I had the honor of meeting Mr. Stewart about a month before he passed. He was ancient; his skin was like paper. But he was as much an old school gentleman as I've ever seen. He deliberately backed out of the room because he wouldn't turn his back on a fan.

During WWII, Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the US Army Air Corps (It didn't become its own branch, USAF until 1947). He flew B-24 bombers over Germany and was the first major Hollywood actor to join the Army. He enlisted in February 1941 BEFORE we got into the war in December 1941. He flew over 25 missions and was promoted to Colonel in 1945, becoming one of the very few Americans to go from Private to Colonel in just 4 years. He continued to serve in the Air Force reserve, and act after the war. He flew the B-52 bomber and retired as a Brigadier General. He was later promoted to Major General. He was the highest ranking actor ever in the US Military. This movie was made before he enlisted, before we entered WWII. It's A Wonderful Life was produced in 1946, after the war.

This, by the way, is what a real filibuster is. Someone talking, refusing to yield the floor, to block {something -- usually a bill or a vote}. Somewhere along the line they castrated it. Someone says "I'm filibustering" and everybody says "ok" and they all go for a three martini lunch.

You should check out the movie "Harvey." Jimmy Stewart said that his role in that movie was his favorite of all the roles he played throughout the years.

The more you react to these old movies of the 30s and 40s, the more you'll appreciate them. James Stewart is an American treasure. You can't go wrong with any movie he's in. I would recommend "The Philadelphia Story" which starts Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, and Cary Grant.

"Bringing up baby" with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. This movie was so funny I couldn't breathe. And Katharine Hepburn's dresses were stunning in this.

In real life the great Jimmy Stewart was every bit as honorable as Mr. Smith. Stewart was one of the first Hollywood celebrities to give up acting and enlist in the military during World War II where he REFUSE to just be a celebrity and flew in several dangerous combat missions. In the master piece 10 part WWII documentary The World at War Stewart refused to allow them to mention his connections to Hollywood and only appeared as Col. James Stewart USAF.

Jean Arthur, who played Saunders, was one of the "it girls" of the 1920s and '30s. She was quite versatile and could play anything from a strong, smart professional woman like Saunders to a comical ditzy blonde with equal skill. She actually did a lot of comedies. Late in her career, she had enough clout that she was able to select her own final movie role, and she chose to play the female lead in Shane, opposite Van Heflin and Alan Ladd. She chose well, as Shane is a real classic, and one of the best westerns ever made. BTW, the sleazy Senator Paine was played by Claude Rains, who also played the police chief, Captain Renault, in Casablanca, so you've seen him before.

Even being an older dude, it blows my mind that when Jean Arthur (Saunders) is on the screen, we're watching an actual real person born 122 years ago.

"I can't believe a movie from 1939 is 2 hours and 9 minutes long".... Gone with the Wind has entered the chat.

When this movie was released it drew a lot of criticism because it suggested that some politicians might not be entirely ethical in their dealings. Some people wanted it to be banned because it portrayed members of government as corrupt and dishonest. I know, the idea of corrupt politicians is SO shocking, right?

If you want to watch this actor in color, there are 2 great options: Vertigo (1958) - considered by critics one of the top 5 movies of all time in most lists, and Rear Window (1954) - also considered a masterpiece by most critics, both thrillers (and the second a great box office hit)

A Christmas Tiger is someone who only ever gets his courage up occasionally.

"rubbers" is slang for galoshes. Specifically, the kind of rubber covers that you would put over your shoes.

Larry Simms was billed as Baby Dumpling in the credits. Baby Dumpling was the son of Dagwood and Blondie Bumstead in the Blondie movies, based on the comic strip of the same name. Those movies were popular at the time, but are largely forgotten now, as is Larry Simms. "Stop having kittens" is similar to "Don't have a cow." Eighty years from now people will probably wonder where that expression came from, too. The rubbers in the movie are galoshes, AKA overshoes. I guess people don't use the word that way any more, for some mysterious reason. Beans must have collapsed after her own filibuster.

I understand why you might refer to this as a _sleeper._ But, before the internet, or at least before the age of smartphones and streaming, *generations of people knew this film.* So much so that it was referenced quite often in random conversation. I think I might be of one of those last generations to straddle the old world and the new. When I was a kid there were three major network channels and maybe a local UHF channel or two. As kids in later generations spent a lot of time on video games, we spent the same amount of time simply watching television. Although, I did have an Atari 2600 that kept my attention as well. Anywizzle, it exposed us to _soooo much_ that had already come before. Reruns of TV shows made in the 40s and 50s and 60s. And films going all the way back to the beginning of Hollywood. Then as a teenager, cable TV became more prevalent. & Video rentals, . Both had brought all the modern (and even not so modern) movies that we may have missed in theaters to our homes. And as I moved into adulthood we had the internet, followed by smartphones. And now streaming. So much to watch. . . For those generations to follow mine, perhaps simply _too much to watch._ So much new content, that rarely does anyone go back and watch these iconic films and television shows that came before. This film is a perfect example, as _you hadn't even heard of it._ 😳 And like I said, the very title of this film was quite literally used in conversation often. Generally when discussing what people hoped to see in a politician. Or when someone whimsically suggests what they'd do if they were a senator, etc. I don't know if this generational divide is a good thing or a bad thing, when observed dispassionately. Oh, _I_ certainly _feel_ sad when I think about it. But then I guess that may simply (and has always been) be the way of the world. Perhaps as each generation grows older, they'll always look back and lament what was lost. 😕 *ADDENDUM:* I realize this is not a hot take. I imagine it probably mirrors the most common type of editorials one would find in local newspapers all over. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Great reaction Ashleigh, as always.😎👍

As far as I'm concerned, Jimmy Stewart can do no wrong. Love him!!! I cried for 3 days when he died and I still get a little choked up when I see his movies.

This movie has a few common actors with It's a Wonderful Life. Uncle Billy, Mr. Gower the druggist, The dude that owned the tree that George Bailey crashed into, George Bailey's Mom, and there may be more.

This film was actually the same director as Its a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra, who was a hugely successful film maker in the 1930s, and Jimmy Stewart made his name I several of his films. Without Stewart his biggest film was the original romantic road movie, It Happened One Night, the first film to win all the five main Oscars. He had a group of actors that he frequently used, HB Warner, who you recognised as the druggist was one, Thomas Mitchell the journalist here, was Stewart's forgetful uncle in Wonderful Life. You should also gave recognised Senator Payne, as Claude Raines, the French police captain in Casablanca.

A lot of the older movies were stage productions and set as such too, which in most cases produces a work that is approachable by everyone. Another example of this is "Arsenic and old lace", which came as a broadway act before it became a movie, or all of the Marx Brothers movies which were practiced and the timing fine-tuned on Vaudeville first.

Jimmy Stewart was a great actor. He was in Vertigo, Shop around the Corner, It's A Wonderful Life The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. So many great movies.

Yes, 8 kids. My father-in-law was one of 12. People used to have huge families, especially if they lived on a farm. Also, remember that with childhood disease and such they would lose a child or two, so you didn't just have one or two kids and expect that they'd both make it to adulthood. Now, somebody has more than five kids, people think they're weirdos who should have a reality show!

1939 was a great year for movies. They made Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of OZ that year, as well as Stagecoach, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Gunga Din and Babes in Arms.

1939 was a great year in film history. Wizardof Oz, Gone with the Wind, Ninotchka, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach - SO MANY GOOD MOVIES!!!

Glasses without ear pieces. Ashleigh, they are called Pince-Nez (French - nose pinch. Just as it seems, they stay on by a spring piece pinching the bridge of ones nose). Very popular in late 19th early 20th century.

Jimmy Stewart was such a wonderful actor, he had a very striking on-screen presence. I don't think I've ever seen a movie with him that I didn't like to at least some extent.

Sen Paine was played by Claude Raines who was also in Casablanca.

I remember watching this movie in Civics class in Junior High, early 80s. Also, “rubbers” are the rubber rain boots that would cover one’s dress shoes.

I love this film so much. This was Jimmy and Frank Capra right before WWII. After the war they made the much darker It's a Wonderful Life. Both of those films pull at your heart strings, but earns its sentimental heart.

Thomas Mitchell was the actor who played Diz. He is an amazing character actor. His other roles include Uncle Billy in "It's a Wonderful Life," Scarlett O'Hara's father in "Gone With the Wind," and (my favorite) Doc in "Stagecoach." He was the first male actor to win an Oscar, Tony, and Emmy.

"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" is another Jimmy Stewart movie you will love. It also stars, John Wayne and Lee Marvin, among others. Another "tug at your heartstrings" movie you should consider is "Mr. Roberts".

The comment about a senator having a jar of change on his desk reminds me of Louisville/Jefferson County Judge Executive Marlow Cook (later senator from Kentucky). In 1962 he spent $34,000 in county money to buy the derelict steamboat Avalon for the city and county, and got sued (politically motivated) for spending taxpayer money on such a folly (now restored as our beloved Belle of Louisville, oldest ever operating steamboat on the inland waterways, and one of our symbols of civic pride): the deal of the century for Louisville, in retrospect. Judge Cook worked out that $34,000 came out to six cents per taxpayer, and whenever anyone came into his office to complain, he would pay them off out of a jar of pennies he kept in his desk. He said some people insisted on checks, and he wrote several checks for six cents, but none of them were ever cashed.

"Having Kittens" is a great saying! It should never have fallen out of fashion. ... Another great B&W film is Sergeant York, which is based on a true story. Women were quite fond of its star, Gary Cooper.

All children rose when their father entered the dining room or got up from the table. And all men rose when a woman entered a dining room or got up from the table. Much different time. Also, a "long hair" was someone who was considered an "intellectual."

"Diz Moore" was played by Thomas Mitchell, who was "Uncle Billy" in "It's a Wonderful Life".

It's sad that Ashleigh doesn't know Jimmy Stewart. He was one of the all time great movie actors that built Hollywood. His career was decades long and people loved the characters he brought to life on film.Vertigo , Rear Window , to a small part at the end as the doctor that told John Wayne he was dying in wayne's last movie "The Shootist." A great actor James Stewart.

Another great Frank Capra film, among many, is _Meet John Doe_ (1941), starring Gary Cooper and the great Barbara Stanwyck. It's one that really tugs at the heart strings. And Capra again cast Edward Arnold, who played Taylor in _Mr. Smith...,_ as the heavy.

My favorite Jimmy Stewart movie by far is “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. It’s legendary. As most of his movies are.

Well as a DC area resident, welcome! And if you like Jimmy (James) Stewart, the guy from It's a Wonderful Life and this, I highly highly recommend the movie Harvey . I don't think it's possible to get through that movie and not end with a smile.

I never realized how many people from “It’s a Wonderful Life” were in this movie. Another that has a lot of this cast is “You Can’t Take it with You”. I think it’s Frank Capra too.

Nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture but won for Best Story. The film to take 10 Oscars, 2 being technical, was the 1939 epic drama Gone With The Wind.

I loved Ashleigh's reactions... A mix of confusion and amazement, at the language, manners and behaviour of the times. :)

This movie makes me very proud to be an American (and a veteran). It should be watch on Independence Day! Director Frank Capra makes such great, wholesome films that you should watch more of. He also likes to use his actors from previous films into his other films. You should recognize a few from "It's a Wonderful Life" such as his mom, "Uncle Billy" and Mr. Gower the druggist. There are MANY other great actors here whom you'll start to know if you venture onto movies of the 30s and 40s. Jean Arthur is a darling and one of these legends. I know that Blake will enjoy this film. Thanks for reacting to it. 🇺🇸

This is my favorite James Stewart movie, even though I’m not really into politics. His character is just so genuinely sweet and pure, and I honestly think the message of this movie reaches into all areas of life. Because simple, good ideals are always worth fighting for, and characters like Mr. Smith remind us that we can fight for them in a straightforward, honest, and peaceful way. Through all the chaos in the world, movies like this can help us to be better individuals, and strengthen our endurance of character and integrity. There’s a root of goodness in all of us - we just need to tap into it and make it our center.

My suggestion for a black & white film is Clerks. 'Clerks' added to National Film Registry after drawing huge public support. "Clerks" has long been accepted as a classic and important film in New Jersey. But now its being recognized as such by the Library of Congress.

A couple facts I have to share is that to give his voice that gravely worn sound was mercury. It was before they knew how bad it was. Also the boy who plays the kid helping him in the senate is named Dickie Jones who in a couple years would become the voice of Pinocchio in the Disney film. Other Jimmy Stewart films I recommend include: Rope, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Spirit of St. Louis, The Philadelphia Story, Harvey, And The Cheynne Social Club. When I first saw this film it had me bawling.

More relevant today than ever before. Literal timeless classic.

PLEASE put Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead on your to watch list. It's right up your alley, I promise.

Ashleigh's immediate response to this film... " Ashleigh Goes To The Dictionary " to look up all of the old fashioned words and sayings! :)

If you want sassy lady roles try His Girl Friday from 1940. It's a crackling madcap romantic comedy about reporters covering an impending execution in which everything including the condemned escaping goes sideways.

2:42 Eugene Pallette, usually plays a policeman, but probably most remembered for playing Friar Tuck in the 1938 Adventures of Robin Hood.

When you have a full day with nothing planned once you get to D.C., spend it in the Smithsonian Art museum. I once spent a full day walking through it chronologically and just soaking in all the amazing art I had only ever seen in books & on websites before. Would love to do it again some day.

Oh my goodness you need to give Harvey a try. It's fantastic.

I applaud your willingness to do reactions to old classics. There really are some good ones out there that have fallen into the pit of obscurity. I have a niece that I think is close to your age and she grew up watching old movies with my parents. She loved them! Especially the old comedies and her favorites were Laurel and Hardy films. "Way Out West" was her favorite. So, she was in class one day, in college, and she used Laurel and Hardy in a reference, and her professor was impressed that she even knew who they were. No one in that class knew the men who have been heralded as the greatest comedy duo of all time, and that shocked my niece. For fun, the professor brought in a copy of "Way Out West" for everyone to watch, and my niece left class that day in great disappointment because no one understood the humor. She had grown up with this and had a connection to the hilarity of the content, but her entire class told her it was the dumbest movie they'd ever seen, and that it wasn't funny at all. Her professor pulled her aside before the next class and told her not to let the class reaction get her down. He told her that the experience was going to make her wiser than anyone else in that room because she was the only one connected to both sides of a generation gap. "They don't know what you know, and the value of what you understand is only being shelved because of their narrow-minded innocence. Your generation is being lead with horse blinders. All they see is the carrot. And they will be easily lead in circles because they're ignorance, unaware of the things around them that reveal greater truth. Greater wisdom. My fear is one day, they will get so attached to the carrot that they will snarl and scoff at anyone who tries to take their eyes off that carrot. Yesterday's reaction only supports my concerns about the future. But don't be discouraged, you are the better off for appreciating the things your classmates haven't the faintest realization of. Values that have already been taken from them at someone else's discretion. Things of life and heritage, and they don't even know what is missing, let alone what's been stolen."

The actor who played the other newsman, Saunders buddy (and potential "husband") was Thomas Mitchell, one of the great character actors of the 1930's and 40's. He played "Uncle Billy," the absent minded guy who lost the money in "It's a Wonderful Life." The one senator that you remembered did play the pharmacist. It's sad that all these magnificent actors are forgotten...or were never known, to the audiences today. Acting was the core of movies 60-70 years ago, not green screen, CGI mayhem and explosions. So few people remember the names, even of the top actors and directors. I'm glad you're opening the eyes of your audience to the gold mine of entertainment that was the standard in the past...and a lot of these "old Black and White" movies still stand up. "Casablanca," "It's a Wonderful Life"...so many treasures. Thank you for opening the somewhat dusty vaults and showing the wealth of talent, adventure and pure entertainment that's still out there. You're doing a service to the past and the present.

Can't wait for 9 to 5. You'll be happy to know that Dolly is by far the best thing about it, her and Jane Fonda.

“Good intentions are ubiquitous in politics; what is scarce is accurate beliefs.” ― Bryan Caplan, The Myth of the Rational Voter

You noticed that this movie has the same star as It's a Wonderful Life. Did you know both movies have the same director, Frank Capra? I believe they made five movies together. You Can't Take It With You is another good one.

"You gotta check your ideals outside the door, like you do your rubbers." "Does that mean what I think it means?" Slip-on rubber overshoes for rainy days, Ashleigh. 😀I had a pair when I was a kid, but I think they've gone the way of the dodo since then.

A little trivia. The senate page was actually named Richard Jones. Known professionally as Dickie Jones, around this time he also provided the voice for the title character in Disney's "Pinocchio".

You should check out Rear Window, Anatomy of a Murder and Vertigo, so you can see that guy from It's a Wonderful Life to do some real acting in his twilight years.

When Beans' paw reached up it was like that scene in Ghostbusters where the chair grabbed Sigourney Weaver.

I've never seen this movie but I adore James Stewart. Another awesome and funny reaction, Ashleigh! I'm super excited for Monday!!

Jimmy Stewart always reminded me of my dad. My favorite film he's in is called 'THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH' directed by Alfred Hitchcock, I highly recommend. ✌️

If Ashleigh likes witty, old Hollywood movies featuring an awesome leading lady, I think she would like “His Girl Friday” (1940)

Your commentary on this film is fantastic and makes me laugh out loud time after time. Comedy gold! *that's the only man who says creek correctly in this movie*. *I understand why you wanted to end it all in" It's a Wonnderful Life" now.*.

There was a movie genre that came about in this era, called the Screwball Comedy. If you want to see a classic screwball, you should watch Bringing Up Baby. It has Kathryn Hepburn, and she was another fast talking, witty female. It's also from the 1930s.

Frank Capra (director of this and "It's A Wonderful LIfe" among other classics) was always witty and literate. Another b/w classic you might enjoy is the 1950 Judy Holliday "Born Yesterday," especially if you are planning to acquire the foundations of a political education yourself.

Happy for you that you're going to watch 9 to 5 ! Of all the other Jimmy Stewart movies to explore down the Rabbit hole with , I recommend highly Harvey

This is one of my all-time favorites. Kudos to Ingibingi2000 for recommending that one!

Congratulations to Blake and his new job!! Hope you, Ashley, don't lose your Tennessee wit when you move to D.C.!

The guy at 3:00 on the left with the white hair is Claude Rains, who is one of Hollywood's greatest character actors and movie stars for that matter. Claude Rains is the same guy who played Louis Renault in Casablanca.

Judgement at Nuremberg (1961) is another great one. Starring Judy Garland

Lighted and Lit are both acceptable words for the past tense of light. Language usage changes over time. Just compare your vocabulary to that of your grandparents, I'm sure you'll see large variations.

James Stewart also made a number of excellent Westerns in the 1950s, such as WINCHESTER ‘73 (1950), BEND OF THE RIVER (1952), THE NAKED SPUR (1953), NIGHT PASSAGE (1957), and my personal favorite, THE MAN FROM LARAMIE (1955). You should definitely check those out.

"I gotta drink this over" That's a line in going to have to remember.

“So working at 16 was uncommon back then?” For girls, yes. If a girl was working, it meant a man was failing her somewhere (her father if she’s single, her husband if she’s married). Saunders is in her 30s and single. This was the sign of a troublesome and unmarriable woman back then. But some people (like Jeff) respected her independence and hard work, even if grudgingly or quietly.

23:00 that's real life journalist and commentator H. V. Kaltenborn playing himself at the CBS radio mic. Kaltenborn also plays himself in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Just like modern movies where real journalists (Larry King, Anderson Cooper) play themselves in movies, the effect is to ground the piece in the real world time and place of its day.

This was such a pleasant surprise this morning. 😊 Jimmy Stewart is an absolute legend, and I'm always thrilled to see him on your channel. However, I'm even more excited for you to see Jean Arthur, one of the greatest comedic actresses of the golden age of cinema. 💜

Jimmy Stewart has been in some of the best movies ever made. He was a phenomenal actor and person. There are many other movies of his that would make for great reactions so I hope we get to see some in the future. Whoever picked this made a great choice.

Oh my God! I cannot believe that you are reacting to this old gem.

HOW DARE YOU CALL BEANS WEIRD? The paw thing was really sweet! >=| Her dying pose is the stuff of legend, take her to Hollywood not DC because Beans future is as a cat actress....a CATress. Also her little yelp for evidence was hilarious too. This movie used to be one of my grandpa's favorites. Same with It's a Wonderful Life. It is probably safe to say that Jimmy Stewart was his favorite actor of the era.

At Princeton Jimmy fell in love with acting . An architecture major he changed majors to drama. His father owned a hardware store in Pennsylvania. He placed Jimmy's diploma in the stores front window.

Ashley, you might remember Claude Rains (Senator Paine) also played Captain Renault in Casablanca ("I'm shocked...shocked to find gambling going on in here!") He was made up to look older in this movie, so that may be why you missed it.

Going from Knoxville to DC? Man I hope hubbins got one helluva a raise.

Yes in 1939 you COULD punch people in the face for being an ass to you. it is why there were so few of them back then and why we have so many now.

The little reporter with the big nose, ears, and glasses was Charles Lane, who lived to be 102. He also played Mr. Potter's 'rent collector' in one scene in It's a Wonderful Life, where he is telling Potter about Bailey Park; and he says the lines: "I used to hunt rabbits, there, myself," "That's because the Baileys were all chumps," "It's no skin off my nose." He also appeared in The Music Man with a very young Ron Howard. He was in the miniseries "War and Remembrance" with Robert Mitchum from Cape Fear. At the time, I said, "That guy's still alive?"

This movie is part of an informal trilogy of movies that also include "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town"(1936) and "Meet John Doe"(1941). You should really watch the other two also. In fact "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" was supposed to be a sequel to "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" called "Mr. Deeds goes to Washington"!

5:00, Jesus Christ, Ashleigh! His name is Jimmy Stewart!

A superb James Stewart movie.

"Baby Dumpling" was Larry Sims, who would go on to play George and Mary's oldest son, Tommy Bailey II, in It's a Wonderful Life. He had gotten the name Baby Dumpling from starring in the series of films based on the comic strip "Blondie." as Blondie and Dagwood's son. He was called that in both the movies and the comic strip until their daughter, Cookie, was born.

Yes, James Stewart from “It’s A Wonderful Life” and the man that directed it is Frank Capra who directed “It’s A Wonderful Life”. A great Director and they made a great directing team. Also, Claude Rains the man who has white hair and the glasses you thought had no sides to them… He was the Frenchman in “Casablanca”!

Great reaction, Ashleigh. I'm glad you're not afraid to watch the older movies. There are some really good ones that Have been all but forgotten. Back in the old days rain boots were referred to as rubbers, so the check your rubbers outside the door line was referring to people taking off their rainboots become coming into a building. I disagree with your comment about this movie being only for those interested inn politics. Every American should see this movie. It would help them understand how politics really works and why it's important to be informed. Sadly, the dirty power politics portrayed in it are still alive and well today. The same dirty tricks and corruption still happen, and most of us are not interested enough to try to figure it out.

I love when you watch the classics. I bet you'd like Arsenic and Old Lace. It's hilarious. And a little creepy in a few places. Let's just say it's well-rounded. You'll see. 😄

Baby Dumpling was the nickname of Blondie and Dagwood's son Alexander, first in the comic strips and then later in a series of Blondie films from 1938 to 1950. The actor's name was Larry Simms, but he was so identified as the character Baby Dumpling in the series, that in this film, he was actually credited that way, for the name recognition. Simms also played one of the Bailey children in "It's a Wonderful Life", again with Jimmy Stewart.

Ashley, "Senator, you can't do that. You... Why are you going around punchin' people?" Me, thinking about the really surprising amount of physical violence that US Senators have been a part of, "This is pretty tame, actually. There are no pistols or hickory canes involved."

There was a modern version of this movie done by Eddie Murphy called The Distinguished Gentleman. It's much more a comedy, and rather than being an innocent dupe, the main character, played by Murphy, is a con man who tries to get away with graft. Highly recommend since you liked this one.

Ted Cruz read "Green Eggs and Ham" on the senate floor.

Back in that day, movies were made in the studio system. Each studio had their own stable of regulars, so you keep seeing the same set of actors acting with each other .

When I worked on the collage newspaper in the late 60's when we first started with lead type and typesetters at a publishing company. We ended with digital typesetting.