No other movie catches the essence of Christmas with such brilliance as ‘It´s a Wonderful Life (1946).’ Director, producer and screenwriter Frank Capra created a timeless flick that makes you smile like a child that opens presents. Mary (Donna Reed), George (James Stewart), Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes) and Classic Movie Ratings wish you a Merry Christmas 2023! What do you like about this movie? Is it also one of your favorites?
Interlude
It was approximately 15 years ago, when I watched ‘It´s a Wonderful Life (1946)’ for the first time. The family festivities on Christmas Eve were finished and my belly was full of food. So what do you do? You search for the nearest sofa and the first available TV. It was after midnight, which means that Christmas day had already begun. I starting zapping and it was around 2:00 am when the following words suddenly came out of the loudspeakers: ” … I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father … ” “… Joseph, Jesus and Mary, help my friend Mr. Bailey…” “… Help my son George tonight …” “… He never thinks about himself, God. That´s why he´s in trouble …” “… George is a good guy. Give him a break, God …” “… I love him, dear Lord. Watch over him tonight …” “… Please, God. Something´s the matter with Daddy …” “… Please bring Daddy back …” It didn´t take long to get me hooked. I immediately wanted to know who George Bailey is and why he´s in trouble. Since then, I watched it over and over again. Let´s dive into the world of ‘Bedford Falls …’
The Spirit of Being A Child
Three angels are on a mission. They sit in their cloudy chairs to watch over mankind. Especially on Christmas Eve. Two of them are professionals. One is an amateur with a huge advantage. He has a child´s heart and is up for the task to help George Bailey. But first things first “If you´re going to help a man, you want to know something about him, don´t you … ?”
If you think this is the ultrasound image of a pregnant woman, you’re wrong. Senior Angel (Moroni Olson), Joseph (Joseph Granby) and Clarence (Henry Travers) want to save George´s life.
We start in the year 1919. George Bailey (Robert J. Anderson) is just 12 years old and has already proved that he is an absolutely selfless person. He saved his brother´s life by pulling him out of an icy stream. Due to the coldness, George got sick and lost his hearing on the left side. A little bit later, George´s dedicated actions protected his employer Mr. Gower (H.B. Warner) from a long term prison sentence.
Besides Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, Frank Capra was also one of the screenwriters. To portray the character traits of George Bailey very early, as they did, had two purposes. The audience shall like the main character from the beginning. They also aimed on the peoples longings. Who doesn´t want such a selfless child? But to be to selfless can also have major negative affects. How? We´ll come to that later.
Popular with the ladies right from the start. George (Robert J. Anderson), Violet (Jeanine Ann Roose) and Mary (Jeanne Gail) are doing small talk. Which one is he going to marry? Child actor Anderson played a short role in another famous Christmas movie. ‘The Bishop´s Wife (1947)’ aired one year later and has several similarities to ‘It´s a Wonderful Life (1946).’
The Spirit of Youth
The movie does another time jump. George has grown up and works in his father’s company, while his younger brother Harry (Todd Karns) goes to college. Nevertheless, George is a very popular figure in town and seems happy. But he aims for major changes. To use his own words:
“Well, not just one wish, a whole hatful. I know what I´m gonna do tomorrow and the next day and next year and the year after that. I´m shaking the dust of this crummy little town off my feet, and I´m gonna see the world! Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Coliseum. Then I´m coming back here and go to college to see what they know. And then I´m gonna build things. I´m gonna build airfields. I´m gonna build skyscrapers 100 stories high. I´m gonna build bridges a mile long.”
George (James Stewart) has a clear idea, when it comes to the size of a new suitcase. The desire to travel the world is deeply rooted. Will his dreams come true?
To be young means to be adventurous. At least this is what it should meant. How can youth be measured? In years? Or is it the spirit of each individual person? My experiences taught me that the age doesn´t matter at all. During my life, I met several people twice as old with more youthful power inside them as twenty year olds. Illness can handicap, but it also doesn´t mean that the spirit breaks. And it´s also not limited to age. Our protagonist George has the will to tore out trees. But in the little nest of ‘Bedford Falls’ he stays, unwillingly, grounded.
In this chapter, some of the most memorable scenes flicker across the monitors. Together with several famous faces of the Golden Age. Capra increases the pace by bringing the excellent screenplay to life. Except the chapter´s ending, mostly ‘Good Vibe Scenes’ perfectly crafted for the Christmas season.
Remember the little girl sitting on the left at the counter when George was a kid? Violet (Gloria Grahame) has grown up. She eats gazes from men like popcorn. It was Gloria Grahame´s first supporting role in a big Hollywood production. Some years later Grahame achieved word wide fame as one of the best actresses of the Classic Noir Era.
Very similar to his son, but with the huge difference that he willingly has chosen to stay in ‘Bedford Falls.’ Pa Bailey (Samuel S. Hinds).
George´s (James Stewart) look for …
… a life time? Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) appears at the prom of George´s brother Harry (Todd Karns). She was sitting on the right on above picture, when they were children, and George hasn´t seen her in years. Donna Reed was perfectly for this role and a very versatile actress. She won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in from ‘Here to Eternity (1954).’
George (James Stewart) and Mary (Donna Reed) dance …
… until it get´s wet.
“What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You … You want the moon? Just say the word, and I´ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey, that´s a pretty good idea. I´ll give you the moon, Mary.” “I´ll take it.”
The Spirit of Responsibility
Responsibility calls when Pa Bailey (Samuel S. Hinds) has a sudden stroke and sadly dies. George (James Stewart) postpones his trip to Europe to settle his father´s estate. Harry (Todd Karns) returns from college with a wife and a job offer with the best prospects. George gives in again and continues as general manager of ‘The Building & Loan Association’ as someone has to fight against the Bailey´s worst enemy …
Stingy, selfish and evil Henry F. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) was placed No. 6 in AFI´s Top 100 ranking of America´s greatest movie villains of all time. His character was written as a total opposite to George Bailey (James Stewart). Barrymore was a multi-talent. He was an actor, director, writer and composer.
Sam Wainwright (Frank Albertson) offers shareholdings in a new company that his father wants to build to his school friends George (James Stewart) and Mary (Donna Reed). The scenery reminds of gangster movies from the 1930s. Dame included. George´s friends making the big money and he is forced to a provincial ‘low budget life.’
What do you do when you get angry and life spits you in the face? Sure, you marry. Within ten minutes. Mary (Donna Reed) and George (James Stewart) on their way to …
… a riot? A nice shot through a back window …
All washed up again? An economic crisis drives George (James Stewart) and Mary (Donna Reed) to pay their honeymoon money to the customers of the ‘Building & Loan.’
The Spirit of Loyalty
Being loyal to yourself and people you love or like is a fundamental characteristic of life. Some honor this spirit overwhelmingly, like George. Others trample on it because they only think of themselves.
For the first time in the movie, and only for a minute or so, George is tempted to betray his high ideals. Director Frank Capra wants to give the audience a bit of a shock, even if it´s just for a short period of time. Potter intends to buy George and hire him. Why? He wants to finally get control over his biggest enemy. He offers high loans, travel journeys to Europe and much more. The things George longed for all his life. But his senses came back very quickly.
Potter´s (Lionel Barrymore) cigar has a bitter sweet taste. He wants to hire George (James Stewart) …
… but after a bit of a struggle George replies to the old man: “No. No. No, no, now wait a minute, here. Wait a … I don´t need 24 hours. I .. I don´t have to talk to anybody. I know right now, and the answer is no. No, doggone it. You sit around here and you spin your little webs and you think the whole world revolves around you and your money. Well, it doesn´t, Mr. Potter. In the … In the whole vast configuration of things, I´d say you were nothing but a scurvy little spider.”
George (James Stewart) returns home. Mary´s (Donna Reed) dream came true. They really bought the old Granville house, where she throw a stone through the window many years ago. But now the biggest adventure in life awaits: “I didn´t want to marry anybody else in town. I want my baby to look like you.” “You didn´t even have a honeymoon. I promised you … Your what?” “My baby.” “Your … Your … Your … Mary, you … you on the nest?” “George Bailey lassoes stork.” “Lassoes a stork!” “Well, you … You mean you … What is it a boy or a girl?”
The Spirit of Fighting Against Anger, Frustration and Worries
The will to fight against bad things, that happen in life, is very important. Often, you can´t prevent them because that´s how life is sometimes. An unpredictable and incalculable mess. But anyway. There´s nothing you can´t overcome. Some scars will eventually last and make you stronger in the end. And time heals. Cheers to the Spirit of “Never give up!”
‘Bedford Falls’ during World War Two. George (James Stewart) and Mary (Donna Reed) became more children. Some of their friends were enlisted and served overseas. George was unfit for war. Remember the hearing he lost on one side as a child? Just Fuel and tire allocations for him. In real life, Stewart was part of the American army.
The flashbacks are finished and we return to the 24th of December 1945. The day the story began … It´s morning at Christmas Eve …
Good news from Washington! Tilly (Mary Treen), George (James Stewart) and Eustace (Charles Williams) talking to Harry (Todd Karns), who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic acts during the war.
Probably the most hated single copy of a newspaper in movie history. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) receives the paper from Uncle Billy Bailey (Thomas Mitchell). Billy didn´t notice that the envelope, which contains the sum of 8.000,- USD from the ‘Building & Loan’, slipped between the sheets and right into Potter´s hands. Mitchell is a well known character actor. Some of his most significant roles are: Doc Boone in ‘Stagecoach (1939),’ Tiny in ‘Moontide (1942)’ and Jon Day Griffith in ‘While the City Sleeps (1956).’
George (James Stewart) has no idea that the money is gone and lends Violet (Gloria Grahame) some cash. She wants to leave the city. A bank examiner (Charles Halton) is present and the ‘Building & Loan’ is facing bankruptcy …
An extraordinary performance from Stewart and Mitchell: “Listen to me, listen to me! Think, think!” “I can´t think anymore, George. I can´t think anymore. It hurts.” “Where´s that money, you silly, stupid old fool? Where´s that money? Do you realize what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal and prison! That´s what it means. One of us is going to jail. Well, it´s not going to be me.”
George is desperate and takes his anger out on his family. From left to right: George (James Stewart), Pete (Larry Simms), Tommy (Jimmy Hawkins), Janie (Carol Coombs) and Mary (Donna Reed). Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes), the youngest Bailey child, is upstairs with a cold.
George (James Stewart) is desperate and asks Potter (Lionel Barrymore) for money. Potter´s answer: “You´re worth more dead than alive.”
Potter´s words hit George so hard that he got drunk. A bit later, he finds himself on a bridge and a cold river rushes beneath him …
The Spirit of Clarity
Do you remember the high speed three seconds cut to the image of a man sitting just beside George? On the bridge, before he is tempted to jump? The first time, I was terribly frightened. My heart was beating right up to my throat! “Holy shit! Who is that?” Then another fast cut back to George “What? Wait! Don´t jump!” … and suddenly … the sound of a .. harp? … SPLASH! … someone jumped …
Clarence´ (Henry Travers) first appearance on earth. That´s the shot, I described in the previous text. His guardian angel without wings has jumped to prevent George from doing the same …
The selflessness of George (James Stewart) returns. He also jumped, but to rescue Clarence (Henry Travers). They warm up in a boat house near the river.
Now begins the part of the movie, where Frank Capra´s craftsmanship reaches a level near perfection which not many directors accomplished. This segment belongs to my all time favorites. George is still beaten and weary. The words of an angel don´t help. He is getting angry again and repeats Potter´s words: “I´m worth more dead than alive.” He continues: “Yeah, if it hadn´t been for me, everybody´d be a lot better off. My wife and my kids and my friends… I suppose it would have been better if I´d never been born at all.” Clarence replies: “What´d you say?” George repeats: “I said I wish I´d never been born.”
So he has a idea: “You´ve got your wish. You´ve never been born.” — A wind blows — Something has changed —
We now see a ‘Bedford Falls,’ which isn´t even named that way anymore, without George. And he is witnessing it too. The idea is ingenious and so well played by Stewart.
I rounded up some of the most memorable scenes. They are terrifying and fascinating at the same time. I still get goose bumps, even after countless re-watches. You see, bit by bit, how George realizes that his life is meaningful and has a huge positive impact on countless other lives.
George (James Stewart) and Clarence (Henry Travers) first stop should be ‘Martini´s Bar,’ a family restaurant of an old friend. But the joints name changed to ‘NICK´S,’ which is also the owner. A bar for drunks, whores and hoodlums.
Shortly before both are kicked out, Mr. Gower (H.P. Warner) suddenly appears. He served a long time prison sentence for killing a child. The result? He drowns his sorrows in alcohol. George wasn´t alive to prevent bringing the false package with the poison, by mistake, to the sick child …
Not ‘Bedford Falls’ but ‘Pottersville.’ A Little Las Vegas with many clubs instead of the suburban idyll.
George (James Stewart) just noticed that his company is a night club. The ‘Building & Loan’ faced bankruptcy many years ago. He wasn´t there to save it.
A remarkable close up. George (James Stewart) has just found out that his own mother (Beulah Bondi) don´t know him.
Probably the toughest scene in the movie. George´s younger brother Harry died at the age of 8. George wasn´t born and couldn´t save him from drowning in the ice cold water …
A little thick but still catchy. Mary (Donna Reed) has never married and is an old maid.
The Spirit of Life
The Ending is just pure magic! If you´re not in a Christmas mood, I´m pretty sure that you will be after watching it. A George flooded with happiness runs through the city and wishes everyone, also Potter, a Merry Christmas! He returns to his home, without any thoughts on the missing 8.000,- USD, and is overwhelmed. His family and friends have settled the undisputed sum and increased it many times over. Let´s spread some pictures for the ‘The Spirit of Life:’
“Please God let me life again!” … Some moments later … “My mouth´s bleeding, Bert! My mouth´s … Zuzu´s petals. Zuzu … There they are! … Bert! What do you know about that? Merry Christmas!”
George is back home. The Bailey family is united again!
The debt is paid with love and friendship. Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) arrives with a basket full of green papers.
Giuseppe Martini (William Edmunds): “I busted the jukebox, too.”
Harry Bailey (Todd Karns): “To my big brother, George! The richest man in town!” and everyone starts to sing: “Should old acquaintance be forgot … And never brought to mind? …”
Clarence´ legendary farewell to George. Written in a book copy of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes) reacts to a ringing bell at the Christmas tree: “Look, Daddy! Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”
The last picture. Mary (Donna Reed), George (James Stewart) and Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes). Manifested for eternity in movie history.
Rating
‘It´s a Wonderful Life (1946)’ is one of the most significant movies ever made. It catches the essence of life itself. The things which really matter. I already explained what this film means to me personally. However, there are so many other connected stories. For example James Stewart, which plays the main character George Bailey. He served in the US army during World War Two and suffered from PTSD (Post Nautical Stress Disorder). Performing the scenes where George had angry outbursts were a self therapy for Stewart. He told this to many friends and also said that George Bailey was his favorite of all his roles. The making of this masterpiece would be worth one post alone. Director Frank Capra and his team created a huge ‘Bedford Falls’ set, which equals the length of three city blocks. One of the longest sets that has ever been built. Most of the scenes where filmed during an actual heat wave in July. Yes, you read correctly. The “snow” you see near and during the final is a mixture of foamite, water and soap. The movie is far from being a cliché “everything is happy holiday flick.” It has a deep and important meaning. Some critics in the US state that it is shown way to often every Christmas. It´s overused. Well, I don´t agree. For me seeing the same movies on Christmas each year is part of the festivities itself. Some personal words at the end. To being selfless and helping other people is very important. But do not forget yourself! I add the final ‘Spirit of Self Care’ myself. And never forget. What ever happens, It´s a Wonderful Life!
Complete rating for ‘It´s a Wonderful Life (1946):’
‘It´s a Wonderful Life (1946)’ reached the ‘Perfect Peak’ on the ‘Rating Mountain:’
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