Gene Reynolds is a rough kid from the other side of the tracks sponsored by Senator Herbert Marshall to work in D.C. as a Senate page. He causes all sorts of trouble, mostly out of naiveté, and comes out of it all learning the truth of why what America stands for is much more important than personal interests. But in the meantime, he also almost gets Marshall into extremely hot water by revealing secrets to a rival senator that threatens to destroy his sponsor's career.
What could have been a talkie follow-up to "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" ends up being a moralistic comedy/drama that isn't equal to Capra's classic, but there are still some wonderful things in it. While Marshall and Virginia Bruce (as a reporter trying to break into a man's world) are top billed, Reynolds is the scene-stealing star, whether walking around the senate building shouting for a senator who doesn't exist, showing stuffy Marshall how to toss and catch popcorn in his mouth, or rushing off to New York City to right a wrong. A mixture of light comedy and serious drama, this features some extremely timely messages that take a look at the importance of guiding young minds in the right direction. There's also an important message about young friendships which teach loyalty, support, and above all forgiveness.
In a year where America was gearing up for a second World War, message movies like this were very important, especially in light of "Hitler's Children" preparing to cause havoc in Europe. Even if the friendly view of the senate is a fantasy senate which probably never existed, the description of what senate pages do is fascinating. When a large group of the young pages do a mock senate meeting (while some of the older senators watch unnoticed), you can feel the influence of Capra and the presence of Jimmy Stewart. Yes the corn may be popped, but it's very sweet and tender.
What could have been a talkie follow-up to "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" ends up being a moralistic comedy/drama that isn't equal to Capra's classic, but there are still some wonderful things in it. While Marshall and Virginia Bruce (as a reporter trying to break into a man's world) are top billed, Reynolds is the scene-stealing star, whether walking around the senate building shouting for a senator who doesn't exist, showing stuffy Marshall how to toss and catch popcorn in his mouth, or rushing off to New York City to right a wrong. A mixture of light comedy and serious drama, this features some extremely timely messages that take a look at the importance of guiding young minds in the right direction. There's also an important message about young friendships which teach loyalty, support, and above all forgiveness.
In a year where America was gearing up for a second World War, message movies like this were very important, especially in light of "Hitler's Children" preparing to cause havoc in Europe. Even if the friendly view of the senate is a fantasy senate which probably never existed, the description of what senate pages do is fascinating. When a large group of the young pages do a mock senate meeting (while some of the older senators watch unnoticed), you can feel the influence of Capra and the presence of Jimmy Stewart. Yes the corn may be popped, but it's very sweet and tender.