowed halls of the legislature; before the House and the Senate became victims of bipartisanship.
Get off the couch and onto the soap box with Bill Duke and Frank Capra now.
WHAT: AFI Alum Bill Duke announces today’s AFI Movie Club selection: MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. This beloved film appears on four of AFI’s lists of the greatest American films – and Jimmy Stewart’s character, Jefferson Smith, was named one of cinema’s most inspiring screen heroes by AFI. Stewart was also honored with an AFI Life Achievement Award in 1980, and two years later, director Frank Capra received his own AFI Life Achievement Award.
DID YOU KNOW? The U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain at the time sent a message to Frank Capra claiming that the film would damage “America’s prestige in Europe” and should therefore be withdrawn from European distribution. But today, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON stands as one of the great icons of American ideals. In this exclusive AFI Archive video, Walter Cronkite talks about the film’s impact.
WHERE: AFI.com/MovieClub
The One and Only AFI Movie Club
AFI Movie Club is a newly launched program to raise the nation’s spirits by bringing artists and audiences together – even while we are apart. AFI shines a spotlight on an iconic movie, with special guests announcing select AFI Movies of the Day in short videos posted on AFI.com and social media platforms. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to find out how to watch the featured movie with the use of their preexisting streaming service credentials. The film selections are supported by fun facts, family discussion points and exclusive material from the AFI Archive to enrich the viewing experience. Audiences can continue the conversation online using the hashtag #AFIMovieClub. Learn more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, also YouTube.com/AFI, Twitter.com/AmericanFilm and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.
Here’s a Speech for the Ages: Jimmy Stewart Will Not Surrender to Corruption
Don’t forget to you know, vote… or run for local or national or even from-home office in 2020.
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