"Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" We will never know all the lives we've touched, because we did not receive George's gift; "a chance to see what the world would be like without you." But know this, you do make a difference! 🤗 No matter who you are, how you feel, what you think, why things are the way they are now, which stage of life you're in... keep putting one foot in front of the other 🚶👣👣 The world would've been vastly different if you were not born. Well, you're here now, so make the most of it! 😊
Unfortunately, my family doesn't watch English movies. The amount of times I've watched an English movie with my family can be counted on both hands. My future family though, yes 😜
Your emotion at the end was totally appropriate. I always say that if you don’t shed a tear during this movie I question if you have a soul. Beautiful reaction ! Thank you !
You're young and like many people of your generation, you may not be aware of some of the nuances of early 20th century America, unless you study history. As a kid George is working for a druggist, it's 1919. That shop is known today as a pharmacy but back then they also served as soda, candy & ice cream fountain shops. You couldn't buy sodas or ice cream just anywhere like today. Most people didn't own electric refrigerators yet, it was a fairly new invention. So people would go to fountain shops, have comfort food and hang out. Tying a string on your finger was used by some people to remind them not to forget something important.
I actually lived in a town for a few years that had an old fashioned pharmacy that had ice cream and soda like that. It was really neat. I picked up my prescriptions there. That was almost 20 years ago, but I imagine they still exist in some small towns.
The bar you are referring to that George works at is a Soda Fountain. Until the 1990s or 80s in America, drug stores commonly had soda fountains that made soda drinks and ice cream and such.
@@henryellowSpeaking of soda fountains and great movies, it would be great if you reacted to "The Best Years of our Lives", also from 1946. (A soda fountain has a part to play in this masterful film.) You will probably need your box of tissues for that one. I enjoyed your reaction to this film and your deep understanding of the themes. Subscribed. Looking forward to watching more of your reactions in 2024!
1:50 Shops that sold cigars used to have counter-top lighters. They were unreliable, so it was said that if you could get one to light on the first try, your wish would be granted.
Oh, the string on fingers was an old school way to remember things. Every time you looked at the string you were supposed to remember whatever it was you had to do.
The lighter machine that George makes his wishes on were called different names. When I was a kid they weren't very common anymore but they still existed. There was one in my neighborhood drug store it was labeled " Aladdin's Lamp " it would only light once in every 20 tries or so. The slap Mr. Gower gives George was called "Boxing a kids ears" a common discpline at the time.
Ohh, I see. I thought it was a normal lighter that lights up every time. Hence, my confusion. Now I get it. Thanks for clarifying 😊 The ears and eyes can be easily damaged for life, it's too dangerous... Thankfully there are many other ways to discipline children now. I used to get the rattan cane and clothes hanger 🤣
I think It's a Wonderful Life has a masterful screenplay because the exposition is given so delicately and with an emotional reality. And it's directed perfectly. Every shot IS a perfect shot in each situation that occurs whether it be George talking to his father at the dinner table or a moment of sudden realization when he walks into a closeup. And I always think of Potter as the king of darkness because without George in the world Bedford Falls turns into a film noir called Pottersville. Truly brilliant. And while George is our protagonist, Mary is the hero since George is anguished about what may have been possible for him, Mary is about what really IS. And then there's the acting...
George saved the residents of Bedford Falls from Potter's rule, and he didn't even realize it himself (until he saw how bad it would've been in the parallel world).
Growing up in the 60s and 70s most drug stores still had a soda fountain. they made sodas, lemonade, ice cream, sundaes, milk shakes, floats and sometimes sandwiches and burgers. The big chain pharmacies put an end to that.
Many drugs that were (are) used to make certain medicines can be poisonous in certain amounts, or in combination with others, or used without other buffering ingredients. Those bottles were always specially marked for pharmacists. Mr. Gower’s shop was a combination of pharmacy, some household items, a “soda counter” which had ice cream, coffee, sometimes sandwiches, etc. When Walgreen’s first started, many of them had soda counters.
Jimmy Stewart used his ptsd from his recent days as a WWII pilot to tap into the emotions in some scenes. He had recently been grounded by the military because of his ptsd. I believe this was his first movie since returning.
What a pleasant surprise to see this reaction appear on my feed today. This is probably my all time favorite film, not just Christmas film. Loved your reaction, Henry, you get the spirit of this movie. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄
The goat in the car functions as director Frank Capra’s signature, “Capra” being “goat” in Italian (think of Capricorn). In this film, Frank Albertson plays Sam Wainwright and offers $25K. When he plays Cassidy in PSYCHO, his wad has grown to $40K as if by inflation.
Actually, Jimmy Stewart's next movie was Hitchcock's Rope (1948) George was upset about staying in Bedford Falls is why he was upset during his visit to Mary.
Director Frank Capra's masterwork. He also produced the film and he made one of the greatest marketing flubs by releasing the film during summer 1946 when he should have made it a Christmas 1946 release.
@@henryellow Another great film released around the same time as this one was 'The Best Years of Our Lives', it tells the story of three servicemen returning to their home town after WW2, an air force officer, an army sergeant and a sailor and how they adjust to civilian life again, it is both heart warming and heart breaking and took most of the Academy Awards for 1946.
I've watched all these reactions and alot of you say I don't get the string on his fingers. It was when you tied a string to your finger to remember something. He forgot why he tied them
George was hesitant to go see Mary because she was the marrying type. Where as Violet would have been a fling. He was torn between his love for Mary and his dreams of traveling. He didn't want to settle down.
That would explain the things he said during his outburst (at the end of the phone call). This makes a lot more sense. I failed to catch the meaning at the time. Thanks for clarifying! 😊
Thanks for sharing your reaction, it's a gift for us to watch. 😊 The Bailey Building And Loan was making some money, George was able to pay himself a $45 per week salary, which wasn't nothing back then. They just considered Peter Bailey, and George also, not good businessmen because they didn't get rich off their business dealings. They could have exploited people, charging 2x as much for the houses they built, and took advantage of people who had fallen on hard times, but didn’t. It didn't make them rich in money, but rich in life 😊
Most of the time, I just write down what I need to remember (if I feel I might forget). Or, the lazier method for me is to place something in a weird location. For example, I'll put a bottle on the floor, in a place where people would think, "Why is there a bottle there?", and then associate the bottle with what I need to remember 😂. It works if the thing you need to remember is a one-time thing.
The movie really does make the details count. For instance, during the poisoned medicine scene, George walks in on his dad and Potter clashing. George stands up to Potter. This all helps draw the characters and foreshadows how their lives will play out. A lesser movie might have simply had the dad be too busy to help him and the people at the savings and loan might have just told him to go away. One thing about this movie always makes me laugh, Uncle Billy being allowed to handle thousands of dollars. I get that he's family and they want to be respectful, but are they crazy?
The one character who wound up much better off in alternative Pottersville NY was Mary Hatch--she was a public librarian, a spinster with of course no husband and no four kiddos.
Well, I'm sure she was happier with George and the kids. The happiest person in alternative Pottersville would be Mr. Potter, if he's capable of being "happy".
Great reaction ! ❤ Thank you ! You’ve got to watch « You Can’t Take It with You », same director also starring James Stewart and Samuel Hinds (Pa Bailey) and you’ll find out how sweet and gentle Lionel Barrymore (Potter) can be ! Greetings from France 🇫🇷
The end of Its A Wonderful Life is exactly what Christ wanted for us. That is heaven on earth. Think about it. George even turns the other cheek by yelling, "Merry Christmas Mr. Potter!" The greatest, most timeless movies have what can be considered the greatest endings in film history. Thats Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Titanic, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz and Its A Wonderful Life.
Its A Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie ever made, its the greatest Christian movie this side of The Passion. This movie shows us how wonderful a true Christian society can be. And then Its A Wonderful Life shows you the flipside, which we live in Pottersville.
Keep up the good work. Your reactions are heartfelt, interesting, and touching!!!! Thank you for spending your time with us in an entertaining and enjoyable way!!! Love from Canada!!!
His stand-off attitude when visiting Mary after his brother returned from college had nothing to do with Mary. It was just a bit earlier that same day that he realized that his life long dreams had just been crushed, which is obviously what was occupying his every thought and emotion at the time, romance being the farthest thing from his mind at the time….. Pay Attention 😊
The building and loan will be taking a small cut, and charging interest. They'll be making enough money to keep going, and pay those who work there enough to live off, but they won't be making the kind of exhorbitant, crushing (to customers) profits that Potter (or in fact most modern banks) would make. So to Potter they're 'not making any money'. Suicide used to be a crime in many places. If you tried and were unsuccessful, you could be prosecuted for 'attempted self-murder' in the US and UK (UK that changed in the 60s, not sure about when in the US). It's where the phrase to 'commit suicide' (like to 'commit murder') comes from.
WOW KID , I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THESE REACTIONS MANY WONDERFULL ONES, BUT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED THE THREE YEAR CONTRACT POTTER OFFERED AFTER THE CONTRACT HE WAS GOING TO THROW GEORGE IN THE STREETS, GREAT REACTION👍👍👍
"Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
We will never know all the lives we've touched, because we did not receive George's gift; "a chance to see what the world would be like without you."
But know this, you do make a difference! 🤗
No matter who you are, how you feel, what you think, why things are the way they are now, which stage of life you're in... keep putting one foot in front of the other 🚶👣👣
The world would've been vastly different if you were not born. Well, you're here now, so make the most of it! 😊
Do you think you might introduce this film to your family?
Unfortunately, my family doesn't watch English movies. The amount of times I've watched an English movie with my family can be counted on both hands.
My future family though, yes 😜
One of those films that can rightly be called ‘perfect’.
Your emotion at the end was totally appropriate. I always say that if you don’t shed a tear during this movie I question if you have a soul. Beautiful reaction ! Thank you !
You're young and like many people of your generation, you may not be aware of some of the nuances of early 20th century America, unless you study history. As a kid George is working for a druggist, it's 1919. That shop is known today as a pharmacy but back then they also served as soda, candy & ice cream fountain shops. You couldn't buy sodas or ice cream just anywhere like today. Most people didn't own electric refrigerators yet, it was a fairly new invention. So people would go to fountain shops, have comfort food and hang out. Tying a string on your finger was used by some people to remind them not to forget something important.
And "shoelaces" was referring to a candy, most often licorice.
I actually lived in a town for a few years that had an old fashioned pharmacy that had ice cream and soda like that. It was really neat. I picked up my prescriptions there. That was almost 20 years ago, but I imagine they still exist in some small towns.
I lived in a town that still has the soda and lunch counter, to this day.
Thanks for sharing! 😊
@@sarahstardustBelieve it or not we still have a few in New York City, even in Manhattan. And they still make great malteds.
The bar you are referring to that George works at is a Soda Fountain. Until the 1990s or 80s in America, drug stores commonly had soda fountains that made soda drinks and ice cream and such.
Ahh, I see. That's convenient 👍🏻
@@henryellowSpeaking of soda fountains and great movies, it would be great if you reacted to "The Best Years of our Lives", also from 1946. (A soda fountain has a part to play in this masterful film.) You will probably need your box of tissues for that one. I enjoyed your reaction to this film and your deep understanding of the themes. Subscribed. Looking forward to watching more of your reactions in 2024!
Sure, I'll add it to my list. Thanks for your suggestion! 😊
I'm glad you enjoyed my reaction, and welcome aboard~ 🤗
Can't wait to see the reaction! (#37 on The American Film Institute's list of 100 Greatest Films. I would have put it higher!)
1:50 Shops that sold cigars used to have counter-top lighters. They were unreliable, so it was said that if you could get one to light on the first try, your wish would be granted.
Oh, the string on fingers was an old school way to remember things. Every time you looked at the string you were supposed to remember whatever it was you had to do.
Lasso the moon was first in this movie. It was alluded to in "Bruce, Almighty."
Oh, I see. Thanks 👍🏻
The lighter machine that George makes his wishes on were called different names. When I was a kid they weren't very common anymore but they still existed. There was one in my neighborhood drug store it was labeled " Aladdin's Lamp " it would only light once in every 20 tries or so. The slap Mr. Gower gives George was called "Boxing a kids ears" a common discpline at the time.
Ohh, I see. I thought it was a normal lighter that lights up every time. Hence, my confusion. Now I get it. Thanks for clarifying 😊
The ears and eyes can be easily damaged for life, it's too dangerous... Thankfully there are many other ways to discipline children now. I used to get the rattan cane and clothes hanger 🤣
Christmas woudn't be Christmas without It's A Wonderful Life....
Food for the soul!
I think It's a Wonderful Life has a masterful screenplay because the exposition is given so delicately and with an emotional reality. And it's directed perfectly. Every shot IS a perfect shot in each situation that occurs whether it be George talking to his father at the dinner table or a moment of sudden realization when he walks into a closeup. And I always think of Potter as the king of darkness because without George in the world Bedford Falls turns into a film noir called Pottersville. Truly brilliant. And while George is our protagonist, Mary is the hero since George is anguished about what may have been possible for him, Mary is about what really IS. And then there's the acting...
George saved the residents of Bedford Falls from Potter's rule, and he didn't even realize it himself (until he saw how bad it would've been in the parallel world).
There was a run on the banks in 1932 - 4 yrs after the 1928 graduation of Harry - thousands of banks closed across the country.
People used to talk about tying a string on their finger--to help them remember that they needed to do something.
Growing up in the 60s and 70s most drug stores still had a soda fountain. they made sodas, lemonade, ice cream, sundaes, milk shakes, floats and sometimes sandwiches and burgers. The big chain pharmacies put an end to that.
Many drugs that were (are) used to make certain medicines can be poisonous in certain amounts, or in combination with others, or used without other buffering ingredients. Those bottles were always specially marked for pharmacists.
Mr. Gower’s shop was a combination of pharmacy, some household items, a “soda counter” which had ice cream, coffee, sometimes sandwiches, etc. When Walgreen’s first started, many of them had soda counters.
Jimmy Stewart used his ptsd from his recent days as a WWII pilot to tap into the emotions in some scenes. He had recently been grounded by the military because of his ptsd. I believe this was his first movie since returning.
Thanks for the fun fact! 😊
What a pleasant surprise to see this reaction appear on my feed today. This is probably my all time favorite film, not just Christmas film. Loved your reaction, Henry, you get the spirit of this movie. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄
What everyone forgets is Sam Wayne Right would not be rich is George never lived. It was George idea.
Good point, the soybeans plastic idea was mentioned by George, and Sam took up that idea.
And George also suggested they use the existing building in Bedford Falls and hire people from the town which saved them some money on capital
@@vly9257And also brought jobs back to the town. Another way that George helped the people of Bedford Falls.
People used to tie a string around a finger to remind themselves they had to do something.
I see, like a memory cue 👍🏻
@@henryellowexcept it doesn't work if you forget to look at them or forget what they were a reminder of. 😂
A flawed tool... 😊
The goat in the car functions as director Frank Capra’s signature, “Capra” being “goat” in Italian (think of Capricorn). In this film, Frank Albertson plays Sam Wainwright and offers $25K. When he plays Cassidy in PSYCHO, his wad has grown to $40K as if by inflation.
Cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊
It doesn’t start to snow again until he says Please, God, I want to live again.
Bailey park was the result of what Georges dad had been doing all his life with the Building and Loan and George continued it.
Actually, Jimmy Stewart's next movie was Hitchcock's Rope (1948)
George was upset about staying in Bedford Falls is why he was upset during his visit to Mary.
I see, thanks for clarifying 😉
What a great xmas gift, watching your reaction to this awesome movie.
Director Frank Capra's masterwork.
He also produced the film and he made one of the greatest marketing flubs by releasing the film during summer 1946 when he should have made it a Christmas 1946 release.
Oh, that was not the best time to release this movie 😂
Likely it wasn't Capra's decision. The studio would have dictated when, where, and how the movie was released.
@@henryellow Another great film released around the same time as this one was 'The Best Years of Our Lives', it tells the story of three servicemen returning to their home town after WW2, an air force officer, an army sergeant and a sailor and how they adjust to civilian life again, it is both heart warming and heart breaking and took most of the Academy Awards for 1946.
Ohh awesome, I have that movie on my list. I'll get to it eventually 😊
I've watched all these reactions and alot of you say I don't get the string on his fingers. It was when you tied a string to your finger to remember something. He forgot why he tied them
It's ironic that he tied the string to remind him of something, but he forgot what he was supposed to remember 😂
Loved your reaction. I have seen this movie countless times and it affects me every time.
George was hesitant to go see Mary because she was the marrying type. Where as Violet would have been a fling. He was torn between his love for Mary and his dreams of traveling. He didn't want to settle down.
That would explain the things he said during his outburst (at the end of the phone call). This makes a lot more sense. I failed to catch the meaning at the time. Thanks for clarifying! 😊
Thanks for sharing your reaction, it's a gift for us to watch. 😊
The Bailey Building And Loan was making some money, George was able to pay himself a $45 per week salary, which wasn't nothing back then. They just considered Peter Bailey, and George also, not good businessmen because they didn't get rich off their business dealings. They could have exploited people, charging 2x as much for the houses they built, and took advantage of people who had fallen on hard times, but didn’t. It didn't make them rich in money, but rich in life 😊
You said "thankfully he still has his clothes" hahaha that made me laugh out loud
Sometimes people would tie a string around their finger to remind them of something. I would put a rubber band around my wrist for the same purpose.
Most of the time, I just write down what I need to remember (if I feel I might forget).
Or, the lazier method for me is to place something in a weird location. For example, I'll put a bottle on the floor, in a place where people would think, "Why is there a bottle there?", and then associate the bottle with what I need to remember 😂. It works if the thing you need to remember is a one-time thing.
To my big brother George, the richest man in town.
Thank you for your thoughtful reviews
Thanks for your lovely reaction. Season’s greeting to all!
The movie really does make the details count. For instance, during the poisoned medicine scene, George walks in on his dad and Potter clashing. George stands up to Potter. This all helps draw the characters and foreshadows how their lives will play out. A lesser movie might have simply had the dad be too busy to help him and the people at the savings and loan might have just told him to go away. One thing about this movie always makes me laugh, Uncle Billy being allowed to handle thousands of dollars. I get that he's family and they want to be respectful, but are they crazy?
Actually, this was only a couple years before Rope.
Oh yeah, it is. I thought of Vertigo and Rear Window, but forgot about Rope 😂
Not just for Christmas! Every story depends on its villain and mr Potter is a great villain.
Yes, some US states do have laws against suicide even to this day.
The one character who wound up much better off in alternative Pottersville NY was Mary Hatch--she was a public librarian, a spinster with of course no husband and no four kiddos.
Well, I'm sure she was happier with George and the kids.
The happiest person in alternative Pottersville would be Mr. Potter, if he's capable of being "happy".
In a way this is the very first twilight zone episode
Thank you for your thoughtful reaction!
Great reaction !
❤ Thank you !
You’ve got to watch « You Can’t Take It with You », same director also starring James Stewart and Samuel Hinds (Pa Bailey) and you’ll find out how sweet and gentle Lionel Barrymore (Potter) can be !
Greetings from France 🇫🇷
I'll add it to my list. Thanks for your suggestion! 😊
Yes!!!
I forgot : H. B. Warner (Gower) is in that movie, too.
The end of Its A Wonderful Life is exactly what Christ wanted for us. That is heaven on earth. Think about it. George even turns the other cheek by yelling, "Merry Christmas Mr. Potter!"
The greatest, most timeless movies have what can be considered the greatest endings in film history. Thats Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Titanic, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz and Its A Wonderful Life.
I have a few of these movies on my list. I'll add the rest 😉. Thanks for sharing!
Merry Christmas henryellow
Merry Christmas! 😊
Its A Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie ever made, its the greatest Christian movie this side of The Passion. This movie shows us how wonderful a true Christian society can be. And then Its A Wonderful Life shows you the flipside, which we live in Pottersville.
James Stewart, my all time favorite actor in most every genre except musicals❣️
Keep up the good work. Your reactions are heartfelt, interesting, and touching!!!! Thank you for spending your time with us in an entertaining and enjoyable way!!! Love from Canada!!!
Thank you! I'm happy to hear that you enjoy them 😊
His stand-off attitude when visiting Mary after his brother returned from college had nothing to do with Mary. It was just a bit earlier that same day that he realized that his life long dreams had just been crushed, which is obviously what was occupying his every thought and emotion at the time, romance being the farthest thing from his mind at the time….. Pay Attention 😊
“Pay attention”?? Dude!
~ Relax, it was an intended to be good natured “pay attention” quip, hence the smiley face 😊
Wonderful reaction to a classic movie!
Great reaction and Merry Christmas to you as well thank you
Good people, doing good things, in a good way is the fuel that keeps the bad guys in check...even if it is just a YT channel.
The building and loan will be taking a small cut, and charging interest. They'll be making enough money to keep going, and pay those who work there enough to live off, but they won't be making the kind of exhorbitant, crushing (to customers) profits that Potter (or in fact most modern banks) would make. So to Potter they're 'not making any money'.
Suicide used to be a crime in many places. If you tried and were unsuccessful, you could be prosecuted for 'attempted self-murder' in the US and UK (UK that changed in the 60s, not sure about when in the US). It's where the phrase to 'commit suicide' (like to 'commit murder') comes from.
That makes sense. I took "not making any money" literally.
Quite interesting to find out suicide was illegal 😂
I celebrate Christmas because Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas. What a classic and I love what you said. Thanks.
Watch this one every Christmas with the family :)
wheres ma clothes.. wheres ma clothes...what the sam hills going on here?!!!
You have my vote !! Merry Christmas !!
WOW KID , I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THESE REACTIONS MANY WONDERFULL ONES, BUT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED THE THREE YEAR CONTRACT POTTER OFFERED AFTER THE CONTRACT HE WAS GOING TO THROW GEORGE IN THE STREETS, GREAT REACTION👍👍👍
good job. thanks
VE victory in Europe (nazis) VJ victory in Japan