Image of Frank Capra standing at podium.

Frank Capra’s Security Clearance

Today's post is written by Jacob Lusk, Archives Specialist in Textual Reference at the National Archives in College Park, MD.  Though best known for such classic films as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946), director Frank Capra also led a distinguished career with the United States Army. He served as a second lieutenant … Continue reading Frank Capra’s Security Clearance

Ambassador Kennedy's Telegram re: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”: Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy as Movie Critic

By David Langbart “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is considered one of the great motion pictures produced by the American movie industry.  In 1989, the Library of Congress added this masterpiece to the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The movie, starring James Stewart as Jefferson Smith (the “Mr. … Continue reading “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”: Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy as Movie Critic