Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (TV series)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is an American sitcom that aired on ABC starring Fess Parker. The series, which aired from September 29, 1962 to March 30, 1963, was based on the 1939 film of the same name, starring James Stewart in the title role.

Premise
The title character is a "small-town idealist who becomes a United States senator" who was elected to fill the unexpired term of the incumbent who died. Although Smith seemed naive, he disappointed his backers. Smith's small-town background led him to use a "low-keyed, homespun approach" to problems within his family and at the national level.

Regular characters in the series, in addition to Smith, were his wife Pat, his Uncle Cooter, Miss Kelly (a secretary), and Arnie (a chauffeur).

Cast

 * Eugene Smith - Parker
 * Pat Smith - Sandra Warner
 * Uncle Cooter - Red Foley
 * Miss Kelly - Rita Lynn
 * Arnie - Stan Irwin

Guest stars

 * Harpo Marx
 * Buster Keaton
 * Charles Lane
 * Jim Nabors
 * Hope Summers
 * Kay Starr (at the time, producer Hal Stanley's wife)
 * Edward Everett Horton
 * Leo Gorcey
 * Jack Carter
 * Cecil Kellaway

Production
Hal Stanley was the producer and creator of the series, which was filmed in black-and-white with a laugh track. Claudio Guzman and Oscar Rudolph were two of the directors. Earl Hamner, Jack Harvey, and Howard Snyder were three of the writers. Stanley and Irving Taylor wrote the theme song. The show was broadcast from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturdays. Sponsors included Camel cigarettes, Metrecal, and U. S. Royal tires.

Critical response
John P. Shanley, writing in The New York Times, commented that much of the initial episode was "obvious and unnecessary."