IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ธ.ค. 2023
- IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION
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It's such a pure movie. I strive to be half the man George Bailey is. And, as a big, former bouncer, Army vet, and a biker...I always cry at the end of this movie. I love this movie! Thanks for the reaction and merry Christmas!!
What an amazing man and movie!
Evidently this reaction dropped right in the middle of me watching it… My cheeks are still damp from the ending. 🥲
That's funny you said that. Though, I haven't been a bouncer, I have been a Bartender. 😂
I made a comment hoping I will have lived a life with half as much character, integrity and selflessness as George Bailey.
I get it.
Why are people so scared of saying Merry Christmas?
Hooah to that brother. -- former telephone operator, Air Force retiree, and walker.
That phone call scene is so amazing. George had been spending the entire night fighting the inevitability of staying in Bedford Falls. He finally threw away the travel brochures, but he is resentful as hell about being stuck there. Mary is what could be if he stays in that town, and he is still struggling against it and her until he can’t take it anymore. He shakes her as one last gasp of his wanting to get away before finally embracing her and everything she represents.
Oh, I agree, wholeheartedly! And the passionate kissing, though… he really did end up necking! 😂
Hi i was just texting the same thing only not as perfectly descriptive as yourself😊 when i musta hit a wrong button but text just disappeared . I'm old. Anyway it didn't matter.. cause i just read your text. Sums it up perfectly. Truly emotional well-acted scene. & Thank you for your well written text.✌
And she saves the brochures for him…
What always gets me about that phone scene was the way his nose was nestling in her hair. So sweet, seductive and, let’s face it - sensual!
YES! and the sexual tension in that scene is so palpable. it was just so well acted! 😃
23:19 The emotioal proposal scene was one where Jimmy Stewart let his emotions get the better of him. He had suffered a great deal of stress as a bomber squadron commander during World War II. The scene was done in one take. After the director yelled "cut", the script supervisor mentioned they skipped two pages of dialogue. The director replied, "With acting like that you don't need dialogue."
Donna Reed said it was "the most difficult film I ever did. No director (Frank Capra) ever demanded as much of me." She was lovely in this movie wasn't she...
she still makes me swoon. hard.
What is really hard to pull off is acting like you are in love with someone and make it believable. When you see her facial expression at the high school party.... amazing
Try "From Here to Eternity". Donna Reed plays a very different character in that movie. A truly effective actress!! 📽️🍿📽️
@@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288 Forgot about her role in that movie; it's been a while since I watched it. Appreciate the recommendation...
It's very strange to have a crush on someone who was around 60 years old on the day you were born. Donna Reed was an absolute honey in the 1940's!
I once heard a story where Jimmy Stewart was approached by a fan and he said, "It may not mean much to you but I really enjoy your movies." and Jimmy replied, "No it means everything to me."
Kind of confirms what a great guy he seemed to be. I like most of his films
People wrote to the producer of this movie (Frank Capra) and told him they were alone at home, or in a motel room, planning to commit suicide, but God had other plans for them. They turned on the tv, and this movie was on, and they couldn't stop watching it. By the end of the movie, they were crying and praying to God to help them, and they never killed themselves, because of the message in this beautiful movie. It's my favorite Christmas movie of them all.
God is really there
and He Loves you
Amen! I didn’t know he got that kind of feedback. Kind of ironic that after making this movie he got to learn that he, too, made a powerful, positive impact on people’s lives.
Yes!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤
This movie has helped me in the same way. This is a beautiful fact about the movie I never knew
Amen!
Amen 🙏🏼
I could hear that line - "To my big brother George, the richest man in town" - a million times, and still cry every time.
The old movies didn't have cgi special effects, they had to actually have a great story and great acting. Love this movie. This movie makes you appreciate the good and bad moments of your life as a gift.
King Kong 1933....Wizard of Oz,Gone with the Wind and several other films(1939) had "special effects " 😂 Even this, in '46 had effects
@@jonathanmoon86 should i say didn't rely on them to tell the story? Or would you just like to argue for a while hahaha
@@seanquarles7742 😆
Old movies had tons of special effects. They were just in camera and practical.
Jimmy Stewart was in WW2 and had "shellshock" which is what they called PTSD back then. This was his first movie after the war, and Lionel Barrymore (Mr.Potter) was a friend who convinced him to go back to acting and this movie and work through the shellshock. You can actually see it in his performance in the bar when he really breaks down. Makes me love that movie even more.
It wasn't shellshock. That is far, far worse. Look up shellshock here on youtube. It's super, super, super, super bad. Those people can't function at all.
He did have ptsd though
@@jonathancarver2208shell shock is extreme PTSD, only its specific to being in warfare.
I had no idea of that! He gained a high rank, yes?
@@CB-kj6xw Air Force reserve, Brigadier General. He even did recruiting commercials in full uniform.
This movie is not only a classic,, but over the years it also has been known to actually have saved some lives.
Even though he was already a successful actor, Jimmy Stewart (George) joined up in WW2 and flew bombers. He was a real war hero as well as a tremendously successful actor.
My favorite part of the movie “ No man is a failure who has friends “ Great words to live by!
Fun Fact - When Uncle Billy walks off singing "My Wild Irish Rose", the crash you hear was a prop boy who bumped into a table with props, making the crash. The actor playing Billy did that quick improv off camera where he says "I'm all right! I'm allllm right!" making it seem like he had stumbled into trash cans. It worked so well they kept it in the cut. Knowing that, watch the scene again... you'll even see people in the background startled by the noise... and Stewart was smiling because of how clever and funny the improv was.
th-cam.com/video/DwItfUFzyfA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=pNcs6r0Y1KaeH09D
Lionel Barrymore who played Mr. Potter is Drew Barrymore's great uncle. The guy who opened the swimming pool is Alfalfa from the original Little Rascals, and "that bird" is Jimmy The Raven. Jimmy also played the crow in The Wizard of Oz and many, many more films from that era.
Lionel was also the one who convinced Jimmy to do the movie. Stewart had just returned home from the war, and wasn’t certain he was ready to return to his acting career.
Cool! T Y And "Bert & Ernie, take
I have seen this movie a million times, and I always cry at the end! So, a few things here. It was a very old-school thing to tie a string around your finger as a reminder not to forget something important. A few fun trivia facts: at the dance, when the floor opens to the pool, the old man ad libbed and jumped into the pool. It was not in the script! Also, when Donna Reed throws the rock at the window of the old house, they were ready to do sound effects to make it appear she broke the window, but she surprised them that she had really good aim and she actually did break the window. Finally, when Uncle Billy goes staggering down the street, you hear a crash, and Uncle Billie says, "I'm alright," he ad libbed because someone on the filming crew dropped some equipment on the floor in the middle of the take. When Uncle Billy pretended he fell, they didn't have to do the scene over. I'm so happy you liked the movie, Amber and Jay. I think you should watch "Christmas In Connecticut." It stars Barbara Stanwick, and it's a really funny black and white film.
Hey ya'll the next best Christmas movie is White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye
I thought L Barrymore was the traveling fortune teller and the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz. Thank all for correcting me.
It's not a Christmas movie, but one old black & white film you really must see is 'The best years of our lives', about a trio of servicemen returning home to 'small-town America', after serving in WWII.
The fact that one of the stars of the movie is a genuine disabled vet, Harold Russell, who lost both hands in an explosion during training, really tugs on the heartstrings!!
I hope you get round to it sometime, as it's definitely one of the best movies ever !! 😍
I absolutely loved that movie, so few people know about it. There was a more recent movie that felt like a spiritual remake if not more a decade or two ago.
That is a great movie. Was one of my Mom’s favorites.
Wish I could like this comment a hundred times.
Dana Andrews and Frederic March.
Memorable!
@@gretafinz6486
I thought Harold Russell competed brilliantly, against the 'professionals' especially as he wasn't even an actor, before he was chosen for this role!!
I'm 67 and have watched this every Christmas for as long as I can remember. It is so great to see this amazing old black and white movie transcend generations and be loved as much as ever with it's wonderful storyline, acting and message for humanity. I loved watching Jake & Amber"s reactions to the movie.
The string on the finger was used to remember something. The pool in the dance scene was filmed at Beverly Hills High School. It s called “The Swim Gym” and is still in use by Bev Hills High students and the local community. I would watch some games in that gym, thinking about this scene
And the kid that opened it up was former little rascal alfalfa
Just to clarify any confusion, it was Mary that whispered in George's bad ear, not Violet. Mary has loved George all of her life.
yep
Where did you see that ?
They didn’t show it, they didn’t show Clarence told about the loss of earing, neither did they show the poison…
I quit !
It was in the drug store scene when she ordered her chocolate sunday. Watch the movie instead of a reaction to a movie. You missed more than half.@francoisevassy6614
@@tomhill9445
I know the movie quite well, I even own the book with the script. Precisely because I know the movie, I can tell that they don’t show what’s important for the following events.
yea pretty much all of these so called reactors do that annoying thing, closer to critics than reactors@@tomhill9445 its so bad i'm going to soon delete the biggest yappers.
My dude, when you're sitting next to your beautiful wife and partner, you can't possibly say you're "not a love story kind of guy!" You're living the best one of all!
My favorite movie of all time. My father came home from WWII with PTSD. Jimmy Stewart did also. He said this was his favorite movie. I think it helped him readjust.
Thank you for his service!
Drew Barrymore comes from a family of actors that not only includes her famous relatives-her great-aunt Ethel Barrymore, her great-uncle Lionel Barrymore and her grandfather John Barrymore-but stretches back at least 400 years to her fourth great-grandfather Thomas Haycraft Lane and fourth great-grandmother Louisa
BTW you can clearly see the resemblance between her and Lionel!
Lionel is really really good as Scrooge in radio plays of a Christmas carol, top notch
Yes your right.
@@Alexandra_Indina That famous Barrymore Profile.
all the more shame that with all that she couldn't bother to support the recent writers strike
Drew Barrymore’s grandfather, John Barrymore, was Lionel Barrymore’s brother. John, Lionel, and their sister Ethel Barrymore were famous critically acclaimed actors on stage, film, and radio.
He has the same chin and smile as Drew😊
There's a Broadway theatre here in New York called the Ethel Barrymore - that's how big a deal that family was
@@phillyphan1225and if you look they both have the same slight crookedness to their mouth.
The Barrymores and the Drews were actors more than a century and were contemporaries of the Booth family
When movies were stories and not a two hour visual sensory overload display of chaos
In case you missed it. Mr Potter/Barrymore told Jimmy Stewart when he's in trouble to go to the riff raff he loves so much. Mary went to the town& they came en mass.
It's a Wonderful Life is not only my favorite Christmas movie, it's my favorite movie of all time. It brought me so much joy to see your reactions to watching it for the first time. 🙂
I've always considered Mary to be the true hero of this movie. Everything she did from fixing up the old house to raising 4 kids, and quietly taking over when she knew her husband was in trouble. I always admired that character so much.
Well, Mary is amazing, but she got everything she always wanted, she didn't give away any of her dreams, George did. And we all see what happened to her without George. It's easy to be cool when you have everything.
It's been on my Top 5 GOAT Film List for DECADES!
Donna Reed was not only one of the most beautiful actresses ever, but she was one of the most talented. She brought something special to every appearance.
@@DJHolte she was great in From here to eternity...well the whole movie and cast were amazing!
Guys! This was the golden age of Hollywood!! They made some of the best films during this time!!! It was the beginning of the depression when everyone was trying to get their money out of the banks before they lost everything. This classic has so many layers to it and double meanings. During the depression everyone was looking for employment. Kids had to work and help out their families, if they could find work. Yes, spanking and hitting kids, unfortunately, was seen as discipline. It was common back then, but kids were tough. Many drugstores or pharmacies had an ice cream shop inside. Yes, kids were very independent back then and hung out with their friends by themselves. I told you kids were tough back then. Did you know that when this movie first came out it was not a success?!! For some reason, people could not relate to it. But after a while, it became a Christmas classic! Year after year, people started to discover all the little treasures in this film until their love for it snowballed. It is truly a masterpiece for the generations because there are so many “wonderful” pearls of wisdom woven into this film. This movie does make our lives wonderful especially around Christmas!
4:45 Pharmacies back then (the early half of the 20th Century) often also provided sodas, candy, ice cream, and in some cases full lunches and light meals. Most of the major soda brands were started in pharmacies as potential stomach elixirs and became so popular that they became their own category: soft drinks.
Soda pop shops
It was one of my mom’s first jobs back in the day as a soda jerk. Even when I was growing up our local Rexall has a soda fountain.
Cokea Cola had actual COKE.@@paulthompson4545
I just watched (listened to, more like it) one of Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story” episodes, “Young Love”. It’s about one such soft drink but I won’t spoil the ending. The TH-cam video is less than four minutes long.
They often sold cigars.
Makes me cry everytime I watch it. A true classic with an eternal message.
In the drugstore, that’s a cigar lighter that the kids made a wish on.
People would tie a string around their finger to help them remember to do something.
Thank you for reacting to this classic. Love this movie! Such a great lesson!
What a wonderful reaction! FYI: This was Stewart's first movie after WW2. He flew so many combat missions he was grounded as “flak happy,” what would come to be known as post-traumatic stress (Jimmy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross). The film was "good medicine" for him......Happy Holidays..........
Yes, this movie was practically Jimmy Stewart’s PTSD on display.
Take look at pictures of Jimmy before and fter he war. He aged at least 15 years. Quite war hero. He was awareded THREE Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Potter gets his on a SNL skit. Cracks me up every time. This is my favorite movie. A good cry about how wonderful humanity is every Christmas Eve.
Yes! Just Google “SNL Lost Ending It’s a Wonderful Life”. That is so great.
Came to make sure someone pointed them toward this amazing SNL skit. Simply look up "lost ending to it's a wonderful life" on TH-cam and you'll find it.
The "lost ending" of It's a Wonderful Life, starring Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman 🤣
YES!! I forgot about that! I love it!
That SNL bit is a classic in itself 😅
For me, this is the greatest film in all of American cinema.
I wouldn't argue that.
I have never met anyone who did not enjoy this movie and want to watch it over and over again. Such a tear jerker. Fabulous acting as well!
Did y'all also notice, that the cop and the taxi driver are named... Bert and Ernie. Yes, that's where the characters from Sesame Street got they're names. Lol😊
I've watched this every Christmas since I was a little girl. I'll be 60 in March. 😊
I thought the same thing but read that Jim Henson didn't plan that, it just worked out that way. I also read Leonard and Sheldon on the Big Bang theory got their names from Sheldon Leonard who played Nick the bartender in It's a Wonderful Life. He also produced the Danny Thomas Show and the Andy Griffith Show.
Ernie the cop was also Tom the cop in Maltese Falcon
These classic movies are so great because they didn’t rely on special effects they had to rely on great writing and storytelling and performances!
So true !
We need movies like that back!
It makes me so happy to hear you two saying this will play in your home every Christmas from now on!! This is my favorite movie of all time. The message is so clear and pure. I'm so stoked to know the younger generation sees the value in it! Merry Christmas (late) and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned, but just in case: Jimmy Stewart, the actor who played George, was in real life, and before this movie was made, a fighter pilot in World War 2 (yep, just like the character of George's younger brother Harry) -
"(Jimmy) Stewart entered the Air Force Reserve and retired after 27 years of service with the rank of brigadier general, the highest-ranking Hollywood actor to serve in uniform." - American Legion
I'm an Army vet, and the list of medals and citations that he earned makes my jaw drop! And remember, he served in the military reserves while still making movies! Incredible movies, like "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" and "North by Northwest". He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1941, before going to fight in WWII as a pilot! He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagon, and was presented with the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1985!
The man was A-MAZE-ING!
May I offer a couple of corrections? Stewart was a bomber pilot and flew many missions over enemy territory. It was Cary Grant, not Jimmy Stewart, in North By Northwest, though Stewart was in a number of Hitchcock films, including Rope, Rear Window, and Vertigo. The rest of you information is correct and all the accolades Stewart received were more than warranted. He really was an amazing man.
It amazes me the aversion towards black and white movies by today's generations. I've never realized this until this year, I just assumed everyone grew up on black and white movies like my generation did. I'm glad people are starting to realize color becomes unimportant when you become engrossed into the story, and the cinematographers in those days were truly masters of their craft of light and shadow.
It doesn't really surprise me that younger generations tend to think that any movie old enough to be done in black & white would be boring or something they couldn't relate to. I've seen tons of black & whites, and two of my faves (aside from this one) are 'Rebecca' and 'It Happened One Night' (and that one's 90 years old now).
Wow... I remember being a young boy and literally cringing and rolling my eyes every time my mother broke into tears watching this movie... I now have to keep a box of kleenex next to me every time I watch this. Its amazing how maturity redefines your perspective of what is really important. Great reaction... Thankyou!!
Thank goodness we will never find out what the world would be like without you two… you bring so much to so many of us every day. We appreciate you so much! 😊
Ahhhh.... The movie of my childhood! Along with a VERY young Natalie Wood in "Miracle on 34th Street"! I never missed either movie and they were only shown once a year! 💖
Just knew y’all would love this movie. Another old classic is Miracle on 34th Street. A Christmas gem with Maureen OHara & little Natalie Wood, who was great! Know y’all will like that one too. Merry Christmas & love & peace to your family, you are such sweet people ❤🎉
Yes, it’s a great b&w film as well. A classic. I love the original so much more than any remakes.
I have scoured TH-cam and there are practically no meet me in St. Louis reactions.
Yep! That was one of my mom's favorite as well as The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant!
Absolutely! "Miracle on 34th Street" is another Christmas must-see and they would definitely love it!!
The device George uses when he walks into the drugstore is an old-style mechanical cigar-lighter, used as a ‘make a wish’ gimmick. George Bailey's use of it serves as a whimsical expression of his yearning for financial success. By uttering, "I wish I had a million dollars" before activating the lighter, the flame and his jubilant "Hot dog!" exclamation vividly represent his dream of attaining substantial wealth.
This comical ritual captures George's excitement and relief in the face of an imaginary windfall. The humour hinges on the anticipation of his wish materialising, symbolised by the ignition of the flame, and his enthusiastic response. The exclamation "Hot dog!" conveys George's joy and satisfaction, emphasising the lighthearted nature of this imaginative pursuit of prosperity in the midst of his real-world challenges.
Great summation. I would just add that the Midland mechanical cigar lighter did not always light, so the gimmick was if it lit you got your wish, hence his "Hot Dog" exclamation.
I was looking for this. Thank you.
@@sandman_says_runrunner4701
Yes, agreed. I meant to highlight include that point, although I did refer to it twice,by default. Thanks though.
Glad y'all watched and enjoyed this gem of a movie. (I KNEW you'd love it!) Thank you both for reminding me that there are still good people out there😊
I love when Mary says, “George Bailey, I'll love you 'til the day I die.” We have a little ice cream parlor in my hometown. I started working there when I was 13. After school and weekends. It was a few blocks from my home. My best friend worked there with me, we had so much fun! I worked there until I was almost 18. I didn’t know it then but it was the best job of my life. Hardly any responsibility, allowed to eat as much ice cream and French fries as we wanted! 😂
Jimmy Stewart (George), Donna Reed (Mary), and Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) were all Hollywood royalty and, yes, Lionel is Drew Barrymore's great uncle. Lionel was wheelchair-bound and his screen characters were written to accommodate that fact. Jimmy starred in so many iconic movies I won't even try to list them but one of my very favorites was Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.
Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew too Much" was a great movie that starred James Stewart and Doris Day.
She sang "Que Sera Sera" in a very pivotal scene.
Any love for "Harvey"?!!!
Rope is also a fantastic Jimmy Stewart/Hitchcock movie. Inspired by a true story of two men who kill another man, just because they could.
The rope is amazing! I also love Mr Smith goes to Washington!
Psycho and A Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
This wasn't a huge hit when first released. Not a flop but not a huge hit. But over the next 30 years or so it went into public domain and TV stations across the country would run it around the holidays. It became an American classic with some stations running it several times each year Jimmy Stewart lived long enough to see it become one of most beloved American films.
It was his personal favorite of all the films he made
You're right. The first time I saw this film was back in the early 80's and it was shown on our local PBS station during the Christmas season.
Jimmy Stewart (George) is one of my favorite actors from that time. His dramatic roles are epic and he's really good in the comedies too! Mr Hobbs takes a vacation is hilarious!
Jimmy Stewart returned from WW2 with PTSD from being a bomber pilot and losing so many buddies in the war. He used that experience acting out the role of George Bailey in this move when the character became so distraught that he wanted to commit suicide. This has been my favorite Christmas movie for many years. Glad you both liked it so much!
"No man or woman is a failure who has friends."
It's a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite Christmas film. It's the best feel-good movie that everyone needs to watch because it shows how everyone is important. No one is bigger than anyone else. We all matter because we as individuals can make a difference, no matter the situation that comes towards us.
Also, Fun Fact: James Stewart was nervous about the phone kiss scene because it was his first onscreen kiss since his return to Hollywood after the war. Under director Frank Capra's watchful eye, James Stewart filmed the scene in only one unrehearsed take and it worked so well that part of the embrace was cut because it was too passionate to pass the censors.
Jimmy Stewart was a very famous actor. Donna Reed his wife Mary also a great actress. She aslo had a TV Series called " The Donna Reed" show. You have to see more of their movies. He was in Dramas, western and comedies with some big names. You hit on a treasure trove with Jimmy Stewart ❤
Didn't Donna Reed take over as Miss Ellie in Dallas?
"THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER" and "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON" are absolutely BRILLIANT Jimmy Stewart films.
Donna Reed won an Oscar for her performance in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (after this movie), James Stewart won in 1941 for THE PHILADELPHIA STORY. As you all noticed, he had a very distinctive way of speaking - he talked that way in all his movies, not just this one. (For that reason lots of people do impressions of him since his voice was known to virtually everyone in America at one point.)
You can't go wrong with James Stewart! I think they'll enjoy Harvey and Rear Window, also Vertigo (my favourite) , but maybe later.
Yes, she did.@@Lilly8Listens
A powerful movie. Imagine seeing what life would be without you! Prayer and love fill this movie!
Greatest movie of all time!!
All young adults should watch it!!
I am on a marathon watching reactions to this movie for a week now :) And it still brings all the emotions every time.
Me too. I'm 63. It's so much fun seeing all these people watching this movie for the first time. They start out reluctant to watch a black and white movie then think it's beautiful. It's fun to see what they don't understand like the string around the fingers.
Some thoroughly researched facts about "It's A Wonderful Life":
- This movie was filmed at the RKO Ranch in Encino, CA during a heat wave. The snow was made of 300 tons of shaved ice, 300 tons of gypsum, 300 tons of plaster and 300 gallons of chemicals. During the filming of the bridge scene, the temperature was over 90 degrees, so though it looked like Jimmy Stewart's face was wet from melted snow, it was actually sweat.
- Sam did not give George the $25,000 just because they were childhood friends. During the phone call at Mary's house where George and Mary shared the phone, Sam said that George gave him the idea of making plastics from soy beans and that his father was running with the idea. During the phone call, George suggested that instead of building the new factory in Rochester, that he use the old tool and machine factory in Bedford Falls. He also told him that he could get all of the skilled workers he needed because "half the town was thrown out of work when they closed". That suggestion saved Sam a ton of money, and helped him make a fortune making plastic hoods for plane in WWII. So, Sam owes a large part of his success to George.
- George and Mary had the unfortunate timing of getting married on the day that the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression. That's why there was a run on the bank.
- Mr. Gower's son died of influenza. That was in 1919. That year coincides with the previous worldwide pandemic, the Spanish Flu (1918-1920).
- When Uncle Billy drunkenly walks off screen, you hear a loud crash. That was completely unintentional. A crew member dropped a large tray of props right after Thomas Mitchell exited the shot. He ad-libbed the "I'm alright, I'm alright". Capra decided to keep it in and even gave the crew member a bonus for "improving sound".
- The Hays Code for films of that time contained a provision that "any criminal wrongdoing in movies must never be depicted as going unpunished unless criminals are shown to repent". Somehow, Capra was able to release the film without Potter getting his comeuppance, even though this seems to be a blatant violation of the Hays Code.
- I know a lot of people have posted that Lionel Barrymore is Drew's Great Grandfather or Grandfather. That is incorrect. Lionel Barrymore is Drew's Great Uncle. (verified on IMDB).
- Another claim made that is in error is that Bert the cop and Ernie the cab driver were the inspiration for the muppets Bert and Ernie on "Sesame Street". According to the Jim Henson Company, the names are just a coincidence. So, there is no truth to that claim.
- The bartender, Nick, was played by Sheldon Leonard. He was a very successful actor, producer, director and screenwriter. His name was the inspiration for the two male lead characters from "The Big Bang Theory", Sheldon and Leonard.
- There is a "Making of" video available on youtube. It is hosted by Tom Bosley, who played Mr. Cunningham on "Happy Days". Here's a link: th-cam.com/video/MbSv_ZTgs-M/w-d-xo.html
As you can tell, I really love this movie. I consider it one of the finest movies ever made, and not just in the category of "Christmas films". but of all films. In fact, it is one of two movie lobby posters that I have framed and hanging on my living room wall. The other is "Casablanca". Thank you so much for watching and reacting to this incredible movie. Merry Christmas!
I love your trivia! Thank you for your research 😊
Only one note, the great depression started in 1929, and this was a few years later (remember, Harry was in the class of 1928), but one of the reason the great depression lasted so long was because banks would regularly run out of funds and fail during those years. When something would happen to make people lose confidence in the bank people would "run" to get their money out before the bank ran out of cash. Remember there was no FDIC, no federal protection or insurance for banks.
@@vly9257 Lionel Barrymore was the great uncle of Drew Barrymore. He played Scrooge on the radio for almost two decades.
Key scenes were left out of this reaction. The most significant was the dramatic long shot of George at the bar praying to God.
The director asked Ellen Corby (who later played grandma Walton) to say "$17.50) without Jimmy be aware. So he spontaneously kissed her.
Kids today aren't aware that strings tied to fingers are reminders of not forgetting something.
No mention of the slap to George's ear, really making him bleed because Mr. Gower was a method actor and really drunk? :-)
@@MusicalMiranda82 I didn't know those things! Man!
@mirandaholter I could have included many more, but I had to limit it somewhere. But thank you for that one.
String around fingers traditionally were uses as reminders
Most drugstores also had soda fountains
The old classics are the best. Jimmy Stewart was in WW2 as a bomber squadron commander. He had several of his men die during bombing raids and suffered greatly as a result. He continued in the Army Reserves after the war and eventually reached the rank of Brigadier General. Donna Reed starred in both TV and movies.
This is such a classic with so many huge actors. James Stewart was a highly decorated soldier in WWII, Donna Reed, Ward Bond, Beulah Bondy and yes John Barrymore to name a few. Thank you for reacting to this old movie. Not many young people would be so open to it.
You mentioned the bird in the building and loan. The bird is a raven named 'Jimmy The Crow'. You have seen him before. He landed on the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz! He also lands on a tombstone in Arsenic and Old Lace, which is another black and white movie you MUST watch (a classic comedy)! That bird appeared in over 1000 moves. That is not a typo. Over 1000 movies. And to finish, I've watched this movie over 100 times and one day a few years ago it dawned on me. Mary Hatch made a wish, threw a rock, and Peter Baily died. Yowza!
Ravens can live over 60 years, so it's no surprise Jimmy had so many roles as a trained bird.
Oh man, poor Peter.. lol Whatever is making that wish come true: "Mary Hatch, you're our winner for the night! You want to marry George and end up in this house? Okay.. let's see, well, sorry Peter Bailey, I guess? Grats Mary.."
This is my very favorite of all Christmas films. It's such a beautiful story of gratitude and humility. George is so very decent, so unselfish, even when it ruins the plans he's worked so hard to make for himself. The poor man wanted so desperately to see the world and couldn't even get out of town to fight in WWII. Even at his lowest point, he chooses to ignore his own plan so he can save someone else. And Mary, who is always positive and supportive regardless of circumstances, is a rock. I get weepy throughout this film because I'm so invested in the characters starting when the drunken Mr. Gower goes to the bar, all shaky and watery-eyed--and it doesn't end until Harry says, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town". So joyous and wholesome and satisfying!
This movie featured 5 cast members who were Oscar Winners: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed (Mary), Lionel Barrymore (Potter, Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) and Gloria Graham (Violet).
Jimmy Stewart- one of the greatest actors ever. Frank Capra - one of the best movie makers ever.
The lead actor jimmy steward had just come back from war and was suffering what they called shell shock. This movie has so much of his actual pain in it. It saved him according to him. This is my all time favorite Christmas movie. Thank you for sharing this. Frank Capra is such an amazing director
This was Jimmy's favorite movie among all the films made.
You're right he was bad off. I'm no shrink but I know it wasn't shell shock though. Lots of people say it was ptsd. I don't know. You should check out people with actual shell shock here. It's really, really, really awful. They shake and display all kinds of terrible symptoms.
@@jonathancarver2208 - The same condition was called Shell shocked (WWI), Battle fatigue (WWII), Operational Exhaustion (Korean war), and PTSD (Vietnam), which has stuck. All euphemisms to label the exact same thing.
@@cup_cuppy_cuppers5817 NOPE. Look up shell shock footage here. You'll see that if he had that he couldn't even function period. Possibly forever.
@@cup_cuppy_cuppers5817 Wikipedia even has this wrong and it's not properly sourced. You'll find lots of definitions on Wikipedia lacking by the way if you're going by that. Go look at the ACTUAL cases and you'll see. Shell shocked is very specific and came about mostly by being "shelled" by the enemy or constant fire/bombings. These cases are EXTREMELY bad. Take the time and look at the video evidence and ask yourself if you'd rather be shell shocked or have ptsd. I'd MUCH rather suffer from the ptsd Stewart had than be shell shocked. Seriously, look for yourself. If Stewart had been shell shocked he would just sit around rocking and wouldn't be able to hold a conversation or even be coherent in any way. Look up shell shock footage here.
Back when pharmacies were all small independent operations, the store commonly diversified into all kinds of services. Soda and ice cream counters were in pharmacies because each soda was a complicated hand mixed formula, so a pharmacist (aka chemist or druggist)were the ones to make them, and early freezers for ice cream were were big expensive and only stores could afford them.
If you loved this film, you definitely have to watch "Meet John Doe" by the same director, Frank Capra. It has just as many feels as this film, as kids say nowadays, and it is another masterpiece in storytelling. It also ends on Christmas Eve and is so inspirational that if you're not crying by the end, you have no feelings. Capra was one of the best film directors ever, and he truly believed this country was a democracy made "of the people, for the people and by the people." He was a working class mans (and womans) director, and his films show it in every detail. Happy Holidays.
LOVE Barbara Stanwyck, and that’s a great movie. Capra to me is the modern cinema version of Jane Austen: able to describe the lives, loves, trials and tribulations that most of humanity faces in a story version that transcends the era of its creation.
Another amazing Capra film is You Can’t Take it With You.
@ohmightywez Yes, Ms. Stanwyck was a national treasure, and she always played characters that were way ahead of her time. None of the female tropes that were prevalent at the time. I've never read Jane Austen, so I may check out her writing now. Thanks. And "You Can't Take It With You" is one of my all-time favorites. I watch it whenever I want to watch a really, really fun film and just feel good at the end. Cheers.
To Kill a Mockingbird. another classic.
I consider this movie and The Wizard of Oz as the two best movies ever made.
And The Princess Bride
Second to The Muppet Christmas Carol, of course.
If you haven't seen it, watch The Wiz ❤
Nope @@Mama_Michelle
One of the most amazing acting was by the woman who played his mother Beulah Bondi. She was so sweet but her expression ...bitterness and suspicion in he Non existing George world is excellent acting.
I'm 48 and I've never seen this movie, I knew it was out there of course. So I decided to watch it with you guys and I'm so glad I did! It's the only thing Christmasy about my Christmas this year, so thank you guys ❤
Merry Christmas !
Happy Christmas. Be of good cheer. You are unique and spectacular.
Please have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Have a very merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Jessica!
I’m so glad you loved my favorite movie of all time. I watch it over and over at Christmas. Watching you watch it made me cry again at the end.
(I haven’t looked through the comments but I hope someone asked if you noticed the names of the cop and the cab driver-Bert and Ernie!
I'm a mellinial and am glad my parents showed me these movies as I grew up. This is a classic.
I'm gen z, and this is my favorite christmas movie ❤
Another classic film from the same year (that also included multiple love stories) was 'The Best Years of Our Lives," which dealt with World War II veterans coming home and trying to get back to normal. Very much worth a reaction.
Oh that’s a must. As a veteran, I can tell you, no movie has ever portrayed what it’s like to come home and go back to civilian life the way that movie did.
I watched it for the first time this year and it's phenomenal. One of my all-time favorites now.
One of the best movies ever made. Maybe my all time favorite.
Best Years of Our Lives took the lion's share of Oscars that year too (including Best Picture), but It's a Wonderful Life had the advantages for later audiences of being 1: a Christmas movie and 2: A mistake was made in the copyright filing which allowed it to become public domain for a time so it cost nothing to broadcast for years. As a result it was shown annually around Christmas to a bigger audience which is great.
But both are equally great films with brilliant acting.
Yes! Please react to "The Best Years of Our Lives".
This is the first movie Jimmy Stewart did after serving in WW2. They used to show it every year for Christmas. I watched it every year for 40 years! 😂💕❤️this movie. Still relevant today!
Been watching this movie since I was a little kid. Jimmie Stewart performed this on the radio before the movie. We watch it every Christmas Eve and I still cry at the end. You just started down that rabbit hole of wonderfully made classic black and white movies. The Golden Age of Hollywood is AMAZING! Katherine Hepburn, Carey Grant, Bogey, Bacall, Bergman. The list goes on and on. Dial M For Murder, Gaslight, Arsenic and Old Lace, just to name a few! Keep going, you won't regret it!
James Stewart, who played George, is in a lot of other classics, like The Philadelphia Story, Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Vertigo and Rear Window
The latter two were from Alfred Hitchcock
So, if you want to go back and watch some more older films, check them out
"Harvey" (giant invisible rabbit)
I second Harvey, it had a big impact on me as a kid
@@tobysmith3351 "Harvey!" Yes, I was in it! ah....high school senior class play. My teacher had always wanted to put that on. 1969.. I played Myrtle Mae
Don't forget "THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER"... almost as good as "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"!!!!!
I will second "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," but I think they would really enjoy "The Maltese Falcon." with Humphrey Bogart. With their intro to black and white movies I think "To Kill a Mockingbird."
The strings around Uncle Billy fingers was to remind himself of different things he needed to remember. You had mentioned you were wondering why Mr. Gower was so upset towards the beginning. It was because he received a telegram advising his son had died. Young George read it and understood his pain but didn’t know what to do. Thank you for reacting to this movie which has a message for us to use every day.
Yes, string around the finger used to be a technique to remember things.
I've had to deliver someone bad news when I didn't think it was my place.
The son of the guy I worked for called me to pass on the bad news, and just nonchalantly said "Tell Dad, X is dead...", who was apparently a good friend.
I rephrased is *slightly* to let him know...
It also (subtly) speaks to how innately "good" & GIVING of a person George is that his FIRST instinct is to go in the back and offer to "help" Mr Gower with ANY additional tasks that needed to be done!
(Thus, taking the burden off of Mr. Gower so he has some time to grieve in peace.)
The kids in the drug store, which many had a soda fountain, are set in 1911. It wasn't unusual for kids to work at age 12. I had my first job throwing newspapers at age 11 in 1974.
The initial scenes went back in time. Mr. Gower’s son was fighting in WWI. The Spanish Flu, aka Coronavirus, was happening at the same time. So sad
@@fourthgirlMy grandfather had to drop out of grade school to work and support his family after his father diedl
Strings on fingers helped to not forget something. They are like reminders. Forgetful people used to do that in the old days
I just love the fact that film is willing to go to really dark places. Not what you'd see in the typical Christmas movie these days, especially "family" films.
Another black and white recommendation for a truly uplifting James Stewart movie- "Harvey". My all time favourite film.
Me too!
Absolutely!!!! PLEASE react to Harvey with Jimmy Stewart also!
55:33 There are many thousands more black & white movies of this era that are entertaining, moving, hilarious, romantic, chilling, and just as wonderful as movies made in more recent decades, sometimes more so. It’s fantastic that you’re beginning to realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg and that there are still tons of great movies to explore and familiarize yourselves with! I hope from now on you don’t hesitate to see a movie just because it’s in black and white.
This movie reminds me to be thankful I didn't get everything I thought I wanted out of life. If you try to be a good person and live a good life, sometimes you get riches you never dreamed of. Be grateful for your "burdens" in life - in the end they make you better, stronger and reveal true character.
👏
Amen ❤
This an absolute classic from the first golden age of Hollywood. The lead actor is Jimmy Stewart, and you should explore all of his movies. He was the Tom Hanks of his era -- literally one of the best movie actors of all time. This movie came at a crucial time, not only for Stewart (it was his first movie after serving in WWII), but for the country, as well. It came right as Americans were trying to make sense of the changed world after WWII, and it reminded them of the small-town values they had always counted on. So, in a time of change, it was a reassurance that those values would continue, and they had been worth fighting for.
The best Christmas movie ever!
A must watch every Christmas-time to renew your soul!
I'm thrilled that you both loved the movie. I was so moved when Jay said, "Why do black and white love stories make it so much better." That moved me because it is so wonderful watching both Jay and Amber discover the huge backlog of great American classics. And the beauty of black and white cinematography. The main reason you enjoy these old films is because the writing of these films is great storytelling at its finest. There is a world of wonder in the Classics from Hollywood just waiting for you to discover. I know I've said it before, but I hope you watch a few of my favorites, such as "Giant" 1956, "A Place In the Sun" 1951 "Gilda" 1946 "Stagecoach" 1939 Red Dust 1932, The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1939 The Searchers 1956 National Velvet 1944 The Best Years of Our Lives 1947 Pillow Talk 1959 ...I could go on, but I won't because I would be sitting her typing until New Years Eve. Merry Christmas to my two favorite movie reactors.... OH, and one more great movie about my hometown, "San Francisco" 1936 the film the launched the disaster film genre.
Cop and taxi driver are Bert and Ernie. Many believe the Sesame Street characters were named after them
one more thing, the kiss, or "The Kiss", perhaps it is one of the most passionate kisses in cinema, it was George breaking down with anger at more of his dreams being yanked away, and yet, here he is nuzzling in the hair of the girl he loves and will love forever, all crashing together in the same moment on those stairs. He was angry, sad, and madly in love and did what he had to do, smother her with his love.
Hey guys there are so many great movies from the black and white days. When you asked what a bank run was that was the Great Depression. We learned about this in grade school back in the sixty’s. Need to teach more of real history. This country has been through a lot that you were not taught I’m sorry for that. When I was in third grade we stopped doing the pledge allegiance to the flag first thing in the morning. Then buy sixth grade the American flag was gone out of every classroom so sad. Thank you for letting me be apart of the Rob squad family. You have a beautiful family and take on a very very big job teaching I can’t say enough how much these old moves can be of such great help teaching kids now. I could go on forever with movies. African Queen staring Humphrey Bogert and Katharine Hepburn. Elvis had a ton of movies.
The habit of tying a string around one's finger served as a reminder of something, sort of like setting a reminder on your phone, but without a label saying what it's for, the idea being that once your memory is jogged that there is something, you'll easily call it to mind. Uncle Billy was so scatterbrained, his fingers had enough string going on to tie up a roast.....
Great movie and great reaction. This movie was made for you two. Jimmy Stewart who played George was like the Tom Hanks of his time. He was a great actor who played in so many classics in different genres.
I’m sorry but Tom Hanks is the Jimmy Stewart of his time
.... sorry, but Tom Hanks doesn't compare to Jimmy Stewart. ♡
@@wallyboy6666 Jimmy was the best. And he was a modest, genuine guy.
Tom Hanks, with all the shenanigans he has been up to doesn't deserve to be put in the same category as Jimmy. Jimmy was classy.
What shenanigans? Ive neen looking for a reason tp hate him! @@timcarr6401
@@timcarr6401 ????
One of the best feel-good movies I've ever seen. I've watched it every year since I was a kid (about 40 years now). It doesn't matter when you watch it, the message is still the same. Treat people how you'd like to be treated. Try to make one person's day better - even if it's just with a simple smile and saying hello. Those actions take very little effort and can actually go a long way in life. Granted, this movie stretches out those things to the extreme, but it'd have to in order to be a movie. With the liking of B&W movies, not sure if the Squad has watched it, but 12 Angry Men would be a major must watch. Happy holidays everybody!
I'm so glad you watched this movie and loved it as much as we do! The ending never fails to make me cry, it's such an amazing movie. This might just be the greatest Christmas movie of all time.
I love this movie so much. I always cry at the end! Jimmy Stewart is wonderful, and he was just as amazing in real life. People used to tie strings on their fingers to help them remember to do something. 😅 I remember doing that as a little girl.
Seeing a drunk Violet in a no-George world is something.
I have for many years considered It’s A Wonderful Life to be my #1 top favorite movie of all time. HOLLYWOOD’s BEST EFFORT.
Not just my favorite Christmas movie, but favorite movie period. Has all the elements, romance, drama, comedy, suspense, lots of nostalgia!
excellent pick and very understandable why.
Thanks for that. I have a tradition of watching this every Christmas but missed it this year. Ever time I watch it I shed a tear. You made it happen in 59 minutes. Thanks.
This is not just my favorite Christmas movie. It is my all time favorite movie!
Love this one! I’ve seen so many movies, and this one has the only scene that I just absolutely can’t watch (where George yells at Uncle Billy and makes him cry). I have to leave the room. Great reaction, I’m glad you guys enjoyed it!
If no one else has said this, tying a string around your finger was supposed to be a way of helping you remember something. Like, if you wanted to remember that someone’s birthday was tomorrow, you tied a string around your finger so that when you saw or felt it, you thought about the birthday.
One of my favorites. I read a biography of Jimmy Stewart this year and the raw emotions he showed in this film were real, a result of the PTSD he suffered after serving in WWII. Just more to make this film so special. Great reaction, as always. MERRY CHRISTMAS to my favorite reactors!
One of my favorite stories about this movie has to do with the scene in the bar where the camera slowly zooms in on George as he is praying. They didn't originally zoom in during the filming of the scene but during final editing Capra recognized the powerful performance of Stewart and wanted to zoom in on George's face. Now remember, this was waaaay before we had the digital film editing tools like we have today.. and they didn't have the time or possibly money to re-film the scene. So what did they do? They literally cut the film up cell by cell, re-photographed each cell (zooming in a bit), and then reassembled the film. Can you, for one second, imagine doing that? What do you think the chances are that there are even people around who still know how to do that....
@@daveberkheimer2166 Do you have a reference that details this process? Frankly, as someone who worked as an editor in Hollywood since before the digital editing era, your description makes little sense. This gradual blowup on the tail end of a standard dolly shot could have all been done with an optical printer, a standard piece of equipment when this film was made. No slicing and dicing involved.
Having said that, I would definitely be curious to know if it was handled in a different way and, whatever the method, it is indeed an extremely powerful scene.
@@ContrarianCornerlike you, I have spent many a day sweating over a huge flatbed, and it's definitely possible --and one of the most famous stories about this movie
thats PILOT BRIGADIER GENERAL Stewart.
@@ljwilliams1228 Like I said, you definitely have my curiosity. I just can't figure out why someone would go to the lengths you describe when a much simpler solution was readily available.
My fiancé and I watch this every year while we wrap gifts for our kiddos. My most favorite Christmas movie of all!
The bar scene where George asked God for help was ad-libbed by James Stewart. Such an amazing actor !
This movie makes us remember what truly matters❤
Amen.
James Stewart is playing the part of George Bailey.
He’s a legend , was in a ton of movies, always did a great job!!
Check out some more of his movies:
1. Rear Window
2. The Man Who Knew Too Much
are a couple great ones , directed by Alfred Hitchcock ( Psycho)
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Co- stars Doris Day , you’ve reacted to her as a singer , now you can see her as an actress!!!
Rear Window is a must watch !
Don't forget "THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER"... another Jimmy Stewart CLASSIC... and "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON"... another Capra / Stewart film!
Dont forget Harvey!!!
@@johnmavroudis2054 yes I LOVE that movie!
I really like Bell, Book, and Candle with Kim Novak.
Loved your reaction! Thanks for sharing. You had a question about why Uncle Billy had strings around his fingers. It was an old custom to tie a string around your finger to remind you that there was something you had to do. The theory being that you'd see the string and you'd remember. However, Uncle Billy seldom remembered to looks at his fingers to see that there were strings -- and, when he did, he never remembered what they were supposed to be reminding him about! This is just one example of how the movie created such wonderful multi-dimensional characters.
Some other Christmas Classics for me are "Christmas in Connecticut," "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas." They all seem to be in very similar houses! Another fantastic b & w gilm if "The Best Years of Our Lives," kne of my absolute favorites. As also "The Lady Vanishes" and "Witness for the Prosecution." ❤
Another great black & white movie you need to react to is "Twelve Angry Men". And yes, Potter was Drew Barrymore's great uncle.