Movie Review - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

In my movie reviews, I give my brief thoughts on what I watched. Sometimes I will expound on those thoughts, but more often than not, I will just give a brief opinion. You can read plot descriptions on Internet Movie Database or on Amazon.

Jefferson Smith is the head of the Boy Rangers, a thinly-veiled revision of Cub Scouts.

This is a classic "little guy" film.

Stewart's performance is tops. It's a very emotional experience to watch him fall apart during the culmination of the film.

And of course, Beulah Bondi plays his mother. Again. And they sing "Auld Lang Syne". Again. And the same actors appear. Again, including Thomas Mitchell. And H.B. Warner. And Bondi. And those are only actors from It's a Wonderful Life. That doesn't take into consideration actors from other Capra and Capra/Stewart films.

Watch the trailer here:

This film is amazing, and my second-favorite Stewart film. And my second-favorite Capra film, too.

5 out of 5 stars.

Larry Simms Memorial - June 17

Larry Simms, who portrayed George and Mary's oldest child, Pete in the classic film It's a Wonderful Life, died June 17, 2009, in Chonburi, Thailand, of emphysema. He was 74.

Source: http://goo.gl/ub4dQe

Simms, while well-known for this role, was probably better known for his role as Alexander 'Baby Dumpling' Bumstead in the Blondie series. He also portrayed Hopper Boy in another Capra/Stewart film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

He was born October 1, 1934, in Los Angeles, CA. His first film was as Joe Krozac Jr. as a baby, an uncredited role in the 1937 film, The Last Gangster. Most of his film career took place in the 1930s and 1940s, with a few more films in the 1950s.

According to Internet Movie Database, in a mini biography labeled as being written by "Brad Wimer, a close friend" of Simms, "After Larry's first retirement, he worked at Arabian-American Oil Company refinery in Saudi Arabia for Fluor Daniel. Later, Larry was tasked to spearhead the implementation of the Telecommunications infrastructure for a Shell refinery in Rayong, Thailand, also at the employ of Fluor Daniel. Then he remained in Thailand in true retirement."

Simms in his later years. (Source: http://goo.gl/ub4dQe)

Personally, I find it really interesting that Simms did in real life what his film father, George Bailey, dreamed of doing. He got to work in the oil fields. That makes me smile.

So on this day, the day of his death, we remember Larry Simms, who gave us many fine performances, including two films with Capra and Stewart, and most often as a child.

If Simms was alive today, he would be 80 years old.

(Source: Internet Movie Database)