EACH DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS, WE’LL PROFILE A TITLE WORTHY OF YOUR HOLIDAY VIEWING PLEASURE.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (PG)
Article by Briana Pugh
Frank Capra is a favorite in my book. His filmography is like the numbers on a winning lottery ticket, and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is no exception. Widely unaccepted at its first release, Capra’s classic Christmas film is now, almost seventy years later, considered one of the most relevant and inspirational Christmas films of all time. If you haven’t seen it, add it to your list of must-watch Christmas movies. Even if you have seen it a million times like I have, this Christmas season, make it a million and one.
George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is a man who has given most of his life to helping the people of Bedford Falls. In spite of his dreams to travel and explore the world, he stays home to take over his father’s building and loan company. Eventually George marries the beautiful and sweet Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) and they have three children together. One Christmas Eve George’s partner and Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) misplaces $8000 of the business’ money which threatens the company with collapse and gives Potter (Lionel Barrymore), the big business bully, a hand in taking over the town.
Bailey, hanging on by a thread, decides that the town and his family would be better off without him and contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his family and friends send him an angel, Clarence (Henry Travers) who is on the verge of getting his wings, to help George see just how important he is to the lives of those around him. From the humor of the dance/pool scene and subsequent walk home to the heartfelt scene when George admits his affection for Mary, this movie literally has it all, and more.
What more can I say–but, if you haven’t seen it, watch it and if you have seen it, watch it again. Make IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE part of your Christmas celebration and you in turn will become part of the millions of people who call this Capra classic, a classic.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Day 3- DIE HARD – CLICK HERE
Day 2- ELF – CLICK HERE
Day 1- KRAMPUS – CLICK HERE
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