It's a Wonderful Life: The Untold Stories from Behind the Scenes | A Cinematic Christmas Journey

[@Junzar56]

I saw this movie for the first time in 1975. It changed my attitude. I watch it every year, I love this movie!

[@chrispaul7849]

thanks for this wonderful program... I have watched this movie over 30 times and even wrote Jimmy a letter a couple years before he passed, thanking him for all he had done in his life, and to my shock he wrote me back and wished me A WONDERFUL LIFE... it hangs on my wall and is probably my most cherished possession. Had never written a Hollywood star before or since. You guys did an amazing job on your presentation! thanks again and have a blessed Christmas.

[@AndyJay1985]

That's wonderful to hear. I'm happy Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart were able to see this film reach classic status. I'm sure he was very appreciative of the time you took to write to him.

[@Froghorn_]

Wow. Thanks for sharing that story.

[@johnsciara9418]

There are two things that I recently considered from the film. It starts off in 1919 when George was 12 years old. Latter he drove his car into a tree, that was a 1919 Dodge. I believe that car had belonged to his father and that George obtained it in 1928 after his father died. The second is not my own but something to consider. " I think the hero of the story isn't George, it's Mary. The movie starts off with Mary praying for God to be with George. Her prayer (and others) is the catalyst for the angel, Clarence, being sent to George." Finally, Mary is the one who goes all over town to ask for help for her husband. Uncle Billy remarks, "Mary did it, George! Mary did it!"

[@jasonsimpkins9069]

This is the first year ever i watched any of the old Christmas movies. Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th, white Christmas and wonderful life. Actually bought them on Blu-ray. I'm in my 40s. All have been great. Especially the Bing ones. I loved all the extras on there as well. Very informative! History is dope!

[@joanpellillo2981]

Every year I watch this with my family - Love the movie.....

[@TomBeiter]

Great series, I've been enjoying them all. Another movie that pays a huge homage to "It's a Wonderful Life" and its "what if" premise is "Back to the Future II" with Biff in the role of Mr. Potter, converting the town into a gambling resort town devastated by crime and residential decay. It even features a parallel scene to IaWL with Marty finding his father's grave similar to George finding Harry's grave.

[@AndyJay1985]

The lot used for the town in Gremlins and Back to the Future looks like it could be Bedford Falls.

[@mattshellenberger1773]

This is a great movie. The only thing about it that bothers me is the fact that Mr. Potter never gets any comeuppance for stealing the 8 grand

[@AndyJay1985]

Agreed. Potter is an awful man, but it would be satisfying closure.

[@sarnow76]

Originally it was written but never in the movie Clarence went to Potter at the end of the movie and confronted him about what he did.

[@chazdrain1048]

Same that’s why I love SNL’s version of the ending where they beat the holy hell out of potter haha 😂

[@heatherdecker4078]

I hate watching that part

[@Whatinthe27]

Potter didn’t take the money because he wanted the money. He did it because he knew their losing it and not replacing would be the end of the Baileys Building and Loan. The people replacing it and the Bailey’s B&L surviving because of good natured people was his comeuppance.

[@theresaviktor6661]

How can someone not like this movie? It's one of my favorite of all time. my top favorite 5

[@jansalcher6820]

My favorite Christmas movie. In this day and age when older people like myself watch this they yearn for those simpler times when people knew each other and cared about each other. They tried to help people. Now it's all greed and me first attitude. The more advanced we get the more chaotic it is.

[@IMSColoradoSprings]

This is a great video. You guys did a great job. Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu) is a dear friend of mine. She is still touring and provides fans of the movie with great background information. James Stewart: Great actor! When he was on the phone with Donna Reed, it was done in one take. If I remember correctly, Lionel Barrymore was suffering from a hip injury and arthritis and that's why he was in the wheelchair. When Uncle Billy has had too much to drink, he goes off stage left. A stage hand accidentally dropped some equipment and scared Mr. Stewart (look at his face) and Uncle Billy states, "I'm OK, I'm OK." He had the sense to say that and the scene continued. The stage hand thought he was going to get fired but received a nice financial reward from Capra. It sounded like Uncle Billy ran into trash cans.

[@VinceFS]

The before & after pictures of Jimmy Stewart's 2 year army stint is indicative of the effects of stress on the body.

[@grantdillon3420]

He apparently had some serious serious PTSD from watching too many people fall to their deaths

[@stephaniehale3379]

Great trivia thx so much!!

[@joeywitterstaetter]

Coincidentally, Capra’s grandson worked on Christmas Vacation as a Second A.D.

[@AndyJay1985]

"Fixed the Newell post!"

[@cjpreach]

Frank Capra believed in the daring, creative adventurers to make films. What do we have today? An endless parade of copy-crap.

[@oooh19]

32?! Old?! But then again with the 17-22 year olds he’d be like a big brother or uncle figure

[@MisterEsoteric]

communist propaganda?? Capra was liberal, but sheesh.

[@jimibmore]

same thing.....

[@SueProv]

Interesting that it was considered communist when Capra was for the individual not the collective.

[@chadbennett7873]

Geez, I wonder what that would look like today? Lawyer for McCarthy ... Roy Cohn. Roy Cohn's most famous student? I'll let you connect the dots.