Continuity mistake: When Jefferson Smith goes to talk to Senator Paine he fumbles with his hat when he meets Susan. As he bumps into the table on his way out his hat disappears.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
1 continuity mistake
Directed by: Frank Capra
Starring: Claude Rains, James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold
Genres: Drama
Factual error: The filibuster scene gives the impression that the Senators were powerless to stop Jefferson Smith's speech. However, they can make a speaker shut up if at least 3/5 of the Senators vote to. From the Senators' reactions, a lot of them probably would have voted to silence Smith. (Clearly, if this had happened, the movie would be much less interesting).
Senator Joseph Paine: He can raise public opinion against us - if any part of this sticks.
James Taylor: Aah, he'll never get started. I'll make public opinion out there within five hours! I've done it all my life. I'll blacken this punk so that he'll - You leave public opinion to me. Now, Joe, I think you'd better go back into the Senate and keep those Senators lined up.
Trivia: The real-life inspiration for Jefferson Smith was Sen. Rush Holt (D-WV), elected in 1934. (His son, also named Rush, is currently a Congressman from New Jersey).
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