25 Greatest Christmas Films: #1 — ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
by John NolteThere aren’t many films that transcend their art and time and generations. A box-office disappointment when released, It’s A Wonderful Life was so forgotten its copyright lapsed causing it to be looped endlessly on small independent television stations everywhere desperate for free programming. Inevitably this forgotten classic was rediscovered by a new generation. A generation under siege by a film industry that now scoffs at such simplistic ideas as reminding us of the rich benefits that can be reaped by our own simple human decency.
Fifteen-years ago it was all the rage to worship It’s A Wonderful Life, and then the inevitable backlash began by the contrary-is-cool crowd and those offended by spiritualism and sentiment. Whatever. All I know is that after dozens of viewings each new one is like the first and without fail the story stays with me for days.
And who are we to argue with time? Like Beethoven and Sinatra, the story of a good man blinded by disappointment, driven to suicide, and saved by God’s grace will live for as long as there’s a civilization. Because the message is about the simplest and yet most important of things — it’s about why when things are at their worst that’s the most important time to step outside the hurly burly of life’s setbacks and inventory our blessings.
It’s A Wonderful Life is about perspective.
George Bailey wants to shake the dust of Bedford Falls off his shoes and stake a place in the world in order to validate his existence through the building of bridges and monuments. Constantly thwarted by his own decency and love for a beauty who looks just like Donna Reed, he never goes anywhere, and instead grudgingly spends his life engaged in a bitter war of attrition with Old Man Potter to keep a crummy old savings and loan afloat. So blinded is George Bailey by life’s misfortunes, he never notices the monuments he’s erected inside those around him through the trust and dignity and friendship he offers in the small homes he builds. And that blindness nearly costs him his life.
Imagine a man like George Bailey; a man with a town full of faithful friends eager to show their gratitude for his lifetime of decency and generosity of spirit… Imagine how blind he must be to think he has nowhere to turn other than to the bottom of that cold black river.
You can watch the film and marvel in its perfect script, unrivaled series of iconic scenes, and the towering performance given by Mr. Stewart… And you can watch the final scene set in a modest living room filled with family and loved ones and realize, just like George finally does, that it’s all up to us, that a chance at a wonderful life is almost always within our own grasp.
George Bailey’s dark and desperate path to that realization is a reminder that our own blessings are not found in the world or given to us by others, but rather in who we are and what we’re capable of as God’s creatures. Everything that matters and that is beautiful in life costs nothing more than what we’re born with: our ability to be decent and gracious and kind to one another.
There’s nothing wrong with building monuments and bridges and having goals and ambition, but what does any of that matter if you can’t fill a living room with family and loved ones?
God sent Clarence to give George a long slow look around, and in that respect It’s A Wonderful Life is our own guardian angel… Making it the greatest Christmas movie of all time by a pretty wide margin.
Merry Christmas.
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197 Comments
Wonderfully put Mr. Nolte. Best to you and yours.
I always saw George Bailey as the yang to Richard Cory's yin. (I'd recommend the poem to you, but Edwin Arlington Robertson doesn't provide much of a good read this time of year.)
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So, the movie was a box office failure and even its copyright lapsed? In that sense, the film itself went through a George Bailey journey. It seemed to hit rock bottom. But it was a blessing in disguise. Its message is part of the Culture, a reminder about the important things in life that is brought up at the most introspective time of the year. Funny how things work out, eh?
Couldn't have said it better myself! Merry Christmas!
Sorry, but while a fine film, this is not a "Christmas" movie, this is merely a movie whose conclusion takes place at Christmas. It should have been first in the list of films that take place during Christmas. And "Miracle on 34th Street" should have been #1 on this list.
Like "A Christmas Story" this was a film that took a while to find its audience. I didn't get a chance to see it until I was in college and only watched it then because I had heard the plot described in a book I had read about Frank Capra and thought it sounded like a neat film.
Not to sure I get the idea of leaving the movie at that point. That is at the height of frustration and desperation, the feeling of a life wasted that everything after puts in it's proper light. Why did your friend do that and why would you love it? Sorry if I am missing something here.
A wonderful movie, and regardless of it’s original intent, not a Christmas movie, perfectly punctuates what’s important in life, family and friends!
Merry Christmas!
I've followed this thread since the beginning and can honestly say I've never seen any of the movies mentioned, but enjoyed it anyhow.
It's a very nice movie full of great "corny" but essential American values that I enjoy watching this season. Jimmy Stewart was a terrific actor and real life person to boot. Donna Reed also make the movie even more enjoyable to watch.
But, as any conservative (and maybe even liberal) banking and finance instructor will tell you these days, what Jimmy tries to do in the movie is exactly what BHO is trying to do, pour the depositors' funds (our funds) into what are essentially inefficient situations that should be allowed to go bankrupt and reorganize instead of keeping them afloat at depositors' (taxpayers' in BHO's case) expense.
Sorry to be a curmudgeon, but beyond the beautiful message of kindness and humanity in the movie, that is the economic reality.
Very well put!
One of my favorite moments is at the very beginning of the film, when the angels are conversing. It goes something like:
Angel: You must go to earth to help George Bailey.
Clarence: What's wrong? Is he sick?
Angel: Worse. He's despairing.
Great moment which sums up two opposing views of humanity. Clarence's instinct is that a man's problems must be material, but the head Angel knows that man's worst problems are spiritual.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
ISAIAH 9:6
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. To all atheists, agnostics, and eggnoggers, please feel free to contact me directly about the truth of the Bible and our Lord Jesus. For everyone else: stay safe, don't imbibe too much, no anger at the family table!
Love It's a Wonderful Life. It's been said of Frank Capra that to get to the happy ending, you have to let him hit you in the stomach a couple of times. Another Capra classic I recommend this time of year: Meet John Doe.
"Everything that matters and that is beautiful in life costs nothing more than what we’re born with: our ability to be decent and gracious and kind to one another.
It's early Christmas morning and, before I tuck into the turkey and mashed potatoes, I logged on to read John's Christmas words above. How perfect for Christ's birthday. Merry Christmas and God bless!
Excellent list of Christmas favorites with "It's a Wonderful Life" rightly at the top of that list. Thanks for your series. It was most interesting and entertaining.
I was in college the first time I saw this movie. It came along at a time when I was unsure of my own future and helped get me through a difficult time. Since then, my appreciation of it has only grown.
Now I can't watch the first sixty seconds of it without dissolving into sobs and tears. I love every moment of it.
Hmmm…
A great many lives were, indeed, enriched by George Bailey…unless, of course, you were Mr. Potter.
As I remember, were it not for George, the Savings and Loan would have collapsed, removing any competition from Mr. Potter's big business monopoly. Thus, the poor citizens of Bedford Falls would have had no place to turn to for a loan and would have been forced to live a hopeless life in one of Mr. Potter's shack's. Ultimately, this would lead to a spiral of divorce, drunkenness, insanity and moral decay. (Though I must admit, Pottersville seemed like a pretty swingin' town.)
Then again, without George, I guess that there would have been no need for the Bedford Falls population to pitch in and bail out the Savings and Loan, so they had that going for them at least.
Merry Christmas and God bless us, every one!
P.S. Things did not work out as well for Nick the Bartender either.
There is a singular, huge, unmissable difference between George Baker and Barack Obama: George is a businessman, working in a very small town, and he KNOWS the people he's dealing with and they know him. He is doing with his building and loan's money what he thinks is best for the company and its customers. The same goes for Potter. Both strategies work. Thugament involvement? Zero.
President Oreo's communism is foreign to both men.
John, you missed the main point of the movie which is that the beauty and power of life is the effect it has on other lives. This is what makes this movie one of the greatest movies ever made and not just the greatest Christmas movie ever made.
Thank you very much for the list and I hope you have a great Christmas with your family. All my best and on to 2010.
Aloha and Merry Christmas to the Nolte Family.
Get rested. The endurance to thrive in 2010 with be great.
It does stretch the limits of suspension of disbelief to assume Bedford Falls would have become one big red light district if George had gone off to college instead of Bailey-ing out the old Building and Loan.
Have to disagree, Maggio. The purpose of the Savings and Loan is to provide funding for the building of housing for an area. The value of the housing was greater than the amount owed, both individually and collectively. It was the 'run' on the banks due to 'panic' that created the problem. George's ability to get most of the people to hold to the purpose and the commitment is what 'saved' the S & L. The operation was not ineffiecent. It was based upon a community holding together and not operating like the current federal goivernment and in particular this administration.
George Bailey led a revolt of normal hard-working americans against a giant monopoly willing to lie, steal and bend the law, led by a power-mad fool blinded to everything but his own greedy desire to control everything and build a momument to his own importance, changing the name of the town from Bedford Falls to "Obamaville'….no "Potterville".
No matter how many times I watch it, from the moment George begs for his life back to the ringing of the bell, I am a sobbing mess.
It´s not unusual. Same thing happened when Biff stole the sports almanac in Back to he Future II.
It's a Wonderful Life is an enduring work filled with iconic moments, scenes and lines. It would be my top pick also.
The contrarian nature of the rest of this list of twenty five left me thinking there aren't 25 great Christmas movies. (And Christmas Vacation at number 4? C'mon..no way.) 10 versions of Dicken's? Just pick the best one and we're down to 15. And why is The Lion in Winter, which is about a familial love at the Christmas Court in Chignon 1183 not on this list? It blows the hell out of at least 10 of these choices.
Or when Kirk "allowed" Joan Collins to get run over that episode of Star Trek.
Fed up with "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas? Check out this politically INcorrect Christmas song at: http://www.myspace.com/rogerweber
Fight against the War on Christmas!! It's a ho ho ho lot of fun.
Isn't that skit one of the few Dennis Miller participated in?
And what of Potter?
Remember, this whole horrible turn of events started when Potter kept the $8,000 USD that belonged to the Building and Loan, not because the Bailey's were irresponsible…
This business was operated more like the modern Credit Union…and none of them failed during the 20's-30's bank runs…
Merry Christmas everyone! Great choice for # 1.
And like all such fantasies it's emotional power carries us along. Despite knowing better. So I only ask-
There’s nothing wrong with building monuments and bridges and having goals and ambition, but what does any of that matter if you can’t fill a living room with family and loved ones?
Why if in a real world that tears down its monuments and bridges, would not the whole family face despair? We love our George who lost his way but why do we feel the tug to deny the dreams? And if those dreams are not to matter what will our newly found George come to teach his children???
The Lion in Winter is probably my top movie, arguably it has the greatest dialog of any movie, and it was (is) a superb screenplay. However, when I think of Christmas-themed movies, it does not leap out at me. Same way Die Hard didn’t, and shouldn’t, make this list, for although both movies are set during Christmas time their themes hold something different from Yuletide cheer and comfort.
In fact, as part of our Christmas tradition, "I'ts a Wonderful Life" was in the player last night…
Merry Christmas, everyone…!!
Maggio, you are wrong. The reason you are wrong exemplifies the difference between government and individuals. George and the people who believe in him are individuals and they choose to do what they do because they want to, not because the Federal Government and BHO decide to do it with our money. In laissez faire capitalism (which hasn't existed since at least Roosevelt’s' day – TR not FDR) individuals have the opportunity to be the master of their own destiny, not the slave to the whims of those who have never even responsible for a donut shop.
The same holds true for 'A Christmas Story'. I can accept a parent’s choice to not allow a child to have a BB gun or hand gun, but not a Big Brother – Nanny State leader.
People should be free to make their choices – limited only by the minimal control of the state.
However, I bid you a Merry Christmas and Finest Festivus.
You’re not alone. I’ve never been too keen on a Wonderful Life, particularly as a “Christmas” Movie, due party because I find Kapra’s depiction of people to be overtly cynical, and as well as some of the reasons you mention.
One disagreement, however, Mary wears glasses in the alternate universe because as an old maid she probably spends too much of her time reading instead of having fun with George and producing kids… well you get my drift.
Movies from the thirties 4%.
Movies from the seventies and nineties 12% respectively.
Movies from the fifties 16%.
Movies from the eighties 24%.
Movies from the forties 32%.
Not one movie from the last decade, priceless.
Is there any cultural significance to these numbers? It's beyond my to determine that.
Merry Christmas everyone.
It's a Wonderful Life is a Christmas movie. I say that, because what is Christmas but a time when God gave his son to us and the world. The best present anyone could have. Like George Bailey, we (the world) have a second chance offered to us. Like George, we have done nothing to merit it. It is God's free gift to humanity, ours to accept or reject.
George like many us place's his faith and trust in the wrong things, material things. Fortunately for George his entire life he has served others over his own interests. It takes an angel to show George the things of real value in his life by showing him what a difference he made in other peoples life's by his actions.
The real message of Christmas is not in the presents (giving or getting), decorations, traditions and food. But in the love and friendship we have with our family and friends. To live every day as Christmas is to give of ourselves freely as God gave to us without reservation. To say a kind word where one is needed, to listen intently when an ear is needed, to hold a door for someone encumbered.
Exactly. See? Happens all the time. You saw it with your own eyes.
You're not the only one, I just hate to crap on people's Christmas cornflakes, but since you went first…;-D
It's funny, because the message is very similar to the Wizard of Oz, i.e. that you already have everything you need at home, you're just to thick to realize it, but if Dorothy had never ventured forth, her friends would still be trapped and Munchkinland would still be in thrall to two evil dictators, so getting out of the ol' hometown is still a good thing. But whereas I can watch that forever, IAWL is just too saccharine for me, even though I enjoy most Capra-corn. And the horrible alternative futures for the women: Spinster Librarian! Harlot! It doesn't take feminist sensitivity to think this is a bit much–are these really the only alternatives women had to marriage, even then? While I sniffle happily through the ending of "Miracle on 34th Street" every time (and even that damn Drummer Boy) I just have never fallen in love with IAWL. And put me down for a condo in Potterville instead of Bedford Falls.
Not a problem! Had the Building and Loan gone under, Obama could have stepped in and privatized it!
Wiki-
"Liberty's first release, It's a Wonderful Life, in November 1946, was a financial failure. Although it was in the top 7% of that year's films as ranked by box office gross, it was unable to recoup its high production cost of $2.3 million,[17] much less show a profit."
So, in clarification, IAWL had been popular with the public, but lost money due to it's high production costs.
Also the film came out very late in 1946 – a film with a Christmas theme in time for Christmas. But what happened in 1947? The holidays were over. Did people still want to go see an 'out-of-date' film? I would say no and I bet it's popularity dropped like a stone and it's initial release came to an abrupt end. Was there ever a theatrical re-release?
Hmmmmmmm………Paramount Pictures bought Liberty Films in May of 1947. No way to tell w/o finding out if it ever had a re-release.
So many factors contributed to the obscurity of the film.
I have come to think of this also as a story of a man's love for, and devotion to his father. And this too helps make it a wonderful Christmas film. Today we celebrate the birth of a man whose life was lived completely in service to His Father. George did indeed build monuments and bridges, just not the ones he envisioned. And the impact one has is often not realized. A simple life, lived properly can have monumental reach.
Merry Christmas Mr. Nolte, Mr. Breitbart, and all my fellow "Big" participants.
That is the problem with our human nature. We are tempted to tire of the simple and the beautiful and seek more only to find that once again what we truly want and need is found in the timeless truths that have as their source He who is the reason for this season. My only advice is that if your analysis makes you cynical, skip the analysis. Merry Christmas.
It made me laugh to think that someone would turn off the movie right before Bailey begins his reawakening. I loved that this person took it upon himself to alter the work of art that way. Because e all know how it turns out, and this friend of mine is very cynical!
I don't think of IAWL as a "Christmas" movie per se because Christmas was the day on which the miracle occurred — it had nothing to do with the celebration. The whole series of events leading to George's thoughts of suicide began with Uncle Billy's mistakenly handing Potter $8000 of the BB&L's cash in that newspaper — that could have happened anytime. But it is my favorite movie of all-time for three reasons — it's almost perfect script and flawless execution by all actors, not just Stewart, Reed, Travers, etc., the reminder of the positive effect we have on others' lives we often overlook because we are wallowing in our own unrealized potential, and it's anti-suicide message. A long time ago, I learned from surviving loved ones that 99.9% of the time, suicide is a selfish act — the dead person's pain and anguish is gone, but it gets spread to all the people who will wonder until they die if there was something they could have done or said that would have prevented it. (That percentage goes up to 100% for people who commit murder-suicides.)
"There’s nothing wrong with building monuments and bridges and having goals and ambition, but what does any of that matter if you can’t fill a living room with family and loved ones?"
Truer words were never spoken Mr. Nolte.
Haha — I don't remember! All I can see in my mind's eye is Dana Carvey kicking Ol' Potter on the ground!
It was pretty clear that IAWL would be at the top of the list, but it's absolutely the right choice. Maybe not everyone's been driven to the brink of suicide, but who hasn't ever wondered if they made a difference or forgotten to count their blessings in a moment of despair?
The only thing I have to add is that it's worth taking the time to see it on the big screen if you get the opportunity. A couple of weeks ago, I dragged myself out of my apartment on a cold, rainy afternoon to watch it at a movie theater, and even though I'd seen the movie before, I was totally blown away by seeing it on the big screen for the first time.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Remember that Violet Bick was more than just the town tramp, she was a small business owner. Remember the scene when those two twitchy, anxious guys are waiting for her after she closed up her beauty salon, and she blew them off when she saw George walking alone?
Presumably, the reason why she was able to open her own shop was because she didn't have to pay the exhorbitant rent to Old Man Potter, even though she couldn't keep things going in the end. Given the alternate situation in which she had to scrape for an existence, well, we saw her being dragged out of the Dime-a-Dance joint into the paddy wagon, screaming about her "connections."
I remember that SNL skit. Great cast and very funny back then…..unlike the sneering creeps they have on there now.
You are lucky to have so much sense at 26, it took me until my 30's to wise up. Good for you!
Merry Christmas
Always loved this movie. When I was older and learned that it was produced and released in 1946, my appreciation for it increased. The message of hope and love to a country that had gone from a depression into the most destructive war in the history of mankind still amazes me. Today, we will watch this movie and even though people these days talk with such despair, we'll remember "It's a Wonderful Life." Thanks John.
So for the first time in our lives we watched the colorized version of this film.
HUGE mistake … for some reason ALL the magic of this film is sucked out by the addition of color … by the end of it we decided we hated George and thought he was a whiny punk with an anger management problem and didn't really care if he lived, died or went to jail.
Apparently the softer look of B&W hid all this from us. Some things cannot be unseen.
Frank,
Did he really miss the point you mention?
"Everything that matters and that is beautiful in life costs nothing more than what we’re born with: our ability to be decent and gracious and kind to one another."
I think he nailed the "effect it has on other lives" angle, just like he nailed the essential appeal of the other movies he covered in this amazing series.
You know, of all the joys of Big Hollywood, my favorite is hearing Deep Thoughts about film from guys on OUR side of the aisle, without the movies being filtered through the fun-house mirror of a shallow liberal worldview. For us to receive a massive collection of twenty-five mini-essays on great Christmas movies, plus twenty-five Open Thread vignettes — pictures, songs, movie clips — to inspire us throughout the holiday season, was just about the best Christmas present I got this year. I'm looking forward to tracking down the movies I haven't seen and revisiting the ones I have.
This series really made the month of December shine and sparkle. It was a little shot of joy and sanity each and every day, while all around us the usual maelstrom of government malfeasance, anti-Christmas hate-mongering, and mass-media stupidity raged. A true blessing.
[...] Life last night for the first time in several years. Justly rated the #1 Christmas movie by Nick Nolte, it is truly a wonderful film–yes, I cried–and Jimmy Stewart’s performance really sells the [...]
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Always thought Carpa and Stewart had a good bit of a joke with George not being able to serve in Worl War II due to being deaf in one ear from his childhood accident. Yet in real life Stewart was a decorated WWII Army Air Corps brigadier general and veteran of over 20+ combat missions piloting B17s. In fact when you watched any number of WWII documentaries about the war often they had Stewart as a commentator. A great American and a great Christmas movie. Merry Christmas to one and all.
I saw this film for the first time just a few years ago. Of course I enjoyed it but I was really only familiar with the "What if George didn't exist" material and I was VERY surprised to find out that all happens near the end of the film – I honestly thought the whole movie was some sort of "alternate history" story.
And it's a testament to this film that the basic idea of "What would life be like if you were different/didn't exist/etc." has been used countless times in film and TV. Even Star Trek: TNG did an episode called "Tapestry" (written by future Galactica producer Ron Moore) where Q shows Picard what his life would be like if he didn't take risks as a youth.
And I must confess: I suppose I was part of the "too cool for school" crowd when I was younger. For my sake, I'll simply blame it on the usual teenage rebel streak and some idiot friends I had one year. Today, at the nice young age of 26 11/12, I realize a great film is a great film and an "I'm too cool for that" attitude doesn't help anything.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians didn't get to #1
Darn!
A friend of mine would watch the film up to the point at which Bailey jumped into the icy river to commit suicide, then turn off the tv. I love that! I also love the Saturday Night Live skit of the "lost" ending of the film, in which the citizens of Bedford Falls go back and beat the tar outta Old Man Potter. Merry Christmas, and thanks for a wonderful list.
Fantastic pick Mr Nolte. Truely a masterpeice for the ages. Merry Christmas
Great list Mr. Nolte: As holding with Family tradition yesterday we watched It's A Wonderful Life then after the kiddies were off to bed (or as I should say, when it was time for any kiddies to be in bed if there were any kiddies around) Alister Sim's intriguing portrayal of Scrooge Later today when relatives gather Christmas Vacation will be seen (after a few rounds of egg nog).
But to me it's not a movie list without John Wayne or John Ford (exclusion of either negates the list as a movie list. There I said it – the science is settled – and if you disagree with me then you're probably a racist) – and for a Christmas movie list that can only mean one thing: Donovan's Reef. John Ford, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Dorothy Lamour, Victor Romero, Edgar Buchanan… all is right with the world on Christmas Day when Michael Patrick 'Guns' Donovan and Thomas Aloysius 'Boats' Gilhooley are center stage, bigger than life, and spinning a yarn like only the Master, John Ford, can spin one.
For me and mine it's just not Christmas without a visit to Haleakaloha and a rousing rendition of "Pupu A'o 'Ewa" to round out the morning.
Sam Wainwright would have bought her contacts.
If…IF I were a real jaded cynic, I would observe the fact that George had all these caring friends, a loving family, nice home (with no house payment), a steady job, etc. Yet, he is miserable most of the time…surly and sullen. Remember how he talked to Zuzu's teacher? WOW! We have a word for a guy like that in my neighborhood. Yet life in Bedford Falls would have been much WORSE if he had not been born? Really? But yet he finally discovers how much his friends and family mean to him and vice versa: after they bring him a laundry basket full of cash.
I'm with you on Miracle on 34th Street. The changes in the main characters, Doris and Susan, from their former logical pragmatic outlook to their discovery of "those lovely intangibles" are much more believable to me than the "what would life had been like" perspective from IAWL.
Kris or Clarence? You make the call.
You mean un-privatized it.
Love that sketch too. And Dennis Miller was in it, he played George's brother in the navy.
I read that the director Frank Capra admitted that he got lots of complaints that Potter was not only punished for his miserly hateful ways at the end of the film but got to keep George's $5,000. His response was that Potter's punishment was not to be invited to George's party. Hardly seems enough.
Well, at the risk of being snowballed, I have to say that IAWL has reached the point of tedium for me. Yes, I too once marveled at the simplistic beauty of i's message, but now cynicism has reared its ugly head and, after the 100th viewing, I am beginning to view the movie with a somewhat jaundiced eye. Frankly, George is now a bit whiney for my tastes. Look, he made his choices and, instead of accepting the consequences, he comes off as a martyr, the victim of his family and friends. He's always down, not a pleasant person to be around. He's got two hot chicks nuts about him. He apparently has no house payment because it seems he and Mary were squatters, moving into that old abandoned house. The guy had it made, but does he care? Naw, he's too busy dreaming about building bridges in Peru. He could have made Harry stick to his original agreement…but again, he plays the martyr. Poor Mary…she put up with it for a long time. And why would she have to wear glasses if she hadn't married George? Am I the only one with questions? Am I the only heathen regarding this movie? I risk alot with this post…but methinks I'm not along.
Thanks for a wonderful tribute to "It's a Wonderful Life". My fave Christmas movie too. Great thread from the beginning. Merry Christmas to you and to all!
Thanks for an excellent list of Christmas films, some well-known, some that I had let go by over the years: I hope to watch them all some day. (I was kind of hoping to see "Die Hard" in there, but realized it didn't fit the overall mood and criteria, and someone else here did mention it the other day.)
On reading your comments about "It's a Wonderful Life," it's striking that it didn't do well at first, back in the days when George's inner misery was not socially acceptable. This isn't surprising in the generation that went through war and economic disruption and privation. You got by back then by believing in yourself, and in better days to come. It's a much more suitable movie to inspire our despairing times; but didn't the expression of George's despair in film prefigure these times? Help bring them on, that is? We just don't believe in angels any more, so this movie is really just one of this season's several "impossible" things to believe for a few days and then let go of.
Or is it? We do seem somehow to carry on…I wonder what movies from these times will someday inspire future generations. Some will. The great heart of mankind was built for hope, not despair.
As for Ford and Wayne, of the movies I've seen, I can only suggest, respectively, "The Informer," for its shocking and so-satisfying ending in the church, and "The Searchers," for the suddenness with which Ethan's heart changes, as indicating the true meaning of Christmas, without the glitter. Forgiveness and love are gifts 24/7/365.
The fact that it still can bring a tear to the eyes after all these years is a tribute to its greatness.
I finally watched this movie for the first time when I was 17 and left wondering why I didn't sit myself down and watch it sooner. I've watche it every year since. The other day my best friend said she saw this movie for the first time last year and hated it. She said it wasn't fun like other Christmas movies. It's not suppose to be fun. I told her it's about how one man's life played a big part in the lives of many. The fact George Bailey was alive and the fact he saved his brother as a child set forth a chain of events that saved many lives.He made the lives of so many people better. He was a man of principles. It took an Angel from Heaven to show this man how precious life is. My dad and I watched this movie again last week. We couldn't help but notice the resemblence between Mr. Potter and Obama/Congress. They both like to take people's money and leave them pennyless and living in slums. America needs George Bailey!
I think the best latino christmas film is " Nothing like the Holidays " with Debra Messing Alfred Molina get some tamales lechong and watch it. I may be bias
I had been reading about IAWL since the early 1960s (in SCREEN THRILLS ILLUSTRATED magazine), but it was nowhere to be found on NYC TV. Finally it turned up on channel 2, the local CBS station. They ran it at midnight w/o any fanfare. No one knew it was there and no one cared.
A Frank Capra documentary in the 1970s referred to IAWL as "half-forgotten"…and that was being generous.
The film had been produced by LIBERTY FILMS which was owned by Frank Capra and partner/s. The tangled web of the company may have lead to the copyright renewal failure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Films
I told my film fan/film student friend about the film and he watched it. He was amazed that the film was buried at midnight instead of being run at a time when the entire family could watch it.
The film continued to dwell in obscurity in the pre-video days of the 70s and and early 80s until two things occurred:
1) The copyright on the film was not renewed.
2.) The home video explosion began.
Soon IAWL was being issued by everyone who had a video company – free ride for all! One of the biggest public domain films in history.
As the film gained currency, every TV station realized that they had a free holiday classic that they could run over and over – no charge. By the time the 1990's rolled around you could see IAWL on a dozen or more cable and local stations at the very same time in different stages of the film. The film's popularity had EXPLODED and all of America found themselves a great picture that had been 'lost' up until that time.
The glory days of the free IAWL came to an end in the 90s when, IARC, the estate of the film's musical composer Dimitri Tiomkin claimed that their copyright on the music he had written for the film had not expired. The case held up in court and through some legal circumstance the rights to the film were 'reclaimed' and the only legal video distributor became Republic Home Video. Cease and desist notices were sent out to video companies and television stations to stop manufacturing the film on video and to stop showing the film on television. And that is exactly what happened.
Many of the video versions of the film were very poor quality, so – no loss to see those go. Republic had a beautiful and fully restored print of the film struck from the negative, so that was a plus.
The down side was seeing it disappear from TV again except for it's annual appearance riddled with commercials and interruptions on national NBC TV.
Such is the saga of "It's a Wonderful Life".
I see it differently. Mr. Potter is Obama/Congress and George Bailey is the honest decent people in America. There isn't a slum Congress doesn't like.
Don't suppose you have a link to that somewhere? I don't remember it and would love to see it.
I should've posted it earlier!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/4267/saturday-night-liv...
You really don't like George Bailey, do you?
My God, but that was hilarious!
It truly is A Wonderful Life…
Merry Christmas John, Mrs. Harry and everyone here at Big Hollywood!
I'm actually Jewish but thanks anyway. And Merry Christmas to you!
As for SNL, I think the current cast members are fine (especially Bill Hader and Fred Armisen) but they need to fire 99% of their writers.
It's not that I don't like him, it's just that after seeing the movie so many times, I think I see George in an entirely different light. Also, I do not equate Jimmy Stewart and George Bailey as being the same person. That seems to be a fault with a lot of film fans who believe the actor is the character. A lot of people like George because he was played by the very personable and admirable Stewart. However, George was just a role. I separate the two entities.
Ooo…it's been so long since I've seen it through, I forgot Violet had a 'legitimate' business! But I would've assumed in the alterna-verse she'd have…satisfied Old Man Potter so he'd have let her operate.
Stewart was actually superb at darker roles: remember him at the end f his rope in Liberty Valence, as well as in the Naked Spur. There was a subtle streak of crazyman in the war hero; I suspect he liked letting it loose, but seldom got the chance on screen.
Definitely Kris. But I'm of the age that I very much remember Gimbels department store, so the film has an extra level of nostalgia for me. When I was a kid growing up in NYC, a movie with Gimbels, Macys, the Thanksgiving Parade–it may as well have been a documentary!!
I've been watching the film since the latter 1960s and before the days of video, I had taped the audio track on a reel to reel tape. I watched it every year until I had seen it just a bit too many times b/c I found myself rewriting the film…which would have made it a different film.
These days, the cuteness of the kids gets to me a little ("I burped") and I wish the Potter character was a little less Scrooge like. Clarence (corny name) is a bit too silly at times for me. A few other things, but that's all. All outweighed by the many fine touches all through out the film. Great casting. Anything with Sheldon Leonard in it is jake with me…but what the heck does he say – "I don't know you from Adam's…." what? 'Off Aunt'? I dunno.
btw – Zuzu's were a brand of gingersnaps which is why Geo calls his daughter 'my little gingersnap".
IAWL is at least the second Capra film that shows a run on a financial institution during the Depression. The sequence in his AMERICAN MADNESS is frightening.
Must reading –
Capra's autobiography – THE NAME ABOVE THE TITLE.
http://www.amazon.com/Name-Above-Title-Frank-Capr...
Jeanine Basinger's "The It's a Wonderful Life Book"
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Wonderful-Life-Book/dp/...
There are a number of movies that were box office bombs, only to be appreciated many years later. Perhaps that would be a good list for John to work on?
I am the guy who thought that "A Christmas Story" came out in 1947 (in fact was originally B & W and was "colorized" in my mind so admittedly I may be working with a burned out diode or 2, but wasn't IAWL the movie where Clarence shows George what the town would have been like without him?
To me that was a powerful message telling us that no act of kindness, no matter how small, goes without doing a lot of good – for someone.
When we despair it is something that we should take on faith – what would the world be like had we not been here? "To see ourselves as others see us"….Impossible to know but something to be taken on faith.
Of course there are also those for which the world would have been better off without them
A good list of Christmas movies indeed. But one I think needs to be on the list and could replace your misguided addition of Home Alone would be the wonderful movie The Nativity. This is a great telling of the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Christ. If you have not seen it I would advise you to do so. It is well acted and very well done. A great Christmas movie indeed. And one that shows the reason for the season.
What captures my attention with this film is Donna Reed. She was an unbelievably beautiful woman.
GOTTA STICK WITH "Die Hard" followed closely by "Trading Places" for my favorite xmas flix. I'm sure IAWL is a wonderful movie, but I wonder just how many people think it's wonderful because they've been told everyone else agrees it's wonderful.
But you've never seen IAWL?
Actually…. I've always thought this film was depressing. He basically goes through life never doing what he wants to do and ends up rather miserable. I know it "sort of" ends happy but… all the depressing stuff throughout the film really kills it for me.
Miracle On 34th Street however is much happier and I prefer that to this film.
I had the same reaction when I went to see, "The Wizard of OZ"…
You were very lucky…and I envy you…
I have seen it just about every year since sometime in the 1970's. I wanted this countdown to end with "Miracle on 34th" or some other classic. After reading the review, I realize it belongs at number one. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, ever produced!
Actually, George never does jump into the icy river to commit suicide. He jumps in to save Clarence. Big difference!
I guess its not technically a Christmas movie, so not eligible for this list, but one of my top 5 Christmas movies is "The Apartment"–the office party, the bar, the "Night Before Christmas–nothing, no action", are iconic for me. And the true love that eventually wins out in the end between Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon, are in the Christmas spirit. I watch it every year at Christmas, almost as a palate-cleanser from some of the more heavy-handed movies. I agree with most of your choices, but there would seem to be room for "The Apartment" if "Susan Slept Here" makes the list as a Christmas movie.
A wonderful Christmas classic with echoes of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol". Seems all the more timely and modern with all the Mister Potter bankers we've seen of late.
http://healthjournalclub.blogspot.com/
Your critique reminds me of the sophomore who faults Shakespeare because he uses too many cliches. You forget that Capra and IAWL set the template that countless lesser lights have cloned infinatum. I recommend that next time, you watch it with a fresh set of eyes.
And your critique of my critique reminds me of the college English major who snags the plum job of reviewing movies for the campus newspaper, trusty thesaurus in hand. Yes, the template was set by IAWL: didn't Marlo Thomas do one of those cloned versions for the Lifetime Channel?
How's this for a fresh perspective? If that scurvy old spider, Mr. Potter, had never been born, he would not have been around to filch the deposit from Uncle Billy, George would have never met Clarence, Clarence would have never gotten his wings, and George would have continued along in his reverie of contempt and misery. See? The possibilities for wide-eyed "magic" are, indeed, infinatum.
Don't know what gives you your jaundiced outlook, but it makes you look at IAWL through a glass eye, darkly (Apologies to Mark Twain. Didn't even need my thesaurus for that one.)
BTW, my first exposure to IAWL was in an Engish class, in 1973, before it was rediscovered by a broader audience. This was in the dawn of the Politically Correct era, and the professor in this class was showing us this quaint old film inviting us to explore the simplistic and prejudicial stereotypes prevalent in a less enlightened era.
Didn't see anything to sneer at. What I saw was a moving fable about the difference a single man makes in the lives of those around him, told simply and profoundly. Sorry you don't see the same.
Agree with you about the Marlo Thomas version. It blew chunks big time.
Merry Christmas Mr. Nolte. Nice list. I love many of the same movies, but major bummer that you couldn't find any room on your list for any movies that actually celebrate the man without whom none of this would exist.
My number one Christmas movie would be the best telling, so far, of the birth of Jesus Christ, without whom there would be no It's a Wonderful Life, no Santa Claus, no Christmas Vacation, or any of these others. And if for that reason alone the Nativity Story belongs at #1. I know Secular-Santa-mas is much easier to stand up for than Christmas, but I suspect George Bailey would gladly step aside for the king of kings.
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