REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“MR SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON.” OUTSTANDING PICTURE. The change of programme at the Regent Theatre on Saturday night, which was headed by that outstanding picture “Mr Smith Goes to Washington,” drew a packed house. To improve upon perfect might seem an impossibility, but Frank Capra has been doing just that for so long the fact is no longer news. Director of “It Happened One Night,” “Mr Deeds Goes To Town,” “Lost Horizon,” and “You Can’t Take It With You,” Capra now brings to the Regent Theatre what has been hailed as the ultimate in screen entertainment, his stirring romantic comedy, “Mr Smith Goes To Washington.” James Stewart plays the title role in “Mr Smith Goes to Washington,” and the youthful charm, earnestness and idealism with which he invests the part contribute greatly to the picture’s appeal. Young Jeff Smith is head of the State’s Boy Rangers, and when a vacancy in the United States Senate has to be filled, his name comes to the attention of the ruling political forces, who want the appointee to be a harmless and inexperienced tool. Jeff goes to Washington unconscious of the fact that he is helping to betray the ideal he holds dear. Miss Saunders (Miss Jean Arthur) his secretary, is prone to scoff at him, but she falls in love with the human, honest youth. Little by little Jeff learns that he is being victimised. Thrilling scenes in “Mr Smith Goes to Washington,” flowering out of rich antecedent material reveal Capra and his cast at their best. As Stewart revolts, the party machine fights back and the whole nation takes sides in a bitter fight to the finish. The picture rises to memorable heights. Humiliated and heart-broken, he wants to quit, but Miss Saunders outlines a plan of battle which she persuades Jeff to take. Next day, his pockets bulging with food and the Senate rules under his arm, Jeff rises to defend himself by exposing the corruption of Taylor and Paine. He launches into a one-man siege in defence of his ideals and forces the powers to listen to him.. The Taylor-controlled press and radio blast at the young crusader, but “Smith” keeps talking. A truly distinguished supporting cast includes such stellar names as Thomas Mitchell. Claude Rains, Guy Kibbee, Ruth Donnelly, Eugene Pallette, Beulah Bondi and Astrid Allwyn, to name only a few.

A splendid supporting programme includes an outstanding sports picture, "Big Fish? '