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Last night, I braved torrential rains in making my way to Jersey City for the 75th anniversary celebration of the Loew's Jersey, an astonishing movie palace that first opened for business on September 28th, 1929.
Last night's admission price was the same as it was on the theatre's opening night: 35 cents.
The theatre's renovation hasn't progressed as far as I had somehow expected, but it's still an impressive place. It will be a true treasure when it is fully restored.
The featured film of the night was Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and I'll admit that my initial reaction to that news was that there are any number of other Frank Capra pictures I'd rather have seen.
But the truth is, this creaky old warhorse should probably be viewed by every eligible voter in the country between now and November 2nd, for many of the vile practices of the film's villain, James Taylor (the great Edward Arnold) and his political machine, resonate more powerfully today than ever.
As in the picture, cronyism is very much the order of the day. Legislation for profit is common. Misuse of the press to mislead the public is rampant. Dissent is stifled, using both nonviolent and violent methods.
And formerly honest and decent men are reduced to playing along while corrupt and decidedly indecent men wreak havoc.
And, thankfully, a lone man -- Jefferson Smith, masterfully assayed by the great Jimmy Stewart (a true patriot who no doubt would be appalled today at what has happened to his Republican Party) -- is willing, at great personal risk, to speak truth to power, to stand up to the corruption, to remind not only the members of the Senate but the people they represent that we're better than this, that we stand for something as a people and as a country, that our rights and freedoms are precious and must be fought for and defended against threats from without and within.
The movie's ending is undeniably pat and corny, but I was nevertheless moved and inspired.
You will be, too, if you'll make it a point to rent (or, heck, even buy) this classic picture. It's a movie it wouldn't hurt most of us to revisit every two or three years. Most of us would benefit from the occasional infusion of the sort of decency, honesty, optimism, and passion that Capra, Stewart, and Co. deliver.
And Stewart's love interest is the great Jean Arthur (sigh...) -- how can you go wrong?
Posted by brett at 12:34 PM | TrackBack