It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Got Me Clapping and Crying at the End - First Time Watching

[@rah2287]

Two things 1.) The crow was actually a Raven (a trained bird that appeared in almost every Director Frank Capra film (it is also the same "crow" that landed on the Scarecrow's shoulder in the Wizard of Oz. 2.) James Stewart (George Bailey) was a real war hero as he piloted B-24 Bimbers over Germany and commanded entire bomber squadrons. He remained in the Air Force Reserves after the war attaining the rank of General.

[@bertpunkaficionado8357]

• This was Jimmy Stewart’s (George Bailey) first film after returning from service in World War 2. He was suffering from PTSD having served as a distinguished bomber pilot in Europe. His tears in Martini’s bar and holding his son are deeper knowing he was thinking of his friends who never returned from the war. Stewart was convinced to take the part to help him by none other than the man who plays Mr. Potter, Lionel Barrymore. • Barrymore is in a wheelchair because he actually needed one. Barrymore came from a famous acting family, and actress Drew Barrymore is his grandniece (granddaughter of the legendary John Barrymore, Lionel’s brother). • Director Frank Capra modeled Martini, the bar owner, on his own family. As Italian immigrants, they suffered slurs like the one Potter uses (garlic-eaters). When Martini’s large family moves into their new home, the goat is a representation of the director’s surname: Capra. • The young man who opens the dance floor because George took Mary to dance is Carl Switzer. He was a big child actor in the 1930s playing Alfalfa in the Our Gang/Little Rascal comedy films. • Nick the Bartender is played by Sheldon Leonard who became a big TV producer (The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and more). His name is used for two characters in the show Big Bang Theory: Sheldon and Leonard. • This film was not successful at the box office. It eventually fell into public domain and could be played regularly during the Christmas holiday. This is where it gained popularity as viewers began seeing the beauty of the film. It’s now considered one of the greatest movies ever made.

[@saxonrains]

Virginia Patton who played Ruth Baily (Harry's wife) died on August 18, 2022, at age 97. She was the last surviving adult cast member of It's a Wonderful Life

[@dennisquinn8558]

And she was the niece of a lead American WWII commander, General George Patton.

[@dewman0269]

Actually the last surviving member Is still alive and her name is Kathryn Grimes... She is the little girl at the end that says, " Look daddy... Every time a bell rings an angel gets it's wings"... Bedford falls was actually a real town but the name of it is Seneca Falls in central ny... It's about 40 miles away from where I live...Kathryn Grimes goes there every year and poses for pictures with people and signs autographs... She is in her 80s so she'll probably do it a few more years I imagine...

[@maxine-x4x]

@@dewman0269 The posted comment to which you've 'replied' makes clear in its referencing of Virginia Patton as being, before her death, _'the last surviving_ *adult* _cast member..'_ of the film.

[@markdenio4537]

@@dewman0269 Karolyn Grimes. She's making an appearance near Detroit this December. Getting my ticket soon.

[@GorramT]

Mary Bailey is probably the greatest wife in cinema.

[@Finchsterreading]

Well, there’s also Nora Charles.

[@user-mg5mv2tn8q]

Nora Charles was Nick's wife *and* drinking companion. Those two could really put it away.

[@trhansen3244]

Yep. Until Michelle Obama is cast as Mary in the new updated It's a Wonderful Life. No word yet on if Barack will play George or not.

[@M11969]

​@@trhansen3244Dear God do not put ideas into anyone's head. This film is perfect, it doesn't need to ever be remade.

[@user-mg5mv2tn8q]

@@M11969That ship has sailed. The Family Man, a 2000 theatrical movie with Nicholas Cage, is essentially a retelling of It's a Wonderful Life. The same with a big chunk of Shrek Forever After, in 2010. Marlo Thomas produced and starred in a gender-swapped made-for-TV version in the 70s called It Happened One Christmas, with Orson Welles obviously phoning in a performance as Mr. Potter just for the paycheck. There was another version in the 90s, broadcast live on TV, with Bill Pullman as George, which was actually produced by Jimmy Hawkins, who, as a child actor, had played George's younger son Tommy ("Excuse me! I burped!") in the original movie. The Muppets did a TV special, It's a Very Muppet Christmas Movie, with Kermit in the George role. Quite a few TV shows, such as Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Family Matters have done episodes that called back to It's a Wonderful Life in one way or another. Billy Joel even did a music video for You're Only Human, in which he plays the angel who shows a suicidal man what the world would be like without him.

[@izzonj]

This will be the third reaction to this movie I've watched today and the 3rd time I've cried to it today.

[@amandamiquilena]

lmaoo well, i hope you enjoy mine :)

[@flpndrox]

You're not the only one FWIW.

[@robertlombardo8437]

You're not the only one by far. I tear up every single time Clarence says that George really did have a wonderful life. If I were to picture myself as Clarence in that moment, the tears would be welling in my eyes as I pleaded with him. Another time is when Martini and Gower and everyone George ever helped suddenly come through in their own ways. Martini even going as far as busting open his jukebox for the spare change. It's just so sweet that not only did they notice George was in trouble, they didn't hesitate to pull out ALL the stops just to make sure he was okay.

[@emotionalideas]

A great film. BTW-The pool they fell into? That's the Swim Gym at Beverly Hills High School. Graduated there in '81 and used it every day. It's still there!"

[@wraithby]

At the end, the culmination of the movie, is that George realized and accepted what his father told him at the dinner table in 1928-they weren't just working in a "shabby little office" scraping a few pennies together, they were having a profound impact on people's lives. This is shown by the outpouring of love and support at the end. This is also seen during the bank panic scene in 1932 when George looks at the framed saying his father loved. In the end it's not what you have, but what you give. So, George didn't get to be a great architect and builder, but he gave completely of himself and had a massive impact. The director of the film, Frank Capra, was a penniless Italian immigrant when he arrived in America as a child, he made this movie to show that the contributions of all lives are important, and their true impact is never fully known to us.

[@thomast8539]

OK, all true, but Amanda is quite correct that the day after Christmas he would still have to go back to the building & loan and resume the life he didn't choose. Unless Potter either died suddenly or was caught in his web and sent to prison (sorry, but those are fair ends for a villain) and Uncle Billy fired for his mistake, how would the stigma of the missing 8 grand truly go away? Also, Harry should fill in for a month or so, to allow George and Mary to finally take a honeymoon at least. The guy never got to leave Bedford Falls for even a weekend.

[@wraithby]

@ The movie doesn't say life is a bowl of cherries - suffering continues as a constant in human existence. But George has learned from despair that hopelessness is not the answer. He might go on to seek an inquiry as to what happened to the lost funds. Uncle Billy's behavior at the bank from witnesses is part of that inquiry. Perhaps George goes on to take that 25 gs from Sam and use it as an investment to create a real estate development company with Sam as main investor, George as director. Or George might continue as a small fry in Bedford Falls and a thorn in Potter's foot. Nothing is predetermined, but George has been affirmed in his virtuous orientation towards the world.

[@bryanmyers5620]

He realized that he didn't need his dreams to make him happy. He found true happiness in his family and friends.

[@alanzlotkowski2695]

The pool scene: "OH no, the make-up, the dresses, the hair....that's a "no" for me!" I would push you in.

[@ElewIV]

"Life is what happens while you're busy making plans." It's something everyone needs to be reminded of from time to time.

[@free..to..air..]

John Winston Lennon..if my memory serves me

[@HuntingViolets]

@@free..to..air.. Changed to John Ono Lennon.

[@greenpeasuit]

29:16 Potter is shocked that George claims that HE lost the money, knowing full well it was the uncle. He clearly can't grasp taking accountability for other's mistakes.

[@polferiferus1938]

He’s shocked but happy to make George suffer as much as possible. He knew George was right when he called him a “warped, frustrated old man”, and it hurt. Potter could only find joy in meanness and petty revenge.

[@beefsupereme]

I’m surprised more reactors don’t pick up on this. Even though he’s angry with Billy, even though he swore he wouldn’t take the fall, he did indeed because that’s the man he is

[@dougsusie2319]

Yeah, Potter was the Donald Trump of Bedford Falls. 😂 Merry Christmas Peace ❤

[@nunyabussiness4054]

you misspelt Biden@@dougsusie2319

[@RichardM1366]

George Bailey though his life was hopelessly ruined. A angel came and showed him live was worth it and he had a wonderful life. Everyone he helped came to his rescue and the angel got his wings. My mother loved this movie. She would cry Everytime the bell rang giving Clarence his wings. She passed away in 2011. I still can't watch it without tearing up. She was the best.

[@monkeyzorr3090]

Sorry for your loss

[@lsbill27]

Yes, when he came in to see Mary he had a weird attitude. He was traumatized because he had just had his big dreams dashed by Harry's marriage and new job.

[@genghispecan]

That and he was feeling railroaded, pushed in a direction counter to his own wishes not just by life in general but by Mary and his own mother.

[@ammaleslie509]

She put on a special dress after George's mother told her he was on the way over.

[@SueProv]

George's prayer on the bridge was "I don't care what happens to me just get me back to my wife and kids." He thought it was wonderful that he was going to jail. You said nothing changed. Oh yes it did. His perspective abd he was overjoyed before he knew the town gave him money.

[@vly9257]

Also, he always wanted to do "big things " and have an impact on the world. Seeing his Impact on Bedford Falls probably meant a lot to him. 😊

[@thomast8539]

The man (and his loyal wife) still deserved a holiday break away from that town. Come on. They never had a honeymoon and George was never away at all, not even for a weekend.

[@terrylandess6072]

Hearing Jimmy Stewart say 'Bert and Ernie' makes me smile.

[@glstka5710]

I wonder if Sesame Street named two of their characters for them.

[@vly9257]

​@@glstka5710 They claim not, the just looked at the Muppets and thought they looked like those names, but they do acknowledge that they had seen this movie in their past and it might have been subliminally in their minds 😉

[@LordBloodraven]

George Bailey's actor, James Stewart, also had his character's integrity in real-life. He enlisted in the US Army in February of 1941. That was a full 10 months before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. During a time when half of the US were isolationists who didn't want to get involved in World War II, James Stewart joined up knowing it would take a lot of good men to help save the world.

[@mikehuston3751]

Great movie. Jimmy Stewart's acting was terrific. His breakdown after Uncle Billy lost the money was amazing. In the bar when he breaks down was powerful .

[@yaimavol]

And hs reaction on the bridge when he realizes Bert knows him. The choices he made were all so brilliant and believable. There is not a second of this film he doesn't fill the shoes of the character

[@MrJohnTeacher]

It was quite normal for children to have jobs decades ago. I got my first job in 1968 at the age of 13.

[@Alex-dh2cx]

Jimmy Stewart was dealing with PTSD from ww2 when he made this film, he really channeled it in his performance.

[@zimjun7]

Yes, indeed. aka Method acting.

[@grahamtravers4522]

Many people seem to struggle to understand George during the scene with the telephone. In his mind, he WANTS to leave town and travel, but he can't resist the attraction of Mary. All the time he's trying to persuade himself that he WILL leave town, and is fighting angrily against giving in to his true feelings; but in the end he can't resist his affection for Mary, and she wins the struggle.

[@LukeLovesRose]

Agreed. But I think George Bailey is too complex for these simpletons today. Yes, George goes off the deep end. He can be rude and insulting. But you never get the feeling that George is a bad person. In the previous scene after Harry's party, George and Mary fall in love. It was never going to be the same between them.

[@mottorcyle5052]

She ruined George's life with her own wishes .

[@LukeLovesRose]

@@mottorcyle5052 George shouldnt have opened his mouth about his wishes

[@catherinelw9365]

@@mottorcyle5052 You just don’t get it.

[@Hayseo]

The movie begins in 1919. The pharmacist son died in the worldwide Spanish flu epidemic. The bank panic was during the great depression. And, of course, the end of the movie is during World War II.

[@jonbruton3557]

not during. After.

[@shawnpatrick1877]

It's unfortunate that many reactors don't understand any of those history references. Most seem completely confused about the "bank run."

[@rikk319]

@@shawnpatrick1877 History gets longer with each year, but our lives stay relatively the same length as human beings. Unless you're a historian (like me) or interested in it as a hobby, it's unlikely you know the relevance of certain segments of old movies or books without living through it yourself. After 3+ generations, most people can't relate to the language, mannerisms, or cultural events of an old story.

[@Imyerda]

Donna Reed (Mary) was the goat wife . Cast was exceptional 👏. Thanks for reaction

[@michaelbrennick]

Growing up in the USA in the 1960s and 1970s, the two biggest things (at 16, for working class and lower middle class children) were: getting your driver's permit and your "working papers", so you could get a part time job. I had a part time job right when I turned 16. I worked 20 hours a week through the school year and 40 hours in the summers. In 1919 child labor laws had been passed but still allowed some restricted child labor. The banking panic happened in the years between 1930 to 1933 (part of the Great Depression) in the US. Many banks closed and "bank holidays" were declared. During those years legislation was passed to stabilize the banking crisis and the situation finally settled down after 1933. George's building and loan was hit probably in 1932. Potter was able to save his bank by calling in outstanding loans. He was clever enough to still be able to try and take over the building & loan by offering 50% for shares.

[@keithmartin4670]

Funny you should refer to Scrooge. Lionel Barrymore used to do Scrooge on the radio every Christmas for around 20 years or so. I bet you could find a recording on line. He has *two* stars on the Walk of Fame, one for radio and one for films.

[@keithmartin4670]

No idea about the squirrel, but I do know that Capra was fond of Jimmy the raven and used him in all his movies from 1938 on. You may have seen him already. He played the crow in “The Wizard of Oz”.

[@victorsixtythree]

4:54 - Mr. Gower's telegram is dated 1919 - the year of the great influenza pandemic. Tens of millions died world wide. I think movie audiences in 1946 would have been very familiar, seeing that telegram.

[@lexiburrows8127]

Yes. My Grandfather's parents (my Dad's side) both died from the Spanish 'Flu. Despite this, my Grandfather was more fortunate than most, however, as he, his brother and sister were all adopted by one family and not separated from each other.

[@thomast8539]

Also, they knew what a telegram was.

[@marksardakowski4323]

Giving is always better the receiving, George had a wonderful life❤

[@thomast8539]

True, very true, but George STILL deserved a vacation. He never once got to leave Bedford Falls in all of those years.

[@lewstone5430]

This film always makes me tear up. Thanks for the great reaction and for pointing out Venezuela was mentioned! I never caught that before, my cousin-in-law is from Venezuela. He married my Colombian cousin. Merry Christmas Amanda!

[@cclapew]

Yes Lionel Barrymore's portrayal of Potter was evil but in another Frank Capra movie called You Cant Take It With You also with Jimmy Stewart he absolutely nails that role as the lovable Grandfather.... A testament to his skill and the reason why him and his siblings as well as their parents and grandparents were called the Royal Family of the American Stage.... also he is the great uncle of Drew Barrymore....

[@michaelmckesson6997]

Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@amandamiquilena]

Ohhh wooooww! Thank you so much! What a Christmas gift, haha. I appreciate this and I apologize for the late reply. Muchas Gracias :)

[@drdavid1963]

It's a wonderful reaction. The Rolling Stones song said it best ' You Can't Always Get What You Want, but if you try some time, you just might find you get what you need.' Being an important person to so many people is more valuable than fulflling your desires that might not be what you need. You might say he has learned this valuable lesson that beause he has been valuable to people, he should finally appreciate that makes a more fulfilling life than travelling to exotic places, and then what? For me, the wonderful ending is earned because the darkness is real and authentic. Being made just after the end of the second world war, it was a deeply moving message of moving out of the darkness and appreciating that life is indeed wonderful.

[@Tusc9969]

Well said!!!

[@jimwoodman8158]

Merry Christmas Amanda, and thank you for all your wonderful content throughout the year. Also, please don't feel embarrassed to sing in the future, your voice is beautiful.

[@Finchsterreading]

I’ve been meaning to say that she also doesn’t need to bother with subtitles. Her English is fine. 😊

[@bigdream_dreambig]

At the end, you worry that George is living a life he didn't choose, in that he has been unable to travel the world and build grand structures the way he'd first planned. However, you're forgetting that he _did_ choose this life. Every step of the way when he was about to leave town he was faced with a decision and he _chose_ to help his community or family rather than to begin his voyage. Every step, his childhood dream was less important to him than the dream that had essentially been handed down to him from his father. And, through Clarence's miracle, he now knows that those choices weren't a foolish waste, but rather had a powerful positive impact. And I _do_ think George was able to travel places after the events of this film. With all the donations -- including the $25k Sam gave! -- the Savings & Loan is on quite stable financial footing. George and Mary are certain to be able to save and, with the loving support of their community, to travel a bit if they still want to -- maybe even with their children!

[@matthewcostello3530]

that pool in the High School is still in use and so is the floor

[@stargazer1682]

They said that his job at the drugstore was his "after school job". Lots of kids still have part-time after school jobs. He was 12 at the time, which wouldn't be an uncommon age for someone to get a paper route or something.

[@dearally4787]

It was not in the script for George Bailey to cry in the “prayer scene” at the bar director Frank Capra was surprised when Stewart broke down. This is what J. Stewart said about that scene… I remember when I read the first draft of the script, and that scene, the little prayer, affected me. When I did it in the movie it did, and it did the same to me right now. This is a theory that I’ve always had; creating moments in movies, this I think is the important thing. Nobody knows exactly how it happens. What you should do is to prepare yourself as best as you can to make these moments happen. Because in a movie is really not so much the performance, there are moments.”

[@hp9697]

Annie stole every scene in which she was involved! Merry Christmas!

[@fewwiggle]

Hi Amanda -- and Merry Christmas!!! George was living his best life -- he just needed to realize it :-)

[@shawnpatrick1877]

George Bailey wasn't still living a life he didn't choose. That's entirely missing the point. He made the choice, every single time, to put the needs of others ahead of his own dreams. No one ever forced anything on him, he simply made the hard choice in every situation. His selfless choices are what defined him and gained him so much love, and in the end, they're what saved him. Those choices had a payoff that let him know he had a wonderful life of meaning after all, one that just traveling and building things probably wouldn't have given him. He realized how much he loved his current life, even happily embracing the flaws like the drafty old house with the loose post on the stair rails.

[@geoffmower8729]

I love how the director used the snow stopping to indicate that George didn't exist anymore. And when George prays to come back the snow starts again.

[@polferiferus1938]

If you watch the scene again where George says “I don’t want to mary anyone!” they are both becoming intensely close, literally smelling eachother’s hair, etc. It’s all done without words. I won’t tell you what you should think, but it is key to understanding this scene. If you carefully watch it again I don’t think you’ll be confused by it. I say this because I sensed you weren’t noticing it, especially since you seemed so confused by it.

[@user-mg5mv2tn8q]

After that scene was filmed, the script assistant reminded the director that James Stewart and Donna Reed had neglected to speak a fair number of the lines thad been written for them. The director said, "With acting like that, who needs dialogue?"

[@polferiferus1938]

I didn’t know that! Explains a lot! Thank you!

[@timh8324]

​@@user-mg5mv2tn8q Yeah - it was all about the struggle that George was facing internally - He saw all his dreams sailing away and was really frustrated and mad and depressed. He really liked Mary but she was stopping him too. So he had an internal struggle. Mary was constant throughout the movie, an anchor for him - she helped him and was able to help him face the life he never wanted. She worked to provide him with whatever she could - you could see that in the honeymoon she put together. When you think about it she is the hero of the movie (at least the human one). I think the part where some people dont see that it is terrible that she became an old maid is that they miss that her dream was the wife/husband/family - and she is the best at it - it was her dream - it was never fulfilled. So if he gave up his life - she would lose her dream as well.

[@phila3884]

It's not Amanda only. The buildup of the romantic tension is lost on some other reactors. Remember, we've seen it tens if not hundreds of times. The other scene which causes (unnecessary) cringing is when he "grabs" Mary after finding her leaving the library. Everyone forgets, she's his "wife" as far as he knows and expects her to react with relief, not terror. Again, 20+ watches, right?

[@LukeLovesRose]

Exactly. And George has just lost his last chance to do what he really wanted to do. Hes miserable. But then, George found himself again in Mary. Theyve always been drawn to each other

[@aliceharper707]

That's pretty much my life. I'm 69 years old and I've had all these plans all my life and the things have always turned in other directions. I'm finally learning to just accept what the universe has for me. It hasn't been easy. And I may never get to travel to the places I've always wanted to travel to. But I am a naturopathic doctor and I do touch a lot of lives. I don't make much money doing this but it is my life's calling. I thought I would make more than I am but I have a roof over my head. I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a man who loves me very much. So this movie helps put things in perspective. Thank you for your reaction. 42:56

[@Progger11]

"The universe" didn't have other plans for you. The capitalist system is designed to exploit and oppress you, and you unfortunately weren't able to escape the machine. It happens to most, and it's unjust. You should have made your dreams happen, and I'm sorry you didn't. :(

[@bigdream_dreambig]

22:28 "So he never took the job that Sam offered him?" Sam didn't offer George a job with him, he gave George the chance to invest in Sam's dad's plastics company -- but whenever George had any extra money, he always planned to use it to travel but then eventually used it to keep the Savings & Loan running instead. He never did invest any with Sam.

[@thomast8539]

Actually Sam did offer him a job when he interrupts the new home welcoming for Martini.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

@@thomast8539 Really? I don't recall that! I'll have to pay more attention to that part the next time I watch it.

[@philmullineaux5405]

The scene where George comes out of his mom's halfway house,Clarence telling him he's gone, the extreme closeup on his face, is a very dark, almost scary scene DiCapra did! Can u even believe, this movie saved his life? From WW2? The mean guy here is the original Lionel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's great great grandfather. Jimmy was so ate up with PTSD, he didn't want to do movies ever again. Lionel convinced him, to be in this. Can u believe how many movies came from this? Jimmy started out as a ww2 pilot, became an ace, squadron commander, wing commander, and an entire flight operations officer! He had horrible PTSD, until he did this movie. And the biggest crime? The banker....shoulda went to jail! He is the original family royalty, Barrymore! But he belongs in jail!!! Black and white Reese Witherspoon movie? Groundhog Day? Scrooged? Four Christmases? Click? And in some places, very dark!! And his girl, went on to massive acclaim. Movies and the Donna Reed show!! The jim Carrey 50s movie, plus Bruce Almighty, plus beautiful sunlight...plus the Truman show? The impact of this movie, ....u can't count that high! Also watch his incredible movie, Mr Smith goes to Washington! U will never hear references to Clarence, ever again, during Christmas, Angels, miracles, without thinking of this movie!! Pro tip.... SNL did a skit where several of the townspeople confronted Potter, whip his butt, then send him to jail for theft and bank fraud! Pro tip...the ginger snap cookie, was made from this movie, when George called Zuzu, gingersnap!!

[@Jay-j4w3x]

It's not the galaxy....it's heaven!

[@TedLittle-yp7uj]

Thank you for reacting to this great movie. It was made at a time when films told great stories with great actors.

[@ThistleAndSea]

Wonderful, Amanda. Such a sweet story! Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂

[@stevenvicijan4338]

It's movie with so much " corazón " we created the term " corazónovi " to feel overwhelmed. . .

[@mirthen99]

Thanks!

[@incogneato790]

Life was hard a century ago, kids worked young, and getting slapped around if you misbehaved was normal and acceptable.

[@abhinavs1137]

Yup & to add to it, the druggist was already in the worst of mood due to the death.

[@matthewarsenault463]

The point of the story is he had a wonderful life he just could not realize it but when it was taken away from him then he realized it was a wonderful life in the end he wanted his wife and children back he wasn't praying to go on a trip or an adventure he was praying for his wife and kids to come back

[@jackmars931]

And thus GoFundMe was born. 🎄🎅☃

[@philipcochran1972]

The 1918, 1919 flu pandemic killed millions of people around the world. The Oct 1929 stock market crash; millions of people lost all their savings, businesses went bankrupt and millions of people lost their jobs; known as the great depression which lasted through the 1930s.

[@James_Loveless]

Jimmy (often erroneously credited as Jimmy the Crow) was a raven actor who appeared in more than 1,000 feature films from the 1930s to the 1950s.

[@omgbygollywow]

That is point of the movie. If George had done what he wanted in life, all those other people would not have a better life. Sometimes we sacrifice our own happiness and desires for others.

[@christopherhamlet734]

All right, one big mental hug for you💕🙏🏼🎄❄️God Bless you and have a wonderful and very Nice Christmas ✝️❣️

[@flpndrox]

That raven was in all this director's movies, and the Wizard of Oz.

[@chuckvelten5337]

Some for those who hope and are hopeless. Maybe we all someday will live again !

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

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. 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. And if nothing else we can be thankful to Mr. Potter for getting Jimmy Stewart to do this movie.

[@emilywolfe7319]

"Was George responsible for her eyesight???" 😆 Good point 💕

[@RonaldDaBear]

Heck yeah, one of my all time favorites

[@rxlxviii]

Kids had jobs in the 1980s as well and even in the 1990s. Parents didn't buy their kids stuff that weren't necessary other than for presents on special occassion. Kids were expected to earn their own money to buy the things they wanted. Almost all my friends in the 1980s who were under 16 years of age had jobs to pay for their albums, clothes, cars, car insurance, dates, eating out with friends, and to help pay for college.

[@batape1965]

In the US, kids can't work at a normal job until they are 14. It has been that way since 1938.

[@rxlxviii]

@@batape1965 I guess you never heard of paperboys. One of my friends was a paperboy hired by the biggest paper (and one of the largest newspapers in the country) in the city at the age of 8. Kids can still work under the age of 14. But, yes, most of my friends and I started working at the age of 14. But some had jobs at age 12.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@batape1965 Wrong. I always had a job in the summer when I was a teen.

[@batape1965]

Yeah, and I cut my neighbor's lawn for $10/week. Also not a regular job. @@rxlxviii

[@melanie62954]

Babysitting, lawn care, paper routes--there were definitely ways to work in the '80s. I started babysitting when I was 12.

[@mikealvarez2322]

Does anyone recognize Alfalfa from the original Little Rascals. He's one of the teenagers opening the floor of the gym to the pool.

[@WheresWaldo05]

I honestly did not think his life was bad at all. See this is what happens when people priorities are not in line with nature. We should not be career driven. In love with our jobs. The true thing that matters in life is creating family. And he had that. For on your death bed, thats all that will be there. Your work wont.

[@jsharp3165]

No, that was not Lionel Barrymore’s real head. He’s wearing a bald cap. Did you know the actor was Drew Barrymore’s grand uncle?

[@chandie5298]

Merry Christmas, Amanda!!

[@chandie5298]

4:10 I was mowing lawns, raking and picking up leaves etc when I was 12 years old. I did various other jobs after school or during the summers. When I was 15yo I worked at a grocery store after school on on weekends. Working was very common, but that was back in the late 70s, early 80s. In the US, children used to work in factories or other labor jobs, and didn't stop until labor laws were enacted that limited the types of work and ages when people could start working.

[@amandamiquilena]

@@chandie5298 Merry Christmas to you too! Thanks for sharing :)

[@HARRi81_UK]

Merry Christmas Amanda!

[@rikk319]

My grandfather, who served in the Marines in WW2, saw this after he came back, and he told me one of the reasons it probably did so poorly at the box office was that a lot of people had just been through the harsh reality of the war, and the glowing sentimentality of the film clashed with that reality rather strongly, which made a lot of people pan it as too corny and soft. He said that the passage of time softens people's memories, and this made it grow on a lot of his generation over time, but that my parents' generation and mine didn't experience the war, so they only saw it from a perspective of only the wonderful things the past held, and embraced it right away after it went into the public domain and started being shown on TV every Christmas season.

[@MagnumGoose]

"She could kill him...and no one would know". That's dark! 😂😂😇 LOL

[@wingedbuffalo4670]

Hi Amanda ... This is my favorite movie of all time (or at least it has been for over 40 years since I first saw it), and I never tire of watching it. It also provides wonderful and MUCH NEEDED lessons for today's world. Life isn't about being "entitled" to "get" (or even necessarily to be able to pursue) whatever you "want;" it's about doing your DUTY, being a good and decent person to serve and help others, and always doing "the right thing." THAT is our truest, best destiny on our path to Heaven. As for the actors, the male lead (adult George Bailey) was played by Jimmy Stewart -- a true hero in real life. Jimmy Stewart gave up his successful Hollywood career to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps (the precursor to what would later in 1947 become the newly independent separate U.S. Air Force) upon the U.S. entry into WW II, even though he was older and "did NOT "have" to serve. Jimmy served as a B-24 pilot and flew many bombing missions against the Nazis and their allies. When the war ended, he had risen to the rank of full Colonel, but the war aged him terribly and psychologically damaged him with PTSD and depression from losing so many men under his command who had been shot down and killed. This movie was Jimmy's first after returning to Hollywood after the war, and you can clearly see how he tapped into his PTSD during the scenes showing his broken desperation and near mental crack-up (i.e., when he "snaps" in his family parlor and kicks over/destroys the model suspension bridge he had built, and when he's "at the end of his rope" praying to God in Martini's Bar). Jimmy Stewart remained in the Air Force Reserves and retired as a Brigadier General (1-star), and then years later President Ronald Reagan gave him an honorary promotion to Major General (2-star).

[@michaelmckesson6997]

Don't kill him. You worried me a little.😂 Merry Christmas

[@PurplePete763]

I love that Sam Wainright was willing to send him all that money even though he didn't get the girl.

[@CoastalNomad]

Merry Christmas..... Great Reaction..... This is a Christmas Staple (Must Watch)...... This was the First Movie Jimmy Stewart did after serving in WW2, Acting in this Movie helped Jimmy Combat his PTSD from the War.... When George and Mary threw rocks at the "Ole Granville House" the director had someone off camera ready to throw a rock, but Donna Reed, who had played softball in school, made the throw and broke a window on her own. When Drunk Uncle Billy staggers down the sidewalk and you hear a crash.... The actor actually knocked over stuff/items off camera, and Apoligized and they left it in the movie.... Great Movie that shows the "Butterfly Effect" of how the smallest things can have ripple effects that have large effects.... Yes, George's friends, Ernie (Taxi-Driver) and Bert (Cop) were the inspiration for Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street......

[@greggpangle4385]

I'm 55, and I cry every time time I have watched this, which was every year growing up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It's harder to find afterwards, as I am poor, no TV, and couldn't afford cable anyway. I watch reactions like yours, instead. And I cry. I'm an artist and musician, I put my emotions into my work. Thank you.

[@carlwkemp3]

The important message of the film is that service to others and sacrificial love are what MAKE a life wonderful. George's life would have been entirely forgettable if he had had the life he wanted for himself, but because he put others before himself, his life made his whole town remember and admire him, and saved lives he never even considered.

[@Hondo0101]

The best Christmas movie ever. Great reaction!!!

[@LaborHours]

Amanda, I love what you did with the Christmas lights on the wall, it makes a perfect border around the screen and is better than any other Christmas light screen border that I've seen.

[@TheSkootenbeeten]

I'm pausing this before I start watching, as I have a feeling... that I'm going to be left in a mess of emotion and tears by the end. Soooo, I'm taking this opportunity to say this now; Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and sincere joy in this Winter solstice. If I've missed anything... my apologies! BUT. All the best Amanda. I might edit this comment at the end to confirm or deny what I said about being left in a mess of emotion and tears.

[@burnout_2017]

Merry Christmas Amanda 🎄🎅⛄ i hope you understand the positive effects you have on all of us. ❤

[@EricVoegelin]

Reactor reversed the image. English as a second language speaker so sometimes she doesn't understand dialogue, and she didn't put it up on the screen, which would have solved both problems. Merry Christmas!

[@lawrencecumbo2908]

I love the ending, her emotions from the song resonated with me as well. ❤😊

[@YODAJJ]

39:18 she doesn’t look confused to me…that’s one very happy wife right there..that’s what they look like

[@frankworthen1065]

There are other riches in life besides money. The final scene where Harry calls George "the richest man in town" reinforces that George was truly wealthy.

[@sparky6086]

The picture was for the local newspaper. They didn't have television news yet.

[@greenpeasuit]

That is amazing, Amanda. Your tears are so magical, it made the black and white film suddenly turn to color! Ha ha ha!

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Feliz Nochebueno, Amanda!

[@batape1965]

Happy holiday, Ms. Miquilena. Your reactions continue to be the BEST because you are not afraid to show your personality. You don't play it safe in hopes of attracting more views. Have a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year's (-in jail!).

[@ohsfer11820]

When went to the house of the Mary and you said he looks disturbed, is because the he just met the wife of his younger brother and now his brother have offered a job which means he needs to stay and he won't be able to do what he dreamed of because nobody will take over their business. Didn't you get that?

[@tommyriam8320]

A huge percentage of human-kind consists of the simple-minded variety.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

It's not a "gated community" -- there are no fortress-like walls or gates or guards -- but it probably _is_ what we'd call a "housing development." It's a large plot of land that the Building & Loan owns and on which they build houses to sell to their members.

[@EllisThings]

Let's roll it! Happy holidays!

[@amandamiquilena]

Happy Holidays! I like your profile pic 😄

[@EllisThings]

@@amandamiquilena haha thank you - one of my all time fave images lol And loved the video, you could say... It's A Wonderful Reaction

[@totomomo18]

t's a Wonderful Life is more than a Christmas movie I am not christen and I love it. It is a feel good movie and one of the first time travel element movies. It is so much about time travel or alternative realities that Back to the future 2 allude to it :). Fun fact the movie was not a financial success when it came out and was forgotten. Only because of a copyright registration error ( Which was fixed decades later) the movie was considered public domain for years and because of the that the Tv Networks aired over and over every Christmas till it became a cult classic. Another fun fact the scene with the uncle that was drunk and fell down was adlib because one of the stage worker dropped something in the middle of filming. I love George speech to Mr Potter about the working class. The actor who plays Mr Potter is by the way Drew Barrymore great uncle. If you want another great Jimmy Stewart movie you should watch Mr Smith goes to Washington and Harvey.

[@amandamiquilena]

Oh wow wow wow, thanks for all these interesting facts :D

[@fionnmaccumhaill3257]

Being "an old maid" WAS a bad thing at that time. A woman's quality of life and even survival depended upon her family. Being unable to secure a husband could very well mean not being able to secure a future and security and happiness.

[@sparky6086]

True. There were women in the work force, but when they got married, it was normal for them to quit their job, if not immediately, at least when they began having children.

[@evanhughes1510]

I think mainly it just means being a lonely old cat lady

[@tommyriam8320]

It's _still_ for the most part, 'a bad thing' people merely pretend that it isn't

[@kevincaulder96]

Your expression at the end of the movie when the story all came together was worth the reaction. But the choices were limited in the those days. People tried to shoulder their responsibilities despite the weight or disappointment to themselves. But it all paid off in the end. You are valuable too. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Amanda.

[@rikk319]

Community is important. In this day and age of growing loneliness due to technology, particularly social media replacing in-person experiences and relationships, it's even more relevant.

[@MetabolicSpore0]

A beautiful film; I don't tend to watch traditional Christmas films over Christmas, but this one is the exception. Have a great Christmas Amanda and a very happy New Year!😊

[@mikealvarez2322]

Amanda, in 1919 $5000 was probably in the form of Gold Certificates which represented 250 $20 dollar gold pieces. So converting 1919 dollars to 2023 dollars you take the current price of gold and multiply it times 250 $20 dollar gold pieces ($5000÷$20= 250). $2000 X 250= $500,000.

[@CrownlessKing88]

He was conflicted because he loved Mary but he knew marrying her would mean being stuck in Bedford Falls. So that’s why he was hard to read in that scene where they’re on the phone and he shakes her angry and kisses her.

[@okeefe757]

$5000 in 1919 is worth about $90000 today.

[@EShelby2127]

I've heard that this movie was written to help soldiers and sailors who had returned from WWII, and felt that their moment to be heroes had passed them by. Most who served and returned, were not on the front lines and their stories were of boredom and monotony, uncelebrated. The message was that they could still be heroic, by living a good life and doing what was right. The movie "Mister Roberts" with Henry Fonda and Jack Lemon comes closest to the plight of those whose jobs were vital, but not in the awareness of the public. When they returned, they felt that the chance to shine was past...

[@bigdream_dreambig]

14:07 "That Potter guy should have three angels visiting him on Christmas night." 👏 Good Dickens reference -- but don't forget Marley! (Marley was dead, to begin with.)