Posted on 12/23/2012 11:58:34 AM PST by ReformationFan
Today being Christmas Eve Eve is the inspiration for today's feature. The beloved perennial Christmas classic about a man who sees what life would've been liked if he had never been born. Starring conservative Republican and WWII veteran James Stewart and directed by Republican, pro-American director Frank Capra. Possibly my favorite film of all time.
Options:
The original B & W version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIOQZCmp02o
and the colorized one:
The colorized version-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0BWUsAYyY
Enjoy.
I must agree.
I own it on dvd and watch it every Christmas Eve, since, uhm, forever.
FMCDH(BITS)
Yes. I have a book about the film. Ironically, it was not initially a huge commercial success and while nominated for Best Picture, it lost to “The Best Years of Our Lives.” It really wasn’t until its copyright lapsed and TV stations kept reruning constantly that it finally became a huge hit and the beloved film it remains to this day.
Personally I don't look into the film that deeply and still consider this film one of my all-time favorites. And after all these years, I still fantasize about Donna Reed - probably the most perfect wife ever put to film.
Yesterday I lost a friend and was sitting with her granddaughters as we awaited for word if it was true. I guess we all knew she had passed but still you hold out hope. But anyway the youngest in 6th grade rang a bell and shouted out “every time a bell rings and angel gets his wings” It was amazing but this child is amazing!
“Ironically many conservatives see this as an anti-capitalist film. Basically the premise for this theory is the fact that the George Bailey character continuously turns down opportunities to better himself and earn more money in favor of his philanthropic inclinations (i.e. insist on running a failing savings & loan so that the lower-income residents of the town will have a place to get a loan without having to worry about paying on time). Meanwhile, the capitalists in the film are seen as either evil monsters (Potter) or selfishly motivated (Bailey’s brothers).”
In response to that theory I would say that George never calls on the state to come to his rescue. His friends help him completely uncoerced and of their own free will and liberty because of their affection for him. That’s far different from the government demanding they do so.
“Personally I don’t look into the film that deeply and still consider this film one of my all-time favorites.”
Agreed. Especially since both Stewart and Capra were lifelong capitalists and conservative Republicans.
“And after all these years, I still fantasize about Donna Reed - probably the most perfect wife ever put to film.”
Indeed. So perfect she later got a TV series with her playing a very similar character:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnIC7j-xrUY
My 83 year old marxist father in law hates this film. He also hates dogs and voted for obama twice - and yet we are spending Christmas Eve at his place, just so I can keep the peace with my wife.
Really? What reason does he give for disliking it? If he’s a Marxist, is it because George gets help from God and not from the government?
His cognitive reasoning is different from most people having been a lifelong teamster with a chip on his shoulder and deep resentment of anyone more successful than he has been. To him, everything should cost $5 and the minimum wage should be around $50 per hour, paid by the government. He also hates pizza.
The great lesson in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is that if you do the RIGHT THING, good things will happen.
George Bailey is not a great guy, really. He has many faults and the movie shows them all... but when it comes down to it, he always puts HIS needs aside for others. And of course by doing that, others benefit and he is loved. And that’s what the movie really is about: Just Doing the Right Things.
If they can't trust him, neither can I.
Animals are pretty good judges of character - owners excepted, of course.
Agreed. Donna Reed was the most beautiful woman ever to grace the silver screen.
Indeed. Miss Tierney was a classic beauty. Trivial sidenote: she was a Republican who dated JFK but later voted against him and for Nixon in the 1960 election.
Actually that would be Myrna Loy.
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