Part of the impact of this movie was the performance of Jimmy Stewart. He had become the deputy commander of a bomber squadron during World War II. Part of his duties was to assign crews to bombing mission. That and the time he barely missed being killed himself lead to PTSD that pit him into the hospital for a few months. When he came home he wasn't interested in acting, but Frank Capra and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) convinced him to do those movie. All the intense emotional scenes in this movie were Jimmy working through his "demons".
What a great reaction. The part that that really chokes me up when Clarence says, "Every man on that transport died Harry wasn't there to save them, because you weren't there to save Harry."
I get chills every time. Such a powerful moment and I think everyone that watches it in their first time has at least partially forgotten about him saving Harry's life earlier in the movie.
We are the sum-total of each of our millions of decisions and the actions that result from the time we are born to today. always try for better. I wish everyone a long and happy life.
Perhaps I'm a sucker, but old movies like this one have a charm that simply doesn't exist in today's overly cynical society (and I say that as an overly cynical person). This was on television every year when I was younger, so I just watched it one day and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. In fact, I've watched it almost every year since. It's a good reminder that the community that we rally around is our only saving grace, not the false idols that present themselves as our saviors. This movie sent me down a rabbit hole of watching (and loving) many "classic Hollywood" movies. There's another Frank Capra movie, "You Can't Take It With You" in which Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) plays the opposite of Potter. Capra had a great run of films over several decades. Another great one with Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) is "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". My personal favorite of Capra's is "It Happened One Night".
_It's A Wonderful Life_ didn't get much attention until the 1970s when a clerk at the studio forgot to renew the copyright. Because of that, the movie entered the public domain, allowing TV stations to play it without paying royalties. Many people who would have never seen it otherwise began to see it every year. And it would have only cost the studio four dollars to file that copyright renewal.
You won me over when you understood what Burt the cop meant by going home to see what the wife is doing. So amazing how so many people miss the meaning of that.
Lionel Barrymore played Mr. Potter. He was Drew Barrymore's great uncle. We have to thank him for playing that part to a Tee. Jimmy Stewart the main character had just gotten back from wwII where he served as a bomber pilot flying more than 20 missions deep into German territory. He was suffering from PTSD and told the Director he didn't think he'd be able to do a good job in the role. Those are real tears you see in the film. They captured something magical and timeless in this film in my opinion. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
jimstark1810 Lionel Barrymore must have been a really good actor, because by all accounts he was a very nice man, but he sure was convincing as a…… well, not a very nice man. People often compare Potter to Scrooge, but Potter is worse. Scrooge never stole any money, and I believe he would have returned money he found. He didn't believe in charity, but he also didn't believe in stealing. And Scrooge is horrified to find out that everybody hates him and nobody will mourn him when he passes away. Potter is well aware of this and doesn't care.
I have watched this movie every year for 40 years. It purifies the soul every time. Glad you were moved by it. If this movie doesn’t make someone cry, there’s something seriously broken or stuck in their heart.
It’s my favorite Christmas movie. And I realized something. There’s no Santa, or reindeer, or sleigh. None of the usual fare. Because it’s actually about that beautiful lesson: family & friends are the most true of all riches and wealth. And what that is, is wonderful knowledge.
The point is, you don't have to get everything you want to have a wonderful life. He didn't get to travel, maybe a little sad, but you get much more out of life by doing things for others rather than just doing for yourself.
Remember, dearest Aria, that no reactor is a failure if she has made friends with her multitudes of followers and fans. I, for one, am proud to be one of your friends.
Another "sad" movie from this same year, which won 6 Oscars, including best picture, was The Bes Years of Our Lives, about veterans returning from war.
The same way that we get spam today, everybody used to receive junk mail from National Geographic magazine... "You are hereby invited to join the National Geographic society" which really meant "you are hereby invited to subscribe to our expensive magazine".
Actually, lots of families subscribed to National Geographic in the 50's because it was relatively inexpensive. We had stacks of them in the basement. Back when they were black and white!
19:58 The man with the glasses talking to Potter is actor Charles Lane, who lived to be the oldest ever active member of SAG/ AFTRA (the actors union) at 100. He died in 2007 at age 102.
What many people don't realize is that Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) was a real hero of WW II. He was a B-24 Bomber pilot who flew 20 combat missions over Germany. Stewart became Wing Commander of an entire squadron of bombers and was awarded the 2nd highest medal - the Distinguished Flying Cross (2nd only to the Congressional Medal of Honor). This was Stewart's first film since returning from the war. He eventually attained the rank of Brigadier General of the Air Force Reserve.
I has an Aunt that lived in an nice inner city community in Memphis ( Orange Mound ) , and all my life , I said that even though she had a nice job and a nice little house and things , I thought she was the richest woman in Memphis, because til the day she died in 2019, she was so loved and cherished by her family and the community, she did so much for all of them.
I believe this was Jimmy Stewart's first movie after he served in WWII. Jimmy suffered severe PTSD, and had no interest in resuming his acting career. Ironically Lionel Barrymore(who played Potter, and was also Drew Barrymore's great uncle) convinced Stewart to take the role. He said a movie like this could help the country heal after 4 + years of war.
I love this movie. Here is a little trivia: H.B. Warner, who played Mr. Gower, was a method actor who got drunk while filming the scene. That slap was real; it made his ear bleed and left his face red and in tears. I was surprised by how many things Aria predicted.
It's not sad. It ends in pure joy as we all should think about our impact on others. The most meaningful part of every tombstone is the dash.....that line between the date of birth and the date of death. That line represents everything we have ever done and our influence on others. This is what IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is all about.
The last line of the last song the Beatles made (appropriately called "The End) says; "In the end, the love you make, is equal to the love you take." George reaped as he sowed. "To my big brother George, the RICHEST man in town." Yes, he absolutely was.
Yes, it was part of an annual thing, alongside Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Carol. I never watched it as a kid, and didn't really sit down to watch it until I was in college. Actually it isn't really a "kids" movie, so I probably saw it at the right age.
It's a testimony to the talent of actor Lionel Barrymore that he portrayed one of filmdom's most hated characters (Potter). He was apparently a really nice guy in real life. He was also the one who requested that Frank Kapra hire Jimmy Stewart for the lead role.
This is my father's favorite Christmas film. When the most stressful week in the life of a pastor is the very last week of December, as he's waiting to see if the church subscribed to the budget, seeing everyone come together and give more than enough is a dream come true. There are those who are unhappy that we don't see Mr. Potter get his comeuppance and I have never had to think about it because Charles Dickens did it for us. Mr. Potter is the unredeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, therefore that vision of Christmas Yet to Come that scared Scrooge into repentance is Mr. Potter's fate - to die alone without friends or family present, to be buried in the local cemetery, and then forgotten by time. Furthermore, the film's central thesis is that the universe is governed by a just and loving God, one Mr. Potter will face on Judgement Day.
It makes me so happy that someone with your personality (at least what I've seen of it through your videos) is finally getting to know my favorite movie. I've loved it since I was about eight years old.
At this point in his life, Lionel Barrymore (Potter) was wheelchair bound because of arthritis (which ran in his family) and some bad falls. The last movie he made when he could walk around a little was Captains Courageous.
A belated Merry Christmas, Aria. This film is one of the family’s favorite Christmas movies. Every year I watch reactors watch this film during the Holidays. Beautiful reactions, Aria. You are the first one who was so concerned for George Bailey that you prayed for him. Bless you! I have now added your name to Santa’s list. Phoebe chickened out, like leaving the theater before the movie ends, so thinking this was a sad movie for the rest of her life. LOL
This is my second favorite film of all time, after William Wyler’s “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Wyler’s film came out the same year and dominated the Academy Awards. Ironically Wyler and Capra were partners in the independent production company that made both films. Capra and Stewart both regarded this as the best film in their careers. Its production was a miracle in itself. The author was Philip Van Doren Stern, a prominent historian and author, who couldn’t sell the short story the movie is based on. So he sent it out to friends as a homemade, illustrated Christmas card. The story captivated Capra, who bought the rights. Stewart had come back from the war as a decorated hero, having led a bomber squadron on some 20 runs over Germany, but he had PTSD and thought he would never act again. Thankfully, his good friend, Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), talked him into accepting the role. Stewart was drawing on real emotions in his dramatic scenes, especially in the prayer at the bar. Capra’s unmatched ability to move a story smoothly from comedy to drama and back to joy is on fully display in this film. He was aided in this by a tremendous group of character actors who appeared in many of his movies. Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) won an Oscar for his performance in “Stagecoach.” Beulah Bondi (Ma Bailey) was a Broadway star in the 1920s and became a great character actor as she aged. I love her remarkable transformation from a loving mother to a crusty old woman in this film. H. B. Warner (Mr. Gower) was a popular star of the 1920s and also moved into character roles as he aged. He got an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Capra’s “Lost Horizon” (1937). Not to forget Donna Reed (Mary): she played her part so well, I can’t imagine anyone better for the role. She acted in many films in the 40s and 50s, but achieved her greatest fame with a highly successful TV sitcom, “The Donna Reed Show,” which I watch as a kid in the early 60s.
Even when i was a kid in the 70s it was a thing older people would do, they couldn't 'forget to remember' with a piece of string as a physical reminder. A very well known aid memoire
The scene where Uncle Billy walks away drunk wasn't planned that way. Off stage, a member of the crew dropped a tray of props at just the right time. Thomas Mitchell (Billy improvised the line, and Capra gave the crew member a $10 bonus.
I have autographed photos of the 2 daughters Janie and Zuzu who are still alive and in their 80's. Janie lives near me and has a room in her house dedicated to this film filled with memorabilia.
Historical note: The scene where the bank is saved and George ends up with $2 in cash assets takes place during the bank runs of the early part of the Great Depression. President Roosevelt declared a bank holiday and promised that the only banks that could open up would be the healthy banks. When banks and Savings and Loans reopened people's confidence was restored and depositors returned.
Lionel Barrymore who played Old man Potter is the great uncle to actress Drew Barrymore. The man who played Nick the Bartender is Sheldon Leonard who later went on to produce the Dick Van Dyke Show in the 1960's. Happy New Year!
Such a great movie. It touches on some incredibly dark tones, especially for the time. Funny how some people thought it was too 'sappy'. Great reaction and glad to see you enjoyed it. Hope you have a fantastic New Year!!! You're fantastic!
Jimmy Stewart (George) was a bomber crew member that flew over 20 missions over Europe during WWll, when he was praying in Martini's Bar he was suffering from PTSD. The tears were real when old feelings came up to the surface. He retired from the USAF in the 1970s as one Star General.
Happy holidays Aria! Love your little antlers and decorations. This movie is such a wonderful classic. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've enjoyed your channel a lot this year and wish you a very happy new year. 🥂
There is another Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) movie that is guaranteed to be fun at the beginning, middle and end. Most reactors miss it. It's a movie called "Harvey". Another Christmas film from this time period is called "The Bishops Wife" it also has a happy ending for multiple characters. Good reaction on this one. I'm glad you got your wish.
Oh, you should absolutely watch "Bambi" -- the animation is *just gorgeous.* The animators spent years studying real animals and real nature to faithfully capture the movements and look of a real forest. So unlike earlier Disney movies where the animals were all simple cartoon shapes, the animals in Bambi really evoke the real thing. They also pioneered the use of multi-plane animation to give these painted 2D images the almost magical quality of looking real. Sure there are some sad parts, but the entirety is just BEAUTIFUL.
"...Bambi..." Have you ever watched The Lion King? Bambi is no more sad than that. "...a holiday movie, and a sad one at that..." Hmm... keep this in mind as #1. "...oh, this [expletive deleted]..." As you're sitting there crying, I'm thinking... if you think you're crying _now,_ wait until the end. Keep this in mind as #2. "...did Harry never go to college..." I giggled when I heard this. It's _so_ much worse than that. "...my eyes are blurry..." Yep. As predicted in #2. "...I love this movie!..." And now we're back to #1. :) Just because a movie contains sadness doesn't make it a 'sad movie', nor a _bad_ movie. You're right that Old Yeller's a sad movie, it's a tragedy. Such movies have become _very_ rare, but there are a few around. Such movies tend not to go far because they have to be _exceedingly_ good to get over the negative emotions. I'm not familiar enough with the other movies Phoebe mentions to say if they're sad or not, they might be. Fun facts: 1) This movie _bombed_ at the box office, not even making back the money it took to make it. It was considered 'too sentimental' after the horrors of the second world war. 30 years later, someone from the studio forgot to renew the copyright, and so it fell into the public domain. It was plastered on TVs as a cheap thing studios could show during Christmas. That's when it became a classic. 2) The snow used was made of asbestos. 3) The director, Capra, was a sexist. The actress who plays Mary (Reed) played women's baseball all through high school. Capra trusted Stewart (George Bailey) to hit the glass, but for Reed he hired someone to shoot out the glass should she miss. She didn't miss. 4) The scene with Stewart in the bar crying and praying looks grainy compared to the rest. The reason for this is that the shot was zoomed in on because it wasn't planned. Stewart, suffering PTSD, genuinely broke down at that moment, and it was caught on camera. As a result, Capra didn't want to lose it, and so just enlarged that section of the movie to capture it. 5) Similarly, the kiss during the run on the bank was also not planned. They'd rehearsed it a few times with the woman asking for some amount, but for the actual take Capra secretly asked the woman to come up with an odd number (because he thought it'd be funny), and Stewart's reaction was genuine. 6) Also in that vein, the crash where Billy wanders off drunk after Harry comes back wasn't planned. A stagehand dropped a bunch of props, the actor playing Billy went with it, Stewart laughed, and that's the take they kept. The guy who dropped the props got a $10 bonus (about $100 today) for improving the movie. 7) Anderson, the kid who played George as a kid, was _actually slapped_ by the actor playing Gower (Warner) who was, in fact, drunk on the set at the time. Warner was deeply apologetic after. 8) The loss of $8000, is happening in 1945 or 1946, roughly. We'll go with 1946. Adjusted for inflation, $8000 is $129,433.03 USD. 9) Potter offers George $20,000 as a yearly salary around 1936 or so (birth of his first kid). Adjusted for inflation, that's $453,946.76 a year that George turned down.
Old Yeller is a tragedy but even it ends on a positive note... I've never seen the end of Bambi (mom had to take me out of the theater as my sobs were disrupting the other audience members experience) but being Disney, it probably ended well. 😊
Such a great reaction to one of the best movies, not just Christmas movies, of all time in my mind. Even as a bitter and heartless old man (or so I'm told) I tear up every time I watch this movie. And for someone who has struggled so much with depression and self-destructive thoughts throughout my life, the lesson of this movie has always been one of the reasons I've never given in to those urges. Jimmy Stewart, who played George Bailey, had just come home from serving as the pilot of a B-24 bomber in WWII when this movie started production. After flying so many bombing missions over Germany in the course of his service and seeing all the death and destruction of a world war, he was suffering from what we'd now call PTSD. Lionel Barrymore (the hated Mr. Potter) was the main one who got Jimmy Stewart to take this role when he really didn't want to, and the end result was playing the character that he called his favorite of the ones he played. The movie was therapeutic for him as well. Stewart said that acting out the scenes where George was enraged was cathartic for him. While filming the scene in which George prays in the bar Jimmy Stewart was so overcome because of how low he felt in his own life that he began to sob. Frank Capra later re-framed and blew up the shot because he wanted to catch that expression on Stewart's face. It really hammers home the feeling of Stewart BEING George Bailey. Jimmy Stewart was such a brilliant actor anyway, but this role might have been great therapy for him as well as a perfect role for him to play. And if nothing else we can be thankful to the awful Mr. Potter for getting Jimmy Stewart to do this movie.
Oh this is going to be awesome! I can't freaking wait to see this. Edit: I was right. That was awesome. Plus we got Aria-laughs. And who doesn't love those?
I'm glad you watched this. The other day, when RUclips was telling me there was an _Elf_ video from you, I kept wishing it were an _It's a Wonderful Life_ video from you instead. I hope you'll get to watch it again and again. I must have seen it close to a hundred times in the last thirty-odd years, and every time I notice new things about it-one of which, this time, was pointed out _by you_ (so thank you).
This movie has it all. Mary is the hero. For Christians. Mary the mother. Merry Christmas. She was a angel. Loved her husband that she knew something was wrong.
There’s a SNL “lost ending” parody of this movie, with Dana Carvey as George and John Lovitz as Potter. You might enjoy it if you’re still mad at Potter for getting away with the theft of $8000. Dana Carvey does the best Jimmy Stewart impression.
When I was younger, I saw this movie here and there , and I knew that Uncle Billy lost the money, but it wasn’t until years later that I saw that Potter kept that damn money, I was so damn mad! I wanted to throw something at the tv! I would suggest watching the Saturday Night Live take on the ending, where Uncle Billy tells everyone at the end that he remembers what happened to the money, and that Potter kept the money, and they all leave and go to Potter and whoop his ass! 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
If I remember the Friends episode correctly, Phoebe did not see the end of the movies and that's why she had a fractured view of the old movies. I have seen this movie dozens of times and still tear up. Nice reaction.
28:39 When George is praying and asking God to "show him the way", Mr Martini comes up after and begs him to go home, which is where the town shows up to save him. If he'd listened to Martini, he wouldn't have had to go through all that.
First movie James Stewart did after returning from 20 combat missions over germany during WW2..Went into the Army Air Force as a private..came out as an officer...Great actor, Great American. War hero...
The tears at the end of this movie are tears of joy. I think people coming away from this movie are many times inspired to be more like George. And also like Mary. Nice reaction.
Great reaction! So glad you loved it! One thing you said was "...Fantastic people. And they are fantastic because of George". More to your point, it's not so much that George "made" them fantastic but because of George's sense of responsibility and his strong integrity, he kept the foundational, fundamental elements in place for many of the citizens of Bedford Falls. That is, because he made homeownership a possibility for most Middle-class citizens (i.e., who were, basically, 95% of the population), by not over-charging for the properties, then their financial security was in a good position, over time. They spent years saving money and growing equity and -- especially after the catastrophe of the Great Depression -- adhering to wise, long-term financial planning. As a result, they ended up prospering. Basically, George took up the mission his father spoke about when they were sitting at the dinner table -- to help people own a house that has lots of intrinsic value (because it is well-made). He helped grow that community from the ground up, even if he had many personal frustrations and regrets along the way. He did have a lot of sadness and anger built up inside of him, to be sure, poor guy. But his Guardian Angel really helped him see the light and he got a "wonderful" new perspective on his life, by the end! Great movie!
A nice detail at 37:23 - the time on the clock by the stairs shows a few minutes before midnight...so, by the time the townspeople arrive with all of the money, it is Christmas morning!
"You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?" Merry Christmas! ✝️ 🙏 🎄 🎁 Fun Fact: Theatrical movie debut of Edith Russell. AFI Certified Fact: Ranked as the #1 Most Inspirational Movie of All Time by the American Film Institute in 2006. Capitalist Message Fact: This movie is also a stealth capitalist movie. It rejects the idea of centralized banking and a monopoly. Thumbs up if you agree to a Federal Reserve audit. Home Run Fact: For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone's amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm. What Script Fact: As Uncle Billy drunkenly leaves the Bailey home, it sounds as if he stumbles into some trash cans on the sidewalk. In fact, a crew member dropped a large tray of props right after Thomas Mitchell (one of my favorite actors of the era) went off-screen. James Stewart began laughing and Mitchell quickly improvised the "I'm alright! I'm okay!" line. Director Frank Capra decided to use this take and gave the stagehand a $10 bonus. Location Location Fact: The set for Bedford Falls was constructed in two months and was one of the longest sets that had ever been made for an American movie. It covered four acres of RKO's Encino Ranch. It included 75 stores and buildings, a main street, a factory district and a large residential and slum area. Main Street was 300 yards long, three whole city blocks. The gym floor that opens in the middle to reveal the swimming pool underneath was filmed at Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California, USA was real and is still in regular use. The same gymnasium moving floor was used in a similar school dance scene in Whatever It Takes (2000), fifty-four years later. The young man who opened the floor to the pool was Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer of the Our Gang/Little Rascals franchise in an uncredited cameo role.
The string around a finger is a way to remember things. You see it and remember why you have it there. I do something similar at work, putting a mark with my sharpie on my thumb when I need to buy something, so I see it when I clock out.
Thank you for your heart felt reaction. One thing to remember. If a person puts out Good, that person will get Good back! Likewise, if a person gives bad, he will get bad back. This movie expresses that fully!
Im glad you chose to watch the B/W version. Its the only way to watch Its A Wonderful Life. To me, Its A Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie, its the best Christian movie this side of The Passion of The Christ. I believe the ending is what Jesus wants for all of us. Its A Wonderful Life also features one of the greatest love stories ever put on film. Jimmy Stewart shouldve won Best Actor as George Bailey. Donna Reeds Mary Bailey is the greatest, most beautiful wife and mother in film history.
Everyone always gets sad when they realize Harry Bailey drowned at the age of nine, and how every man on that transport died. But no one thinks about the two Japanese plane crews that lived. 😈
I must have seen this movie over 100 times, and for the first time I picked-up on something Potter asks him when George goes to him in desperation for the $8000. Potter asks him why he didn't go to Sam Wainwright for the money, and George says he did, but he couldn't get ahold of him. I'm sure Sam would have fronted him the money if George had been able to talk to him. Would have been quite a different movie lol, better this way though of course :).
@RedMenace71 Sam is too exuberant for most people, as he’s always bragging about his successes. But he’s George’s childhood friend and he genuinely wants to share his success with George.
So happy your fears for a sad ending did not come true! Now you can _relax_ and enjoy the film again and again. For many of us, It's a Wonderful Life is an annual Christmas holiday tradition! 🎄
It was just on the news yesterday that Amazon was showing this movie on their Prime streaming service without the whole scene that shows George what life would be like in the town if he was never born. It's like editing out the whole point to the movie.
And you deprived yourself of watching one of the best movies ever made, because of something someone said on a sitcom! Glad you enjoyed it! I’m 67, and have watched it just about every year for at least 50 years! I believe it gets better each year! Take care and have a wonderful life!
Part of the impact of this movie was the performance of Jimmy Stewart.
He had become the deputy commander of a bomber squadron during World War II. Part of his duties was to assign crews to bombing mission. That and the time he barely missed being killed himself lead to PTSD that pit him into the hospital for a few months. When he came home he wasn't interested in acting, but Frank Capra and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) convinced him to do those movie.
All the intense emotional scenes in this movie were Jimmy working through his "demons".
What a great reaction. The part that that really chokes me up when Clarence says, "Every man on that transport died Harry wasn't there to save them, because you weren't there to save Harry."
I get chills every time. Such a powerful moment and I think everyone that watches it in their first time has at least partially forgotten about him saving Harry's life earlier in the movie.
We are the sum-total of each of our millions of decisions and the actions that result from the time we are born to today. always try for better. I wish everyone a long and happy life.
Reminds me of the Talmud quote from Schindler's List, "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire."
Somehow i got it in my mind that Martini was on that transport and that's why he wasn't there to own the bar.
@@randybass8842I always assumed getting the house was the stability which helped him get the bar.
Perhaps I'm a sucker, but old movies like this one have a charm that simply doesn't exist in today's overly cynical society (and I say that as an overly cynical person). This was on television every year when I was younger, so I just watched it one day and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. In fact, I've watched it almost every year since. It's a good reminder that the community that we rally around is our only saving grace, not the false idols that present themselves as our saviors. This movie sent me down a rabbit hole of watching (and loving) many "classic Hollywood" movies.
There's another Frank Capra movie, "You Can't Take It With You" in which Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) plays the opposite of Potter. Capra had a great run of films over several decades. Another great one with Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) is "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". My personal favorite of Capra's is "It Happened One Night".
Bloody, commie 😛
Frank Capra. Look him up, you wont be dissappointed. He was Hollywood before it got ruined.
_It's A Wonderful Life_ didn't get much attention until the 1970s when a clerk at the studio forgot to renew the copyright. Because of that, the movie entered the public domain, allowing TV stations to play it without paying royalties. Many people who would have never seen it otherwise began to see it every year. And it would have only cost the studio four dollars to file that copyright renewal.
You won me over when you understood what Burt the cop meant by going home to see what the wife is doing. So amazing how so many people miss the meaning of that.
That was pretty funny
This is another movie my mom loved. She cried Everytime the bell rang. She died in 2011. On the way l heared the bell ring. She got her wings.
She's your guardian angel now:)
This is the greatest Christmas movie ever made.
Lionel Barrymore played Mr. Potter. He was Drew Barrymore's great uncle. We have to thank him for playing that part to a Tee. Jimmy Stewart the main character had just gotten back from wwII where he served as a bomber pilot flying more than 20 missions deep into German territory. He was suffering from PTSD and told the Director he didn't think he'd be able to do a good job in the role. Those are real tears you see in the film. They captured something magical and timeless in this film in my opinion. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
jimstark1810 Lionel Barrymore must have been a really good actor, because by all accounts he was a very nice man, but he sure was convincing as a…… well, not a very nice man.
People often compare Potter to Scrooge, but Potter is worse. Scrooge never stole any money, and I believe he would have returned money he found. He didn't believe in charity, but he also didn't believe in stealing. And Scrooge is horrified to find out that everybody hates him and nobody will mourn him when he passes away. Potter is well aware of this and doesn't care.
I have watched this movie every year for 40 years. It purifies the soul every time. Glad you were moved by it. If this movie doesn’t make someone cry, there’s something seriously broken or stuck in their heart.
It’s my favorite Christmas movie. And I realized something. There’s no Santa, or reindeer, or sleigh. None of the usual fare. Because it’s actually about that beautiful lesson: family & friends are the most true of all riches and wealth. And what that is, is wonderful knowledge.
The point is, you don't have to get everything you want to have a wonderful life. He didn't get to travel, maybe a little sad, but you get much more out of life by doing things for others rather than just doing for yourself.
Remember, dearest Aria, that no reactor is a failure if she has made friends with her multitudes of followers and fans. I, for one, am proud to be one of your friends.
And I'm always glad to have you guys here:)
Phoebe stopped watching the film as George's life was falling apart. She never got to see the 'happy ending', which is why she hated the movie.
Also the guy she is talking about in Pride of the Yankees is Lou Gerhig.
Another "sad" movie from this same year, which won 6 Oscars, including best picture, was The Bes Years of Our Lives, about veterans returning from war.
The same way that we get spam today, everybody used to receive junk mail from National Geographic magazine... "You are hereby invited to join the National Geographic society" which really meant "you are hereby invited to subscribe to our expensive magazine".
Actually, lots of families subscribed to National Geographic in the 50's because it was relatively inexpensive. We had stacks of them in the basement. Back when they were black and white!
We’ve been trying to reach you to tell you about your products extended warranty
19:58 The man with the glasses talking to Potter is actor Charles Lane, who lived to be the oldest ever active member of SAG/ AFTRA (the actors union) at 100. He died in 2007 at age 102.
He was all over television in the 60s.
I know him as Mr Bedlow from TV Show "Petticoat Junction"
What many people don't realize is that Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) was a real hero of WW II. He was a B-24 Bomber pilot who flew 20 combat missions over Germany. Stewart became Wing Commander of an entire squadron of bombers and was awarded the 2nd highest medal - the Distinguished Flying Cross (2nd only to the Congressional Medal of Honor).
This was Stewart's first film since returning from the war. He eventually attained the rank of Brigadier General of the Air Force Reserve.
I has an Aunt that lived in an nice inner city community in Memphis ( Orange Mound ) , and all my life , I said that even though she had a nice job and a nice little house and things , I thought she was the richest woman in Memphis, because til the day she died in 2019, she was so loved and cherished by her family and the community, she did so much for all of them.
I believe this was Jimmy Stewart's first movie after he served in WWII. Jimmy suffered severe PTSD, and had no interest in resuming his acting career.
Ironically Lionel Barrymore(who played Potter, and was also Drew Barrymore's great uncle) convinced Stewart to take the role. He said a movie like this could help the country heal after 4 + years of war.
I love this movie. Here is a little trivia: H.B. Warner, who played Mr. Gower, was a method actor who got drunk while filming the scene. That slap was real; it made his ear bleed and left his face red and in tears. I was surprised by how many things Aria predicted.
George got his life back only after he asked God. (That when the snow started falling.)
When the snow starts falling I usually say "Oh God" to myself...and get the snow blower started...
It's not sad. It ends in pure joy as we all should think about our impact on others. The most meaningful part of every tombstone is the dash.....that line between the date of birth and the date of death. That line represents everything we have ever done and our influence on others. This is what IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is all about.
The ending was a great and a very happy surprise.
The last line of the last song the Beatles made (appropriately called "The End) says;
"In the end, the love you make, is equal to the love you take."
George reaped as he sowed.
"To my big brother George, the
RICHEST man in town."
Yes, he absolutely was.
The reason this movie became so beloved was because it was shown at Christmas time for many years, and became part of the culture.
Yes, it was part of an annual thing, alongside Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Carol. I never watched it as a kid, and didn't really sit down to watch it until I was in college. Actually it isn't really a "kids" movie, so I probably saw it at the right age.
It's a testimony to the talent of actor Lionel Barrymore that he portrayed one of filmdom's most hated characters (Potter). He was apparently a really nice guy in real life. He was also the one who requested that Frank Kapra hire Jimmy Stewart for the lead role.
I like the irony of potter accidentally helping George by stealing his money😅
Yes Aria ! I'm glad you're discovering this great movie.
This is my father's favorite Christmas film. When the most stressful week in the life of a pastor is the very last week of December, as he's waiting to see if the church subscribed to the budget, seeing everyone come together and give more than enough is a dream come true.
There are those who are unhappy that we don't see Mr. Potter get his comeuppance and I have never had to think about it because Charles Dickens did it for us. Mr. Potter is the unredeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, therefore that vision of Christmas Yet to Come that scared Scrooge into repentance is Mr. Potter's fate - to die alone without friends or family present, to be buried in the local cemetery, and then forgotten by time. Furthermore, the film's central thesis is that the universe is governed by a just and loving God, one Mr. Potter will face on Judgement Day.
Wonderful reaction, kiddo. I hope you had a Happy Christmas.
It makes me so happy that someone with your personality (at least what I've seen of it through your videos) is finally getting to know my favorite movie. I've loved it since I was about eight years old.
There is no movie that pushes my buttons more than this one. I've been watching this for 40+ years and every single time tears.
At this point in his life, Lionel Barrymore (Potter) was wheelchair bound because of arthritis (which ran in his family) and some bad falls. The last movie he made when he could walk around a little was Captains Courageous.
Oh that was the reason Potter was in a wheelchair. I was wondering about that
Captains Courageous is another GREAT movie to watch. Now I need to go see if I can find it.
I thought he also got polio, but I might be remembering someone else.
A belated Merry Christmas, Aria. This film is one of the family’s favorite Christmas movies. Every year I watch reactors watch this film during the Holidays. Beautiful reactions, Aria. You are the first one who was so concerned for George Bailey that you prayed for him. Bless you! I have now added your name to Santa’s list. Phoebe chickened out, like leaving the theater before the movie ends, so thinking this was a sad movie for the rest of her life. LOL
This is my second favorite film of all time, after William Wyler’s “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Wyler’s film came out the same year and dominated the Academy Awards. Ironically Wyler and Capra were partners in the independent production company that made both films.
Capra and Stewart both regarded this as the best film in their careers. Its production was a miracle in itself. The author was Philip Van Doren Stern, a prominent historian and author, who couldn’t sell the short story the movie is based on. So he sent it out to friends as a homemade, illustrated Christmas card. The story captivated Capra, who bought the rights. Stewart had come back from the war as a decorated hero, having led a bomber squadron on some 20 runs over Germany, but he had PTSD and thought he would never act again. Thankfully, his good friend, Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), talked him into accepting the role. Stewart was drawing on real emotions in his dramatic scenes, especially in the prayer at the bar.
Capra’s unmatched ability to move a story smoothly from comedy to drama and back to joy is on fully display in this film. He was aided in this by a tremendous group of character actors who appeared in many of his movies. Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) won an Oscar for his performance in “Stagecoach.” Beulah Bondi (Ma Bailey) was a Broadway star in the 1920s and became a great character actor as she aged. I love her remarkable transformation from a loving mother to a crusty old woman in this film. H. B. Warner (Mr. Gower) was a popular star of the 1920s and also moved into character roles as he aged. He got an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Capra’s “Lost Horizon” (1937).
Not to forget Donna Reed (Mary): she played her part so well, I can’t imagine anyone better for the role. She acted in many films in the 40s and 50s, but achieved her greatest fame with a highly successful TV sitcom, “The Donna Reed Show,” which I watch as a kid in the early 60s.
Aria, you did it again. Your reaction is the best ever. I can't even describe it. It was just WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much! 🥰
Mary truly loved George since she was a child and told him so in the drugstore . Violet kinda liked everyone .☺️
People did tie a thread around their fingers to help them remember.
Even when i was a kid in the 70s it was a thing older people would do, they couldn't 'forget to remember' with a piece of string as a physical reminder. A very well known aid memoire
I've known people who would put a rubber band around their wrist to remind them to do something.
The scene where Uncle Billy walks away drunk wasn't planned that way. Off stage, a member of the crew dropped a tray of props at just the right time. Thomas Mitchell (Billy improvised the line, and Capra gave the crew member a $10 bonus.
I have autographed photos of the 2 daughters Janie and Zuzu who are still alive and in their 80's. Janie lives near me and has a room in her house dedicated to this film filled with memorabilia.
I got to meet Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes) in late December when she came to Detroit. A wonderful lady!
Hey, don't worry about Phoebe. I have NEVER heard ANYONE say that they did not love this movie, PERIOD!
Historical note: The scene where the bank is saved and George ends up with $2 in cash assets takes place during the bank runs of the early part of the Great Depression. President Roosevelt declared a bank holiday and promised that the only banks that could open up would be the healthy banks. When banks and Savings and Loans reopened people's confidence was restored and depositors returned.
Love that you included the "think I'll go home and see what the wife's doing" line from Bert the cop. Most reactors don't.
Lionel Barrymore who played Old man Potter is the great uncle to actress Drew Barrymore.
The man who played Nick the Bartender is Sheldon Leonard who later went on to produce the Dick Van Dyke Show in the 1960's.
Happy New Year!
Such a great movie. It touches on some incredibly dark tones, especially for the time. Funny how some people thought it was too 'sappy'. Great reaction and glad to see you enjoyed it. Hope you have a fantastic New Year!!! You're fantastic!
Thankyou:) Happy New Year!!
Jimmy Stewart (George) was a bomber crew member that flew over 20 missions over Europe during WWll, when he was praying in Martini's Bar he was suffering from PTSD. The tears were real when old feelings came up to the surface. He retired from the USAF in the 1970s as one Star General.
PTSD was known more simply as shell shock in WW I and into WW II and combat fatigue in WW II.
Happy holidays Aria! Love your little antlers and decorations. This movie is such a wonderful classic. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've enjoyed your channel a lot this year and wish you a very happy new year. 🥂
And yet Lionel Barrymore (Potter) is so loveable in Capra's "You Can't Take it With You"
Was he in “On Borrowed Time”?
If you’re interested in seeing a very fine film where Lionel Barrymore does not play a bad guy, you might really enjoy the classic, “Key Largo”.
And if you want to see him in a wonderful comedy, playing an eccentric, lovable character, check out “You Can’t Take it With You” from 1938.
after hearing your hopes about the movie in the intro, i HAD TO sit and watch you till the end 😁 what a SWEET, BEAUTIFUL reaction... THANK YOU! 👍☺
I was mentally preparing myself to cry a lot but the ending made my day😅
Great reaction. I really enjoy your videos, always real.
There is another Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) movie that is guaranteed to be fun at the beginning, middle and end. Most reactors miss it. It's a movie called "Harvey". Another Christmas film from this time period is called "The Bishops Wife" it also has a happy ending for multiple characters. Good reaction on this one. I'm glad you got your wish.
And Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu) plays the daughter Debbie in Bishops Wife and Bobby Anderson (young George) plays the captain of the snowball fight.
@@Dave-hb7lxomg i just now realized that was young George 🤯
Harvey is my favorite Jimmy Stewart after this 🥹
@@joshuagoforth1658 Mine too. I love the philosophy.
Oh, you should absolutely watch "Bambi" -- the animation is *just gorgeous.* The animators spent years studying real animals and real nature to faithfully capture the movements and look of a real forest. So unlike earlier Disney movies where the animals were all simple cartoon shapes, the animals in Bambi really evoke the real thing. They also pioneered the use of multi-plane animation to give these painted 2D images the almost magical quality of looking real.
Sure there are some sad parts, but the entirety is just BEAUTIFUL.
People used to tie string on their fingers to remind them of stuff.
"...Bambi..."
Have you ever watched The Lion King? Bambi is no more sad than that.
"...a holiday movie, and a sad one at that..."
Hmm... keep this in mind as #1.
"...oh, this [expletive deleted]..."
As you're sitting there crying, I'm thinking... if you think you're crying _now,_ wait until the end. Keep this in mind as #2.
"...did Harry never go to college..."
I giggled when I heard this. It's _so_ much worse than that.
"...my eyes are blurry..."
Yep. As predicted in #2.
"...I love this movie!..."
And now we're back to #1. :)
Just because a movie contains sadness doesn't make it a 'sad movie', nor a _bad_ movie. You're right that Old Yeller's a sad movie, it's a tragedy. Such movies have become _very_ rare, but there are a few around. Such movies tend not to go far because they have to be _exceedingly_ good to get over the negative emotions. I'm not familiar enough with the other movies Phoebe mentions to say if they're sad or not, they might be.
Fun facts:
1) This movie _bombed_ at the box office, not even making back the money it took to make it. It was considered 'too sentimental' after the horrors of the second world war. 30 years later, someone from the studio forgot to renew the copyright, and so it fell into the public domain. It was plastered on TVs as a cheap thing studios could show during Christmas. That's when it became a classic.
2) The snow used was made of asbestos.
3) The director, Capra, was a sexist. The actress who plays Mary (Reed) played women's baseball all through high school. Capra trusted Stewart (George Bailey) to hit the glass, but for Reed he hired someone to shoot out the glass should she miss. She didn't miss.
4) The scene with Stewart in the bar crying and praying looks grainy compared to the rest. The reason for this is that the shot was zoomed in on because it wasn't planned. Stewart, suffering PTSD, genuinely broke down at that moment, and it was caught on camera. As a result, Capra didn't want to lose it, and so just enlarged that section of the movie to capture it.
5) Similarly, the kiss during the run on the bank was also not planned. They'd rehearsed it a few times with the woman asking for some amount, but for the actual take Capra secretly asked the woman to come up with an odd number (because he thought it'd be funny), and Stewart's reaction was genuine.
6) Also in that vein, the crash where Billy wanders off drunk after Harry comes back wasn't planned. A stagehand dropped a bunch of props, the actor playing Billy went with it, Stewart laughed, and that's the take they kept. The guy who dropped the props got a $10 bonus (about $100 today) for improving the movie.
7) Anderson, the kid who played George as a kid, was _actually slapped_ by the actor playing Gower (Warner) who was, in fact, drunk on the set at the time. Warner was deeply apologetic after.
8) The loss of $8000, is happening in 1945 or 1946, roughly. We'll go with 1946. Adjusted for inflation, $8000 is $129,433.03 USD.
9) Potter offers George $20,000 as a yearly salary around 1936 or so (birth of his first kid). Adjusted for inflation, that's $453,946.76 a year that George turned down.
Great reaction! Have a nice day!
Old Yeller is a tragedy but even it ends on a positive note...
I've never seen the end of Bambi (mom had to take me out of the theater as my sobs were disrupting the other audience members experience) but being Disney, it probably ended well. 😊
@@vly9257 It does. Though... now that I think on it, Road to Tarabithia _tries_ to end on a positive note and just... _fails._
There's a movie called "Hachi: A Dog's Life" (2009) that will make you cry buckets, but it will make you really love dogs.
Great reaction! (as usual) Thanks for sharing the joy.
Thanks!
Thankyou:)
The $20,000/yr that Potter offered George would be about $400,000/yr today. The $8,000 that Potter stole would be over $140,000 today.
Was watching my IAWL playlist and this dropped - added it to the list to watch again next year. 💚❤️💚❤️💚
💚❤️
Such a great reaction to one of the best movies, not just Christmas movies, of all time in my mind. Even as a bitter and heartless old man (or so I'm told) I tear up every time I watch this movie. And for someone who has struggled so much with depression and self-destructive thoughts throughout my life, the lesson of this movie has always been one of the reasons I've never given in to those urges.
Jimmy Stewart, who played George Bailey, had just come home from serving as the pilot of a B-24 bomber in WWII when this movie started production. After flying so many bombing missions over Germany in the course of his service and seeing all the death and destruction of a world war, he was suffering from what we'd now call PTSD. Lionel Barrymore (the hated Mr. Potter) was the main one who got Jimmy Stewart to take this role when he really didn't want to, and the end result was playing the character that he called his favorite of the ones he played. The movie was therapeutic for him as well. Stewart said that acting out the scenes where George was enraged was cathartic for him. While filming the scene in which George prays in the bar Jimmy Stewart was so overcome because of how low he felt in his own life that he began to sob. Frank Capra later re-framed and blew up the shot because he wanted to catch that expression on Stewart's face. It really hammers home the feeling of Stewart BEING George Bailey. Jimmy Stewart was such a brilliant actor anyway, but this role might have been great therapy for him as well as a perfect role for him to play.
And if nothing else we can be thankful to the awful Mr. Potter for getting Jimmy Stewart to do this movie.
Awesome reaction to one of the best movies ever made.
I subscribed!
Peace
You went from, "he's a nice kid I hope nothing happens to him" to "A-hole" when he was just teasing Mary with the robe. That didn't take long.
Oh this is going to be awesome! I can't freaking wait to see this. Edit: I was right. That was awesome. Plus we got Aria-laughs. And who doesn't love those?
I'm glad you watched this. The other day, when RUclips was telling me there was an _Elf_ video from you, I kept wishing it were an _It's a Wonderful Life_ video from you instead. I hope you'll get to watch it again and again. I must have seen it close to a hundred times in the last thirty-odd years, and every time I notice new things about it-one of which, this time, was pointed out _by you_ (so thank you).
This movie has it all. Mary is the hero. For Christians. Mary the mother. Merry Christmas. She was a angel. Loved her husband that she knew something was wrong.
There’s a SNL “lost ending” parody of this movie, with Dana Carvey as George and John Lovitz as Potter. You might enjoy it if you’re still mad at Potter for getting away with the theft of $8000. Dana Carvey does the best Jimmy Stewart impression.
Beautiful reaction !
Important to remember that Phoebe from Friends was charmingly unstable. Also remember that she never made it through those movies to see the end...
Potter is Drew Barrymore's great grandfather's ( actor John Barrymore) older brother.
Looking forward to this!. I always enjoy your takes on things!
Glad to hear that:)
When I was younger, I saw this movie here and there , and I knew that Uncle Billy lost the money, but it wasn’t until years later that I saw that Potter kept that damn money, I was so damn mad! I wanted to throw something at the tv! I would suggest watching the Saturday Night Live take on the ending, where Uncle Billy tells everyone at the end that he remembers what happened to the money, and that Potter kept the money, and they all leave and go to Potter and whoop his ass! 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
Frank Capra is a noted director who was very skilled at sentimentality. You should watch "Meet John Doe" another movie which celebrates kindness.
Very sweet reaction video! You paid very close attention to details... Thank you! ❤
If I remember the Friends episode correctly, Phoebe did not see the end of the movies and that's why she had a fractured view of the old movies. I have seen this movie dozens of times and still tear up. Nice reaction.
DO NOT LISTEN TO PHOEBE. Watch "It's a Wonderful Life." BEST MOVIE EVER.
$20,000 in 1945 would have the buying power of $325,000 today.
Yeah imagine being essentially offered 1.2 million dollars and turning it down to protect your community. That's INTENGRITY with the capital I.
28:39 When George is praying and asking God to "show him the way", Mr Martini comes up after and begs him to go home, which is where the town shows up to save him. If he'd listened to Martini, he wouldn't have had to go through all that.
First movie James Stewart did after returning from 20 combat missions over germany during WW2..Went into the Army Air Force as a private..came out as an officer...Great actor, Great American. War hero...
This movie gets me every time. I cry even as i watch other people react to it
Hey, no sad ending! 😃 So happy you loved it as much as we all do......but to be honest, I knew you would! 🙂🙃 Definitely one of the best of the best!
The tears at the end of this movie are tears of joy. I think people coming away from this movie are many times inspired to be more like George. And also like Mary. Nice reaction.
Love this movie, and I love your reaction.
“He’ll die old and sad and grumpy, so I’m happy about that.” 💛😹💛
$8,000 in 1946 when the soldiers were back from the war, is roughly equivalent to $130,000 today.
Great reaction! So glad you loved it! One thing you said was "...Fantastic people. And they are fantastic because of George". More to your point, it's not so much that George "made" them fantastic but because of George's sense of responsibility and his strong integrity, he kept the foundational, fundamental elements in place for many of the citizens of Bedford Falls. That is, because he made homeownership a possibility for most Middle-class citizens (i.e., who were, basically, 95% of the population), by not over-charging for the properties, then their financial security was in a good position, over time. They spent years saving money and growing equity and -- especially after the catastrophe of the Great Depression -- adhering to wise, long-term financial planning. As a result, they ended up prospering. Basically, George took up the mission his father spoke about when they were sitting at the dinner table -- to help people own a house that has lots of intrinsic value (because it is well-made). He helped grow that community from the ground up, even if he had many personal frustrations and regrets along the way. He did have a lot of sadness and anger built up inside of him, to be sure, poor guy. But his Guardian Angel really helped him see the light and he got a "wonderful" new perspective on his life, by the end! Great movie!
A nice detail at 37:23 - the time on the clock by the stairs shows a few minutes before midnight...so, by the time the townspeople arrive with all of the money, it is Christmas morning!
I 'REALLY' relate to your reactions !!!! ---THANK YOU ! 🙃
I'm glad you enjoyed it:)
"You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"
Merry Christmas! ✝️ 🙏 🎄 🎁
Fun Fact: Theatrical movie debut of Edith Russell.
AFI Certified Fact: Ranked as the #1 Most Inspirational Movie of All Time by the American Film Institute in 2006.
Capitalist Message Fact: This movie is also a stealth capitalist movie. It rejects the idea of centralized banking and a monopoly. Thumbs up if you agree to a Federal Reserve audit.
Home Run Fact: For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone's amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm.
What Script Fact: As Uncle Billy drunkenly leaves the Bailey home, it sounds as if he stumbles into some trash cans on the sidewalk. In fact, a crew member dropped a large tray of props right after Thomas Mitchell (one of my favorite actors of the era) went off-screen. James Stewart began laughing and Mitchell quickly improvised the "I'm alright! I'm okay!" line. Director Frank Capra decided to use this take and gave the stagehand a $10 bonus.
Location Location Fact: The set for Bedford Falls was constructed in two months and was one of the longest sets that had ever been made for an American movie. It covered four acres of RKO's Encino Ranch. It included 75 stores and buildings, a main street, a factory district and a large residential and slum area. Main Street was 300 yards long, three whole city blocks. The gym floor that opens in the middle to reveal the swimming pool underneath was filmed at Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California, USA was real and is still in regular use. The same gymnasium moving floor was used in a similar school dance scene in Whatever It Takes (2000), fifty-four years later. The young man who opened the floor to the pool was Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer of the Our Gang/Little Rascals franchise in an uncredited cameo role.
The string around a finger is a way to remember things. You see it and remember why you have it there. I do something similar at work, putting a mark with my sharpie on my thumb when I need to buy something, so I see it when I clock out.
Thank you for your heart felt reaction. One thing to remember. If a person puts out Good, that person will get Good back! Likewise, if a person gives bad, he will get bad back. This movie expresses that fully!
Im glad you chose to watch the B/W version. Its the only way to watch Its A Wonderful Life.
To me, Its A Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie, its the best Christian movie this side of The Passion of The Christ. I believe the ending is what Jesus wants for all of us.
Its A Wonderful Life also features one of the greatest love stories ever put on film. Jimmy Stewart shouldve won Best Actor as George Bailey. Donna Reeds Mary Bailey is the greatest, most beautiful wife and mother in film history.
Honey Friends is a comedy series. Phoebe said lots of goofy stuff and some was meant to be ironically funny
Yeah but Old Yeller made me cry so I believed her🙈
“Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”
Everyone always gets sad when they realize Harry Bailey drowned at the age of nine, and how every man on that transport died. But no one thinks about the two Japanese plane crews that lived. 😈
No! The Japanese pilot was probably a kamikaze and would have died when he crashed into the transport ship.
I must have seen this movie over 100 times, and for the first time I picked-up on something Potter asks him when George goes to him in desperation for the $8000. Potter asks him why he didn't go to Sam Wainwright for the money, and George says he did, but he couldn't get ahold of him. I'm sure Sam would have fronted him the money if George had been able to talk to him. Would have been quite a different movie lol, better this way though of course :).
Yay! A reactor who doesn't hate poor old Sam😂
@RedMenace71
Sam is too exuberant for most people, as he’s always bragging about his successes. But he’s George’s childhood friend and he genuinely wants to share his success with George.
Sam is also aware that he got the plastics idea, and success, from George.
So happy your fears for a sad ending did not come true! Now you can _relax_ and enjoy the film again and again. For many of us, It's a Wonderful Life is an annual Christmas holiday tradition! 🎄
It was just on the news yesterday that Amazon was showing this movie on their Prime streaming service without the whole scene that shows George what life would be like in the town if he was never born. It's like editing out the whole point to the movie.
And you deprived yourself of watching one of the best movies ever made, because of something someone said on a sitcom! Glad you enjoyed it! I’m 67, and have watched it just about every year for at least 50 years! I believe it gets better each year! Take care and have a wonderful life!
I loved your reaction to my favorite Christmas movie! Now you need to watch some more Jimmy Stewart movies!!! He has so many good ones!!!
👍🏾 Great Reaction to It's A Wonderful Life !
⭐️⭐️🏆⭐️⭐️
Ps. This is Mr. Potter. I HEARD THAT AND SAME TO YOU !
😂
Oh I don't care about you POTTER😂