Factual error: The filibuster scene gives the impression that the Senators were powerless to stop Jefferson Smith's speech. However, they can make a speaker shut up if at least 3/5 of the Senators vote to. From the Senators' reactions, a lot of them probably would have voted to silence Smith. (Clearly, if this had happened, the movie would be much less interesting).
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Directed by: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Claude Rains, Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold
Genres: Drama
Factual error: The Declaration of Independence shows the "S"s are written in modern style script and not the "F"s style as in the original document.
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Suggested correction: The document shown is a correct reproduction of the Declaration of Independence and is identical to the William Stone version (identical to original though cleaned up). In the original lower case S's were written in an 'f' style (indiscernible in the movie), but the capital S's in the title are how they were written. It should be noted though that the close up version shown in the movie is not the document actually on display at the National Archives since the creases and ink marks are absent and the text isn't badly faded.
Continuity mistake: When Jefferson Smith goes to talk to Senator Paine he fumbles with his hat when he meets Susan. As he bumps into the table on his way out his hat disappears.
Trivia: The real-life inspiration for Jefferson Smith was Sen. Rush Holt (D-WV), elected in 1934. (His son, also named Rush, is currently a Congressman from New Jersey).
Trivia: The same actress that plays Jimmy Stewart's mother in Mr. Smith goes to Washington also plays his mother in It's a Wonderful Life. Frank Capra, the director of both movies, liked using the same actors and actresses if he liked their work.
Jefferson Smith: I wouldn't give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn't have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness and a little looking out for the other fella, too.
Senator Joseph Paine: Let me go! I'm not fit to be a senator! I'm not fit to live! Expel me, not him! Willet Dam is a fraud! It's a crime against the people who sent me here - and I committed it! Every word that boy said is the truth! Every word about Taylor and me and graft and the rotten political corruption of my state! Every word of it is true! I'm not fit for office! I'm not fit for any place of honor or trust! Expel me, not that boy.
Clarissa Saunders: I'm still asking myself, what is he? Animal, vegetable or mineral?
Diz Moore: Maybe he's an oyster.
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