Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as a Musical.

[gabrieljwickedone]

Why hasn't this been done?

The film is in the public domain, and the characters and romantic subplot kind of lend themselves to song.

Anyone agree? It would make a great property for High Schools, Colleges, and Regional Theatres.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

It's such a great film that I would hate to see it done poorly. I've never really envisioned it as a musical, but if I did, the only songwriting team I can imagine doing it would be Harnick and Bock.

[JoeKv99]

Not really. A filibuster is not really something that lends itself to the stage. Plus you have basically all men and boys- always a tough sell for school groups.

[gabrieljwickedone]

I see a song when Jefferson Smith goes to the room full of press guys.

The romantic plot of Jefferson/Saunders lends itself to song.

I think maybe a subplot with Susan Paine could be explored on stage.

I also think Smith's sight seeing tour would be a good place for a song.

[Wynbish]

Yeah, the best part of the movie is Jimmy's performance in the fillibuster. Not sure how a fillibuster would translate to stage, while allowing for the chance to show how Taylor's men were getting the news out and stopping Smith's boys.


You Can't Take it With You could be a fun musical, with how quirky that family is. Like Addams Family but a lot lighter

[JoeKv99]

Well you got the vision young man, get to work.

[RippedMan]

Well, who would have thought 1776 would have worked, but it did. Or TS Elliots book of cat poems. But it works. So, you never know. It wouldn't work as a direct translation, but it's a different medium. Things can always be trimmed/changed.

[darquegk]

It has to be better than any of the current "It's A Wonderful Life" musicals.

[yankeefan7]

This is my old time favorite movie but I don't see it translating into a musical. As others have mentioned, the fillibuster scence is the dramatic centerpiece of the story and I don't see it working with music. You mentioned a few moments where it has possibility of working but in the end I think they shoud leave it alone or maybe try to do it as a straight play somehow.

[gabrieljwickedone]

Do I have the vision? Yes.

Do I have the talent to make it come to fruition? No.

[JoeKv99]

Lack of talent is never an excuse. Lots of people have talent. Get writing.

[gabrieljwickedone]

This moment alone screams musical number, I think I may just have to pursue this project.:

(They pile off Jeff--who sits up slowly, looking the worse for wear. His pugnacity is gone, and he is calm, hurt and bitter.)

SWEENEY
You act like a man with something on
your mind--

FLOOD
What's the idea--charging in like
that on the gentlemen of the Press--
?

JEFFERSON
(bitterly)
*Gentlemen*! Gentlemen are supposed
to believe in something decent.
Instead of twisting facts and making
a joke of everything--why don't you
tell the people the *truth* for a
change?

VOICES
The truth!
Well, the man wants the truth!
"What *is* truth?" asked so-and-so,
and turned away!

JEFFERSON
That's what I said--the *truth*!

SWEENEY
How'll you have it--dished out--or
in a bottle?

DIZ
Well, if that's what you want, Senator--
sit down--. We'll see what we can
do.

JEFFERSON
There isn't a chance I'd find it
here!

SUMMERS
No?

FLOOD
Why--*truth* is the *business* of a
few of us correspondents, Senator--

[adam.peterson44]

The discussion above about talent brings to mind two of the best lines of dialogue ever written for the stage (in my opinion), from Gypsy:

"...all you need is no talent"
"You'll excuse me, but to have no talent is not enough"

Anyway, back on topic - i do think that the filibuster could be musicalized with (a) song(s) about Mr. Smith's passionate views. I for one would go and see a musical about that theme. It could even be updated for the somewhat more contentious partisanship environment that exists today, or done as a straight-up period piece.

Anyhow, my suggestion is that you do start working on it and developing your ideas, and then bring collaborators on board to help with whatever areas you feel you need help with. It would be easier to find collaborators once you have developed the idea, i'm guessing (unless you are already a well-known lyricist/librettist/composer, which going from your comments, it sounds like you are not, but please correct me if i'm wrong).