No. 11 -
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Where wishes come true... where angels are
real... The greatest gift of all... is right at home.
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance)
Director: Frank Capra; Screenplay: Frances Goodrich, Albert
Hackett, Frank Capra, Jo Swerling
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed,
Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Ward
Bond, Frank Faylen, Gloria Grahame
Movie Introduction:
This film follows the everyday life of one common man, George Bailey. Like
most of us, he’s a good, ambitious young fellow who wants to see the
world and build things. However, through no fault of his own, every
time he prepares to leave his home town of Bedford Falls, a calamity befalls him or his
family. This in turn forces him to stay home and keep the family business,
the Bailey
Building and Loan Company, up and running. When his
business misplaces $8,000 dollars, all his frustrations come to a head
and he decides to take his own life so that his family can collect the
insurance money. Above an icy river, George jumps. Luckily his guardian
angel steps in…
Defining Moment:
the death of Mr. Bailey
When George's father
unexpectedly dies, the
bank board holds a meeting to discuss the future of the Building and
Loan. Old Man Potter has long awaited this event to finally get his
hands on the business, a competitor, and shut it down. Of course, George as
just about to
leave town for college. In the board meeting, thing appear to be
settled. George starts packing up paperwork, when Potter delivers a
snide comment that insults Mr. Bailey and
his legacy. This prompts the meek George to finally stand up to the
sinister curmudgeon
in one of film's great speeches. (Watch
the scene here on YouTube).
After George exits the
boardroom, a board member bursts out and reveals the good news! The board has
voted against Potter, but only if George foregoes college and stays on
to run the business. Once again, George is kept in town, unable to
pursue his own aspirations.
Something subtle you might have missed: Bert the cop
There is always something about
Bert the cop that intrigues me. Played by long-time character actor Ward
Bond, Bert is like a rock; always there. Even in the alternate
storyline, Bert remains the same man. Regardless of George Bailey, or
Potter, Bert stands tall, even when the town Pottersville, and populated
by sleazy nightclubs.
Memorable Quotes:
"What do you
want, Mary? Do you want the moon? If you want it, I'll throw a lasso
around it and pull it down for you. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll
give you the moon, Mary." - George Bailey
"Potter isn't
selling. Potter's buying! And why? Because we're panicking and he's not.
That's why. He's picking up some bargains. Now, we can get through this
thing all right. We've got to stick together, though. We've got to have
faith in each other." - George Bailey
Dad's Review:
This review
will be a quick one. If you are alive and have not seen this film at
least once, you must be a bear in a cave, and may I add a very grumpy
old bear.
This wonderful
Frank Capra holiday film hits every person right in the gut. It asks the
painful question, "What is the value I am adding by being here?"
If you are
asking yourself, that... STOP! You are important. You are loved.
The world is better with you here. So, now that we have that straight,
go out and do something with yourself! Just pick something, ANYTHING,
and go! Make your mom, or your granddad,
or your friend, or yourself proud. I'm telling you, I am already rooting
for you!
This film's purpose it to get you, the viewer, to appreciate the life you
have, not some fictitious other-life you think you might have
had. The great golf coach Harvey Penick said this in his Little Red
Book: "You know why your practice swing was perfect? Because you didn't
actually hit a ball." Strive mightily to find the things, big or
small, that are good in your life. I'll bet they're there. Try hard.
Then, if you don't like your situation, change it if you can. Every job
change I made scared the crap out of me, but I was glad I did it. We
benefit from change, and overcoming obstacles - it's what builds our
confidence.
For more
insights as to why this film impacts me so, check out my essay "i
needed George's redemption".
Onto No. 12...Frozen North Dakota |