Synopsis:
A corrupt political party machine headed by Governor Hopper, publisher Jim Taylor and Senator Paine, appoint a local hero, the naive Jeff Smith (JAMES STEWART), as Senator. As a Taylor hireling keeps an eye on Smith in Washington, so does the freshman senator's disillusioned secretary, Saunders (JEAN ARTHUR), who is on the Paine payroll. And hoping to keep Jeff from prying into a pending bill for an unnecessary, but profitable, dam, Paine suggests that he sponsor a bill for his own pet project, a boys' camp.When Saunders falls in love with Jeff, she tells him that the dam and camp bills share the same land site. Shocked, Jeff threatens to expose Paine. But when Paine gets to the Senate floor first, he discredits Smith by claiming the young senator actually owns the land.Faced with expulsion, a much wiser and cannier Smith fights back with a heroic one?man filibuster that aims to expose the truth. When the corrupt system stops the public from hearing the news, Smith collapses, exhausted and beaten after 23 straight hours on the Senate floor. However, stricken with a guilty conscience, Paine attempts suicide and then admits to the conspiracy, making Jeff a national hero with a new bride in Saunders.
© 1939 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.