The (Congressional) Medal of Honor is the highest military honor you can get. There is also a civilian Medal of Honor, also the highest civilian honor you can get.
The Spanish Flu of 1918-19 killed more Americans than all of it's wars since the Civil War. Approximately 650,000 people died in the US, the number worldwide is somewhere between 20 million and 100 million deaths. It could kill a healthy adult in as little as 24 hours.
When Harry said George was the richest man in town, he didn't mean money-wise. He meant as far as George having a loving family and true friends, people that dearly loved and cared about him.
BTW -the lead make actor, Jimmy Stewart, was a war hero who.. unlike most of his famous Hollywood compadres, didn’t just do charity and morale raising events, but became a bomber pilot in WWII, flying several combat missions, and serving as an Air Force Reserve Officer up until the Vietnam War, retiring as a highly decorated Air Force Reserve Brigadier General. He was truly an American Hero!
Not only that but people who knew him said he was never the same after, and the anguish and outbursts he displayed in this movie came from a very real place.
@@clintcalvert9250 , yeah. I don't recall him serving in Korea or Vietnam. WW2 he definitely served! He retired from the reserves in 68 but he wasn't flying in Korea or Nam.
Just to put some of the things here into perspective. That $8000 that Billy lost is equivalent to about $140,000 today. And the offer of $20K a year from Potter to George comes out to $350,000 dollars a year. It's about a minimum of 7 times as much as he was currently making annually. That's a huge increase - especially when you're just starting out a family and eventually have four kids. I'd like to think I would never take a deal like that, but I never was in that position. I do know that many people have sold their souls for much less though.
The $20,000 offer was roughly 11 years prior to the end of the film (Mary just revealed she was pregnant with their first child) so 1935 or so. In 1935 that had the same value as roughly $443,000 today. So even MORE valuable than you posit.
Jimmy Stewart was shell shocked from flying bombing missions over Germany watching other planes get shot out of the sky and men falling out of airplanes. This movie was his therapy in figuring out how to get back to work again. The emotions you see is what he went through with the PTSD. He went on to make great movies in black and white and in color. He was a great patriot and a nice guy. Merry Christmas!
This same director, and actors Jimmy Stewart and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter, and Drew Barrymore's) great grandfather, made another GREAT movie called You Can't Take it With You. It's such a funny, touching, meaningful, goofy, perspective changing movie. Highly recommend it.
He wasn't shell shocked. Traumatized, probably. Shell shocked is a term people use but don't really understand. It is a condition caused when you lose control of your nervous system as a result of sustained heavy shelling. I suggest searching for "shell shock victims world war one" here on RUclips. The term did not exist prior to world war one and was created, literally, to describe this horrible condition. The videos will shock you when you see them and really think about what horrible shelling these men endured to cause this kind of neurological response. Truly horrible.
George Bailey was consumed with being an explorer and being an engineer. His aspirations were to go places and build bridges and dams. The fact was that he built much larger than that. He built a town and helped people to build their and their kids' futures. He felt that he was just a small man in a small town, trapped. His influence reached all over the world. It still continues to do so, as an example of what integrity and kindness are capable of building. Merry Christmas.
George was apprehensive about marriage because he knew it would further tie him to Bedford Falls. His dreams to leave that small town, to travel and attend college would be unfulfilled if he had the responsibility of a wife & kids.
One of the things I really love about this film is how it isn't (amazingly) sticky sweet or corny. It's clever, with great acting, a wonderful script and genuine emotions. That's why it's a classic.
Exactly! This is NOT some Hallmark Holiday Special this is THE Holiday special. Full of ugly, beautiful, reality, fantasy, Prejudice, understanding. It's wonderful and timeless.
Exactly. the character of George has his ups and downs.. he gets really angry… frustrated and bitter. But he is a fully realized person who is overall great guy.
Mr. Potter told him he was worth more "Dead" than Alive. He wasn't thinking rationally, he felt it would be better for his family if he died rather than went to Prison and there was a trial and the family would be destitute because of Bankruptcy and it would shame his family.....and he was taking the blame for Uncle Billy, he was an honest decent man. I love this movie. 😊
I think when this movie premiered it actually bombed. It was only 1 year after WWII and people thought it was too depressing. My sister and I tear up every time the town comes together at the end. Merry Christmas 🎄
@@jgarofalo8813 1984 is the first time I can remember watching this movie. I grew up without cable and did not get to watch a lot of old movies. I got married in 1980, and when we moved to Arizona, it was the first time I had cable. Started watching a lot of old movies when Ted Turner started his cable channels. But 1984 is when we bought our first VHS video player. We would rent old movies and this was one of the first ones we got. We have watched this movie every Christmas since then.
@@robertwiles8106 In 1993 a court ruling allowed Republic Pictures to copyright the story and music, so even though the film itself is still in the public domain it’s no longer free to air on TV.
Mr. Gowers son died, he wasn't sick. We watch this every Christmas as I'm sure most people familiar with this great treasure do!! This movie is unforgettable because of it's exceptional message to all!
Mr. Gower's son was sick with the flu. That time period was during Great Flu Epidemic of 1918-1921. Approximately 500 million people caught it and about 50 million people died, all over the world.
It was 1919, and the telegram said the Mr. Gower's son died of influenza, which means his death was part of the great "Spanish flu" pandemic that killed well over a hundred million people - more than any other pandemic in history except for the 14th century black plague.
This is without a doubt the best Xmas movie made. I know generations younger than mine may disagree but the story is timeless. I'm 66 years old and have seem this every year without fail. First with my mom and dad and later with my children. To this day, I still cry at the end because after all, "George Bailey is and always has been the richest man in town".. in so many ways..
I’m 26 but I’d say this is the greatest film ever made. No other movie is so entertaining, so intelligently written and directed, but still so inspiring it can save a life. Frank Capra was a damn genius. You Can’t Take it With You is also worth a watch.
The late, great Sheldon Leonard, who played Nick the bartender, was a hugely successful actor, writer, director and producer. His classic New York tough guy voice made him a perfect candidate for gangster roles. He went on to produce hit TV shows like The Danny Thomas Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC, I Spy and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
A run on the banks was during the Great Depression. Mostly in early 1933 people ran to take all their money out of the bank. There was no federal insurance on bank accounts. So if you got to the bank too late you lost all your savings. Peoplewerestarving and homeless in those days.
@@davidw7 The Great Depression had a lot of financial pain spread over the almost 20 years it was considered. 1929 to 1947 are considered the span of The Great Depression. The war masked the hard times of the 1940's. 1929 was the second worst stock market crash after 1987. The bank failures/run didn't happen until later until all of the over leverage came home to roost. Sadly we are about to see something similar. This is why the FDIC and Fed went beyond their mandate in the spring to guarantee Silicon Bank's depositors fully, even those over $250,000. They were worried about another 1930's bank run.
@davidw7 YES I was Great Depression that was worst in 1929-1933 and THIS IS WHEN IDEA of SOCIAL SECURITY started in 1934 or near then. So all you millenials can stop Hating Baby Boomers just because they are a product of parents who went through this crsp an WW2! Also my grandfather was killed by a train and left behind 6 children and wife had NO JOB. Imagine that today....?❤
@@kissmy_butt1302 WW2 was its ending. Britannica and others list this - "Great Depression, worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939". The mills cranked up for the war-effort and young men not fully employed yet off to war. There was the influx after the war of most of the soldiers back at the war's end. Shortages and food commodity rationing limits with stamps to buy were the result of the war and not the Depression. Now if the war ends and all the men back and mills changing back to non-war-effort manufacturing? WW2 ending in 1945 and a 2-yr adjustment of our mills and GI loans created a housing boom was in full swing by '47. JUST ERROR TO SAY THE GREAT DEPRESSION LASTED TILL 1947. WW2 was NOT part of the Great Depression era by definitions.
One of my great-grandmothers was named Mary Hatch. She died during the 1918 Influenza leaving behind a houseful of children including my grandmother who at the age of 17 took over as lady of the house. I love that such a wonderful character in such a wonderful film shares the name of the woman who raised my grandmother who raised my mother who raised me. Loved your reactions - Merry Christmas!
It's been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made and No. 1 of the most inspirational American films of all time. It's also in the public domain, which allows it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees.
It's A Wonderful Life WAS in the public domain til about 6 years ago when the copyright holder of the original story that the movie was based on bought the rights to the film, restricting its availability and insuring no one can watch it for free anymore. RUclips has the film free, but only in the form of 7 or 8 minute clips, altho these can be run sequentially from a single playlist
Like your intro!! 7:10 I like Violet, too! 14:42 In the little farming community where I grew up, we had a similar situation, long before I was born. We had two banks, the Rock family owned one and the Blakely family owned the other. As a child, I can remember people all over town concerned if anything unfortunate ever happened to one of the Blakelys. As an adult, I learned that during the Great Depression, the Blakeley's bank refused to foreclose on people's farms, businesses and houses if the people who owned them had any reasonable chance to pulling themselves out of a bad situation, whereas Mr Rock would foreclose on a mortgage as soon as it was legal to do so. 30 years later, people in the entire county felt they were still emotionally indebted to the Blakeleys. Kinda funny that the good guys' last name was close to "Bailey!" 27:00 Looks like George apparently convinced Sam Wainwright's dad to locate his plastics factory in Bedford Falls instead of Rochester.
The Mashed Potato Dance was popular from 1959 to 1962. The Twist was also popular around the same era, but it had a greater impact. But in 1928 the Charleston was the thing. The craze started in 1923 and lasted throughout the 1920s.
Annie is played by Lillian Randolph who played the housekeeper on the "The Great Gildersleeve" radio show which was popular during the 40's. It's worth a listen. You can hear the show on youtube while you are busy or just want to sit back and relax. Old Time Radio(OTR) is an interesting period that came before tv which had the same networks that became tv networks. I came after(63) but my brother got me into them. They're a blast to listen to. Kinda like audio books but dramatized. Miss Randolph is excellent in the show. Its too bad African-Americans were limited in their roles back then. I think she could have carried her own show if they had given her a chance similar to 'Good Times'.
Like so many other supporting actors in the cast, she's very natural and likeable in her brief but warm role. There was such brilliant chemistry across so many of the actors in the film, not just the leads.
Not only a Christmas classic but simply one of the best movies ever filmed. I ‘ve watched it every year since my grandmother made my watch back in the 70’s. Pulls at my heart strings every time 😊
WHY, as many times as I've seen this movie ( possibly over 100 times), I still cry when George sees his brother at the end?! I freakin' LOVE this movie!!
Y’know, it only just hit me how well put together this story is. I knew it was good but I keep finding ways that George’s choices kept the Building and Loan open which is a lot of what kept the town prosperous. Like if George and Mary had invested their savings in the plastics company then when the banking crisis hit they wouldn’t have been able to survive it. They were down to the last 2 dollars as it was. Lots of stuff like that in the story. Of course, Sam could have gifted him a few shares when things paid off considering George put them onto a way to get a cheap factory and all the labor they wanted… Also, Uncle Billy lost $8k because he’s a textbook example of ADHD before anyone knew what it was. He’s more of an artistic, soft-hearted dreamer type who has no business being IN business, but because he cares so much and because his brother was no doubt someone he tended to follow where he led, he’s in a business that helps people, which he loves, doing stuff with money, which he sucks at. I’d speculate that all the Bailey men have a gift for engineering and design and architecture, that kind of stuff.
No matter how many times I've watched this movie, when Harry toasts George as "The richest man in town" I get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye!
I am 65 yrs old, and watch this movie every year since I was 10. Its become a tradition for me and my daughter. I tear up at the end when Harry's comes in and says, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town". Now my daughter watches it with her kids. Ironically, it wasnt a box office hit, nor did it get high praise when released. But now, its a fan favorite.
George Bailey is the moral compass for the entire community of Bedford Falls. In the alternate reality, Pottersville, where George was never born, its a very cynical and amoral community, because George wasn't there to keep Potter from corrupting it. The only flaw in this story is the fact that Potter gets away with keeping the $8000, which is theft. Burt, the policeman should have looked into the matter, discovering it was Potter, and arresting him.
Yeah this film violated the Hays Code which insisted a villain must get comupence for they're wrong doing. Check out the "Lost Ending" sketch on Saturday Night Live in 1986 that addresses it. Hilarious!
George comes out on top, the community rallied, tens of thousands of dollars donated, the Warrent canceled. Potter's plot failed. Otherwise, let God handle Potter.
That's real life though, sometimes the "bad guys" never get "justice" but in the end that $8,000 wasn't anything compared to the love, family and community that George had. So did Potter really "get away" with it? Can't take money with you when you die but you can leave a legacy.
Donna Reed, a great actress who later won Best Supporting Actress in 1953's From Here to Eternity, then had her own TV sitcom for 8 years, 1958 to 1966. most of the character actors in this went on to great things. Frank Faylen, the cab driver later became the grouchy father on The Many Loves of Dovie Gillis TV sitcom. Sheldon Leonard the bartender, became a director, and a mega TV show producer of dramas and comedies [The Danny Thomas Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle UCMC...
Lionel Barrymore was from one of the most renowned acting families. At that time so handicapped by arthritis that he was confined to a wheelchair. The last movie he made when he was able to walk and stand for short periods of time, was Captains Courageous in 1937.
I am 59. Been watching this since I was young. No matter how many times I watch it, it still brings tears to my eyes. A timeless story. One that brings perspective and meaning. Christmas is not the same without it.
What a great reaction, you guys. This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it in high school many, many years ago. The dance George & Mary were dancing to was the Charleston. Most popular dance of the 20s. Mr. Gower’s son died of the 1918 influenza pandemic which was in its second wave in 1919. That’s why he was so upset that George didn’t deliver the pills because the patient (the boy) was sick, probably with the same disease. Happy holidays ❤everyone and thanks for all of your great comments!
A great film. BTW-The pool they fell into? That's the Swim Gym at Beverly Hills High School. Graduated there in '81 and used it every day. It's still there!
I’m glad you appreciated this. There are SO many great black and white movies (Christmas or no). Miracle On 34th St, Casablanca, The Maltase Falcon, Harvey, etc
Jimmie Stewart didn't want to do the film at first. He was suffering PTSD from World War 2 but he did it. Thank goodness. A truly great film. Y'all have a great Christmas. Be safe.
Just for context, Mr Gower’s son died of influenza. Like millions did in 1918. It was literally a pandemic. In 1929 the Great Depression started. The run on the banks was in response to the stock market crash. Massive unemployment and banks and businesses closed. The factory that Sam Wainwright built replaced a factory where lots of Bedford Falls residents used to work. See, George Bailey literally helped build the town.
Jimmy Stewart won the Academy Award for Philadelphia Story in 1940, then went to war and flew 20 plus missions over Nazi Germany and became a war hero. He came back and made this movie. He finished his military career as a Brigadier General. He was an amazing man and loved by everyone.
My father's favorite movie, dosent have to be Christmas, he tragically passed away in 2018 and after watching in it for the first time after he passed I can't help but see my father in George Merry Christmas
This movie is truly a classic movie that has stood the test of time. Its message is as true today as it was back when it was released. The movie was considered a flop on its release but thanks to TV it has become a Christmas tradition. Jimmy Stewart was one of the greatest actors of all time who made many classic movies that you need to watch especially the movie Harvey about a giant invisible rabbit-it is a very funny movie. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Your reaction channels are a great Christmas present to all of us who watch them.
I'm 47. But this is my all time favorite Christmas movie. And hey!!! Jimmy Stewart was a damn fine actor,ahead of his time. But glad yall did this. Bout to watch it. Yall have a great Christmas ok
At the end, George was the, " Richest man in town." not monetarily rich from dollars that were donated to him by everyone, but because he had so many true friends in his life...and a loving wife and children.
No matter what was going on with him, he didnt hesitate to help someone to his own detriment. He was planning on killing himself, but as soon as a man was in trouble he dove right in and helped. What a great character (and what great character)
I love everything about this film. My favorite line in it is the throw away gag from Annie: “I’ve been saving this money for a divorce, if ever I get a husband.” Talk about being prepared 😂
Movie trivia for ya: 'Mr. Potter' is Lionel Barrymore; Drew's Grand-Uncle. (The Barrymore entertainment dynasty goes back over 150 yrs.) Also, Muppeteer Jim Henson paid tribute to this film by using the names 'Bert & Ernie', the cop and taxi driver friends of George.
My favorite movie of all time. I just watched it about 5 years back in my early twenties for the first time. I’m means so much more to me now knowing how rough and tough life can be, but that it’s worth it to be here, and how we can never forget God’s most precious gift the gift of Life.
"No man or woman is a failure who has friends." It's a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite Christmas film. It's the best feel-good movie that everyone needs to watch because it shows how everyone is important. No one is bigger than anyone else. We all matter because we as individuals can make a difference, no matter the situation that comes towards us. Also, Fun Fact: James Stewart was nervous about the phone kiss scene because it was his first onscreen kiss since his return to Hollywood after the war. Under director Frank Capra's watchful eye, James Stewart filmed the scene in only one unrehearsed take and it worked so well that part of the embrace was cut because it was too passionate to pass the censors.
Another great Jimmy Stewart movie, with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn is the Philadelphia Story. It's one of the extremely few times in early movie history that a famous actor breaks in a scene and the director kept it in the film. Jimmy Stewart breaks one of the greatest of the great actors, Cary Grant. Makes him laugh out loud in a scene and they leave it in.
You really do have to ask how many people at the end of their rope have watched this move and it gave them the strength to keep going. This movie has probably saved a lot of lives
Such a great story about friendship, and sacrifice, and love...both the romantic love of George and Mary, but especially of love for friends and community, and taking care of one another. One can really sense Georg's frustration when he is in despair isn't only about the crisis of that day, but his feeling that he sacrificed, and sacrificed, and sacrificed and now it was all crashing down. And so powerful when the community acknowledges his sacrifices and come to rescue him. Merry Christmas; Peace on Earth, good will to all.
Timeless message, timeless movie. Cannot be topped, the sheer volume of talent here. Has been remade a million times in so many ways..but the original is perfect.
The scene showing the telegram about Mr. Gower's son dying of the flu is significant. This part of the story is set around 1918. In 1918-19 there was a world wide Spanish Flu epidemic. 500 million people died. Mr. Gower's son was one of them.
Since you mentioned it: the best black and white movies you should see no matter what: Dr Strangelove, The Last Picture Show, The Manchurian Candidate, In Cold Blood.
Everyone knows that if you tell your wish, like a birthday wish or a wish upon a star, it won't come true. George told Mary his wish at the old Granville house, to go exploring and such, and it didn't come true. Mary never revealed her wish that night and kept it secret until it did come true.
I noticed when you gave your review after the movie no mention was made of it being in black and white which was commented on before you watched the film. It just goes to show that if the story is good, the message is good, and the acting is good you get so caught up in all of the good stuff that you don't notice or care that it is in black and white.
Didn't you guys previously react to Psycho, so you've had more black and white on the channel than you remember. And Young Frankenstein was purposely filmed in black and white, even thought it was from the color era. "It's a Wonderful Life" is the quintessential Christmas film to me. A timeless classic. Jimmy Stewart was one of the greatest movie stars of the golden age of film. He was the Tom Hanks of his time and this was one of his best. I loved seeing you two seemingly enjoy this movie so much.
It is a Frank Capra classic! I have always said, anyone who can makes it through this movie without shedding a tear simply has no soul. Hard to believe this movie bombed when it was first released right after WWII. It was not until much later it became a Christmas tradition, and is now one of the most cherished and endearing movies of all time.
"peace and love". Yup. bring back the 60's man :) Great reaction to a genuine classic. The reference to Harry Bailey shooting down enemy planes reflected Jimmy Stewart's military career. He enlisted in the army air force shortly after winning an Oscar I think in 1941. They wanted him to make training films but he wanted to be where the action was. So he asked to be assigned to B-24 Liberator bombers flying over Germany. He flew numerous missions and on one his unit lost 13 planes and 130 men. He suffered severe PTSD from his WWII experience and it was therapeutic for him to act it out as George Bailey falling apart. He wasn't acting. He retired as a Brigadier General. Stewart lived in a time when being patriotic meant walking the walk
I’ve watched this movie since I was a kid but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I finally got it. This movie has way more deeper meaning than you can imagine and I understood when I got into financial business. This movie took me by storm and it’s even relevant today with what’s happening. Love this movie and is priceless to say the least. ❤️
You never know the value you give others just because you are in this life. Had it not been for others, I wouldn't be alive today. We each play a role in each other's experiences. You never know just how deep that goes. We are each miracles to one another. Merry Christmas Asia and BJ. Thank you for sharing this.
The filming of "Young Frankenstein," is different because it is a film created in 1974 by Mel Brooks but intentionally made in black and white to capture the nuances of vintage horror films. 1:15
As you go through your life different parts of this story really hit home. We all face good times and hard times, tragedy and triumph, and all of us will be challenged by things that are outside of our control: pandemics, wars, economic crises. At times in my life, this movie has been hard to watch because it has been just too real. Money worries, health problems, family dramas... But it's also a universal truth: our character is forged by adversity, and how we overcome the challenges. If you are going through hell ... keep going! Better times are coming. If times are good, count your blessings, realise how lucky you are, and try to do the right thing by all those around you. It may not always seem like it but it really is a wonderful life!
“To my big brother George - the richest man in town!” - that line gets me tearing up every time. George thought his life was failure and compromise when in reality he had accomplished so much and had done so much for others. He just couldn’t see it in his moment of crisis.
Saw this movie as a little kid and I loved the story. Many times, we feel what George felt, life does things to our minds, and we can`t think right. This is more than a Christmas story. It`s a story about LIFE and that we mean so much to other people, especially family. Great movie and great moral. Both Asia and BJ have made me feel wonderful and nostalgic with all your videos. You were my very first Reaction Channel and I thank you for giving me the feelings from long ago I felt with each and every song reaction. I watch every night your channels and you give my heart so much to be thankful for. God bless you and your family. Have a Wonderful Life too.
Iam 59 yrs old n I have watched this almost every Christmas since 12 yrs old. My kids have seen also. It's a holiday tradition in our family! U2 are awesome! Keep up the great content!
Great reaction! My dad, brother, and I have all watched this movie every year for over 20 years now at our own homes. My brother passed away this year. So I am a little sadder this year. Despite being from 1946 it still resonates for many people. The only actors that are still alive today played George Baileys kids. It is my favorite Christmas movie. Die Hard is number 2 lol.
My absolute favorite holiday movie, everyone that comes to my house has to sit down, shut-up and watched this movie. If you talk too much, you'll miss too many tiny precious moments, and if the ending of this movie doesn't stir up some kind of emotions, have someone check you pulse, quickly!!
Letting George in on the ground floor of plastic meant investing. George would have been a millionaire instead of building homes which are basically under water. George missed out on a great opportunity.
Another movie by James Stewart you can show your kids is Harvey. James Stewart has a lot of good movies. He was one of Hollywood's main actors at one time. He even did an Alfred Hitchcock movie called Vertigo.
Thanks for being open to watching a black and white movie, guys! It's so important that we don't let these films fade into obscurity just because they are old. :) I would suggest anything Charlie Chaplin, especially City Lights, Modern Times, and the Great Dictator. Also, 12 Angry Men, Mildred Pierce, Ace in the Hole, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, and ao many more!!!
I've heard that this movie was written to help soldiers and sailors who had returned from WWII, and felt that their moment to be heroes had passed them by. Most who served and returned, were not on the front lines and their stories were of boredom and monotony, uncelebrated. The message was that they could still be heroic, by living a good life and doing what was right. The movie "Mister Roberts" with Henry Fonda and Jack Lemon comes closest to the plight of those whose jobs were vital, but not in the awareness of the public. When they returned, they felt that the chance to shine was past...
"To my big brother, George. The richest man in town." - - gets me every single time. Great reactions, guys. What a classic.
The (Congressional) Medal of Honor is the highest military honor you can get.
There is also a civilian Medal of Honor, also the highest civilian honor you can get.
Me too!. And I'm 65. Been watcing it since I was 10.
No guys, the druggist wasn’t sick. He was crying and sniffling, because his son died of the flu.
He also has been drinking alcohol. You can see the bottle on his desk.
That flu epidemic in 1918 and 1919 was awful. It killed mostly children up to people in their 20's.
@@billolsen4360 The Spanish flu epidemic. I've watched this movie so many times and never made the connection.
@@MoMoMyPup10They also had no clue who Uncle Billy (even after the character was established) was when he lost the money in the bank.
The Spanish Flu of 1918-19 killed more Americans than all of it's wars since the Civil War. Approximately 650,000 people died in the US, the number worldwide is somewhere between 20 million and 100 million deaths. It could kill a healthy adult in as little as 24 hours.
When Harry said George was the richest man in town, he didn't mean money-wise. He meant as far as George having a loving family and true friends, people that dearly loved and cared about him.
BTW -the lead make actor, Jimmy Stewart, was a war hero who.. unlike most of his famous Hollywood compadres, didn’t just do charity and morale raising events, but became a bomber pilot in WWII, flying several combat missions, and serving as an Air Force Reserve Officer up until the Vietnam War, retiring as a highly decorated Air Force Reserve Brigadier General. He was truly an American Hero!
Not only that but people who knew him said he was never the same after, and the anguish and outbursts he displayed in this movie came from a very real place.
Yes, he served his country and had PTSD while he was making this movie and sometimes have real problems because of it. A great man!
Please get your facts checked.
@@clintcalvert9250 , yeah. I don't recall him serving in Korea or Vietnam. WW2 he definitely served! He retired from the reserves in 68 but he wasn't flying in Korea or Nam.
He flew combat missions in WW2 but was in the reserves during Korea and Nam. He didn't see action in those conflicts.
This is both the saddest and most uplifting movie ever. 10/10
Just like life
Just to put some of the things here into perspective. That $8000 that Billy lost is equivalent to about $140,000 today. And the offer of $20K a year from Potter to George comes out to $350,000 dollars a year. It's about a minimum of 7 times as much as he was currently making annually. That's a huge increase - especially when you're just starting out a family and eventually have four kids. I'd like to think I would never take a deal like that, but I never was in that position. I do know that many people have sold their souls for much less though.
The $20,000 offer was roughly 11 years prior to the end of the film (Mary just revealed she was pregnant with their first child) so 1935 or so. In 1935 that had the same value as roughly $443,000 today. So even MORE valuable than you posit.
Recall that earlier they mentioned building a $5000 house. Now Imagine a salary where you could afford to buy a NEW house about every three months!
Jimmy Stewart was shell shocked from flying bombing missions over Germany watching other planes get shot out of the sky and men falling out of airplanes. This movie was his therapy in figuring out how to get back to work again. The emotions you see is what he went through with the PTSD. He went on to make great movies in black and white and in color. He was a great patriot and a nice guy. Merry Christmas!
This same director, and actors Jimmy Stewart and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter, and Drew Barrymore's) great grandfather, made another GREAT movie called You Can't Take it With You. It's such a funny, touching, meaningful, goofy, perspective changing movie. Highly recommend it.
@@ohmightywez Little correction, Lionel Barrymore was Drew's Great Uncle. John Barrymore was her Grandfather.
He wasn't shell shocked. Traumatized, probably. Shell shocked is a term people use but don't really understand. It is a condition caused when you lose control of your nervous system as a result of sustained heavy shelling. I suggest searching for "shell shock victims world war one" here on RUclips. The term did not exist prior to world war one and was created, literally, to describe this horrible condition. The videos will shock you when you see them and really think about what horrible shelling these men endured to cause this kind of neurological response. Truly horrible.
@@ohmightywez I requested that they watch YCTIWY awhile ago...I hope one day they get around to it. 😊
@@LukeLovesRose You call that trolling? That was weak as hell.......
George Bailey was consumed with being an explorer and being an engineer. His aspirations were to go places and build bridges and dams. The fact was that he built much larger than that. He built a town and helped people to build their and their kids' futures. He felt that he was just a small man in a small town, trapped. His influence reached all over the world. It still continues to do so, as an example of what integrity and kindness are capable of building. Merry Christmas.
'Richest Man'...didn't just mean money though. The true wealth was everyone he was surrounded by who was there when he needed them.
Merry Christmas!!
George was apprehensive about marriage because he knew it would further tie him to Bedford Falls. His dreams to leave that small town, to travel and attend college would be unfulfilled if he had the responsibility of a wife & kids.
One of the things I really love about this film is how it isn't (amazingly) sticky sweet or corny. It's clever, with great acting, a wonderful script and genuine emotions. That's why it's a classic.
Exactly! This is NOT some Hallmark Holiday Special this is THE Holiday special. Full of ugly, beautiful, reality, fantasy, Prejudice, understanding. It's wonderful and timeless.
Exactly. the character of George has his ups and downs.. he gets really angry… frustrated and bitter. But he is a fully realized person who is overall great guy.
Mr. Potter told him he was worth more "Dead" than Alive.
He wasn't thinking rationally, he felt it would be better for his family if he died rather than went to Prison and there was a trial and the family would be destitute because of Bankruptcy and it would shame his family.....and he was taking the blame for Uncle Billy, he was an honest decent man. I love this movie. 😊
I think when this movie premiered it actually bombed. It was only 1 year after WWII and people thought it was too depressing. My sister and I tear up every time the town comes together at the end. Merry Christmas 🎄
It did. It didn’t become popular until the 80’s.
@sciencefraction9275 I believe it was an accidental clerical error or missed filing deadline that caused the copyright to lapse.
@@jgarofalo8813 And that's when every sitcom and cartoon put out their own version of the story
@@jgarofalo8813 1984 is the first time I can remember watching this movie. I grew up without cable and did not get to watch a lot of old movies. I got married in 1980, and when we moved to Arizona, it was the first time I had cable. Started watching a lot of old movies when Ted Turner started his cable channels. But 1984 is when we bought our first VHS video player. We would rent old movies and this was one of the first ones we got. We have watched this movie every Christmas since then.
@@robertwiles8106 In 1993 a court ruling allowed Republic Pictures to copyright the story and music, so even though the film itself is still in the public domain it’s no longer free to air on TV.
Mr. Gowers son died, he wasn't sick. We watch this every Christmas as I'm sure most people familiar with this great treasure do!! This movie is unforgettable because of it's exceptional message to all!
Mr. Gower's son was sick with the flu. That time period was during Great Flu Epidemic of 1918-1921. Approximately 500 million people caught it and about 50 million people died, all over the world.
It was 1919, and the telegram said the Mr. Gower's son died of influenza, which means his death was part of the great "Spanish flu" pandemic that killed well over a hundred million people - more than any other pandemic in history except for the 14th century black plague.
That made me roll my eyes. Thanks for saving me the trouble of typing it out
... and I think he'd been drinking heavily b/c of the horrific news, which caused him to make such a terrible error in refilling the Rx!
His son died of the Influenza....that was sad.
This is without a doubt the best Xmas movie made. I know generations younger than mine may disagree but the story is timeless. I'm 66 years old and have seem this every year without fail. First with my mom and dad and later with my children. To this day, I still cry at the end because after all, "George Bailey is and always has been the richest man in town".. in so many ways..
I’m 26 but I’d say this is the greatest film ever made. No other movie is so entertaining, so intelligently written and directed, but still so inspiring it can save a life. Frank Capra was a damn genius. You Can’t Take it With You is also worth a watch.
I wish NBC didn’t get the rights to show it only once a year.
@@jgarofalo8813 Apparently something has changed, because this year it was shown on several other channels in our area, throughout December.
I agree whole heartedly at 56
@@jgarofalo8813I've got it on DVD 😁
The late, great Sheldon Leonard, who played Nick the bartender, was a hugely successful actor, writer, director and producer.
His classic New York tough guy voice made him a perfect candidate for gangster roles.
He went on to produce hit TV shows like The Danny Thomas Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC, I Spy and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
The drugist(pharmacist) son died of influenza. That's why he was upset and not concentrating on the order and put poison in the capsules
A run on the banks was during the Great Depression. Mostly in early 1933 people ran to take all their money out of the bank. There was no federal insurance on bank accounts. So if you got to the bank too late you lost all your savings. Peoplewerestarving and homeless in those days.
Did not the Great Depression begin though in Oct 1929. Seems the Bank failures and run on backs was into 1930.
@@davidw7 The Great Depression had a lot of financial pain spread over the almost 20 years it was considered. 1929 to 1947 are considered the span of The Great Depression. The war masked the hard times of the 1940's. 1929 was the second worst stock market crash after 1987. The bank failures/run didn't happen until later until all of the over leverage came home to roost. Sadly we are about to see something similar. This is why the FDIC and Fed went beyond their mandate in the spring to guarantee Silicon Bank's depositors fully, even those over $250,000. They were worried about another 1930's bank run.
@davidw7 YES I was Great Depression that was worst in 1929-1933 and THIS IS WHEN IDEA of SOCIAL SECURITY started in 1934 or near then.
So all you millenials can stop Hating Baby Boomers just because they are a product of parents who went through this crsp an WW2!
Also my grandfather was killed by a train and left behind 6 children and wife had NO JOB.
Imagine that today....?❤
@@kissmy_butt1302 WW2 was its ending.
Britannica and others list this - "Great Depression, worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939".
The mills cranked up for the war-effort and young men not fully employed yet off to war. There was the influx after the war of most of the soldiers back at the war's end.
Shortages and food commodity rationing limits with stamps to buy were the result of the war and not the Depression.
Now if the war ends and all the men back and mills changing back to non-war-effort manufacturing? WW2 ending in 1945 and a 2-yr adjustment of our mills and GI loans created a housing boom was in full swing by '47. JUST ERROR TO SAY THE GREAT DEPRESSION LASTED TILL 1947. WW2 was NOT part of the Great Depression era by definitions.
@@kissmy_butt1302 It's pretty scary
I've watched this movie since I was a kid. It never fails to move me and remind me that we may not get our dreams but some things are more important.
One of my great-grandmothers was named Mary Hatch. She died during the 1918 Influenza leaving behind a houseful of children including my grandmother who at the age of 17 took over as lady of the house. I love that such a wonderful character in such a wonderful film shares the name of the woman who raised my grandmother who raised my mother who raised me. Loved your reactions - Merry Christmas!
It's been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made and No. 1 of the most inspirational American films of all time. It's also in the public domain, which allows it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees.
It's A Wonderful Life WAS in the public domain til about 6 years ago when the copyright holder of the original story that the movie was based on bought the rights to the film, restricting its availability and insuring no one can watch it for free anymore. RUclips has the film free, but only in the form of 7 or 8 minute clips, altho these can be run sequentially from a single playlist
I would put this movie in the top five it has everything that you would want in a movie.
Like your intro!! 7:10 I like Violet, too! 14:42 In the little farming community where I grew up, we had a similar situation, long before I was born. We had two banks, the Rock family owned one and the Blakely family owned the other. As a child, I can remember people all over town concerned if anything unfortunate ever happened to one of the Blakelys. As an adult, I learned that during the Great Depression, the Blakeley's bank refused to foreclose on people's farms, businesses and houses if the people who owned them had any reasonable chance to pulling themselves out of a bad situation, whereas Mr Rock would foreclose on a mortgage as soon as it was legal to do so. 30 years later, people in the entire county felt they were still emotionally indebted to the Blakeleys. Kinda funny that the good guys' last name was close to "Bailey!" 27:00 Looks like George apparently convinced Sam Wainwright's dad to locate his plastics factory in Bedford Falls instead of Rochester.
The Mashed Potato Dance was popular from 1959 to 1962.
The Twist was also popular around the same era, but it had a greater impact.
But in 1928 the Charleston was the thing. The craze started in 1923 and lasted throughout the 1920s.
I love how long this takes to set everything up. The slow build up makes the payoff so much sweeter.
Annie is played by Lillian Randolph who played the housekeeper on the "The Great Gildersleeve" radio show which was popular during the 40's. It's worth a listen. You can hear the show on youtube while you are busy or just want to sit back and relax. Old Time Radio(OTR) is an interesting period that came before tv which had the same networks that became tv networks. I came after(63) but my brother got me into them. They're a blast to listen to. Kinda like audio books but dramatized. Miss Randolph is excellent in the show. Its too bad African-Americans were limited in their roles back then. I think she could have carried her own show if they had given her a chance similar to 'Good Times'.
Like so many other supporting actors in the cast, she's very natural and likeable in her brief but warm role. There was such brilliant chemistry across so many of the actors in the film, not just the leads.
Not only a Christmas classic but simply one of the best movies ever filmed. I ‘ve watched it every year since my grandmother made my watch back in the 70’s. Pulls at my heart strings every time 😊
Great movie.the greatest actor,Jimmy Stuart
Giving the "Teacher says every time a bell rings" line to the little girl was brilliant
"Tinker says" reference to Tinkerbell
WHY, as many times as I've seen this movie ( possibly over 100 times), I still cry when George sees his brother at the end?! I freakin' LOVE this movie!!
This movie makes me cry every time I watch it!
Me too! I just love this movie!
Y’know, it only just hit me how well put together this story is. I knew it was good but I keep finding ways that George’s choices kept the Building and Loan open which is a lot of what kept the town prosperous. Like if George and Mary had invested their savings in the plastics company then when the banking crisis hit they wouldn’t have been able to survive it. They were down to the last 2 dollars as it was. Lots of stuff like that in the story.
Of course, Sam could have gifted him a few shares when things paid off considering George put them onto a way to get a cheap factory and all the labor they wanted…
Also, Uncle Billy lost $8k because he’s a textbook example of ADHD before anyone knew what it was. He’s more of an artistic, soft-hearted dreamer type who has no business being IN business, but because he cares so much and because his brother was no doubt someone he tended to follow where he led, he’s in a business that helps people, which he loves, doing stuff with money, which he sucks at. I’d speculate that all the Bailey men have a gift for engineering and design and architecture, that kind of stuff.
No matter how many times I've watched this movie, when Harry toasts George as "The richest man in town" I get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye!
I am 65 yrs old, and watch this movie every year since I was 10. Its become a tradition for me and my daughter. I tear up at the end when Harry's comes in and says, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town". Now my daughter watches it with her kids. Ironically, it wasnt a box office hit, nor did it get high praise when released. But now, its a fan favorite.
George Bailey is the moral compass for the entire community of Bedford Falls. In the alternate reality, Pottersville, where George was never born, its a very cynical and amoral community, because George wasn't there to keep Potter from corrupting it.
The only flaw in this story is the fact that Potter gets away with keeping the $8000, which is theft. Burt, the policeman should have looked into the matter, discovering it was Potter, and arresting him.
Yeah this film violated the Hays Code which insisted a villain must get comupence for they're wrong doing. Check out the "Lost Ending" sketch on Saturday Night Live in 1986 that addresses it. Hilarious!
There's a scene that was cut where Potter dies of a heart attack while Clarence stand over him asking if his money will save him.
George comes out on top, the community rallied, tens of thousands of dollars donated, the Warrent canceled. Potter's plot failed. Otherwise, let God handle Potter.
That $8000 is worth $136 thousand today.
That's real life though, sometimes the "bad guys" never get "justice" but in the end that $8,000 wasn't anything compared to the love, family and community that George had. So did Potter really "get away" with it? Can't take money with you when you die but you can leave a legacy.
Donna Reed, a great actress who later won Best Supporting Actress in 1953's From Here to Eternity, then had her own TV sitcom for 8 years, 1958 to 1966. most of the character actors in this went on to great things. Frank Faylen, the cab driver later became the grouchy father on The Many Loves of Dovie Gillis TV sitcom. Sheldon Leonard the bartender, became a director, and a mega TV show producer of dramas and comedies [The Danny Thomas Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle UCMC...
One drop of water in a pond sends ripples across the entire pond. Our lives touch each other in many more ways, than we can ever imagine.
Lionel Barrymore was from one of the most renowned acting families. At that time so handicapped by arthritis that he was confined to a wheelchair. The last movie he made when he was able to walk and stand for short periods of time, was Captains Courageous in 1937.
Drew Barrymore, today, is of the same clan.
And “Captains Courageous” is also a good movie.
@@vercoda9997It's her Grandfather right?
Nope-great uncle.
@@courtneyraymer6586 Oh, okay.
I am 59. Been watching this since I was young. No matter how many times I watch it, it still brings tears to my eyes. A timeless story. One that brings perspective and meaning. Christmas is not the same without it.
What a great reaction, you guys. This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it in high school many, many years ago.
The dance George & Mary were dancing to was the Charleston. Most popular dance of the 20s.
Mr. Gower’s son died of the 1918 influenza pandemic which was in its second wave in 1919. That’s why he was so upset that George didn’t deliver the pills because the patient (the boy) was sick, probably with the same disease.
Happy holidays ❤everyone and thanks for all of your great comments!
Your empathy for George was wonderful. From the moment he first broke.
I know you hear this so much, but it is so wonderful seeing younger generations discover the beauty of older ones. Merry Christmas!
A great film. BTW-The pool they fell into? That's the Swim Gym at Beverly Hills High School. Graduated there in '81 and used it every day. It's still there!
Wow!!! Interesting!
I’m glad you appreciated this. There are SO many great black and white movies (Christmas or no). Miracle On 34th St, Casablanca, The Maltase Falcon, Harvey, etc
All 4 of the mentioned movies are fantastic and classics! All worth seeing and better than many of the more recent movies (excluding LOTR).
Jimmie Stewart didn't want to do the film at first. He was suffering PTSD from World War 2 but he did it. Thank goodness. A truly great film.
Y'all have a great Christmas. Be safe.
Just for context, Mr Gower’s son died of influenza. Like millions did in 1918. It was literally a pandemic. In 1929 the Great Depression started. The run on the banks was in response to the stock market crash. Massive unemployment and banks and businesses closed. The factory that Sam Wainwright built replaced a factory where lots of Bedford Falls residents used to work. See, George Bailey literally helped build the town.
The dance they're doing is the Charleston.
Bert the police officer and Ernie the cab driver are what inspired the naming of Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street fame.
Common misconception, Sesame Street people actually said it was a coincidence.
Jimmy Stewart won the Academy Award for Philadelphia Story in 1940, then went to war and flew 20 plus missions over Nazi Germany and became a war hero. He came back and made this movie. He finished his military career as a Brigadier General. He was an amazing man and loved by everyone.
My father's favorite movie, dosent have to be Christmas, he tragically passed away in 2018 and after watching in it for the first time after he passed I can't help but see my father in George
Merry Christmas
So sorry for your loss. Merry Christmas to you as well! ❤️❤️
This movie is truly a classic movie that has stood the test of time. Its message is as true today as it was back when it was released. The movie was considered a flop on its release but thanks to TV it has become a Christmas tradition. Jimmy Stewart was one of the greatest actors of all time who made many classic movies that you need to watch especially the movie Harvey about a giant invisible rabbit-it is a very funny movie. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Your reaction channels are a great Christmas present to all of us who watch them.
I'm glad y'all watched & enjoyed this!👼🕯️🦌🌨️🎄🎁Merry Christmas
I'm 47. But this is my all time favorite Christmas movie. And hey!!! Jimmy Stewart was a damn fine actor,ahead of his time. But glad yall did this. Bout to watch it. Yall have a great Christmas ok
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a great, timely Jimmy Stewart movie too.
At the end, George was the, " Richest man in town." not monetarily rich from dollars that were donated to him by everyone, but because he had so many true friends in his life...and a loving wife and children.
No matter what was going on with him, he didnt hesitate to help someone to his own detriment. He was planning on killing himself, but as soon as a man was in trouble he dove right in and helped. What a great character (and what great character)
In case you missed it, this is where Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie got their names…
The Policeman and the Taxi Driver… BERT AND ERNIE….. 😊
I love everything about this film. My favorite line in it is the throw away gag from Annie: “I’ve been saving this money for a divorce, if ever I get a husband.”
Talk about being prepared 😂
Thank y’all for this one. Having a lonely Christmas and this made me smile!
Movie trivia for ya: 'Mr. Potter' is Lionel Barrymore; Drew's Grand-Uncle. (The Barrymore entertainment dynasty goes back over 150 yrs.)
Also, Muppeteer Jim Henson paid tribute to this film by using the names 'Bert & Ernie', the cop and taxi driver friends of George.
Good lord, this film hits deep
My favorite movie of all time. I just watched it about 5 years back in my early twenties for the first time. I’m means so much more to me now knowing how rough and tough life can be, but that it’s worth it to be here, and how we can never forget God’s most precious gift the gift of Life.
For those who have never seen the movie before, by the end you understand completely why it's a classic.
"No man or woman is a failure who has friends."
It's a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite Christmas film. It's the best feel-good movie that everyone needs to watch because it shows how everyone is important. No one is bigger than anyone else. We all matter because we as individuals can make a difference, no matter the situation that comes towards us.
Also, Fun Fact: James Stewart was nervous about the phone kiss scene because it was his first onscreen kiss since his return to Hollywood after the war. Under director Frank Capra's watchful eye, James Stewart filmed the scene in only one unrehearsed take and it worked so well that part of the embrace was cut because it was too passionate to pass the censors.
FYI, Jimmy Stewart, the lead in this movie, was actually a pilot, volunteer, in WW2, which of course, had just ended prior to this movie.
Another great Jimmy Stewart movie, with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn is the Philadelphia Story. It's one of the extremely few times in early movie history that a famous actor breaks in a scene and the director kept it in the film. Jimmy Stewart breaks one of the greatest of the great actors, Cary Grant. Makes him laugh out loud in a scene and they leave it in.
You really do have to ask how many people at the end of their rope have watched this move and it gave them the strength to keep going. This movie has probably saved a lot of lives
Mr Potter is one of the greatest movie villians of all time!
The actor who played Mr Potter was Lionel Barrymore. He is the great/grand uncle of actress Drew Barrymore.
I am so glad you reacted to this movie - a timeless classic. Warms my heart every time I watch it. Merry Christmas to all! ❤❤
Such a great story about friendship, and sacrifice, and love...both the romantic love of George and Mary, but especially of love for friends and community, and taking care of one another. One can really sense Georg's frustration when he is in despair isn't only about the crisis of that day, but his feeling that he sacrificed, and sacrificed, and sacrificed and now it was all crashing down. And so powerful when the community acknowledges his sacrifices and come to rescue him.
Merry Christmas; Peace on Earth, good will to all.
Happy Yuletide to all in the comments! To our gracious hosts, thank you a million times for the warmth, light, and love. Cheers to you and yours! 🥂💖
Timeless message, timeless movie. Cannot be topped, the sheer volume of talent here. Has been remade a million times in so many ways..but the original is perfect.
Thank you ASIA & BJ, for a great year of movie reactions. Merry Christmas to you and your family and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The scene showing the telegram about Mr. Gower's son dying of the flu is significant. This part of the story is set around 1918. In 1918-19 there was a world wide Spanish Flu epidemic. 500 million people died. Mr. Gower's son was one of them.
Since you mentioned it: the best black and white movies you should see no matter what: Dr Strangelove, The Last Picture Show, The Manchurian Candidate, In Cold Blood.
This movie always same me feel like I haven't done enough for others.
Everyone knows that if you tell your wish, like a birthday wish or a wish upon a star, it won't come true. George told Mary his wish at the old Granville house, to go exploring and such, and it didn't come true. Mary never revealed her wish that night and kept it secret until it did come true.
I noticed when you gave your review after the movie no mention was made of it being in black and white which was commented on before you watched the film. It just goes to show that if the story is good, the message is good, and the acting is good you get so caught up in all of the good stuff that you don't notice or care that it is in black and white.
Didn't you guys previously react to Psycho, so you've had more black and white on the channel than you remember. And Young Frankenstein was purposely filmed in black and white, even thought it was from the color era.
"It's a Wonderful Life" is the quintessential Christmas film to me. A timeless classic.
Jimmy Stewart was one of the greatest movie stars of the golden age of film. He was the Tom Hanks of his time and this was one of his best. I loved seeing you two seemingly enjoy this movie so much.
Rather, Tom Hanks is the Jimmy Stewart of this era.
It is a Frank Capra classic! I have always said, anyone who can makes it through this movie without shedding a tear simply has no soul. Hard to believe this movie bombed when it was first released right after WWII. It was not until much later it became a Christmas tradition, and is now one of the most cherished and endearing movies of all time.
"peace and love". Yup. bring back the 60's man :) Great reaction to a genuine classic. The reference to Harry Bailey shooting down enemy planes reflected Jimmy Stewart's military career. He enlisted in the army air force shortly after winning an Oscar I think in 1941. They wanted him to make training films but he wanted to be where the action was. So he asked to be assigned to B-24 Liberator bombers flying over Germany. He flew numerous missions and on one his unit lost 13 planes and 130 men. He suffered severe PTSD from his WWII experience and it was therapeutic for him to act it out as George Bailey falling apart. He wasn't acting. He retired as a Brigadier General. Stewart lived in a time when being patriotic meant walking the walk
I’ve watched this movie since I was a kid but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I finally got it. This movie has way more deeper meaning than you can imagine and I understood when I got into financial business. This movie took me by storm and it’s even relevant today with what’s happening. Love this movie and is priceless to say the least. ❤️
You never know the value you give others just because you are in this life. Had it not been for others, I wouldn't be alive today. We each play a role in each other's experiences. You never know just how deep that goes. We are each miracles to one another. Merry Christmas Asia and BJ. Thank you for sharing this.
The filming of "Young Frankenstein," is different because it is a film created in 1974 by Mel Brooks but intentionally made in black and white to capture the nuances of vintage horror films.
1:15
As you go through your life different parts of this story really hit home. We all face good times and hard times, tragedy and triumph, and all of us will be challenged by things that are outside of our control: pandemics, wars, economic crises.
At times in my life, this movie has been hard to watch because it has been just too real. Money worries, health problems, family dramas... But it's also a universal truth: our character is forged by adversity, and how we overcome the challenges. If you are going through hell ... keep going! Better times are coming. If times are good, count your blessings, realise how lucky you are, and try to do the right thing by all those around you. It may not always seem like it but it really is a wonderful life!
“To my big brother George - the richest man in town!” - that line gets me tearing up every time. George thought his life was failure and compromise when in reality he had accomplished so much and had done so much for others. He just couldn’t see it in his moment of crisis.
Saw this movie as a little kid and I loved the story. Many times, we feel what George felt, life does things to our minds, and we can`t think right. This is more than a Christmas story. It`s a story about LIFE and that we mean so much to other people, especially family. Great movie and great moral. Both Asia and BJ have made me feel wonderful and nostalgic with all your videos. You were my very first Reaction Channel and I thank you for giving me the feelings from long ago I felt with each and every song reaction. I watch every night your channels and you give my heart so much to be thankful for. God bless you and your family. Have a Wonderful Life too.
My Father was born in 1911. He remembered riding a grain scoop a few times when there was enough snow. Fun times!
James Stewart, my all time favorite actor in most every genre except musicals❣️
Oh, I don’t know…he was pretty good in the movie „Born to Dance“(1936) with Eleanor Powell and Buddy Ebsen. Definitely worth a watch. Merry Christmas
~ He was NEVER bad, I was just referring to those genres at which he pointedly excelled 😊
Iam 59 yrs old n I have watched this almost every Christmas since 12 yrs old. My kids have seen also. It's a holiday tradition in our family! U2 are awesome! Keep up the great content!
Great reaction! My dad, brother, and I have all watched this movie every year for over 20 years now at our own homes. My brother passed away this year. So I am a little sadder this year. Despite being from 1946 it still resonates for many people. The only actors that are still alive today played George Baileys kids. It is my favorite Christmas movie. Die Hard is number 2 lol.
Much love to you ❤️❤️
My absolute favorite holiday movie, everyone that comes to my house has to sit down, shut-up and watched this movie. If you talk too much, you'll miss too many tiny precious moments, and if the ending of this movie doesn't stir up some kind of emotions, have someone check you pulse, quickly!!
Letting George in on the ground floor of plastic meant investing. George would have been a millionaire instead of building homes which are basically under water. George missed out on a great opportunity.
Another movie by James Stewart you can show your kids is Harvey. James Stewart has a lot of good movies. He was one of Hollywood's main actors at one time. He even did an Alfred Hitchcock movie called Vertigo.
The panic in the streets the run on the bank was the 1929 stock market crash
Thanks for being open to watching a black and white movie, guys! It's so important that we don't let these films fade into obscurity just because they are old. :) I would suggest anything Charlie Chaplin, especially City Lights, Modern Times, and the Great Dictator. Also, 12 Angry Men, Mildred Pierce, Ace in the Hole, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, and ao many more!!!
Potter KEPT the money, this caused shock at the time, as the villain never got their comeuppance!
He got his comeuppance by burning in Hell. Ha ha.
Well, _unofficially_.... SNL did a skit about that, back in the 90s. You should look it up! Kind of twisted, but funny too!
@@benrositas8068I always think of that when I watch this
@@benrositas8068 ooh, never knew that (from UK) I’ll check it out 👍
An excellent movie with real actors with a well written script with a real message and no special effects. Doesn't get any better!
Such a classic! James Stewart was such a great actor!
I've heard that this movie was written to help soldiers and sailors who had returned from WWII, and felt that their moment to be heroes had passed them by. Most who served and returned, were not on the front lines and their stories were of boredom and monotony, uncelebrated. The message was that they could still be heroic, by living a good life and doing what was right. The movie "Mister Roberts" with Henry Fonda and Jack Lemon comes closest to the plight of those whose jobs were vital, but not in the awareness of the public. When they returned, they felt that the chance to shine was past...
I'm glad you two came across this movie that has been a holiday favorite for many years. Happy Holidays you two!
The story is about George and how his life impacted others, but the hero of the story is Mary.
I'm so glad you guys were able to see this. 🥰
Its a Christmas time classic I've been watching and crying to for decades.
🎄Happy Holidays!! 🧑🎄
George took care of the people when they needed him, and in the end the people took care of George when he needed it. Great movie.