It’s A Wonderful Life

In baseball, you have a closer. A pitcher that comes in the 9th inning and nails it down for his team. This is the Christmas closer. If someone said you can only watch one Christmas movie every year, this one would be it. It’s very close to a long Twilight Zone. I have seen this movie more times than any other, hands down.

This weekend I plan to watch it. I would like to know how many times I’ve seen this movie. I would guess…30+ times now that I think about it. The movie was based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story The Greatest Gift, which he self-published as a Christmas card after failing to sell it to a publisher.

The film was initially a box-office disappointment and contributed to the financial struggles of Frank Capra’s Liberty Films. He and Samuel J. Briskin founded Liberty Films in 1945. The movie is now huge but it took years before it really set in pop culture. For years, the film’s copyright lapsed into the public domain, which allowed TV stations to air it frequently, helping it gain its spot in popular culture.

I didn’t watch this great movie until the late 80s. All it took was one time and I haven’t missed a year of watching it. I don’t tear up very easily..but it never fails at the end of the movie when Zuzu says… Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings…it gets me every time. This movie was released in 1946.

Poor George Bailey. All he wanted to do was travel and get out of Bedford Falls to see the world. Every single time he gets close…so close that it hurts…something happens and George ends up doing the right thing.

Bedford Falls needs George Bailey…every town needs a George Bailey but many end up with only a Mr. Potter. There is one thing about this movie which was unusual. Mr. Potter was never punished for what he did…which drew criticism at the time but it was more in line with reality to me. Potter was never won over by the Christmas spirit and I think that helps the movie. 

This is a Christmas movie but really only the last part of the movie is about Christmas. It is a movie for any time not just for December. I was thinking of names for our unborn child and couldn’t think of one…I was watching this movie in November of 1999 and it hit me…Bailey…so the movie means more than some movies do.

Donna Reed played Mary Hatch Bailey to perfection. The role was offered to others as well like Olivia de Havilland, Ginger Rogers, and Jean Arthur. I would have been interested to see Jean Arthur in that role. I’m a huge fan of her and Capra used her in some great films but I can’t ever complain about Donna Reed. 

Here is a small summary from IMDB…don’t read it…watch the movie instead. If you haven’t seen it…give it a shot…whether it is Christmas or July.

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint, Mr. Potter, from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George’s modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy loses the business’s $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born.

…

Unknown's avatar

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

38 thoughts on “It’s A Wonderful Life”

  5. My daughter will come over to watch this with me – maybe they’ll even bring Bailey (a rescue dog adopted just before Christmas a few years ago and named after George Bailey). We watch it every year.

    When my wife and I were dating I told her I wanted to watch this. She thought I was joking. I married her anyway.;) She often comes in and out of the room as we’re watching it.

    I agree – no redemption for Mr. Potter is one of the better parts of the story.

    One of the things that struck me after a few dozen watchings is that George gets what he wants. In each case, he considers the alternatives and takes the least-undesirable one. One example – he could have gone on a honeymoon and let the building & loan go under. Given the choice, he chooses to save the business. If that sounds weird, I went into it here: https://halffastcyclingclub.wordpress.com/2019/03/02/ive-got-nothing-to-say-but-its-ok/

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. I’m sure a lot of people and animals got a name from this movie. It was perfect timing for us.
      I have known some who didn’t show any interest in just watching it…it always amazes me. Some though end up watching and liking it.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  6. We watched it about 4 nights back – certainly a Christmas tradition. Thank God for cheapo cable TV networks back in the ’80s who found it and rolled it out only ’cause it was cheap to run over and over. A prime example of how time changes people’s evaluations of art and talent.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  7. I remember the lapsed copyright era when this was on all the time on seemingly every channel. My mom called it “It’s a Wonderful Month.” I watched so many scenes out of context from the rest of the movie over the years. It was great!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. It’s funny, but I never saw this growing up. My best friend was always talking about her family watching it, but I never saw it until the copyright ran out and it was all over the place with the colorized versions. Even now, I think I have seen all of it in different sections, but not from beginning to end. It is a great movie. There’ll never be another Jimmy Stewart.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I can see that…because I never knew it exsisted until I was a teen in the 80s.
      Jimmy Stewart was one of a kind. I love his movies like Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and You Can’t Take It With You.

      Like

      Reply

  11. It is a Christmas tradition and even though I gave it a lightish roasting a few years back it has sorta regrown on me since I’ve become a grandparent- I seem to be becoming less cynical since that… Strange but true. That said I’m about the only one in my family who sits the whole film through nowadays. Maybe I’m handing over my Grinchiness on to the family? Mellowing perhaps? Oh boy-If I’m becoming a Christmas gooey marshmallow it has to stop! Now!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. You might as well surrender to the Ghost of Christmas obbverse! It is hard to stay mad at this movie…it doesn’t have overly sweetness and it also has some salt with Mr. Potter.
      Once kids enter the picture…give it up.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      3. Hey guys…You Can’t Take It With You may be my favorite Frank Capra movie with this one. Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart were wonderful in that and Barrymore was great as one of the lilies of the field.

        Liked by 2 people

  12. I so agree with everything you wrote! My son’s name is not Bailey and my daughter’s name is not Zuzu, but I didn’t fail to show them this film that moves me to tears every Christmas. A film for the whole year, that’s true too, because its message is universal and timeless. I really like Donna Reed in the film too, even if I can’t resist the charm of Gloria Grahame.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. The character actors Capra had in this film alone is incredible. I do think in the 1940s-50s Hollywood had such good character actors and Capra always found the perfect fit to his films. Same with me…Bailey knows his namesake really well.
      Gloria Grahame…oh yes!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. If it’s Zuzu’s words for you, it’s Harry’s toast for me… I’m not crying, you’re crying!

    Love the comparison of this movie being the closer because my wife and I watch this usually as our final planned Christmas movie watching of the season.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. It’s the one you just have to watch…I totally agree. I’m glad other people have the same reaction to it as me…it’s one of the very few movies that will bring tears.

      Like

      Reply

  15. If ever there were a Black-Capped Chickadee of the silver screen, it was Jean Arthur—small, sprightly, and possessed of a voice like birdsong, equal parts charm and steel. Flitting between comedy and drama with effortless grace, she was both delicate and unshakable, a figure of warmth with a glint of defiance in her eye. Like the chickadee, she never blustered but always made herself heard, her presence lingering long after she’d flown from the frame.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m a huge Jean Arthur fan! When I heard her talk…it was an instant crush. She could do it all. I’m curious on how this movie would have been with her but Reed did do a great job. My favorite movie with her is You Can’t Take It With You.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment