Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), the bumpkin leader of his local Boy Rangers, is appointed by the state's governor to serve in the senate, under the assumption that he can be molded and influenced by the state's older, more experienced senator, Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). But Smith proves to be an upbeat idealist who's unwilling to conform to the cynical, shady ways of Washington, D.C., including a crooked plan to finance a new dam. Smith's unusual outlook impresses his skeptical secretary (Jean Arthur), but it also leads to a nasty conflict with Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold), the state political boss. When Smith can't be bought, Taylor tries to smear his name.