It's A Wonderful Movie

Christmas comes but once a year, and viewing Christmas movies is a tradition among many people. One of the most popular Christmas films is "It's A Wonderful Life."

James Stewart stars as George Bailey who wishes to commit suicide after company funds for the struggling family owned business and loan are misplaced and George feels that all is lost. He is saved by his guardian angel named Clarence Oddbody who proceeds to show George Bailey what life in his little town of Bedford Falls would be like if George had never been born.

The movie didn't garner much box office when released in 1946, but today is regarded as a classic film. "It' A Wonderful Life" was nominated for best picture and Stewart was nominated for best actor. The Best Years Of Our Lives took the prize for best film, and Fredric March won the best actor award for the same movie.

This was James Stewart's first movie after his service in WWII. He served as a pilot of a B-24 bomber flying missions out of England. He stayed in the Air Force reserve and rose to the rank of Brigadier General.

Donna Reed stars as Mary Hatch who had a crush on George Bailey as a young girl,and becomes his wife. Those who are over fifty might remember the Donna Reed Show which started in 1959 and ran for several years.

Lionel Barrymore plays Henry F. Potter the mean spirited millionaire who wishes to control the town. He was wheelchair bound in the latter part of his career due to severe arthritis.

Beulah Bondi is George Bailey's mother. She played James Stewart's mother in three previous films including "The Gorgeous Hussy"-1936 and "Of Human Hearts"-1938. She was nominated for best supporting actress for both of these movies.

This classic Christmas movie was directed by Frank Capra, who directed Stewart before in "You Can't Take It With You"-1938 and in "Mr.Smith Goes To Washington"-1939which brought Stewart a best actor nomination. Capra was known for populist films in which an ordinary man embraces the norm, only to rebel against establishment when unpleasant truths are revealed to him. Some critics dubbed his films "Capra-corn".

Although this is considered a Christmas movie, it was filmed in the midst of a heat wave on a Hollywood studio lot. It was the first movie to use artificial snow. Previous films used corn flakes painted white.

In one of the scenes of "It's A Wonderful Life", George is at the dinner table dinner table engaging in discussion with his father. If you listen closely during the dialogue, a child can be heard crying briefly.

On the wall in George Bailey's office in the building & loan there is framed quote on the wall in the background which reads: All you can take away is all that can be given away.

If this is one of your favorite Christmas movies then there is always something you can take from it. Imagine what life would be like it you had never been born.