Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Edward Arnold: Jim Taylor

Photos 

Quotes 

• Senator Joseph Paine : He can raise public opinion against us - if any part of this sticks...

  James Taylor : Aah, he'll never get started. I'll make public opinion out there within five hours! I've done it all my life. I'll blacken this punk so that he'll - You leave public opinion to me. Now, Joe, I think you'd better go back into the Senate and keep those Senators lined up.

• [when Smith is announced as the newly appointed Senator] 

  James Taylor : I want you to let the ballyhoo boys loose, plan a celebration, and declare a holiday.

• Senator Joseph Paine : Jim, suppose we don't try to go through with this Dam? Suppose we postpone it until next session of Congress? Or, drop it altogether?

  James Taylor : Oh, that'd be a crime, Joe. After all the work we've put in on it? Getting buried in this Deficiency Bill - as nicely as you please. Having it approved. It's rolling along. It was like taking candy from a baby.

  Senator Joseph Paine : Is it worth the risk of a scandal?

• James Taylor : I think we've got your man - Horace Miller.

  Governor Hopper : Horace Miller!

  Chick McGann : A born stooge! Why, ole Horace will preform like a trained seal.

• Governor Hopper : But, Jim, if I throw a party man, like Horace Miller, in the face of those people...

  James Taylor : For reasons I can't go into now, it's got to be Horace Miller. Do you understand? I've given you the man, now make out your ticket.

• Governor Hopper : I won't let you stand there callously and perhaps wreck my whole political future!

  James Taylor : Your political future? Why, I bought it for you. I gave it to you as a present and I can grab it back so fast it'll make your head swim! You've got a nerve to sit there and worry about your political future, when we're in a spot like this!

• James Taylor : A Boy Ranger? A squirrel chaser to the United States Senate?

  Governor Hopper : Listen, Jim, a simpleton of all times. A big eyed baby. Knows Lincoln and Washington by heart. Stands at attention in the Governor's presence. He even collects stray boys and cats.

  James Taylor : He does what?

• James Taylor : Chick, turn the ballyhoo boys loose. Its the greatest appointment ever made. Give a banquet and declare a holiday.

  Governor Hopper : A star spangled banquet!

  Chick McGann : Wow!

• James Taylor : I wouldn't trust you to lick a postage stamp!

• James Taylor : Hendricks, get the hoi polloi excited. Have them send protests, letters, wires, anything you like.