The Dryden will screen Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Frank Capra, U.S. 1939, 129 min., 35mm) as part of the Capra, Holidays series.

Anyone who equates "Capraesque" with "corny" or "naively idealistic" may be surprised by the clear-eyed, pessimistic tone of this political comedy about a country rube turned U.S. senator (James Stewart) who singlehandedly faces down a corrupt political machine. After a prerelease screening in Washington, it was condemned as being anti-American and pro-Communist. Guided by Capra's sure hand, Stewart's performance—particularly his celebrated filibuster scene—made him a major star.

[source: George Eastman Museum, 2017-Dec-11]