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Jimmy Stewart and Psalm 91
NC Register ^ | December 17, 2009 | JOSEPH PRONECHEN

Posted on 12/17/2009 3:32:58 PM PST by NYer

When it comes to a Christmastime movie, a perennial favorite of most everyone is It’s a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart made no secret it was his favorite film and favorite role as George Bailey.

The poignant slice of Americana is on the Vatican’s film list and No. 5 on the Register’s 100 best films list.

No matter how many times we watch it, the story remains fresh and remarkably uplifting. And with strong spiritual implications whose foundations were laid before filming began.

Before Stewart became George Bailey, his guardian angel surely watched over him during harrowing combat missions in World War II. When Stewart, a Presbyterian, was leaving for Air Force duty as a B-24 bomber pilot, his father slipped a copy of Psalm 91 into his uniform pocket, telling his son to pray it often — it would help him get through the war safely.

This simple incident made its way into Stewart biographies. We can only guess how many times he meditated on its verses: “You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day (verse 5) … Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come (verse 7) ... For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways (verse 11) … With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone (verse 12) ... Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high (v.14).”

Surely that little anecdote inspired many readers over the years to discover or reacquaint themselves with this uplifting Psalm of God’s protection.

Maybe Stewart whispered it to George Bailey. At a critical moment, Clarence Oddbody, AS2 (Angel, second-class) makes it clear George’s simple, ordinary life really disguised an extraordinary one. Can’t we picture George standing among the sheep, asking Jesus, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? … a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you … ill or in prison, and visit you? (Matthew 25:37-39)

And George would hear from Jesus: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine” — the people in Bedford Falls who came for help to Bailey Savings and Loan, like Ernie the cabdriver and Burt the cop and immigrant families; misguided people like Violet you helped without repayment; bumblers like Uncle Billy you treated with patience; those ill like Zuzu, whom you cheered; those whose lives you saved like Old Man Gower and your kid brother Harry; and the Bailey family you sacrificed for — “you did it for me.” (verse 40)

Director Frank Capra, a Catholic, explained that in It’s a Wonderful Life one major goal was “to show ... that each man’s life touches so many other lives.”

It also reflected his intentions in making movies.

“I will show … the courageous renewal of faith,” he wrote, “and I will remind the little man that his mission on earth is to advance spiritually. ... My films must let every man, woman and child know that God loves them … and that peace and salvation become a reality only when they all learn to love each other.”

George’s supposedly commonplace life tremendously helped make others’ everyday, ordinary lives shine as worthwhile and wonderful, too. He may not have known of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, but he was heading along her “Little Way.”

If George’s life included a 75th birthday party, as Stewart’s did in his hometown, the “richest man in town” would likely repeat what Jimmy said then: “This is where I made up my mind about certain things — about the importance of hard work and community spirit, the value of family, church, God.”

Living life simply, in the love of God and neighbor — truly it’s a wonderful life.

image


TOPICS: General Discusssion; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: capra; christian; cinema; frankcapra; hollywood; iawl; jimmystewart; presbyterian; psalm91; stewart
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1 posted on 12/17/2009 3:32:59 PM PST by NYer
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; markomalley; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; ...
Quick Quiz

Name the only film, based on a work of fiction, blessed by a pope! Good luck!

2 posted on 12/17/2009 3:34:15 PM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer

We watched it (again) just a couple nights ago.


3 posted on 12/17/2009 3:34:15 PM PST by bgill (The framers of the US Constitution established an entire federal government in 18 pages.)
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To: NYer

One of America’s great Conservatives.


4 posted on 12/17/2009 3:38:14 PM PST by Huskrrrr
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To: NYer

The Godfather?


5 posted on 12/17/2009 3:39:28 PM PST by RanGreHad
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To: bgill
We watched it (again) just a couple nights ago.

DVD?

6 posted on 12/17/2009 3:39:47 PM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer

The Quiet Man.


7 posted on 12/17/2009 3:39:52 PM PST by Tax-chick (Here I come, with a sharp knife and a clear conscience!)
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To: NYer

Why buy a DVD when it’s on tv a hundred times during the holidays.


8 posted on 12/17/2009 3:40:49 PM PST by bgill (The framers of the US Constitution established an entire federal government in 18 pages.)
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To: bgill
Why buy a DVD when it’s on tv a hundred times during the holidays.

Not here in NY.

For decades, it was the custom here in NY to broadcast the original version of "Miracle on 34th Street" on Thanksgiving day. Not anymore. The same is true for "It's a Wonderful Life". The only way to see this film is by purchasing it on DVD. "Home Alone" and "Home Alone2" are broadcast throughout the year and now we can look forward to 24 hours of "A Christmas Story" beginning on Christmas Eve. As for the other classics, they have simply vaporized in our part of the country.

9 posted on 12/17/2009 3:48:45 PM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer

I guess I’m in a minority, but seeing “A Christmas Story” once was more than enough for me. Unnngh.

That said, I don’t like “It’s a Wonderful Life” that much.


10 posted on 12/17/2009 3:50:12 PM PST by Tax-chick (Here I come, with a sharp knife and a clear conscience!)
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To: NYer

I don’t think you can really appreciate this movie till you get in your 40’s.

You really have to experience loss and disappointment.


11 posted on 12/17/2009 3:52:09 PM PST by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
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To: bgill
Why buy a DVD when it’s on tv a hundred times during the holidays.

You're behind the times. NBC bought the right & now it is shown only once a year!!

12 posted on 12/17/2009 3:55:20 PM PST by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
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To: Tax-chick
I don’t like “It’s a Wonderful Life” that much.

Is there something in particular that you don't like about this film? And ... what is your guess on my question ;-)

13 posted on 12/17/2009 3:56:13 PM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
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To: KosmicKitty

Seriously, the problem with the movie is that George Bailey engages in the same kind of slipshod lending practices Congress pressured the banks to engage in in the 1990s. And we know where that led. But Bailey is treated like a hero. He really is little more than a human doormat with everyone’s footprints all over him.


14 posted on 12/17/2009 3:58:38 PM PST by RanGreHad
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To: KosmicKitty

Well, someone better call NBC because it’s been on several times already this year.


15 posted on 12/17/2009 3:59:19 PM PST by bgill (The framers of the US Constitution established an entire federal government in 18 pages.)
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To: NYer

My guess was “The Quiet Man.”

Regarding “It’s a Wonderful Life,” I really don’t like James Stewart that much, as an actor. Not that he isn’t good, objectively, but he just doesn’t appeal to me. And I’m annoyed by the mispresentation of angels, who are, from Creation, “created spirits without bodies,” and none of this confusion about their being somehow transformed from people.

And also, the Baileys should have more children. Everyone has just two children in the movies, unless it’s one of those big-family shows, when in context, everyone would have been saying, “What’s wrong? Is she sick? Don’t they *like* each other?” if people had only two children.


16 posted on 12/17/2009 4:02:19 PM PST by Tax-chick (Here I come, with a sharp knife and a clear conscience!)
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To: RanGreHad

>>Seriously, the problem with the movie is that George Bailey engages in the same kind of slipshod lending practices Congress pressured the banks to engage in in the 1990s. And we know where that led. But Bailey is treated like a hero.<<

Um, no.
Everyone that the Savings and Loan is lending to has jobs. Martini even has his own business.

Pay attention to the backgrounds and you will see the whole story. He is a hero. Perhaps you don’t know what it’s like to live in company owned homes. My grandparents did. When someone gave them a hand up, they worked like dogs to keep what they had earned.

It was a different time back then.


17 posted on 12/17/2009 4:03:56 PM PST by netmilsmom (I am Ilk)
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To: NYer

Jimmy Stewart, to my mind THE greatest of all American movie actors. From It’s a Wonderful Life, to Mr. Smith goes to Washington, to the great Hitchcock films, Vertigo and Rear Window, and way, way, beyond, he embodied both Old Hollywood stardom, and great Americanism, AND great , almost blessed, acting talent.
I have seen IAWL about a dozen times.
My wife has seen it probably two dozen times, and just went last week with friends to a Satirday morning screening of it
at a nearby oldfashioned mini-Movie Palace where the place was packed with local people.


18 posted on 12/17/2009 4:08:28 PM PST by supremedoctrine
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To: netmilsmom

Even if we sympathize with their circumstances, the fact is they couldn’t afford the loans. Even Bailey admits they would be too old to enjoy their homes if he waited for them to qualify under ordinary rules.


19 posted on 12/17/2009 4:11:31 PM PST by RanGreHad
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To: NYer

In 1899 William O. Cushing and Ira Sankey devised the following hymn, which is based on Psalm 91:

UNDER HIS WINGS
Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.


20 posted on 12/17/2009 4:12:13 PM PST by Fiji Hill
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