American Music
Instrumental music plays over the opening titles, and from that point forward, the selection of songs reflects traditional musical aesthetics of American democracy and American history. Among the familiar tunes which fill the soundtrack are “Yankee Doodle,” “America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee),” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Montage of American Monuments
When Mr. Smith arrives in Washington, the first thing he does is act like any other tourist and he goes on a tour of the famous sights. A montage—over which American music plays—shows Smith visiting the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Washington Monument, the White House, and all the other assorted commemorations of American democracy. The imagery here sets up the ideals that Washington is supposed to represent and shows us that Smith is a committed patriot.
Who's in Charge Here?
One of the most powerfully subtle uses of imagery to illuminate larger themes in the film occurs shortly after Mr. Smith first discovers the real power structure at work in Washington. He goes to the older Senator Paine for confirmation that corrupt party boss Jim Taylor is the one pulling all the strings, and instead receives a lecture from Paine on the harsh adult realities of politics and compromise. During this lecture, Paine sits on a desk and in the background, positioned on a wall directly over his head, is a framed photograph of Taylor, confirming in an instant just who is in charge.
The Last Temptation of Mr. Smith
After his long filibuster has driven him nearly to the point of collapse, Smith is presented with baskets and baskets of telegrams from his own state informing him that the people of his state are against him. Smith is emotionally devastated, grabs two handfuls of telegrams and holds them with his arms akimbo gazing up at Saunders in the Senate gallery, looking for some kind of relief from the exhaustion and hopelessness of his position. The image is affecting, in that it shows just how desperate Smith is, and physically represents the magnitude of what he is up against.
