Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: A Filibuster of Fun, Fainting, and Fake Letters (Spoiler Alert!)
Ah, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. A classic film that'll have you yelling at the screen one minute, reaching for tissues the next, and leaving you with a renewed faith in, well, maybe not politics, but at least the power of a good faint. So, how does this whirlwind of a movie end? Buckle up, buttercup, because things get wild.
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| What Happens At The End Of Mr Smith Goes To Washington |
From Idealistic Rookie to Framed Felon
Our wide-eyed hero, Jefferson Smith, arrives in Washington D.C. with a heart full of eagles and dreams of making a difference. But soon, he discovers the dark underbelly of politics, where corruption runs thicker than pea soup (and probably tastes worse). Senator Taylor, the guy who appointed him (spoiler alert: bad move, Taylor), is neck-deep in a scam involving a bogus dam project. Smith, bless his naive little heart, tries to expose the whole mess.
Tip: Read aloud to improve understanding.
The Filibuster Fiasco
Instead of a hero's welcome, Smith gets framed as the villain. The political machine throws everything at him, including a juicy (and totally fake) accusation that he's in cahoots with the land grab. Feeling betrayed and defeated, Smith is about to pack his bags and head back to his Boy Scout troop when his wise-cracking secretary, Saunders (who initially thought Smith was a joke), steps in.
Saunders hatches a crazy plan: a filibuster! Basically, Smith needs to talk on the Senate floor for as long as he possibly can to delay the vote on the phony dam project. This turns into a hilarious and suspenseful scene. Smith starts with inspiring speeches, then resorts to reciting the Boy Scout manual (because, hey, why not?), and finally descends into delirious ramblings about liberty and justice (all delivered with Jimmy Stewart's trademark earnestness).
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
The Fake Letter Fiasco
Just when you think Smith might win this marathon talk-a-thon, the bad guys pull another trick. They wheel in carts overflowing with supposedly angry letters from Smith's home state demanding his expulsion. Devastated, Smith looks ready to keel over. And that's exactly what he does. Our hero faints!
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The Confession Caper
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
Here's where things get truly epic. Senator Taylor, wracked with guilt (because hey, even crooked politicians have a conscience...sometimes), has a dramatic change of heart. He bursts back into the Senate chamber and confesses everything! The fake letters, the sham accusations, the whole shebang. It's a moment so gloriously over-the-top, it would make even the most jaded cynic believe in redemption (or at least a good redemption arc in a movie).
The End? Not Quite...
The film leaves us with a hopeful but somewhat ambiguous ending. Smith doesn't necessarily get a victory lap, but he exposes the truth and inspires a new generation to fight for what's right. And hey, that's not a bad day's work for a wide-eyed idealist from a small town, right?
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
How-To FAQs for Aspiring Filibusterers (Not Recommended in Real Life)
How to filibuster like Mr. Smith? Easy! Gather a bunch of random facts, inspirational quotes, and your wildest childhood memories.
But won't I get tired? Probably. Stock up on coffee (or, in Smith's case, milkshakes) and practice napping with your eyes open.
What if they throw fake letters at me? Dodge, deflect, or use them for impromptu origami. Show those political schemers you're a man of many talents!
Is fainting a good strategy? Not really. It might get you some sympathy points, but it's probably best to leave the fainting to the professionals (i.e., Hollywood actors).
Isn't filibustering a real thing? Yes, it is! But it's a lot less dramatic and milkshake-fueled than in the movies.
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