Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Sleigh Bell Cinema | It's a Wonderful Life (1946)



I'm joined by Carlin Trammel (Nerd Lunch, Dragonfly Ripple) to talk about Frank Capra's classic Christmas movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.

After discussing what makes a Christmas movie (and why this film is one), we take a close look at George Bailey, his friends, his family, and his wonderful life.

6 comments:

Erik Johnson Illustrator said...

Easily my favorite Christmas movie, and in my Top 10 personal favorites. So don't be surprised if it shows up again on Mystery Movie Night soon.

Because of the annual nature of viewing this one I pick up on little things each year. Recently I observed how George and Mary declaration of love is very labored. He comes over and its like a cat and mouse dance to try and get these two together. When he sits down she stands up, she moves right he moves left, its a real tug of war until HeeHaw calls and they have to stand next to each other to use the phone which is when they finally get together. With modern phone technology, its sad knowing that a scene like this will never happen again.

Also I love how after the immediacy of his problem's fade George and Clarence go to Nick's bar and George slips right back into his compassionate self by asking Clarence if he has a home or somewhere to go.

Sounds like you need a closing for this new show. How about "Season's Viewings". Maybe that'd be a better intro.

Erik Johnson Illustrator said...

Also, I hadn't considered that Potter's wheelchair might be tied to FDR. I just considered it in the same vein as why James Bond or comic book villains have scars or robot limbs, its tied to Socrates philosophy that an evil person is an unhealthy person and in visual mass media that comes form in the form of an infirmary or deformity.

It'd almost be interesting to see how Potter's condition would be changed to affect the times if this story were updated as often as a Christmas Carol.

Michael May said...

That's awesome. There's a lot to mine in this movie.

I've gone from basically dismissing it as Not a Real Christmas Movie to wanting to watch it a few more times (at least). I'll look forward to the MMN excuse to do that.

Michael May said...

Blogger has decided to start sending me comment notifications again, so hopefully I'll be better at responding to you. I do love it when folks like you and Joe comment. Thanks!

Erik Johnson Illustrator said...

Always happy to contribute Michael. Don't be surprised if Gremlins pops up soon too.

As far as "Not a Real Christmas Movie" is concerned I'll be curious about the consensus on Lethal Weapon.

Michael May said...

Me too. I know my feelings about it, but it'll be interesting to hear if opinions are consistent with the Die Hard conversation we had... was it last year?

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