In my city one cinema plays that movie every December 22nd, for free, big screen, hot chocolate and cake for everyone after the movie. I just love being in a theatre, surrounded by people all ages loving Jimmy and crying together at the end.
@@shanwatchesmovies well, you can come to Girona next year on December 22nd..😉also, we have the Museum of Cinema, according to The guardian, on the top 12 best city museums in Europe, I quote: "This place offers a fascinating journey through the history of cinema, starting on the top floor with early moving picture gizmos like interactive zoetropes and cameras. As you work down from the top floor to the bottom, the whole of cinema history is covered. It is packed with posters, technology and short films. Some of the most fun are the ones showing how special effects have been created over time. Even the outside of the museum is an amazing smorgasbord of film reels and vintage cinema art."
Sounds like a wonderful place! I'll definitely try and stop by the next time I go through europe! Can't wait for the travel restrictions to be finally lifted!
I love how Mary, with a smile and without hesitation, offers up her honeymoon money (and doesn’t bat an eye about never going on a honeymoon), and is the one to go out recruiting help around the town when he loses his mind. Not to overshadow George’s fabulous character arc, but Mary’s contributions are so selfless.
Let’s not forget that George went with her instantly, even though it was his boyhood dream to travel. Not only that but it is 2000 dollars in about 1935 which is near 45,000 dollars today
But it was her wish when she threw the stone at the old house that he wouldn't go travelling and have adventures...she ruined his life in a way. (Maybe).
The scene where George and Mary kiss for the first time was especially intense because it was Jimmy Stewart’s first love scene after coming home from serving in WWII. He was kind of a mess and skipped a whole bunch of dialogue. Donna Reed just went with it and the result was so beautiful that Frank Capra didn’t make them reshoot it to include the missing dialogue.
Just saw a piece on Stewart and this movie. Stewart had volunteered for the war at age 35. He flew 10 bomber missions and had a nervous breakdown. This was his return to acting and you can see how his performance benefitted from his war experience. Beautiful film and performance. I watch it every year.
Shan getting choked up! It's all good, man. Rewatching films like these and talking about it like you are help us to remember to appreciate our lives. Be well, Shan. And have a Happy New Year!
That is so weird. I was literally just in the store and I discovered someone had made Rear Window into a board game. Has Jimmy Stewart on the box cover and everything.
This is what I like about you. You're so open-minded and you can not only look past the 40s-ness of this movie but you appreciate it. So many people are distracted by and dismissive of the parts of this that make it a 40s movie. Like black and white, the way the dialogue is delivered, how they portray angels talking to each other. One person even complained that the opening credits were just pages being removed from a pile by hand and wanted it to be more modern. Maybe Frank Capra could have borrowed a time machine (maybe from H.G. Wells because the Delorean wasn't available yet) and put some 2000s flair on it? You know, when you make a movie, you have to consider the people watching it 70 years from now. That's more important than making it relatable to contemporary audiences, I guess?
in 1975 at University of Virginia, I attended an on-campus showing of this film in December right before final exams. it was an auditorium full of homesick students. at the end of this lovely film, you could hear sobbing in the crowd.
Great reaction to a true classic. Jimmy Stewart has had so many great performances throughout his career, whether it be in comedic films like the 1950 classic, Harvey, or in westerns, like Night Passage, where he plays a railroad employee hired to guard the payroll from bandits.
It's a shame that they don't make movies like that any more. This movie shows you don't have to curse, have nudity and violence to be a good movie. Also this movie has a great message of hope and faith that prevails. We need more of these.
Just because people gave him money doesn't mean he's not on the hook for failure to pay. Potter still wins so hope and faith didn't really prevail. Come to think of it, if Clarence hadn't shown up to give him information he couldn't possibly gain on his own, George would've failed totally.
I know it's a little late for Christmas, but this film is simply the best Christmas movie ever, showing us what would happen if our hero was never born. The plot of the movie was spoofed or referenced in every TV show and movie, including Supernatural, Star Trek, Supergirl, Smallville, Stargate SG-1, Sex and the City, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park, And Futurama.
@@sparky6086 I loved that skit! The original movie never had Mr. Potter get his connupance at the end. And this was at the time that most movie villains got their just desserts!
One of the only Christmas movies I absolutely must watch every year! Never get through it with dry eyes! They don’t make ‘em like they use to! Thanks for the review!
This movie shows that selfless people have their own wants and desires but are able to find meaning and fulfillment in serving others and putting them first. Another excellent reaction, Shan.
This movie has literally saved people's lives. There are testimonials out there to that effect. I'm going to say that Jimmy Stewart's performance is the best acting performance I have ever seen. The range of emotions, expressions, and subtle conveyance of his thoughts and emotions without saying a word. George Bailey is a a different kind of hero's journey, but it's one where the hero never waivers in his core belief of helping others and putting them first.
This was the best review of this movie I have seen. You really understood and appreciated the work. The only thing I would add to your comments is to acknowledge all the great performances of the supporting characters. This cast was exceptionally well rounded, not a weak link in the bunch! Thank you for your review.
I love watching people’s reactions to this movie. My kids watched it fully for the first time this year, and they were surprised how much they liked it. I know as time goes on, they will come to appreciate it more and more. And I think the fact the Potter doesn’t get punished is what makes it even more true to life and relatable.
I heard a rumor to the effect that there was supposedly an alternate ending in which Clarence visited Potter to chastise him over his miserly ways, but this ending was cut because the filmmakers didn't want the focus taken away from George. Well...there's always the infamous "original ending" skit from SNL. Dana Carvey's impression of Jimmy Stewart is pretty good.
@@johntumahab323 The rumor goes that we see potter sitting at his desk in his cold empty house all alone and gets a phone call, his smile over finally beating Gorge fades as whoever on the end tells him that the people gave him the money, potter takes the envelope out of the newspaper sitting on the desk and looks at it. Just then we see him seize up grasping his chest as he falls over out of his chair and dies alone surrounded only by the cold unfeeling money.
At the end of the movie the people are so full of joy and friendship, that thinking of punishing Potter would just put a damper on that, kind of a spiteful and time wasting use of your emotions.😉
I have adored this movie for my whole life, and introduced it to my 9 year old daughter this year. I wanted to show it to her earlier, but I didn't think that she would appreciate it/truly understand it earlier in her life. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much she did understand and empathize with George. Watching it this past holiday season, it really hit me hard, after all that we all went through in 2020. It just hit deeper this year. I've always had an issue with the fact that Potter just got away with everything and got to continue being his hateful self, but I looked at it a little differently this year. Sometimes, the bad guys don't always get punished. Sometimes, in real life, the evil doers just continue to get away with it. I like to think that they get their comeuppance after they die, but that's between them and their maker. Ultimately, we can't control others actions, only our own, which is what George Bailey spent his life doing, and he ended up reaping the benefits of that, while Potter was a lonely, bitter old man. Just my two cents on the ending...
Amanda, that was a perceptive analysis and I really liked it. It's interesting that you introduced this film to your daughter. In 1977 when I was 16 my mother essentially forced me to stay up past 11:30 pm when this movie came on so I could see it for the first time. I was very tired but gave in to her demands as she wouldn't stop pestering me. I loved this film and it is my favorite film of all time. I'm so grateful to my mother for making me watch it. It was the first time I'd seen Jimmy Stewart act. For the longest time I never saw any of Stewart's other movies. I thought "How could I accept him as anyone other than George Bailey?" I'm not sure I will ever view "From here to eternity." I just can't imagine Donna Reed playing a prostitute!
Glad you loved the film, my favourite of all time. Perfect performance from James Stewart and the chemistry with Donna Reed was outstanding. A classic that deserves to be seen by so many more people. You've got a subscriber in me - love your movie reactions :-)
The scene when the camera is just on George at the train station as he realizes Harry won’t replace him at his job, is incredible. I’ve seen every Frank Capra movie, multiple times, and he was simply one of the greatest filmmakers ever. I should add that his screenwriter Robert Riskin, who worked with Frank a lot, played a huge role in making his movies so good.
SNL's ending where Uncle Billy remembers it was Mr.Potter and they all go get him. Its the perfect ending. Seeing George dropping elbows is just satisfying.
My favorite thing about this movie is George Bailey being selfless but realistically selfless. He makes all these sacrifices, but he’s not happy about it, and even feels intense bitterness over it, but he never lets those feelings stop him from doing right. It’s so rare to see the selfless hero not be a happy-go-lucky martyr.
Funnily enough, both Capra and Stewart didn't consider this a Christmas movie. The film actually fell out of copyright for a time, so it was shown extensively on tv. And colorized.
I just have to start off by saying that I think you have one of the best reaction channels on TH-cam. You do an excellent job. Your reaction is intelligent, thoughtful and and well rounded. I appreciate that you know of Jimmy Stewart's work. That shows that you know about movies and the actors. In my opinion, your reaction and review carries some weight and I genuinely look forward to you checking out classic movies. Great job!
This is the most animated I have seen you when reacting to a movie. I could see your emotions on your face, just like you commented about James Stewart. This is my favorite reaction from you by far. 🙏
I love that Clarence saves him from "jumping" by jumping in himself. Knowing George, he knows he will spontaneously react by thinking of him, Clarence, instead of himself. Even with all that was on his plate, he rescued Clarence. ❤️ I have noticed that often people think George is being just harsh and cruel and selfish with his uncle and at home. I think he is seeing losing ALL of it, all of them, being the one that will go to prison cuz he can't let his uncle go. Anticipating the shame and hardship his family will go through. The total failure and hopelessness of the situation. On top of all his frustrations over all the years. And Potter will win! EVERYTHING he sacrificed for will be destroyed and he can't stop it. There is no way to turn this that isn't horrible. And he doesn't like how he is behaving. He can't fix this with another sacrifice - well, maybe sacrificing his pride by asking Potter for help? And we know how that went. My heart breaks for George
Such a timeless and beautiful classic film; it is almost impossible to believe that it was such a huge box office flop it caused Frank Capra to lose his newly formed production company.
Like your review very much. So glad to see that you understand the movie. I see so many other people's reviews that do not follow the story, but complain about how the characters behave. Keep up the good work. My favorite scene is at the cemetery when Clarice says "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry"
When George is at the bar breaking down then heading to the bridge was such a heart wrenching stressful scene of a Broken Man so excellently played by Stewart and again on the bridge at the end begging for his life really gets me, thanks for reacting I really enjoyed it and how about the gorgeous ladies from back then so pretty 😍 thanks again!
When James Stewart made this movie he was suffering the effects of extreme PTSD from World War II. It is the consensus of opinion of those on the set that he wasn't actually acting, what you're seeing is his raw feelings from the war.
It's fun to virtually-view-along with various TH-camrs watching comedy or a music video or a fine film like this. Agreeing with another person already on this page, your intelligent and sharp observations, as well as honest emotion, were some of the best around. Good job! ( This is ultimately still my favorite Christmas-oriented film of all time. How realistic as well in that one's dreams don't always come true, yet American culture stresses "do what you are passionate about" and "whatever you dream, work hard for it, and you will achieve it". In general, good principles and values, but without other principles at work, i.e. "you might not get what you want, but you might be needed for other/other's dreams to come true, and that will reap a rich life for you", then it sets a lot of people up for a deeply discontented life. Maybe we don't need money or travel as much as we think, maybe we can help each other more than we think. P.S. - This beautiful film has many tearjerker moments from compassion to love to despair to hope to joy. )
So happy you watched this. I was really hoping you would. If you haven’t seen Casablanca, the Maltese Falcon, or the Big Sleep please check them out for some more great Hollywood from the period.
Without fail, I tear up at that ending! The absolute beauty of karma rewarding a man for his lifetime of good deeds through an entire town of people coming to his rescue & opening their hearts and wallets, just hits me in the "feels"! Every. Single. Time.
Shan, you've done it again. I'm only 1/3 of the way through the video and already this is the best reaction to this movie that I've seen. You are showing scenes that others don't and making wonderful observations, great editing skills. I'm so happy to see your channel growing.
Donna Reed won a supporting actress role in From Here to Eternity. She plays a call girl so it's different than Mary. Tis is also many stars and excellent performances.
Wow, I haven't watched this movie since I had kids of my own, and the scene of George snapping at and taking out his aggravation on his kids really hits in a different way now. What a great film. Speaking of great -- great reaction, and great channel! You've clearly got a great working understanding of filmmaking and its more technical aspects, but you don't let that distract from or overwhelm your ability to appreciate the storytelling. You're always very thoughtful, perceptive, and insightful. Keep up the great videos!
I loved your reaction! I grew up in the era that watched this film on constant repeat through public access channels all Christmas long. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. If you're interested in getting more Donna Reed perfomances, I would first recommend her Oscar winning role in 'From Here to Eternity'. All the Best to you in theNew Year!!!
The movie starts with the Spanish flu epidemic (killing Gover's son). The dance scene was mid-1920's with the Charleston dance which swept the nation, scandalizing the Victorian morals of the 1800's. The economy was booming and then overheated, causing the stock market crash of 1929. Many banks and financial institutions like savings and loans collapsed because all their funds were tied up in loans. But if you heard one was going to fail, you literally would run to take out YOUR money before it went bankrupt, leaving you nothing. This caused bank after bank to fail, sending the country spiraling down into the Great Depression. One of the first reforms of FDR (elected 1932) was to federally insure ALL savings up to 10K (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, FDIC) which is why we don't see bank runs today.
Shan, your analysis of this masterpiece is spot-on, loved it. An amazing sidenote is that the movie did not do well at the box office when first released. In the early '70s local TV stations started showing it at Christmas time and that's when it began growing into the massive hit it now is. Donna Reed gives a great performance in "From Here To Eternity", another film you should see. Please consider a few more masterpieces of cinema : Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946), and In The Heat Of The Night (1967). Thanks, Shan.
The newel post is referenced in Christmas Vacation. In case you missed it Chevy Chase cuts it off with a chainsaw. I guess you could call it a homage to It's a Wonderful Life.
Actors the caliber of Jimmy Stewart only come around once in a lifetime. I've seen this movie dozens of times, it's become a tradition to watch it with family on Christmas Eve. Thank you for your reaction and review. I agree, it's a perfect movie, the epitome of a Classic.
I love this movie an my children have been watching it for years. It was a hidden film until someone let the copyright lapse and it was the shown on TV every Christmas - truly a blessing to us all. I'm proud of Frank Capra's work as a Sicilian American - I suggest you watch "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" to see how Capra always had a moral to his stories and supported the underdog. Have a great holiday!
Enjoyed the review always loved this film the ending always brings a tear to my eye...Jimmy Stewart was a brilliant actor who I personally thought was at his best in Westerns...Donna Reed was also very good she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in "From Here to Eternity"(1953) and was the star of "The Donna Reed Show" which ran from 1958 to 1966 and still pops up in reruns to this day...also a shout out to the lovely Violet who was played by Gloria Grahame who went on to a great career in film noir(mostly)and also won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "The Bad and the Beautiful"(1952) my personal favorite GG film was the 1953 noir "The Big Heat" also starring Glenn Ford and Lee Marvin I highly recommend it...wish you the best in 2021!
I just wanted to give you the correct time-frame for this movie - the scene opening of George as a twelve-year old is in 1919; the dance at the school takes place around 1928-29 - the end of what was coined "the roaring twenties". The Great Depression hit in 1929 (they show the beginning of "the crash" when you see the run on the bank and the building and loan).
SNL did a great "lost ending" sketch in the 80s to finally give people some closure as to Potter getting his just desserts: th-cam.com/video/vw89o0afb2A/w-d-xo.html
Films like these are Timeless and will live on forever. Donna Reed had her own television show for quite a few years that was very popular also. I am still hoping you'll do a reaction of Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles. I think you'll love it
Alright, I know I mentioned that your timeline was off. However, I have watched several people review this film this season, and you are by far my favorite. Admittedly, I like watching you review films. But you did such a wonderful job with this review. You have made me want to rewatch the movie again. You put a smile on my face, and I truly needed this tonight. Thank you.
I don't know any more movies with Donna Reed, but when I was a kid her sitcom, The Donna Reed Show, was on Nick at Nite and I'd watch it. It was a contemporary of I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet, etc. After this movie, Harvey is my favorite Jimmy Stewart movie, it's a comedy and kind of a fantasy, and I really recommend it.
Jimmy Stewart was suffering from PTSD after serving in WWII. The emotional scenes were 100% raw emotion from him. He said the movie was therapeutic for him. It wasn't a big hit in the theatre, but I can't imagine Christmas without it.
I love your reactions. I appreciate your insights more than any other reactors. I grew up seeing these films and I appreciate your understanding of the stories and techniques of these older films. Other great Jimmy Stewart classics are Mr Smith goes to Washington. He won a supporting actor Oscar for The Philadelphia Story with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Your appreciation of this movie tells me that you will truly appreciate the acting of some of the greats of this era. Another Donna Reed movie with an ensemble cast is From Here to Eternity with Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, Donna Reed , Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, Enernest Borgnine. Both Reed and Sinatra won the Academy award for best supporting actor and actress for their roles.
Word is that James Stewart was't a great actor, but a great mime. He always played himself in the end. But that in an extraordinary way, with so much expression, so much emotion, that he made the roles he played believable.
wow. i remember as a kid, my mom would make me watch this with her every year and i always hated it and was so bored. now, as an adult, seeing it for the first time as i am now, i'm crying. what a beautiful film and a beautiful reaction as well! have you ever seen the film "it happened one night" it's hailed as being the first ever romantic comedy and while it was released in 1934, it has so many elements i can see taking place in film today, much like this one. i'm so happy you chose "it's a wonderful life" to react to, it made me see it through new eyes and i have such an appreciation now for this beautiful film. next christmas, i'll watch it with my mother
I can't think of any movies Donna Reed has been in but she did have a tv show in the late 50's that ran for 8 seasons, The Donna Reed Show. I remember watching it on one of those cables channels that ran reruns of old shows when I was a kid.
The gym floor with the pool under it was real. It’s at the same school where actors David Schwimmer and Johnathon Silverman were in drama classes together
Mary represented/symbolized Bedford Falls to George, which is another reason why George was so reluctant to go to her house (after Violet turned him down) and why he broke down before kissing her: "I am going to do what I want to do..." And then so antagonistic to her toward the end. On one level, he never wanted a family and didn't want to be married because that meant giving up his dreams of traveling and doing great things in the world The inner turmoil is constantly eating away at George throughout the film... Looking at his father's picture, staring at his beat up old car when Sam Wainwright drives off to Florida, looking at this traveling tickets during Harry's wedding celebration at the Bailey house.... So many elements to dissect in this perfectly done film. Another recommendation for Rear Window with James Stewart/Grace Kelly, which is my favorite Hitchcock film of all time, and many consider Hitchock's best. Glad you are appreciating the classics.
A comment on a similar you tube said Jimmy Stewart had PTSD at this time. He had served on a bomber plane in WWII. Donna Reed wrote back to many Iowan WWII soldiers who wrote her. She was a co-chair of Another Mother for Peace during the Vietnam Waar.
Wonderful reaction! You really nailed it on this one in your review. Another great Stewart / Capra collab is the 1938 Academy Award winner, You Can't Take It With You. It won for Best Picture and best director and is one of the rare comedies that actually managed to achieve a Best Picture award. It's another one of those great forgotten films, so I doubt you will react to it. But I'm sure you will enjoy it if you watch it privately. Happy holidays and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.
Thank you Illana! I'll add You can't take it with you to the list. I'll get to it sometime in the next year and even if I can't, I'll watch it just based solely on the fact that it won best picture :)
FYI: It's a Wonderful Life was a box office bomb that bankrupted its studio, but decades after its original release it became an iconic Christmas film because the studio didn't renew the copyright of the film. So, it was free to air on cable/tv/public domain.
The snow is key in this film. If you ever rewatch - look for the snow as it NEVER snows in Pottersville, only in good old Bedford Falls. When George is begging to Clarence that he wants to live, it starts to fall again - that's how you know he's home again. It's also amazing when you know that this was filmed during an unseasonal heatwave and the snow is a mixture of a chemical process invented just for the film and ice shavings. They couldn't use the usual Hollywood option of white painted cornflakes as it causes havoc with recorded sound. This was Stewarts first film after coming back from his WW2 service and it's widely accepted that he was suffering from undiagnosed PTSD. He wasn't scripted to break down in tears in the bar scene - it just happened and Capra decided to use it even though he had to slighly compromise the image with a closer crop in post production. Stewart was also suffering with a confidence issue and kept putting off the telephone scene with Donna Reed. When Capra left him with no option but to do it, when he called cut he remarked 'how about that' to the script editor. She replied it was good but they'd missed out an entire page of the script. Capra replied 'When you have technique like that who needs dialogue...'. The line from Ellen Corbyn when she asks 'Can I have $17.50 ?' wasn't scripted. She was just told to improvise something and surprise Stewart. She did, and his unscripted response to lean over the counter and kiss her was genuine. She later found fame as Grandma in the Waltons TV series. There's a scene where Uncle Billy walks out of shot drunk and you hear a crash and Stewart looks concerned. That was unscripted and a stage hand had knocked over something on set. Uncle Billy quick as a flash shouts out 'I'm alright, I'm alright...' in character and Capra decided to use it. The bird he has with him is 'Jimmy the Raven' who Capra tried to cast in most of his films. He was a star in his own right, insured for the equivalent of $130,000 today. He's actually the bird that lands on the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. So glad you liked this. Whilst I never doubted you would appreciate the film it's been so gratifying the season to see so many other reactors really seeing the movie in the context of the era it was made and receiving it so well. There's no shame in getting emotional, I still do every time I watch and I've been doing so for 40+ years. It's a masterpiece and it's message has saved lives and will continue to do so in these trying times. Have a great New Year Shan & all
I enjoyed watching you watch this wonderful movie. I've seen a few other reviewers with this one and they just don't get it. Sure, they loved the ending but they missed the whole point of the movie. They said it was depressing until then. They didn't get the lessons. You saw the good all of the way through. Thank you! Well done.
2:14 - That's World War I, buddy, though at the time it was called the Great War, and wasn't referred to as World War I until World War II began (or ended; I'm not actually sure which).
I'm so glad you chose to react to this movie! Thankyou so much! (Speaking of sets, The entire main Street of Bedford Falls was all a set. Pretty amazing.)
For your next film, I'd recommend THE THIN MAN. A very funny Detective story that set up the standard of gathering the suspects together to figure out who committed the murder. Actually the first in a series of films. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE stars Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed appeared in later episodes of the series. (They did 6 Thin Man films altogether)
This movie moves me to tears every single time. Simply perfect.
Me too. I’ve seen it hundreds of times and it has never lost its power. 🥰
Even watching this broken version gets me.
Throughout the entire movie.
The "richest man in town" line always gets to me.
Best, most thoughtful and intelligent reaction to this movie that I have seen.
Wow, thank you Porfle :)
What that old thing? That's just how he talks when he doesn't care WHAT people think.
In my city one cinema plays that movie every December 22nd, for free, big screen, hot chocolate and cake for everyone after the movie. I just love being in a theatre, surrounded by people all ages loving Jimmy and crying together at the end.
Lucky you! I'd love to watch this on the big screen!
@@shanwatchesmovies well, you can come to Girona next year on December 22nd..😉also, we have the Museum of Cinema, according to The guardian, on the top 12 best city museums in Europe, I quote: "This place offers a fascinating journey through the history of cinema, starting on the top floor with early moving picture gizmos like interactive zoetropes and cameras. As you work down from the top floor to the bottom, the whole of cinema history is covered. It is packed with posters, technology and short films. Some of the most fun are the ones showing how special effects have been created over time. Even the outside of the museum is an amazing smorgasbord of film reels and vintage cinema art."
Sounds like a wonderful place! I'll definitely try and stop by the next time I go through europe! Can't wait for the travel restrictions to be finally lifted!
@@shanwatchesmovies we all are!! If you come, you'll be very welcome!
"To my big brother George... the richest man in town", right after it's said no man is poor who has friends... one of the greatest lines of all-time.
I love how Mary, with a smile and without hesitation, offers up her honeymoon money (and doesn’t bat an eye about never going on a honeymoon), and is the one to go out recruiting help around the town when he loses his mind.
Not to overshadow George’s fabulous character arc, but Mary’s contributions are so selfless.
It seems that her selflessness was overshadowed by her husband. But her actions are just as amazing!
And she was in love with him ever since she was a little girl.
Let’s not forget that George went with her instantly, even though it was his boyhood dream to travel. Not only that but it is 2000 dollars in about 1935 which is near 45,000 dollars today
@@jasondamrau9147 - YES!!!
But it was her wish when she threw the stone at the old house that he wouldn't go travelling and have adventures...she ruined his life in a way.
(Maybe).
One of a few things that can make me sob. And I'm a gnarly 46 year old bloke.
Same here mate! 35 year old Eastender and I ball every time haha!
Every damn time. 36 here.
@@coffeebreakfiction1765 Just checking that 'ball' isn't rhyming slang!
The scene where George and Mary kiss for the first time was especially intense because it was Jimmy Stewart’s first love scene after coming home from serving in WWII. He was kind of a mess and skipped a whole bunch of dialogue. Donna Reed just went with it and the result was so beautiful that Frank Capra didn’t make them reshoot it to include the missing dialogue.
as I have gotten older I really have come to appreciate this movie on a whole higher level, so Good
Just saw a piece on Stewart and this movie. Stewart had volunteered for the war at age 35. He flew 10 bomber missions and had a nervous breakdown. This was his return to acting and you can see how his performance benefitted from his war experience. Beautiful film and performance. I watch it every year.
Shan getting choked up! It's all good, man. Rewatching films like these and talking about it like you are help us to remember to appreciate our lives. Be well, Shan. And have a Happy New Year!
Thank you so much. It was very heartwarming indeed!
Rear Window is a great Hitchcock/ Stewart collaboration. Fantastic set, too! Haha.
That is so weird. I was literally just in the store and I discovered someone had made Rear Window into a board game. Has Jimmy Stewart on the box cover and everything.
This is what I like about you. You're so open-minded and you can not only look past the 40s-ness of this movie but you appreciate it. So many people are distracted by and dismissive of the parts of this that make it a 40s movie. Like black and white, the way the dialogue is delivered, how they portray angels talking to each other. One person even complained that the opening credits were just pages being removed from a pile by hand and wanted it to be more modern. Maybe Frank Capra could have borrowed a time machine (maybe from H.G. Wells because the Delorean wasn't available yet) and put some 2000s flair on it? You know, when you make a movie, you have to consider the people watching it 70 years from now. That's more important than making it relatable to contemporary audiences, I guess?
Thank you for your comments. You hit the nail on the head.
One of my all time favs , thank you Shan . A safe New Year to you.
Thank you! A happy New year to you too!
in 1975 at University of Virginia, I attended an on-campus showing of this film in December right before final exams. it was an auditorium full of homesick students. at the end of this lovely film, you could hear sobbing in the crowd.
Great reaction to a true classic. Jimmy Stewart has had so many great performances throughout his career, whether it be in comedic films like the 1950 classic, Harvey, or in westerns, like Night Passage, where he plays a railroad employee hired to guard the payroll from bandits.
Thank you for your words and the Stewart recommendations Ronald!
Notice the snow stops when George's alternate reality starts. The snow starts again as soon as he comes back to reality.
I've noticed that too.
It's a shame that they don't make movies like that any more. This movie shows you don't have to curse, have nudity and violence to be a good movie. Also this movie has a great message of hope and faith that prevails. We need more of these.
Just because people gave him money doesn't mean he's not on the hook for failure to pay. Potter still wins so hope and faith didn't really prevail. Come to think of it, if Clarence hadn't shown up to give him information he couldn't possibly gain on his own, George would've failed totally.
@@Theomite bet you're fun at parties..
@@patrickgogan3517 if I ever get invited to one, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be.
Amen
Go watch Wall-E
I know it's a little late for Christmas, but this film is simply the best Christmas movie ever, showing us what would happen if our hero was never born. The plot of the movie was spoofed or referenced in every TV show and movie, including Supernatural, Star Trek, Supergirl, Smallville, Stargate SG-1, Sex and the City, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park, And Futurama.
It was really a wonderful and wholesome film
My favorite has to be the Married With Children 2-parter "It's a Bundyful Life" with Sam Kinison as Al's guardian angel.
@@shanwatchesmovies Mr Potter got his comeuppance on a Saturday Night Live skit around 25 or 30 years ago.
@@sparky6086 I loved that skit! The original movie never had Mr. Potter get his connupance at the end. And this was at the time that most movie villains got their just desserts!
Donna Reed notably won the best supporting actress award for "From Here to Eternity."
I watch this film every year on Christmas Eve. It's my #1 favorite movie of all time. I'm so glad you loved it.
One of the only Christmas movies I absolutely must watch every year! Never get through it with dry eyes! They don’t make ‘em like they use to! Thanks for the review!
James Stewart was an AMAZING actor and human being.
This movie shows that selfless people have their own wants and desires but are able to find meaning and fulfillment in serving others and putting them first. Another excellent reaction, Shan.
This movie has literally saved people's lives. There are testimonials out there to that effect. I'm going to say that Jimmy Stewart's performance is the best acting performance I have ever seen. The range of emotions, expressions, and subtle conveyance of his thoughts and emotions without saying a word. George Bailey is a a different kind of hero's journey, but it's one where the hero never waivers in his core belief of helping others and putting them first.
This was the best review of this movie I have seen. You really understood and appreciated the work. The only thing I would add to your comments is to acknowledge all the great performances of the supporting characters. This cast was exceptionally well rounded, not a weak link in the bunch! Thank you for your review.
I have watched and loved this film more times than I can remember and you've nailed it after just one viewing. Respect!
One of my top 5 movies of all time. The whole cast is amazing. I watch it a couple of times a year and it always gets to me.
Excellent reaction
You never miss a trick when it comes to an actor or even a directors intent for a scene. I appreciate your attention to detail.
I love watching people’s reactions to this movie. My kids watched it fully for the first time this year, and they were surprised how much they liked it. I know as time goes on, they will come to appreciate it more and more.
And I think the fact the Potter doesn’t get punished is what makes it even more true to life and relatable.
I heard a rumor to the effect that there was supposedly an alternate ending in which Clarence visited Potter to chastise him over his miserly ways, but this ending was cut because the filmmakers didn't want the focus taken away from George.
Well...there's always the infamous "original ending" skit from SNL. Dana Carvey's impression of Jimmy Stewart is pretty good.
@@johntumahab323 the SNL skit is amazing! Lol
@@johntumahab323 The rumor goes that we see potter sitting at his desk in his cold empty house all alone and gets a phone call, his smile over finally beating Gorge fades as whoever on the end tells him that the people gave him the money, potter takes the envelope out of the newspaper sitting on the desk and looks at it. Just then we see him seize up grasping his chest as he falls over out of his chair and dies alone surrounded only by the cold unfeeling money.
At the end of the movie the people are so full of joy and friendship, that thinking of punishing Potter would just put a damper on that, kind of a spiteful and time wasting use of your emotions.😉
I have adored this movie for my whole life, and introduced it to my 9 year old daughter this year. I wanted to show it to her earlier, but I didn't think that she would appreciate it/truly understand it earlier in her life. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much she did understand and empathize with George.
Watching it this past holiday season, it really hit me hard, after all that we all went through in 2020. It just hit deeper this year.
I've always had an issue with the fact that Potter just got away with everything and got to continue being his hateful self, but I looked at it a little differently this year.
Sometimes, the bad guys don't always get punished. Sometimes, in real life, the evil doers just continue to get away with it. I like to think that they get their comeuppance after they die, but that's between them and their maker. Ultimately, we can't control others actions, only our own, which is what George Bailey spent his life doing, and he ended up reaping the benefits of that, while Potter was a lonely, bitter old man.
Just my two cents on the ending...
Amanda, that was a perceptive analysis and I really liked it. It's interesting that you introduced this film to your daughter. In 1977 when I was 16 my mother essentially forced me to stay up past 11:30 pm when this movie came on so I could see it for the first time. I was very tired but gave in to her demands as she wouldn't stop pestering me. I loved this film and it is my favorite film of all time. I'm so grateful to my mother for making me watch it. It was the first time I'd seen Jimmy Stewart act. For the longest time I never saw any of Stewart's other movies. I thought "How could I accept him as anyone other than George Bailey?" I'm not sure I will ever view "From here to eternity." I just can't imagine Donna Reed playing a prostitute!
Glad you loved the film, my favourite of all time. Perfect performance from James Stewart and the chemistry with Donna Reed was outstanding. A classic that deserves to be seen by so many more people.
You've got a subscriber in me - love your movie reactions :-)
The scene when the camera is just on George at the train station as he realizes Harry won’t replace him at his job, is incredible. I’ve seen every Frank Capra movie, multiple times, and he was simply one of the greatest filmmakers ever. I should add that his screenwriter Robert Riskin, who worked with Frank a lot, played a huge role in making his movies so good.
SNL's ending where Uncle Billy remembers it was Mr.Potter and they all go get him. Its the perfect ending. Seeing George dropping elbows is just satisfying.
My favorite thing about this movie is George Bailey being selfless but realistically selfless. He makes all these sacrifices, but he’s not happy about it, and even feels intense bitterness over it, but he never lets those feelings stop him from doing right. It’s so rare to see the selfless hero not be a happy-go-lucky martyr.
Funnily enough, both Capra and Stewart didn't consider this a Christmas movie.
The film actually fell out of copyright for a time, so it was shown extensively on tv. And colorized.
I just have to start off by saying that I think you have one of the best reaction channels on TH-cam. You do an excellent job. Your reaction is intelligent, thoughtful and and well rounded. I appreciate that you know of Jimmy Stewart's work. That shows that you know about movies and the actors. In my opinion, your reaction and review carries some weight and I genuinely look forward to you checking out classic movies. Great job!
This is the most animated I have seen you when reacting to a movie. I could see your emotions on your face, just like you commented about James Stewart. This is my favorite reaction from you by far. 🙏
I love that Clarence saves him from "jumping" by jumping in himself. Knowing George, he knows he will spontaneously react by thinking of him, Clarence, instead of himself. Even with all that was on his plate, he rescued Clarence. ❤️
I have noticed that often people think George is being just harsh and cruel and selfish with his uncle and at home. I think he is seeing losing ALL of it, all of them, being the one that will go to prison cuz he can't let his uncle go. Anticipating the shame and hardship his family will go through. The total failure and hopelessness of the situation. On top of all his frustrations over all the years. And Potter will win! EVERYTHING he sacrificed for will be destroyed and he can't stop it. There is no way to turn this that isn't horrible. And he doesn't like how he is behaving.
He can't fix this with another sacrifice -
well, maybe sacrificing his pride by asking Potter for help? And we know how that went. My heart breaks for George
Timeless classic, the best Christmas movie of all time.
Such a timeless and beautiful classic film; it is almost impossible to believe that it was such a huge box office flop it caused Frank Capra to lose his newly formed production company.
You just gotta love these old movies. And this movie is the embodiment of the meaning of "capraesque".
Like your review very much. So glad to see that you understand the movie. I see so many other people's reviews that do not follow the story, but complain about how the characters behave. Keep up the good work. My favorite scene is at the cemetery when Clarice says "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry"
Thank you for your kind words!
the annoying "Haaayyyyyy" kid was alfalfa of the little rascals
I never knew that up until now. Cool!
Also that high school is called Beverley Hills High School and it still has the retractable floor above a swimming pool.
When George is at the bar breaking down then heading to the bridge was such a heart wrenching stressful scene of a Broken Man so excellently played by Stewart and again on the bridge at the end begging for his life really gets me, thanks for reacting I really enjoyed it and how about the gorgeous ladies from back then so pretty 😍 thanks again!
When James Stewart made this movie he was suffering the effects of extreme PTSD from World War II. It is the consensus of opinion of those on the set that he wasn't actually acting, what you're seeing is his raw feelings from the war.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer no wonder his raw emotions seemed so real! I had no idea that he was suffering from PTSD.
@@melissacooper4282 A really interesting movie with James Stewart " No Highway in the Sky ". An excellent performance.
The Shop Around the Corner is one of my favorite Stewart films. Cute funny and totally heartwarming. Thanks for the great review!
Great reaction. You were spot on with your assessment of this film.
It's fun to virtually-view-along with various TH-camrs watching comedy or a music video or a fine film like this. Agreeing with another person already on this page, your intelligent and sharp observations, as well as honest emotion, were some of the best around. Good job! ( This is ultimately still my favorite Christmas-oriented film of all time. How realistic as well in that one's dreams don't always come true, yet American culture stresses "do what you are passionate about" and "whatever you dream, work hard for it, and you will achieve it". In general, good principles and values, but without other principles at work, i.e. "you might not get what you want, but you might be needed for other/other's dreams to come true, and that will reap a rich life for you", then it sets a lot of people up for a deeply discontented life. Maybe we don't need money or travel as much as we think, maybe we can help each other more than we think. P.S. - This beautiful film has many tearjerker moments from compassion to love to despair to hope to joy. )
So happy you watched this. I was really hoping you would. If you haven’t seen Casablanca, the Maltese Falcon, or the Big Sleep please check them out for some more great Hollywood from the period.
Without fail, I tear up at that ending!
The absolute beauty of karma rewarding a man for his lifetime of good deeds through an entire town of people coming to his rescue & opening their hearts and wallets, just hits me in the "feels"!
Every. Single. Time.
"Harvey" was Stewarts favorite film with Capra, it deals with mental illness in the Capra like style.
Harvey wasn't a Frank Capra movie, it was directed by Henry Koster.
But it is a great movie!
@@Drawkcabi I always thought it was Capra.. very Capra like, almost a copy of his style.
@@itubeutubewealltube1 Definitely agree it is Capra-esque! Probably why it works so well.
Stewart said his favorite was Wonderful Life.
Shan, you've done it again. I'm only 1/3 of the way through the video and already this is the best reaction to this movie that I've seen. You are showing scenes that others don't and making wonderful observations, great editing skills. I'm so happy to see your channel growing.
Donna Reed won a supporting actress role in From Here to Eternity. She plays a call girl so it's different than Mary. Tis is also many stars and excellent performances.
Wow, I haven't watched this movie since I had kids of my own, and the scene of George snapping at and taking out his aggravation on his kids really hits in a different way now. What a great film.
Speaking of great -- great reaction, and great channel! You've clearly got a great working understanding of filmmaking and its more technical aspects, but you don't let that distract from or overwhelm your ability to appreciate the storytelling. You're always very thoughtful, perceptive, and insightful. Keep up the great videos!
I loved your reaction! I grew up in the era that watched this film on constant repeat through public access channels all Christmas long. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. If you're interested in getting more Donna Reed perfomances, I would first recommend her Oscar winning role in 'From Here to Eternity'. All the Best to you in theNew Year!!!
Rear Window and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington are MUST SEEs!
Definitely Rear Window. And how about Rope?!
Can I just say I have so much respect for you saying "like if you liked it, dislike if you didn't". It is just very genuine haha I appreciate it!!
The movie starts with the Spanish flu epidemic (killing Gover's son). The dance scene was mid-1920's with the Charleston dance which swept the nation, scandalizing the Victorian morals of the 1800's. The economy was booming and then overheated, causing the stock market crash of 1929. Many banks and financial institutions like savings and loans collapsed because all their funds were tied up in loans. But if you heard one was going to fail, you literally would run to take out YOUR money before it went bankrupt, leaving you nothing. This caused bank after bank to fail, sending the country spiraling down into the Great Depression. One of the first reforms of FDR (elected 1932) was to federally insure ALL savings up to 10K (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, FDIC) which is why we don't see bank runs today.
Shan, your analysis of this masterpiece is spot-on, loved it. An amazing sidenote is that the movie did not do well at the box office when first released. In the early '70s local TV stations started showing it at Christmas time and that's when it began growing into the massive hit it now is. Donna Reed gives a great performance in "From Here To Eternity", another film you should see. Please consider a few more masterpieces of cinema : Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946), and In The Heat Of The Night (1967). Thanks, Shan.
Best Years is phenomenal.
The newel post is referenced in Christmas Vacation. In case you missed it Chevy Chase cuts it off with a chainsaw. I guess you could call it a homage to It's a Wonderful Life.
“A lifetime of giving really comes back.”
That’s a great comment and very insightful.
this movie makes me cry like you wouldn't believe.
Edit: after watching this reaction/review, I am crying, again.
Actors the caliber of Jimmy Stewart only come around once in a lifetime.
I've seen this movie dozens of times, it's become a tradition to watch it with family on Christmas Eve.
Thank you for your reaction and review. I agree, it's a perfect movie, the epitome of a Classic.
I love this movie an my children have been watching it for years. It was a hidden film until someone let the copyright lapse and it was the shown on TV every Christmas - truly a blessing to us all. I'm proud of Frank Capra's work as a Sicilian American - I suggest you watch "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" to see how Capra always had a moral to his stories and supported the underdog. Have a great holiday!
Enjoyed the review always loved this film the ending always brings a tear to my eye...Jimmy Stewart was a brilliant actor who I personally thought was at his best in Westerns...Donna Reed was also very good she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in "From Here to Eternity"(1953) and was the star of "The Donna Reed Show" which ran from 1958 to 1966 and still pops up in reruns to this day...also a shout out to the lovely Violet who was played by Gloria Grahame who went on to a great career in film noir(mostly)and also won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "The Bad and the Beautiful"(1952) my personal favorite GG film was the 1953 noir "The Big Heat" also starring Glenn Ford and Lee Marvin I highly recommend it...wish you the best in 2021!
I just wanted to give you the correct time-frame for this movie - the scene opening of George as a twelve-year old is in 1919; the dance at the school takes place around 1928-29 - the end of what was coined "the roaring twenties". The Great Depression hit in 1929 (they show the beginning of "the crash" when you see the run on the bank and the building and loan).
I have seen all of James Stewarts movies. He is brilliant!
Fun fact, Lionel Barrymore (the actor who played Mr. Potter) is Drew Barrymore's Great Uncle.
He also wasn't faking with the wheelchair. By the time he made this film, he had been crippled by polio.
SNL did a great "lost ending" sketch in the 80s to finally give people some closure as to Potter getting his just desserts: th-cam.com/video/vw89o0afb2A/w-d-xo.html
Oh dang you beat me to it, lol
@@gen77c Ha! Me too!
Films like these are Timeless and will live on forever. Donna Reed had her own television show for quite a few years that was very popular also. I am still hoping you'll do a reaction of Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles. I think you'll love it
Be careful what you wish for 😉
Alright, I know I mentioned that your timeline was off. However, I have watched several people review this film this season, and you are by far my favorite. Admittedly, I like watching you review films. But you did such a wonderful job with this review. You have made me want to rewatch the movie again. You put a smile on my face, and I truly needed this tonight. Thank you.
I don't know any more movies with Donna Reed, but when I was a kid her sitcom, The Donna Reed Show, was on Nick at Nite and I'd watch it. It was a contemporary of I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet, etc.
After this movie, Harvey is my favorite Jimmy Stewart movie, it's a comedy and kind of a fantasy, and I really recommend it.
She was in From Here to Eternity and won an Oscar for it
Jimmy Stewart was suffering from PTSD after serving in WWII. The emotional scenes were 100% raw emotion from him. He said the movie was therapeutic for him. It wasn't a big hit in the theatre, but I can't imagine Christmas without it.
I love your reactions. I appreciate your insights more than any other reactors. I grew up seeing these films and I appreciate your understanding of the stories and techniques of these older films. Other great Jimmy Stewart classics are Mr Smith goes to Washington. He won a supporting actor Oscar for The Philadelphia Story with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Your appreciation of this movie tells me that you will truly appreciate the acting of some of the greats of this era. Another Donna Reed movie with an ensemble cast is From Here to Eternity with Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, Donna Reed , Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, Enernest Borgnine. Both Reed and Sinatra won the Academy award for best supporting actor and actress for their roles.
Word is that James Stewart was't a great actor, but a great mime.
He always played himself in the end. But that in an extraordinary way, with so much expression, so much emotion, that he made the roles he played believable.
His physical comedy was great!
wow. i remember as a kid, my mom would make me watch this with her every year and i always hated it and was so bored. now, as an adult, seeing it for the first time as i am now, i'm crying. what a beautiful film and a beautiful reaction as well! have you ever seen the film "it happened one night" it's hailed as being the first ever romantic comedy and while it was released in 1934, it has so many elements i can see taking place in film today, much like this one. i'm so happy you chose "it's a wonderful life" to react to, it made me see it through new eyes and i have such an appreciation now for this beautiful film. next christmas, i'll watch it with my mother
Watching this for Christmas is the Only Christmas tradition I keep! Such a classic!!! I always sob at the end
I can't think of any movies Donna Reed has been in but she did have a tv show in the late 50's that ran for 8 seasons, The Donna Reed Show. I remember watching it on one of those cables channels that ran reruns of old shows when I was a kid.
I love that you appreciate the era and context when the film was made!
The gym floor with the pool under it was real. It’s at the same school where actors David Schwimmer and Johnathon Silverman were in drama classes together
Yup, I looked that one up. It's definitely not a school in a quiet little town like Bedford Falls, though. It's in a high school in Beverly Hills.
0:08 I watched It Happened On Night in my Narrative Cinema class back in college. It was indeed really funny.
Mary represented/symbolized Bedford Falls to George, which is another reason why George was so reluctant to go to her house (after Violet turned him down) and why he broke down before kissing her: "I am going to do what I want to do..." And then so antagonistic to her toward the end. On one level, he never wanted a family and didn't want to be married because that meant giving up his dreams of traveling and doing great things in the world The inner turmoil is constantly eating away at George throughout the film... Looking at his father's picture, staring at his beat up old car when Sam Wainwright drives off to Florida, looking at this traveling tickets during Harry's wedding celebration at the Bailey house.... So many elements to dissect in this perfectly done film. Another recommendation for Rear Window with James Stewart/Grace Kelly, which is my favorite Hitchcock film of all time, and many consider Hitchock's best. Glad you are appreciating the classics.
The kid he cut-in on to take Mary away from was played by Carl Switzer who also played the role of “Alfalfa” in the old “our gang” films
A comment on a similar you tube said Jimmy Stewart had PTSD at this time. He had served on a bomber plane in WWII.
Donna Reed wrote back to many Iowan WWII soldiers who wrote her. She was a co-chair of Another Mother for Peace during the Vietnam Waar.
Wonderful reaction! You really nailed it on this one in your review. Another great Stewart / Capra collab is the 1938 Academy Award winner, You Can't Take It With You. It won for Best Picture and best director and is one of the rare comedies that actually managed to achieve a Best Picture award. It's another one of those great forgotten films, so I doubt you will react to it. But I'm sure you will enjoy it if you watch it privately. Happy holidays and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.
Thank you Illana! I'll add You can't take it with you to the list. I'll get to it sometime in the next year and even if I can't, I'll watch it just based solely on the fact that it won best picture :)
FYI: It's a Wonderful Life was a box office bomb that bankrupted its studio, but decades after its original release it became an iconic Christmas film because the studio didn't renew the copyright of the film. So, it was free to air on cable/tv/public domain.
My top holiday film. Makes me emotional every time.
The snow is key in this film. If you ever rewatch - look for the snow as it NEVER snows in Pottersville, only in good old Bedford Falls. When George is begging to Clarence that he wants to live, it starts to fall again - that's how you know he's home again. It's also amazing when you know that this was filmed during an unseasonal heatwave and the snow is a mixture of a chemical process invented just for the film and ice shavings. They couldn't use the usual Hollywood option of white painted cornflakes as it causes havoc with recorded sound.
This was Stewarts first film after coming back from his WW2 service and it's widely accepted that he was suffering from undiagnosed PTSD. He wasn't scripted to break down in tears in the bar scene - it just happened and Capra decided to use it even though he had to slighly compromise the image with a closer crop in post production. Stewart was also suffering with a confidence issue and kept putting off the telephone scene with Donna Reed. When Capra left him with no option but to do it, when he called cut he remarked 'how about that' to the script editor. She replied it was good but they'd missed out an entire page of the script. Capra replied 'When you have technique like that who needs dialogue...'.
The line from Ellen Corbyn when she asks 'Can I have $17.50 ?' wasn't scripted. She was just told to improvise something and surprise Stewart. She did, and his unscripted response to lean over the counter and kiss her was genuine. She later found fame as Grandma in the Waltons TV series. There's a scene where Uncle Billy walks out of shot drunk and you hear a crash and Stewart looks concerned. That was unscripted and a stage hand had knocked over something on set. Uncle Billy quick as a flash shouts out 'I'm alright, I'm alright...' in character and Capra decided to use it. The bird he has with him is 'Jimmy the Raven' who Capra tried to cast in most of his films. He was a star in his own right, insured for the equivalent of $130,000 today. He's actually the bird that lands on the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.
So glad you liked this. Whilst I never doubted you would appreciate the film it's been so gratifying the season to see so many other reactors really seeing the movie in the context of the era it was made and receiving it so well. There's no shame in getting emotional, I still do every time I watch and I've been doing so for 40+ years. It's a masterpiece and it's message has saved lives and will continue to do so in these trying times. Have a great New Year Shan & all
I never get tired of watching this movie. It has a very good message to it. Thanks.
I'm so happy you decided to leave this on the schedule for Dec!
Happy New Year, Shan! May peace and love follow, always.
Thank you so so much Belinda!
ps. My jaw was on the floor the entire time I was watching episode 4! I can't wait for the rest!
26:14 Donna Reed in this movie is how I got enamored with these great B&W movies. She's just so pretty here.
I enjoyed watching you watch this wonderful movie. I've seen a few other reviewers with this one and they just don't get it. Sure, they loved the ending but they missed the whole point of the movie. They said it was depressing until then. They didn't get the lessons. You saw the good all of the way through. Thank you! Well done.
2:14 - That's World War I, buddy, though at the time it was called the Great War, and wasn't referred to as World War I until World War II began (or ended; I'm not actually sure which).
Wow it was so cool to see it reversed like this. Almost like seeing a whole new movie! Thanks for a wonderful heartfelt reaction .
I'm so glad you chose to react to this movie! Thankyou so much! (Speaking of sets, The entire main Street of Bedford Falls was all a set. Pretty amazing.)
The Clarence actor was in THE BELLS OF ST MARYS playing at the movie house
Donna Reed was in "From Here to Eternity", and had a long-running tv show in the 50's
10:41 Sacrifice. This is the epitome of sacrifice. I'm glad you see it.
Great Film with a great message! Always good to see you watch someting wholesome!
Your movie reactions are by far and away the best on TH-cam. Thank you for all these great reactions.
For your next film, I'd recommend THE THIN MAN. A very funny Detective story that set up the standard of gathering the suspects together to figure out who committed the murder. Actually the first in a series of films. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE stars Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed appeared in later episodes of the series. (They did 6 Thin Man films altogether)
Thanks for the recommendation!