One of Jimmy Stewart's Greatest Film Was Originally Banned Overseas
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was banned in Germany and Italy because it showed democracy worked.
Our country is founded on the belief that democracy is the best way to make citizens feel involved and represented, and politicians should stand for the best interests of the people. Regrettably, fascists do not believe this, as they only believe in power and subjugation of those they see as beneath them. With that in mind, it would be most unfortunate for a country run by fascists to let its people see a film that happens to prove how powerful and fair democracy can be, as that would give them certain ideas. It's been a while since an American film has been met with this kind of pushback, and one of the most notable instances of this happening involved one of the best films by Frank Capra that was begging to be targeted by fascists: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring James Stewart.
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