Sometime around 1965, I was hanging out at my Grandmother's house in Paterson, New Jersey. I think it was during the school Christmas break. It was the late afternoon, and I was channel surfing, to the limited extent one could back in 1965. Actually, since I was in the NY metroplotian area, that did mean a serious number of viewing options for those pre-cable times. I had my choice of channels 2 (CBS), 4 (NBC), 5 (WNEW), 7(ABC), 9 (WOR), 11(WPIX), and 13 (which was the "educational station" but I cannot remember the call letters).
Anyway, I ended up on Channel 5. And there was a movie starting. Might as well watch this, I thought. The movie? Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life."
From the start, something felt different about this movie. The acting seemed less like acting. There was an authenticity to the kids in the very beginning scenes that rang truer than any other movie kids I had seen--'ceptin' maybe those Little Rascals. And that scene with the druggist Mr. Gower. Nowadays I can't even get past that sequence without crying. But even back in my little 13 yr old head, that was powerful stuff.
And so began the tradition of loving one particular movie for a very long time. My husband did not see the film until we were both married for quite a spell. Needless to say, he loved it. And he cried, especially at the end. In fact, no matter how many times we watch the film (and we have seen it a gazillion times) he ALWAYS cries at the end. Such a sentimentalist. Gotta love him.
Because I love this movie so (especially the character of George Bailey who, time after time, thwarts his own dreams for the greater good of Bedford Falls and those he loves), I was saddened to see it fall into disregard for a spell--put down as corny and cliche ridden, and even --aack!--colorized! One extended family member who shall live in infamy, actually went so far as to say that the God-awful "A Christmas Story" was the new holiday classic. BLECH! That overgrown TV movie, poorly acted (does one stupid commercial really qualify a Messy Marvin to be anything other than a Messy Marvin?) and filled to the brim with one glaring anachronism after another, should be relegated to the bargain bins at Walmart, if that. But "Life?" Nothing comes close to it. It rightly deserves permanent placement on the pedestal that many of us have placed it on.
And so, in this morning's NYTimes, there is a great piece by someone who gives "It's a Wonderful Life" the same high regard as my husband and I. Check out Wendell Jamieson's take on the movie, including his very funny analysis of what he thinks it REALLY all means. So--maybe "Pottersville" would have been a lot better an end to BedFord Falls than we thought? Hmmm. I'll have to ponder that notion. In the meantime, I will try to watch the film as before, although, I am not sure I can ever look at Bert and Ernie the same way again after reading his take on those two.
Jamieson adds a few nice details that many of us LIFE junkies already know about the film, like the fact at good old Our Gang Alfalfa was the guy who made the dance floor turn into the swimming pool at Harry's HS graduation. In a recent deluxe DVD version I purchased, there is a section filled with additional details, like how they made all that snow, and the fact that James Stewart did that very romantic scene with Donna Reed and the phone call from Sam Wainwright in ONE take. There are interviews with Frank Capra, and a great many facts and figures to learn. One of the favorite things I learned, (though I do not think it was from the DVD) was that a photographer shot one of those long photos of the cast and crew of the film--the kind with hundreds of people in them--where the camera actually scans from left to right. Stewart and Capra stood at one end, and while the camera scanned the crowd, they ran like Hell to get to the other end, which meant that they were in the photo in two places. That sense of fun is right up my alley. And knowing that sort of tidbit, makes me love them and this movie all the more.
Do yourself a favor. Watch the movie. As long as your heart is not stone cold, you will enjoy it.
Happy Holidays everyone! And, more importantly, "Merry Christmas, you old Building and Loan!"
This is a wonderful post, Barb! (pun intended). I had never seen this movie until I took a film class in college, and we spent an entire quarter on the works of Jimmy Stewart. Made me really appreciate the depth and range of this exceptional actor -- how I do love Jimmy Stewart! One of the highlights of my life is that I got to meet him and ride with him in a car (en route to an awards ceremony for him) for two and a half hours. Boyoboy, was I starstruck! Anyway, "Wonderful Life" is a family tradition for us, too, and now I HAVE TO get that DVD you mentioned! Thanks for your inspiring post!
Posted by: Rebecca | December 19, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Agreed. Great movie!! FYI- I think channel 13 was (is) PBS. Check Fancast.com for free X-Mas movies and tv shows. It's a great resource especially during the holidays (when all we want to do is snuggle and watch our fav childhood movies). Happy Holidays!
Posted by: meg4fancast | December 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Rebecca, thanks for stopping by! OMG, how lucky you were to get to spend that much time with Jimmy Stewart! I think I would have just melted into the seat or passed out from terminal gushing. I'll be thinking of you when I watch IAWL this year!! Happy, Happy holidays!!
Posted by: Barbara Johansen Newman | December 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I love this movie. I do like "A Christmas Story", but I agree it's in a totally different category. :)
Posted by: Rena | December 19, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Great post! And great movie! I've watched it every year since I was in college. And absolute must during the holiday season.
BTW, I've never seen A Christmas Story.
Posted by: Vivian | December 20, 2008 at 10:50 PM