Mr. Smith Ain’t Licked
This Saturday the Lensic kicks off its Big Screen Classics Election Year Films Series. First up is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and I do declare, Mr. Smith ain’t licked yet. “You think I’m licked. You all think I’m licked. Well, I’m not licked. And I’m going to stay right here and fight for this lost cause,” Smith says in the infamous filibuster delivered to the US Senate.
The film, released in 1939, is the archetype of the whistleblower film in American history. By the bizarre toss of a politician’s coin–which lands on its side next to a newspaper article about Mr. Smith– the country bumpkin gets chosen for an empty seat in the Senate. The crooked politicians in Washington sandbag him after he tries to pass a bill that would authorize a federal government loan to buy some land in his home state for a national boys’ camp. Oh Mr. Smith, we love you for it.
Next Friday, on Sept. 19, is a showing of The Manchurian Candidate. Released in 1962, the film stars Frank Sinatra (Captain Bennett Marco) and Laurence Harvey (Sergeant Raymond Shaw). Foreign agents and communists plan to take over America. The Communists brainwash Shaw into following all their orders. We learn that Shaw is controlled by his own mother, who is in with the Communists in a diabolical plot to overthrow the government. Ouch. (On a side note, a few months back Keith Olbermann pointed out that anyone who suggests Barack Obama may be a “Manchurian candidate” is idiotic and insensitive; the actual Manchurian Candidate was a POW and we all know who the POW candidate of 2008 is.)
And finally, on Friday, Sept. 26th, the Lensic shows The Candidate. Released in 1972, the movie tells the story of an idealistic young liberal lawyer named Bill McKay (played by Robert Redford). McKay runs for the US Senate in an effort to bring vital issues to the awareness of voters, but loses his values along the campaign trail. A classic satire and a great scene of Redford losing his mind. (Another side note: Rep. Steve Pearce is attacking his Senate race opponent Rep. Tom Udall for being pals with Redford.)
All screenings are at 7pm, and tickets cost $5. Visit The Lensic for ticket info or call 505-988-1234 for the box office.
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