Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) is my favorite movie of all-time. I know it’s the favorite movie for countless millions of folks which is great in my book. I just know that I fell in love with it as a very young man the first time I saw it. I can’t recall exactly when but it was before my teens that’s for sure. I watch the movie every Christmas without fail. It happened during the years when the movie was played all the time during the holiday season because of a copyright mixup which allowed all stations to play if for free any time they wanted. That’s no longer the case which is why we only get to see it once a year now on commercial television. Thank goodness for DVD’s.
The story becomes even more special and meaningful to me as I get older. I understand it more as I go through the different stages that George Bailey did in the movie. I too had incredible hopes and dreams to build giant skyscapers, bridges a mile-long, travel and “SEE THE WORLD!” However, things happen and life throws us some curveballs that lead us in another direction. Ultimately, we must realize that the most important things in life aren’t those childhood dreams but our family and friends. As Clarence said after getting his wings, “Remember George, No man is a failure who has friends”. How true is that!
I love everything the movie stands for. Not just about family and friends but also about the bigger picture such as community, country and even mankind itself. It starts appropriately in space and slowly zooms in increasingly closer to examine all of those elements. I see a lot of parallels to what’s going on right now online as large groups of people are making friends and building communities. It’s like we’re got a Bailey Brothers Building and Loan and we’re building Bailey Parks in this virtual Bedford Falls community. It’ truly is a wonderful life online and offline.
Here are some great video clips from the movie as well as the entire movie. They include:
The theatrical trailer
The Full length movie
Documentary about James Stewart called “A Wonderful Life” hosted by Johnny Carson
A review of the movie that discusses the darker aspects of the wonderful film
The George Lasso’s moon scene where they make a wish
The Making of It’s a Wonderful Life
The most romantic love scenes ever was the phone scene where George reluctantly agrees to speak to Mary’s boyfriend Sam “Hee Haw” Wainright. Legend has it that they did the scene in ONE take! Pure cinematic magic!
Note: I couldn’t find a short clip of another one of my favorite scenes. I just love it when Donna Reed as a little girl leans over and whispers “George Bailey, I’ll love you till the day I die”. Always gets me every time.
