(Frank Capra, US 1939, 129 min.)

Politics and Popcorn. 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-US senator (James Stewart) who singlehandedly faces down a corrupt political machine. After a prerelease screening in Washington, it was even condemned as being anti-American and pro-Communist. Guided by Capra’s sure hand, Stewart’sperformance — particularly his celebrated filibuster scene — made him a major star.

Be Sociable, Share!

•