The 1939 motion picture Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is widely hailed as one of the most insightful films on the American government to come out of Hollywood (see entry under 1930s—Film and Theater in volume 2). Directed by Frank Capra (1897–1991), the film depicts the story of Jefferson Smith (James Stewart, 1908–1997). An idealistic young man, Smith is appointed to the Senate and discovers that Washington is populated by lawmakers who lack moral principles. Smith encounters corrupt politicians, gloomy journalists, and citizens who do not care. All view his faith in the system as hopelessly innocent. In the film's most memorable scene, Smith defends himself against false accusations of criminality in a Senate filibuster. (A filibuster is an attempt to prevent a vote from being taken; one way is by standing and talking for a very long time. The speechmaking may last...