It’s not Christmas until George Bailey’s mouth is bleeding, he finds ZuZu’s petals in his pocket, and he becomes the richest man in Bedford Falls.
Join me as I explore some known and some not-so-known facts about the ultimate Christmas movie.
Ron Stash11 months ago
I’m 78. I saw this movie in 1950 when I was 9 years old. I’ve seen it almost every year except for the time I spent in Asia with the military. I’ve watched it when I was single, married, single, married and most Christmases in between. Without this movie, it isn’t Christmas for me. The idea that the world would be a different place without me is powerful, very powerful. It means a lot to me.
Susan Booker1 year ago
One year just before Christmas my boyfriend and I were watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” on television. He was so moved by it that, as it ended, he asked me to marry him. I said yes. Every year we watch it again, 47 and counting…
richard miller3 days ago
I’m 64 years old and have seen that movie so many times, and still can’t get thru the ending without getting choked up. That movie is genius. Kudos to everyone involved. My favorite part is the whole movie!
Jennifer Schillig2 days ago
One more cut item: there WERE supposed to be a couple of scenes that showed Potter getting some kind of comeuppance. One draft had him outside the Bailey house with the money, listening to the festivities inside and silently realizing how little he and his money counted for next to George’s life. Another had Clarence show up in Potter’s office right after “Happy New Year to you–in jail!” to taunt Potter: “You’re an old man, you’re going to die soon, and no one is going to care.” Clarence vanishes as Potter screams for his valet Horace in terror. But in the end, Capra realized that the audience didn’t really need George’s victory over Potter to be spelled out (SNL’s “lost ending” notwithstanding). It’s all about George’s emotional journey, and that’s been resolved. Besides, in the world of the movie, divine justice exists…and there’s one Judge that Potter won’t be able to buy off.