I still have a soft spot for the 1962 Mister Magoo version. :-)
Not only is it a surprisingly good rendering of the classic story, but it was my first introduction to it as a child.
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Posted on 11/30/2004 7:18:48 AM PST by nypokerface
It may be a great movie but it has the worst stereotype of a librarian that I've ever seen. I'm a librarian and I truly hate the portrayal of the fate of George Bailey's wife had George not existed. It's disgusting.
And overall the movie is depressing. George in reality is a frustrated, unfulfilled dreamer who has carried self-sacrifice to an extreme to please others. The uplifting ending is the only thing that saves it.
But the article is mostly correct. Other than this movie, Christmas Story and maybe A Santa Claus, there hasn't been a decent Christmas movie released in decades.
The dark hues are what it give it texture and the unique place it holds. It really is just as much of a film moir as anything else.
I have the "lamp" in my home office. My oldest son gave it to me and My wife's reaction to it is the same as the wife in the movie.
I still have a soft spot for the 1962 Mister Magoo version. :-)
Not only is it a surprisingly good rendering of the classic story, but it was my first introduction to it as a child.
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Another true classic. Not only was this "the first Waltons movie", but it was just a standalone TV movie originally (not a pilot, and not a movie "special" spun off from a series). But it touched so many people that the public wanted to spend more time with this special family, in that special time and place, and the Waltons TV series was subsequently made in order to fill it.
The couple has a small child for kids to identify with, and the angel whips up some mighty entertaining miracles — like decorating the Christmas tree with the wave of his hands.
My favorite miracle Dudley pulls is the automatically refilling brandy decanter. And all ladies know- if we ever did see an angel, he'd look just like Cary Grant!
I saw it too, and it is just wonderful no matter how many times they show it. They just don't make "em like that anymore!
Just thinking about the scene where young George sees the telegram saying Mr. Gower's son has died, then realizing the old man has accidently put poison in the prescription.
How he tries his hardest to do the right thing, and then withstands being beaten by Mr. Gower while trying to tell him. And how poor old Mr. Gower realizes his mistake, and how he and George embrace emotionally, sobbing together...
One of several outstanding, poignant scenes.
Don't forget, "We're no Angels" with Bogart, and Aldo Ray
as escaped Devil's Island prisoners with hearts of gold.
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