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Aim! Why was Mr. Smith Goes to Washington a controversial film?. Ready! What movies, music, or clothing today have created controversy? Why?. Fire! Decide which issue you’ll base your project on, and choose the four frames/sequences you’ll use as evidence. More Food for Thought.
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Aim! Why was Mr. Smith Goes to Washington a controversial film? Ready! What movies, music, or clothing today have created controversy? Why? Fire! Decide which issue you’ll base your project on, and choose the four frames/sequences you’ll use as evidence.
More Food for Thought “I do hope there are more arguments about pictures. I hope more pictures will be made with ideas that provoke discussion.” (Frank Capra) • Is controversy a healthy thing for America, or does it bring more harm than good? • What ideas provoke discussion? What makes something controversial?
The Film’s Premiere in 1939 The caption under the top photograph notes: • “Practically every member of the Senate and House of Representatives and members of the National Press Club turned out with their wives and friends to preview the Capra-directed production.”
The Film’s Premiere in 1939 • Prior to the actual showing of the film, the National Press Club held a dinner party at the club for members of Congress and the press. Women who were usually excluded from the male-only club were allowed on this evening to attend the dinner. Toasts were made and congratulations given to the thunderous applause for Capra, even though no one had yet seen the film.
The Film’s Premiere in 1939 • The party moved to Constitution Hall for the showing. Within the first half hour, Capra noticed how the audience was whispering, fidgeting, and that, he said, was a terrible sign. • Then he saw the first husband and wife walk out. Jefferson Smith hadn’t even begun his filibuster yet! When he did, Capra said, “The whispering swelled into a provoked buzz.” More people walked out, muttering loudly enough for Capra to hear comments such as “Outrage!” and “Insult!”
The Film’s Premiere in 1939 • When the film ended and the lights came up, more than 1,000 people had left. Some of those who remained applauded, but many more did not. • What happened? Why was the audience so upset by this movie? What’s controversial about Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
Brainstorm! • What are the themes of the movie? Could any of them be seen as insulting to certain members of American society? • Review your characterization of the different characters. How are senators depicted? The President? Reporters? The average citizen? Are any of these depictions offensive to Americans who have those jobs in the real world?
News Headlines about the Film • “Capra’s Capitol Offense” suggests the director had offended all of Congress. It is also a play on words. A capital offense is so serious a crime, such as murder, that it is punishable by death. The Capitol, on the other hand, is the building where Congress meets. • “Senate, Ired at ‘Mr. Smith,’ to Retaliate” states that the senators who saw the film, or heard about it, are angry and will seek revenge. The article discusses possible legislation the Senate may introduce to control how Hollywood studios distribute their films in theaters. • “Capra Comedy, or Calumny . . .” uses alliteration to create clever meaning and to grab the reader’s attention. Calumny means slander, or the act of spreading false rumors about someone. Slander is much more than name-calling. It is a serious, even abusive, attack on a person’s character or reputation. • “Fourth Estate Tongues Wag on Bibulous Correspondent” is a challenging headline for anyone, let alone a high school student! Break it into parts: Fourth estate means newspaper reporters, editors, and photographers. Tongues wag or wagging tongues refers to gossip. Bibulous means inclined to drink alcoholic beverages, almost like being an alcoholic.
Let’s Recap • Potential points of controversy: • Censorship and freedom of the press • Patriotism and naivety • Corruption and greed • Bullying and blackmail • Political procedures
Other Front Page News in 1939 • Nazi raid that damaged a British battleship • “War Roll Call” Just days before the film’s premiere, Adolf Hitler and Nazi storm troopers invaded Poland. As a result, England and France declared war on Germany. But America remained neutral (“isolationist”).
Compare/Contrast • If Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a metaphor for the United States’ involvement in World War II, which characters represent: • The U.S.A. • Germany • Who do the other characters represent?
