James Stewart is Jefferson Smith, an idealistic young man who is appointed to fill out a Senate seat by politicians convinced that his naivete will enable them to manipulate his votes. Mr. Smith and his secretary (Jean Arthur) surprise them....There is no denying the controversy Frank Capra's films aroused and the veritable red-baiting he endured in the aftermath of his greatest (and most patriotic) successes. After Mr. Smith had its world premiere in Washington, Capra was nearly run out of town. His depiction of the U.S. Senate as an organization controlled by special interests, filled with corrupt politicians, was certainly at odds with the traditional Hollywood treatment. Today Mr. Smith is most impressive for Capra's direction of mass scenes, and his masterly dramatization of ideas, as well as for the unique blend of comedy and sentiment that is his special attribute.-Tom Luddy