IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) First Time Watching MOVIE REACTION

[@jenmurrayxo]

Was this a childhood fav of yours? Christmas Reactions Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLQHhQlj8i5dr_-y1rBcRf8JdB98JlfbdR

[@custardflan]

I discovered this movie 50 years ago before it was on TV EVERY YEAR. We had Xmas movie watching parties. None of our friends had ever seen it.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

Yes, it was, I love this film, it has an important timeless message, Jen.

[@Wellch]

Yes, a favorite.

[@RetiredSailor60]

Oh yes, watch it every year. I also watch The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young

[@jrobwoo688]

My Mom watches this every year. My favorite movie set during the holidays is The Apartment. Takes place throughout Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve.

[@Dillpicks95]

“To my big brother George, the richest man in town.” That line always makes me cry.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Hell I start crying when the uncle comes in and dumps all that money out of the basket on to the table.

[@sharkdentures3247]

100% SAME! The ENTIRE scene of the town coming together to help George, makes me tear up. But that LAST line from his brother has me blubbering like a baby! Every. Single. Time. (it's practically Pavlovian now,) Some things are SO uplifting & inspiringly beautiful, you just can't help it.

[@vahi37]

That's the scene that always gets me crying.

[@daverhoden445]

I start tearing up long before that and I've been watching this at least once a year for about 50 years.

[@ashleyminor5524]

It's not really thought of nowadays but Italian discrimination was very high at this time which is why Potter mentions "garlic eaters." The scene of George helping Martini get a home and eventually a bar was somewhat radical for the time and shows how good a man he is.

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Yeah. My mother had to change her (very Italian) name to help her get a job.

[@arandomnamegoeshere]

All the xenophobic tropes we see in today's politics were in play back then. Italian immigrants were labeled "mafia" and considered "dark" and "swarthy." Traditional Italian cuisine exotic. The reason we have Columbus Day is because the Italian community needed a way to show they were part of the American story.

[@SwordsmanRyan]

Nothing good happened after we let Italians in.

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

@@SwordsmanRyanPizza. Without us and pizza, no Ninja Turtles.

[@SwordsmanRyan]

@@thomaspappalardo7589 fair enough. I’m descended from Polacks so we brought pierogies and kielbasa, and few are excited about those.

[@TheCkent100]

A few things: - Mr Gower's son, Robert, died on May 3, 1919 of influenza. That was during the Spanish Flu epidemic. - The pool under the floor really exists and is still in use at Beverly Hills High School. - The movie was filmed at the RKO Ranch in what is now Encino, CA., during a heatwave. - The writer of the short story on which it is based, Phillip Van Doren Stern, couldn't find a publisher for his short story, so had it printed as a Christmas card style gift. He sent out 200 copies to friends and family in 1943. The story was titled "The Greatest Gift". - Sam didn't only give George the money because they are friends. He also gave George the money as a thank you. Remember the night of the call when George and Mary were on the phone with Sam together? George gave Sam the idea of using the Tool and Machine Works in town, which he could get cheap and all the labor he needed. He also gave Sam the idea of making plastic from soy beans. So, a lot of Sam's wealth is directly because Sam followed George's advice.

[@sassymess7111]

Thank you so much for the info.

[@smdias65]

Thanks! I grew up in the Valley, but have been on the East Coast for decades. I always get nostalgic when I hear about it.

[@rah2287]

What many people don't realize is that Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) was a real hero of WW II. He was B-24 Bomber pilot who flew 29 combat mission over Germany. Stewart became Wing Commander of an entire squadron of bombers and was awarded the 2nd highest medal Distinguished Flying Cross (2nd only to the Congressional Medal of Honor). This was Stewart's first film since returning from the war. He eventually attained the rank of Brigadier General of the Air Force Reserve.

[@TheTLElliott]

Jimmy Stewart was the real McCoy.

[@rah2287]

@ absolutely.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Jimmy was a bad ass in WWII.

[@rah2287]

@ the biography of Stewart's war exploits - MISSION: Jimmy Stewart and the fight for Europe is a great read.

[@rcrawford42]

Stewart was drafted, flunked the physical for being underweight, then pulled some strings to get another chance, which he passed "with some help from some friends". The only other time he pulled any strings was when he realized the Army was keeping him from going overseas to serve in combat.

[@JusBidniss]

Tying a string around your finger was the old-time way of prompting yourself about something you needed to remember. You'd look down at your hands and see the string, and were supposed to think, "Oh yeah, I got that thing I gotta remember." Sort of like today if you had set a reminder alert to go off, but one which didn't have a description -- the alert itself was enough. Uncle Billy having several strings was meant to show that he was very absent-minded.

[@mobilemarshall]

it's a "forget me knot"

[@rbrtck]

George's black arm band (which represents that a person is in mourning) says that yes, sadly, his father had died.

[@deanthemachine8879]

I just realized that the empathy in the face of distressed anger fueled by grief that George shows to Mr Gower is the same empathy that the whole town and his own family shows to him when he’s at his lowest and acting out. They understand that him acting like an asshole in those moments are clearly because he’s going through something and not who he really is so they don’t ostracize him. Instead they pray for him and, as soon as they hear from Mary how they can help, they immediately do. May we all be so kind to people that when we’re at our lowest, they realize that we need help even when we can’t admit it to ourselves.

[@RichardM1366]

My mom loved this movie. She cried Everytime she watched it. Mom was battling Multiple Myeloma. She lost her battle in 2011. On the day of the funeral I heard the Church Bells ring. Mom got her wings.

[@harveylee51]

My condolences on your loss my friend i 've lost both my parents already and it gets hard to be reminded of that this time of year . My mum instilled a love of the movies in me and i'm grateful to be here enjoying this classic with JEN , yourself and everyone who's here to enjoy this as well Blessings Have a happy Christmas season !! 🎄 🙏

[@Imyerda]

Every Mum loved this movie imo . I love this movie also as brings back memories ,sentimental, corny....but lovely memories.

[@njw5869]

🥲🥲🥲

[@joeeyaura]

i still cry every time i watch it

[@Imyerda]

@@joeeyaura if you don't cry at this movie then I'd think there's something wrong with you . Ps Merry Christmas ,happy holidays .

[@mattperiolat]

“Every man on those transports died. Harry wasn’t there to save them because you weren’t there to save Harry.” Most chilling and profound line in movie history. I’m so glad you watched this and appreciated it. And frankly, we need more George Baileys now in a world of Potters. It’s not easy, it hurts but simply doing the right thing matters.

[@sharkdentures3247]

Powerful moment. While I am sure many today would say, "Well Duh!" with all the time travel stories out there, the delivery while at brother's childhood gravestone, makes it MUCH more impactful! (Like you can't help but think about all those additional gravestones that are now out there.)

[@ZacharySiple]

When I was 11, I asked my Uncle (Mom's Brother) what his favorite movie was. He told me that it was It's A Wonderful Life. I hadn't heard of it, and that Christmas (not Dec. 25th, but at our family Christmas party), he brought his DVD over. After the dinner and gifts, we sat around and watched the colorized version- I had seen black and white movies, but for some reason I wanted to see it in color. I thought it was pretty good. A few months later, my Aunt (Mom and Uncle's sister) took me to a Salvation Army, and they just so happened to have IAWL on VHS, so I bought that along with a few others. (There was a black and white copy and a color copy, I bought the black and white copy.) I watched it that afternoon and enjoyed it. I watched that tape a few more times too. I saw the movie in 2009. In 2011, my Mom remarried an abusive guy, and in 2013 I went to live with my Grandma (Dad's Mom). A babysitter that I had gave me a bunch of VHS tapes to go through, and one was It's A Wonderful Life, so I watched it once with Grandma and once with a cousin. I later got rid of that tape, but when I was 17 I think I watched it on TV, and I told my Grandma that It's A Wonderful Life is officially my favorite Christmas movie. (9 years later, and it still is.) I've seen this movie about 10 times and I still get moved by it. I remember last year at work (McDonald's), my co-workers were naming their favorite Christmas movies, and I walked in, and one of them said: "Hey Zach, what's your favorite Christmas movie?" I immediately replied: "It's A Wonderful Life." They were like: "What's that?" Setting aside how sad it was that these high schoolers had never heard of it, I replied: "It's a very uplifting movie about a man who wants to kill himself on Christmas Eve." Everyone was like "WOAH", but I mean...tell me I'm wrong? Whenever someone says that Elf or The Polar Express or A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation is their favorite Christmas movie, I admittedly silently judge them. Those are all good movies, don't get me wrong, but It's A Wonderful Life can't be topped. It's uplifting, with a message of everyone having worth. If all Christmas movies had to vanish, and I had the power to pick one to save, I would pick It's A Wonderful Life without thinking twice. It's A Wonderful Life is a wonderful movie- not just the best Christmas movie ever made, but one of the best movies of all time. PS: I think subconsciously, this movie is a very mild reason why I got through my abuse.

[@paultoensing3126]

Thanks for that Fantastic comment. I can tell you put a lot of thought and heart into it. I happen to agree with everything you said.

[@ZacharySiple]

@@paultoensing3126 Thanks. :)

[@slytheringingerwitch]

I would agree with you on that. It's a wonderful life lifts you up, you realise that whatever is happening in your life, its still a wonderful life and would be a tragedy to throw it all away.

[@shaneschluter]

The guy with the freckles was Alfalfa from the little rascals

[@thomastimlin1724]

Yes thought that was him. Good thing he didn't sing 😂

[@gawainethefirst]

@@thomastimlin1724 🎵”iM IN Tha mooD fer luv…”🎶

[@jasonward1470]

@@gawainethefirst "simply because you're near me" lmao

[@tremorsfan]

After leaving The Little Rascals he ended up owning a bar while also breeding hunting dogs. One of the people ended up losing his hunting dog but refused to reimburse him for the loss. They ended up getting into an argument and Switzer was shot buy the other man.

[@Anjuli50]

It is also his photo which is used as the Haines Sisters' brother Benny in White Christmas.

[@charlieeckert4321]

14:01 Jimmy was actually working through some PTSD trauma from his service in Word War II. During this take (the first one, by the way) George had a longer speech, but the emotion was so real and raw that Capra shouted, "Cut! Print!". It was also the first time Jimmy did a screen kiss since before he left for the war.

[@rbrtck]

Yes, it's George who is deaf in one ear, which was why he didn't hear Young Mary tell him that she'd love him until the day she died. She knew that he couldn't hear her--it was only for herself and the audience to hear.

[@fredholland7525]

Many of us go through life feeling like an abject failure at one point or another, it can lead to a wish to end it all. Like we have let everybody we love down. And you dare not tell anyone how you are feeling or why. It's an encredibly important message. Each of us go through life never realizing who we have touched or what good we have done. Mostly we just see our failures.

[@thomastimlin1724]

And other bastrrds just love to point out your failures to cover up their own.

[@OlivePittsOnDesk]

You are so right, but additionally I feel many Americans can't see or don't even know who they really are. They live their lives constantly comparing themselves to others - yet those "other" people are often thinking the same thing.

[@indiecab9593]

“It Happened One Night”; “You Can’t Take it With You”; “Mr Smith Goes to Washington”; “Arsenic and Old Lace”, etc.

[@sammygoodnight]

And my favorite: Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

[@JohnnyUtah15]

Meet John Doe!

[@eurofritz4617]

"What else has Frank Capra done, that I should watch?" oh boy :) looking forward to those :)

[@waterbeauty85]

35:26 About the one thing that's bothering you, If it's any consolation, Saturday Night Live did a skit of the "lost ending" of "It's a Wonderful Life" which had all the happy people at the end turning into an angry mob, going after Potter, and exacting violent vengeance upon him.

[@bradrichert3966]

My ending is close. Potter gets word of what the town did for George, has a massive stroke & dies on Christmas Day. When he gets to the Pearly Gates, everybody laughs hysterically at him, flips him the bird, and points DOWN.

[@MUYEMORK]

Yes, I was about to write the same comment when I saw you had posted this. Jen, The skit is available on SNL’s KZbin channel. Just search for “Its a wonderful life lost ending”. It’s introduced by Bill Shatner, too!

[@Lone-wolf-1982]

That ending is one of the best SNL skits.

[@toob1979]

YES! Dana Carvey played George Bailey, Jon Lovitz was Old Man Potter and Phil Hartman (R.I.P.) played Uncle Billy.

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

@@toob1979 and the late Jan Hooks played Mary! R.I.P.

[@deangordon7783]

Congrats Jen on 90k followers! On your way to 100k! You definitely deserve it, I always look forward to seeing your videos. Your sincerity and humor always shine through and we can tell You're having just a good a time putting putting out these videos as we love watching them. You're one of the few reactors that we can tell are truly invested in what you're watching not just giving lame shallow on the spot reactions. You really know the history especially when it comes to Star Trek of what your reviewing. Keep the great work please! I predict even bigger and better things for your channel's future. Congratulations again!

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

11:44 When Uncle Billy goes off screen, and there is a loud crash; it was not planned. A stage hand had dropped a tray of props, so the actor just went with it. The movie was nominated for a sound Oscar, and the stage hand was given a $10 bonus for "enhancing the sound".

[@THOMMGB]

That $10.00 bonus in 1946 is worth about $162.00 today.

[@custardflan]

There was a bike shop in our town called Zuzus Pedals. I guess there's a song by that name

[@cbuchner6862]

Also heard of a florist with it.

[@kpiperjr]

OMG, Jen is so tough! We almost got a tear out of her, though. Merry Christmas everyone!

[@randybass8842]

Yes, I was waiting for her to tear up, and she finally did.

[@joetaptaco]

I’m a 45 year old man, and I cannot begin to guess how many times I have seen this movie, my favorite movie. From the line “God, let me live again” to the credit roll, I cry unashamedly like a little kid.

[@Rickhorse1]

Another favorite Frank Capra/James Stewart film..."Mr Smith Goes to Washington".

[@mikennem9077]

yes, people used to say that you sho8uld tie a string around your finger to remember to do something

[@p-51d95]

Some historical events in the movie that give context: Druggist's son dies of the flu: Spanish Flu worldwide pandemic of 1918 (made covid look like the sniffles) Run on the bank: Beginning of the Great Depression George's brother, war hero: WW2 Aside: James Stewart (George Bailey) was not only a great actor but was a bomber pilot in WW2 in Europe who led bombing raids over Germany. His final rank was Brigadier General (in Air Force Reserve).

[@FloridaMugwump]

The run on the bank is not the beginning of the depression. It's 1932 or 33, the worst part of the depression. He was born in 1907 and was 22 when his dad dies, 1929. Then Harry attends college, another 4 years. So at least 1933.

[@jamesalexander5623]

My Dad was in the same Bomb Group, the 445th based at Tibbenham, England. They flew Missions in B-24's over the Third Reich!

[@kathyastrom1315]

@@FloridaMugwump Actually, Harry was in the Class of 1928, as seen on the sign at the dance, so that’s when their dad died.

[@kerry-j4m]

50 million people died during that Spanish flu world wide what a horrible time in history.

[@michaelstach5744]

Between this film and Forrest Gump you can cover many of the important events of the 20th century

[@michellebarry1555]

I think the most devastating thing that could happen if I was never born is that two amazing human beings wouldn’t have been born. My children have become two wonderful people and I couldn’t imagine the world without them.

[@elvwood]

Same!

[@jeri3808]

Donna Reed had her own sitcom in the 60s, The Donna Reed Show. Also Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's great uncle.

[@rbrtck]

George was grumpy with Mary because he was torn between his dreams and his love for her. He could only have one or the other, and this was his last impassioned, if ultimately only token, resistance to his love. This was not an easy thing for George to do, like everything he had to give up, but as always he was compelled to sacrifice for the sake of others. He wanted Mary, too, but perhaps even more importantly, she wanted him and she wanted to stay in Bedford Falls (that was her wish).

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Uncle Billy's crow (raven) was named "Jimmy". He was actually a well trained and experienced performer. Aside from dozens of appearances in Hollywood films, including the Wizard of Oz. In that Jimmy was the crow who settled on the Scarecrow's shoulder. {by the way: You're not the only one who feels like crying watching this---that's really normal}

[@sl0507]

Just to understand, when Potter offers George the $20,000 a year job, that's about 8.5x his current salary of $2,340. Three years may not sound like too long, but that's 25 years of his current salary. That's life changing money. George really shows his principles in that scene. $8,000 in 1946 would be worth about $130,000 today.

[@johnberg9497]

$20,000 in 1946 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $323,582.56 today

[@Serai3]

Potter wasn't serious about that offer. He just wanted to get George so he could take over the B&L and shut it down. He would have found a reason to fire George soon after.

[@skumchiken01]

we going to totally gloss over the little insider trading he resisted at the beginning of the movie?

[@evilchipmunk4090]

the film was released in 1946, but the story takes place over decades. George doesn't get married after WWII, he gets married in the early 1930's. Potter offers him 8.5 times his salary long before 1946. in fact, George goes home after sitting in Potter's ridiculously low chair and finds out his wife is pregnant for the first time. in 1946 he has a whole houseful of children, and even ZuZu is in kindergarten. if you adjust $20k from the correct year in the timeline for inflation, George turned down over $465,000 annually, and the three years would have ended in the mid 30's.

[@evilchipmunk4090]

@@johnberg9497 sure, but the job offer probably occurred in 1932 or 1933, not the 40's.

[@hazeleyees]

The guy who played Uncle Billy also played Scarlett O’Haras father in Gone With The Wind.

[@gerstelb]

Extraordinarily gifted actor Thomas Mitchell. The first actor to win both an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy. The crash at 11:47 was an off-screen accident, but Mitchell saved the take by improvising the “I’m all right! I’m all right!” That smile you see isn’t George smiling at his drunk Uncle Billy, that’s James Stewart smiling at the genius of Thomas Mitchell.

[@williambowman2326]

Thomas Mitchell , great character actor, was also in Capra ‘s Lost Horizon, You Can’t Take It With You, Mr Smith Goes To Washington, and his last film Pocketful Of Miracles

[@Anjuli50]

Thomas Mitchell also played Jean Arthur's journalist friend in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He was a wonderfully talented and versatile actor.

[@pigmeatmarkham898]

The lost ending introduced by Captain Kirk himself: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKibaqJmlsuVaKMsi=FTlGASnFyZFmFZRL

[@bryanclark3151]

Jen needs to watch this. Also, Jen has gone a bit too far with the short intros.

[@OldRod99]

@@bryanclark3151 I love that lost ending, and yes, Jen needs to watch it :)

[@chrismcelligott5462]

I was going to comment that! A great SNL skit.

[@miguelvelez7221]

An all time great from my favorite cast.

[@JimmyG1776]

Now that was real funny😅 it has me in tears🤣 I have never seen that before. Jen will be real happy that Potter finally got what was coming to him, a can of whoop #%&.

[@geminicricket4975]

(21:32) Jimmy himself couldn't go to war because of his weight. That didn't stop him. He fattened himself up to guarantee his acceptance and then went on to a career in the service that surpassed Harry Bailey, ending his career as a Brigadier General. All of this while being one of the greatest actors of his age. :)

[@tizzy789]

Hello Jen, Yes string tied on finger was to remember, one sees etc the string and they recall why they tied on finger etc for reminding themself of ....

[@fredholland7525]

That whole last bit where Mary comes back and all the town shows up to help him in his hour of need. I cry every time.

[@johnscott4196]

Who would have thought that sweet little Jen would be the only reactor who didn't cry watching this. Heck even I do

[@victorsixtythree]

Haha - J from EOM Reacts was BALLING! (Love his reactions).

[@tremorsfan]

She does wipe her eyes a little at the end.

[@EShelby2127]

She'll cry the next time, when the camera is off.

[@THOMMGB]

Jen cried and cried when she watched the first ten minutes or so of UP. She was so emotional. Me too.

[@neptunusrex5195]

I was in NJROTC back in high school. It’s kinda like a military academy but it’s just for that one class rather than the entire school being military-esque. They teach you a little bit about military but mostly about patriotism, citizenship, character development, and fostering leadership skills. There’s a JROTC program for each branch of military army, navy, air force, marines. Ours was a navy unit. It’s a wonderful life came on tv as it does every year, and I watched it as usual. When it was over my parents came in and told me our JROTC instructor Master Chief Gilland had passed away. He meant the world to us cadets, he was one of the greatest teachers I ever knew. He was a father figure to a lot of us kids, he taught us not just about the curriculum or the program but even stuff about life lessons. It was devastating when he passed. I had just finished watching It’s a Wonderful Life and then my parents delivered the saddest news and so now I always remember this movie with a bittersweet moment. Master Chief had spent his last days visiting with his family and playing with the grandkids. Lived a full and good life, navy veteran for 20+ years as a machinists mate. He lived a bit longer than most guys who worked in the engine rooms and he had a full and good life. He taught all of us so much and he is missed, but he had a good life and was a great man. Thank you for listening 🙏

[@joshuagoforth1658]

I’m sorry to hear he passed but Im glad he meant so much to all of you I took army JROTC and our main teacher was really great too I shit you not his full title was Lieutenant Colonel Robert Sanders (so yes he went by Colonel Sanders 😂) tough but fair

[@Ramjetwarrior]

@@joshuagoforth1658 Josh, I loved how you squeezed in that military jargon 'I SHIT you not'! LOL instead of I'm not kidding! Did you serve? Peace out people...

[@rbrtck]

People used to tie a string on a finger to remind themselves to do something important that day. Uncle Billy's memory is so bad, however, that even multiple strings didn't do the trick. 😄

[@christopherlundgren1700]

The second string helps in case you forget what the first string was for.

[@rbrtck]

Not everyone gets to live their dream, but speaking as an engineer myself, it would be really tough for someone in science or technology not to get to work in their chosen field, especially if they know they have the talent for it, as George does. He wants to be a civil engineer who works on big projects like bridges and skyscrapers, and it was really a huge, painful blow for him not to have been able to go to school and then get to work on all of that. Not having been able to see the world was only part of the sacrifice he was always making for the sake of others. I always wince when I see him kick his bridge model over. He still hadn't given up on that dream, or at least felt compelled to work on and build something. In his mind, his talents were going to waste. 😟

[@4ppych]

I watch this every xmas and "The richest man in town" makes me cry every time

[@e.d.2096]

Had dinner with Jimmy Stewart once. WONDERFUL man!😊

[@joeeyaura]

wow that would be cool!

[@ebt12]

This is one awesome movie. My family and I watch this multiple times every year. I love the lesson of how a person can make a huge impact without it looking like one, for example what George was dreaming about, futuristic cities and such. There is a Jimmy Stewart museum in his hometown of Indiana, PA. It's a 90 minute drive from home and I have to get there. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $8000 in 1946 is now $138,678.24. Frank Kapra III was a second assistant director on Christmas Vacation, which paid homage to this movie with a loose top of a newel post, and Russ watching the movie just before the grandparents show up.

[@tommythompson9565]

First-time viewer of your channel. You come off as real and kind. The background of your RVC studio has a warm and peaceful look. Nicely done. New subscriber. Merry Christmas

[@Ian-xx1xb]

Welcome to the community Jen has such a warm , beautiful, kind heart she's wonderful and has a ton of awesome content for you to check out 👍.

[@dawndeleon3765]

9:58 I love how when he says "anyway, my father didn't think so" and he pulls his shoulder back and it reveals the portrait of his father in the background. Nice touch by Frank Capra.

[@NoLegalPlunder]

Such an awesome movie. I love the little part where Burt says his brother Harry flew through a snowstorm just to be able to help George. George meant so much to everyone.

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

Such a great reaction to one of the best movies, not just Christmas movies, of all time in my mind. Even as a bitter and heartless old man (or so I hear) I tear up every time I watch this movie. And for someone who has struggled so much with depression and self-destructive thoughts throughout my life, the lesson of this movie has always been one of the reasons I've never given in to those urges. And, yes, the old standard was to tie a string around your finger to help you remember what you needed to do. Jimmy Stewart was pretty much fresh out of serving as the pilot of a B-24 bomber in WWII when this movie started production. After flying so many bombing missions over Germany in the course of his service and seeing all the death and destruction of a world war, he was suffering from what we'd now call PTSD. Lionel Barrymore (the hated Mr. Potter) was the main one who got Jimmy Stewart to take this role when he really didn't want to, and the end result was playing the character that he called his favorite of the ones he played. The movie was therapeutic for him as well. Stewart said that acting out the scenes where George was enraged was cathartic for him. While filming the scene in which George prays in the bar James Stewart was so overcome because of how low he felt in his own life that he began to sob. Frank Capra later re-framed and blew up the shot because he wanted to catch that expression on Stewart's face. It really hammers home the feeling of Stewart BEING George Bailey. James Stewart was such a brilliant actor anyway, but this role might have been great therapy for him as well as a perfect role for him to play. I imagine Potter's punishment was the endless frustration that, no matter what he did, George Bailey would always win out. And if nothing else we can be thankful to the awful Mr. Potter for getting Jimmy Stewart to do this movie.

[@alancrofoot]

Fun Fact, The sound of garbage cans being knocked over @11:45 was actually a stagehand off camera that dropped some props. Totally an accident, Jimmy Stewarts laugh was genuine and the actor playing Uncle Billy improvised the line "I'm all right, I'm OK", Frank Capra apparently loved it and it made the final cut.

[@TheCkent100]

And he gave that stage hand a $10 bonus for "improving the sound"

[@HudsonDoodle]

My eight grade English teacher back in the 80s made us watch this movie and then right an essay about it. I still have the essay (I’m now 50), this movie is still my favorite Christmas movie, and it still makes me cry when George realizes how truly rich his life has been.

[@thomaswilliamson298]

I cannot believe that there is anyone on this planet that hasn't seen this movie. It's an absolute classic, a time capsule from a beautiful past.

[@randallshuck2976]

Two Capra movies that are my favorites are "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Mr. Smith goes to Washington". He made a lot of movies beginning in the 20s. Two that are Christmas flicks although not Capra films are "The Bishop's wife" and "Serendipity" and a Jimmy Stewart film that Is a personal favorite is "Harvey". Glad you like this one. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@albertjimeno807]

I recommend "You Can't Take It With You" (1938) if you haven't already seen it.

[@randallshuck2976]

@@albertjimeno807 I will check it out.

[@forfar1956]

Miracle on 34th Street. The black and white version., please. I seem to remember, Donna Reed threw that stone and broke the window on her own. The director thought they would have to use film trickery to film it. He didn’t know she played baseball in school :-)

[@BradMyers-e8e]

Arsenic and Old Lace is a dark comedy with Cary Grant is a Capra film that I'd recommend. "CHAAAAARGE!!!!"

[@OldRod99]

"Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops!" I love Arsenic and Old Lce!

[@BradMyers-e8e]

@OldRod99 "...and Happydale's full of staircases.😳"

[@joshuagoforth1658]

“Now Alice don’t be a tomboy”

[@mattperiolat]

Next Halloween, please!

[@rikk319]

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is another Capra classic, also starring Jimmy Stewart. Some of the other actors from this film are in it, like Mr. Gower's actor.

[@jasonjanisewski78]

The low key best line of the movie is: "Mary did it. She told some people you were in trouble. They scattered all over town collecting money." It not only shows Mary's complete faith in her neighbors, but also how they immediately have complete faith in George. They don't even ask why he is in trouble or how it happened. To them, just hearing George is in trouble immediately causes them to do all they can to fix things. They have 100% faith in George. It is also telling how their reaction is 100% the opposite of what Potter expects. He expects them to want to kill George because he cannot imagine faith and gratitude and trust.

[@hp9697]

I was in crappy mood until I noticed you were reacting to my favourite movie of all-time. Thanks Jen! By the way, the crash that happened in the scene where you mentioned that George should walk Uncle Billy home, was an actual stagehand dropping props off screen and the actor Thomas Mitchell improvising his line, "I'm alright, I'm alright". Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Jen!

[@vicjr74]

Great reaction Jen. It's a Wonderful Life is one of the most classic Christmas movies of a time and is of my favorite movies of all time. I watch it every year during Christmas. Another Christmas classic you should see is White Christmas from 1954. I watch it every Christmas eve.

[@custardflan]

Mary is the hero of this film. She is the Sam to George's Frodo.

[@Keyboardje]

If you really love someone you want them to be happy, don't you? But Mary didn't want George to get what he had always wanted, to travel. She wished he'd stay so SHE could have what SHE wanted. To me that is selfish, nothing like a hero.

[@custardflan]

@Keyboardje Mary never told him to stay. She only wished for it. Even when she told him she wished for it she whispered it into his deaf ear. George chose Mary. He want tricked in to it. Besides, I don't think getting what you want is a recipe for happiness or a measure of someone's love.

[@Keyboardje]

@@custardflan Wishing it and not saying it is the same to me. It still shows she put her own wishes before his, after knowing him his whole life wanting only one thing; to travel the world. She didn't trick him, no. But intent is just as bad as actually telling him or tricking him. Worse sometimes even, as it is lying or pretending. Being happy on the expense of someone else's happiness, the one you claim to love sooo much. So many people used his good nature knowing he would help them, even when it meant he wouldn't be able to do what HE wanted so bad. Then for her to act so glad, even going as far as to whisper it in his deaf ear how happy SHE is when even their honeymoon travels were cancelled... Nope. Not "a hero" in my book. Besides: NOT ever getting what you want CERTAINLY isn't "a recipe for happiness". How come all those others got to be happy because of George and it is not as important for HIM to get what he wants?

[@jmichaelmonroe9964]

Some of Frank Capra’s best. (The starred ones are my favorites) *It Happened One Night Mr Deeds Goes to Town *Lost Horizon You Can’t Take It With You *Mr Smith Goes to Washington Meet John Doe *Arsenic and Old Lace

[@Codametal]

I just want to say I appreciate you doing reactions to brighten up my day. Happy holidays and have a happy new year!

[@GetMeThere1]

Trivia: The swimming pool hidden by the gym floor is at the Beverly Hills High School -- and it's still there, and still used today.

[@philpascali4070]

little shop around the corner , I can watch this movie a 1000 time , I would always cry at the end , you do not need millions at the bank to be rich and good , just be human and kind to others , merry x-mas Jen from bottom my heart

[@DirigoDuke]

Uncle Billy losing $8,000 at that time would be equivalent to almost $139,000 today. George Bailey making $45 per week was about $780 in 2024 dollars, while the offer of $20,000 per year from Potter was the same as George turning down an annual salary of $346,695. Meanwhile, the lady who asked for $17.50 was the same as asking today for $303.

[@grife3000]

Which means that Sam was authorizing $434,000 as a no-questions-asked loan to his old pal.

[@jasonward1470]

Thanks for doing all the math

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

I knew someone who was almost never born. He had to go back in time and fix his meddling. His name was Marty something.

[@PatriciaCriss-t8v]

My dad used that gesture the rest of his life to tell when he believed someone to be unsavory. He wipe his hand on his shirt or jacket and give us a “no” nod.

[@jeffdetmer4681]

Jen, Frank Capra directed a long list of amazing films, including Pocketful of Miracles, A Hole in the Head, It Happened One Night and tons more. Great job on the reaction. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a very Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Stay safe and well.

[@eurofritz4617]

"I like freckles" - that is Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer from the Our Gang / Little Rascals series

[@bradrichert3966]

Very tragic life story there. I feel sorry for him.

[@adambailey2523]

Who's your favorite little rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it Spanky? Sinner.

[@eurofritz4617]

@@adambailey2523 I always liked Stymie the most. Love those shows.

[@tenmark7055]

James Stewart was one of the greatest actors of his generation, comedies, dramas, tragedies, westerns - a great body of work - you might enjoy - Philadelphia Story, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Rear Window - so many greats

[@hamburgareable]

Love your videos, Jen! Theyre thorougly spot-on!🥰🥰😍And i like the fact that youre attributing them to old classics like this!

[@thomholbrook7286]

You should look up the SNL skit where they present the "alternate ending" of It's A Wonderful Life where Uncle Billy remembers what happened with the money and then the whole town runs over to kick his butt. Lol.

[@clifton8929]

I watched the full-length version with you and wanted to see it again. Just think of all the people you've touched with your reactions, the laughter, joy, tears, and happiness you've touched with your kindness an delicate heart. Merry Christmas, Bright Angel. Thank you for the light you bring into this sometimes dark world.

[@custardflan]

The bartender in Matinia is played by Sheldon Leonard who later became of the greatest TV produvers doing shows for Danny Thomas, Dick Van Yke and Andy Griffith, among others. As an actor he often played gangsters.

[@dalebales4408]

Not to mention being on the Jack Benny radio Show as the racetrack tout. "Hey, Bud..." IYKYK!

[@Buskieboy]

It is so enjoyable watching you enjoy a movie. Some notes & other points of interest: -The lighter that George always lights hoping to win a million dollars was a complmentary cigar lighter. They also had a way to cut the end off the cigar."Hotdog!" -Uncle Billy, being a forgetful type, tied string to his fingers to help remember. They're called 'Forget-Me-Knots", but they didn't seem to help him much. -Mr. Potter was played by Lionel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's great-uncle. -My personal favourite moment was the dinner scene. It seemed so real and heartfelt . It includes a moment that many overlook. George tells his Dad that he's a great guy. lt would be the LAST thing he would say to his father since he died that night of a stroke. -Not only did George save Mr. Gower the misery of 20 years in prison, but he also saved the life of a sick child. -Another example of George's meaning to Bedford Falls is how, when talking to Sam Wainwright, made an off the cuff remark that Sam could set up his factory there in Bedford Falls, buying the mill that closed down cheap, and get lots of labour due to it's closing. All little things we do add up to be important ones.

[@LordNelsonkm]

26:55 The long zoom that Capra did here was not intentional. Jimmy did such an amazing first take but could not recreate the emotional hit on successive takes. So they had to use the first one and copy and enlarge manually frame by frame to fake a 'zoom' to get that tight shot when George pleads to God.

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

Wedding day was oct 29. The greatdepression started. The stock marjet crashed. The whole world was affected. He kissed her in 28 when his brother graduated. So it was a year before they married.

[@bluebird3281]

SNL has the lost alternative ending where Uncle Billy remembers what happened to the money. It's here on you tube.

[@kevinsieg2076]

This gorgeous film is a Christmas tradition. Great reaction as always. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

[@stargazer1682]

14:20 It could very well be what she was married in. It's the 1940s, some folks wore elaborate wedding dressed, but many people just wore their nicest "church clothes". The conventional white wedding dress became more popular among the middle class during the social prosperity that followed World War II.

[@JohnSmith-it6hj]

A very high quality film, even the special effects hold up well. Filmed during a heat wave yet they pulled off winter perfectly and the way Clarence disappeared from the cops grasp was well done.

[@KyleYoung-b2q]

Legit one of the greatest movies ever made.

[@bghammock]

Hope you and the fam have a comforting Christmas, Jen

[@custardflan]

Donna Reed was the pride of Dennison Iowa and won the best supporting actress for From Here to Eternity.

[@pauld6967]

Plus _'The Donna Reed Show'._

[@Tateorsomething]

My mom loved this and watched it several times every holiday season. I hated it when I was a kid, but o er the last 30 years, it's really grown on me.

[@turbulentlobster]

My ex once met Jimmy Stewart, and he was just a decent person to her as George Bailey was. She was 2, and had wandered off from her mom in a hotel while she got distracted talking to a friend. They found her in the hotel restaurant, sitting in Jimmy's lap and eating his breakfast, while he patiently waited for someone to come and claim her.

[@Thewingkongexchange]

That final scene will break the hardest of people. It's also a testament to George's character that he didn't deck Uncle Billy in the final scene lol.

[@spacebearsven7130]

I always have a very good time watching your reactions, Jen (Just in case you are wondering. ;-) )! This movie is always broadcast on German TV at Christmas and I watch it everytime. It warms my heart as well! It is sad and joyful at the same time! All the best to you and yours!

[@davidjrandall1979]

It's a Wonderful Life when there's a Jen Murray upload. Merry Christmas Jen, partner and fur babies x

[@GeorgiusAgricola-pn4cr]

Nice commentary, Jen. I'm amazed you were able to hold out on the tissues so long! Such a feel-good ending, and one that I think only Jimmy Stewart could play. A fun family anecdote for you: when we were watching the movie (all of us adults), Clarence laid this horrible fate about Mary on George: "She became an old maid. She never married." My Mom and three sisters burst out laughing, as though this was a fate worse than death! ;-) As for other Christmas movies, at the top of my heap is the 1951 'Christmas Carol' starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge. The dialogue is liberally taken from Dickens' text, and is best voiced by an actor raised on the King's English, like Sim. And see it in the original B&W. The young Marley was played by Patrick Macnee, who later went on to star in the TV series "The Avengers." No superheroes here, just quirky British secret agents. Macnee played John Steed who whose partner was Emma Peel played by Diana Rigg. She frequently wore a skintight cat suit. Wow!

[@custardflan]

My wifes dad was 4F with a heart murmur. It always bothered him while all thenother guys went to wwar. My dad served on a submarine, enlisting when he was 17. He always resented his cousins who used a farm deferment and then enlisted at the very end of the war so they could get GI Bill benefits and march in parades, even though they never went overseas.

[@tomyoung9049]

My father was 4f because was hit by a car when young. He tried to enlist after Pearl Harbor. Both his brothers went and thankfully came back. He always joked about walking everyone's gf home after being turned down. Wasn't until after he passed that my mother told the truth of how depressed and upset not being allowed made him.

[@IntergalacticDustBunny]

There was an old "Saturday Night Live" sketch that was a follow up to this where Uncle Billy remembers that he left the money in the newspaper and that Potter must have taken it. The whole town pays Potter a visit and shenanigans ensue. Of course the whole point of the movie is while Potter might be rich, he's miserable and alone, whereas George Bailey is the wealthy one because everyone cares about him and he has a loving family.

[@jeffwright4674]

The Shop Around the Corner is another great Christmas movie, also with Jimmy Stewart.

[@adambailey2523]

Remade as "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan.

[@Thewingkongexchange]

This is the one film we watch every Christmas without fail - my wife and I wrap the kids' presents with this on.

[@Sovreign071]

I read (online🧂) that the original ending did have Potter suffering a heart-attack while Clarence looked on, but it was viewed as too dark. To me, a good ending would've been Potter's manservant returning the check, after having taken enough mistreatment.

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

Saturday Night Live did an alternate ending where everybody went to Potter's office and beat him up.

[@Ramjetwarrior]

The 'lost money' was CASH! Easily concealed by Potter. He was rich, so having large sums of cash around would not have raised an eyebrow! But in keeping with the theme of the movie, he certainly DID NOT reap good things! Peace out people...

[@happymethehappyone8300]

"Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" (1962) 🎁🎄

[@chrismcelligott5462]

I was happy to see you understood that George was struggling between is desire to leave Bedford Falls and his feelings for Mary when they are talking ro Sam on rhe phone. It is my favorite scene. BTW if you want to see Mr. Potter to get what he deserves look up SNL It's a Wonderful Life skit. You will love it!

[@Dillpicks95]

Just wanted to spread a little Christmas cheer for you Jen. My thoughts are with you and your family 🙏💜 and I hope you have a Merry Christmas with your family as well 🎄

[@jenmurrayxo]

Thanks D! Hope you are having happy holidays 🎄

[@NoLegalPlunder]

I suggest all of Frank Capra’s movies, even the silent ones. He’s easily on the the greatest movie makers of all-time. The ones to definitely see are: It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Lost Horizon, You Can’t Take it With You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Meet John Doe, Arsenic and Old Lace, Pocketful of Miracles. My favorite of his aren’t actually in this list, but these are ones to not miss.

[@LordNelsonkm]

Arsenic and Old Lace is a great one. Cary Grant is hilarious in it. Save it for next Halloween.

[@joshuagoforth1658]

@@LordNelsonkmabsolutely! 😂

[@ninevoices9401]

Pocketful of Miracles is actually Capra's own remake of his earlier film 'Lady For A Day'. I prefer the original myself.

[@jonathanbrowne9538]

I watch this movie literally every Christmas Eve. It's been a tradition for our family for the past 20+ years, and since I am a softie who loves Christmas, I bawl my eyes out every single time I watch it. I am beyond excited to watch this reaction video. Thank you, Jen. Merry Christmas!

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

Jen, I love this film and I loved your reaction to it. It's a wonderful film with a timeless and important message. I hope that your Grandmother is doing better? You're in my thoughts, take care and much love.

[@tomstanziola1982]

2:35---At one time, Jen, people used to tie a piece of string around a finger as a reminder of something they needed to do. Uncle Billy always forgot the strings were there.

[@stephenmalloy88]

For a very different role for Donna Reed see her in From Here to Eternity.