In many ways, this film is like the later Frank Capra classic, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". Both films are from Columbia Pictures and both take a very cynical look at the government in Washington...and an innocent newbie's attempts to reform it.
Button Gwinnett Brown (Lee Tracy) is on his way to Washington, as he's just been elected to Congress. However, his efforts to reform and be a good congreessman set him on a collision course with Senator Norton...and he's a very powerful enemy. Unfortunately for Brown, he's blunt...way too blunt for his own good and soon he's battling everyone around him. Is there any hope for this freshman Congressman?
Apart from some bad rear projection (such as of the Bonus Army and of the Capital), this is a pretty nifty film. While the ending just doesn't ring true, it's exciting and well-intentioned...and Tracy is excellent as usual. Well worth seeing.
By the way, Button Gwinnett really was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was killed in a duel a year after signing this historic document. Because of that, his autograph is among the rarest of any of the signers....and is worth a fortune...hence the character's reaction when an original Button Gwinnett letter is torn to pieces!
Also, the Bonus Army WAS a real thing. In 1932, a huge group of WWI vets and their families camped out in Washington...demanding they get their approved bonuses now instead of waiting until the promised date of 1945. Unlike in the film, this effort did not turn out well and was disbursed by force later that summer.
Button Gwinnett Brown (Lee Tracy) is on his way to Washington, as he's just been elected to Congress. However, his efforts to reform and be a good congreessman set him on a collision course with Senator Norton...and he's a very powerful enemy. Unfortunately for Brown, he's blunt...way too blunt for his own good and soon he's battling everyone around him. Is there any hope for this freshman Congressman?
Apart from some bad rear projection (such as of the Bonus Army and of the Capital), this is a pretty nifty film. While the ending just doesn't ring true, it's exciting and well-intentioned...and Tracy is excellent as usual. Well worth seeing.
By the way, Button Gwinnett really was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was killed in a duel a year after signing this historic document. Because of that, his autograph is among the rarest of any of the signers....and is worth a fortune...hence the character's reaction when an original Button Gwinnett letter is torn to pieces!
Also, the Bonus Army WAS a real thing. In 1932, a huge group of WWI vets and their families camped out in Washington...demanding they get their approved bonuses now instead of waiting until the promised date of 1945. Unlike in the film, this effort did not turn out well and was disbursed by force later that summer.