It's a Wonderful Life - First Time Watching Reaction | I cried, and I cried a lot! Loved it 💜

[@sca88]

George's two daughters and youngest son are still alive, Janie 88, Zuzu 83, Jimmie 82. Janie lives near me and has a room in her house dedicated to this film with memorabilia.

[@gggkoking8843]

That would be nice to see the room, and meet Janie. I bet she could tell you lots of stories about things they all did while making the movie.

[@markdenio4537]

Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes) is coming to Detroit this December.

[@miss-c7d]

ZuZu sells its a wonderful life ornaments signed. My mom gave all us kids one for Christmas one year. It’s a treasure!

[@sca88]

@miss-c7d Does she sell them from a website? I already have autographed photos of the film from Zuzu and Janie.

[@leannezezeski-sass2773]

Wow I’m so glad they’re still alive, this movie is like the opposite of cursed

[@dastemplar9681]

The absolute brilliance of this movie is that it’s basically a reversal of A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who was afraid of death realizes that there’s still time to turn things around and be a better man for the world. George Bailey, a man who didnt want to live anymore, only to realize how much good he has brought to the world.

[@edp5886]

Annie's comment about the money she saved for a divorce if she ever found a husband is the perfect comedic release at a high-emotion point - loved her character.

[@brianthom6798]

I never thought about it that way, but you're absolutely right.

[@jessecastaneda9167]

Hee-Haw! ... When we first meet George, the second boy to slide down the mountain was his friend Sam "Hee-Haw." That is the way they say hi to each other throughout the movie.

[@jonathanpeckover3504]

The thing that touches me most deeply about this movie is that the actor of Mr Potter was in real life a kind and empathetic man who encouraged Jimmy Stewart to accept the lead role. Due to his PTSD, Jimmy Stewart struggled with feeling hollow and hypocritical in Hollywood after what he'd seen and done during his time in the Air Force. So, the actor of Mr Potter asked him if he truly didn't see the point to bringing joy to others' lives through entertaining them rather than taking life as he'd done in the war. Jimmy said afterward he wouldn't have done the movie without his encouragement and mentorship and credited him with helping him overcome his personal trauma.

[@PlastiSeen]

Wow, that's amazing to hear. Mr. Barrymore was a wonderful actor too, really made me hate Potter. Lol

[@charlestaylor686]

Lionel Barrymore is also the great uncle of present day actress Drew Barrymore. As in "It's A Wonderful Life", one life touches another.@@PlastiSeen

[@redcaddiedaddie]

@@PlastiSeen If you want to see him in other roles, view "CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS' & "KEY LARGO"!

[@Hiraghm]

Jimmy Stewart did not have PTSD. Regardless of what myths have been promoted, not everyone who served, or even saw combat, came home with PTSD. My father, 3 uncles and 2nd cousin served in the war; the 2nd cousin was at Pearl when it was bombed. None of them had PTSD. My other uncle, however, served in Korea, and he ended up hanging himself at 54... HE had PTSD.

[@danieldickson8591]

@@HiraghmJimmy Stewart did have to be taken off combat duty because of some of the things he'd seen and done during the war. Coming back to civilian life he was suffering from depression. If it wasn't PTSD it was definitely emotional trauma. Stewart drew from that to give George Bailey's despair the ring of truth, and credited this film with helping him work through his trauma.

[@fabiencoze9829]

It's kind of cool that the " chance of a lifetime " wasn't about Sam's proposition but it was all about Mary ... SHE WAS GEORGE'S CHANCE .

[@woodspirit98]

My parents were born before the depression. I grew up in rochester and my dad in Elmira. Bedford falls was based on a town called Seneca Falls in Western NY. The glass company would later become Corning glass which makes fiber optics now.

[@zedwpd]

The strings on his fingers are a 1919 version of a Harry Potter remembrall. The device is a cigar lighter that was known to not always light, so George thought it was good luck when it did. Donna Reed was a softball player back in her home town of Denison, Iowa and hit the window with a rock in one take.

[@charlier711]

"To my big brother George. The richest man in town." Gets me every time. RIP Mr. Stewart - an American treasure. In life you were George Baily.

[@PlastiSeen]

That's what I will remember him as. Such a wholesome movie and a selfless man. The world needs more George Baileys

[@TresLanes]

It's amazing how powerful that line is, after seeing all the highs and lows of George's life up to that point. Ranks right up there with the line from Field of Dreams ( don't wanna ruin it for those of you who have not seen that movie)....😂

[@billolsen4360]

When we lived in L.A. in the 80's,, my sister was "compelled" to take a file of publicity photographs for a pet rescue foundation she was a volunteer for to Jimmy & Gloria Stewart's house in Beverly Hills since Mrs Stewart was a volunteer for the foundation as well. Driving up to this big mansion, my sis expected a butler or maid to answer the front door, but Jimmy answered it himself.

[@jethro1963]

@@PlastiSeen I've seen all the It's a Wonderful Life reactions and this one had the best edit. All the important lines were kept intact. Also appreciate the lack of swearing (until the ahole at the end) I'm no prude but I worked in broadcasting at a time when people had class and just didn't do it. So along with the edit it was one of the best reactions

[@DannyCheek]

@@jethro1963 ,I agree about the important lines being included,but I am kind of disappointed that one of the funniest lines was omitted:When George and Clarence are thrown out of Nick's Bar and Clarence tells Joseph "No,I didn't have a drink.". That's my only complaint(and a minor one at that)about the editing.

[@BeeWhistler]

The part that always makes me tear up is when George yells, “Don’t hit my sore ear again!” Well, I tear up before that and that line kinda makes me sob a little. Fantastic acting from that kid. I think my favorite line is, “He’s making violent love to me, Mother!” Mary is a beast. She really does have all the answers.

[@davestang5454]

Mary knows what she wants and knows how to get it. She lassoed -in George.

[@tigqc]

I like that George basically became like a son to Mr. Gower after his died.

[@keithmartin4670]

About the strings on Uncle Billy’s fingers - an old memory trick was to tie a string around one of your fingers to remind you of something you thought you might forget. We already knew he was forgetful. Showing that he used multiple strings twice and it didn’t work emphasizes that.

[@michaelfontanelli2450]

It’s amazing how much the young actress who played Mary as a little girl looks exactly like Donna Reed!

[@blackbird1891]

The device young George was using was old fashion lighter for smoking. If the spark lit on the first try it was considered good luck and you'd make a wish - "hotdog!" was from the excitement of seeing it light on the first pull. I'm still watching the reaction but I'm already sure its great!!

[@mrgclough]

It's actually called a trade stimulator. They were once popular. There were various kinds, love meters and such. A lot of them were like slot machines or let you play a game. Or they had some function, like this one. It was supposed to bring people in and help keep them in the store. There were several companies making them like this cigar lighter. So far as I can tell, the original prop is no longer to be found.

[@hokiedoo]

I'm 61 years old and had never seen this movie till this year so too answer your question I was balling at the end of the movie!

[@thomastimlin1724]

Mary - played by Donna Reed...she was a great actress. Won Best Supporting Actress Oscar for 1954's From Here to eternity. Then in 1958 she got her own sitcom simply called the Donna Reed Show that lasted until 1966. There are a lot of great character actors in this, some of whom went on to TV fame.

[@charlieeckert4321]

Jimmy Stewart was a successful actor before World War 2, and had earned an Oscar. But he left Hollywood and went into the Army Air Corps. Eventually he became a colonel and he commanded a B'24 squadron. The stress caused him to lose sleep and lose weight. Then one day, on a mission he didn't fly, his squadron lost 130 men. He had a nervous breakdown and spent months in the hospital. When the war was over, he wasn't sure about acting, and didn't want to take this part because it wasn't a comedy. His friends (including Mr. Potter's actor, Lionel Barrymore) taked him into it. When the serious emotional scenes came (when he told Mary he didn't want to marry anyone, and when he was praying in the bar) the emotions were raw and real, and just under the surface.

[@alexomar9699]

The line Harry says "To my big brother George, the richest man in town" always makes me cry I've watched this movie every year since I was 5 about to be 48 and that line hits harder now that my big brother has passed away

[@MySonsFather74]

Might be the greatest line of dialog in American cinema.

[@billolsen4360]

@@robertrobertJ For me it's when Clarence tells George, "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry."

[@ammaleslie509]

​@@MySonsFather74 I love it too and was stunned when it didn't make the AFI top 100 lines list

[@mousetreehouse6833]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[@leannezezeski-sass2773]

It’s not even just that part that makes me cry lol there’s so many tear jerking moments in this film that I cry through the entire movie

[@novusmundi]

Frank Capra was the director. He loved to direct films about the little guy standing up to and beating the big guys in power. Another film that ends with an emotional ending at Christmas Eve was the movie "Meet John Doe" starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. That was made years before this one. He directed two other films with Jimmy Stewart. One was "Mr Smith Goes to Washington " with Jean Arthur, and "Can't Take It With You " also with Jean Arthur and also Lionel Barrymore AKA Mr Potter as the good guy. Another one with Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur is "Mr Deeds Goes to Town".

[@drcornelius8275]

Both the scene where George emotionally grabs his son after coming home and then again when he prays to God at the bar. Those two scenes are some of the finest acting I've ever seen in anything. Jimmy Stewart was also a great person in real life, so this movie has always been really special to me.

[@PlastiSeen]

Amazing acting for sure, really made me feel his desperation in the moment.

[@bentighe4811]

As far as I'm concerned the best acting I've ever seen is the scene outside of Harry and Ruth's welcome party. Earlier George had told Billy that a train whistle is one of the most thrilling sounds in the world. Standing there in the dark George hears a train whistle and his face brightens, but then the hope changes to despair as he realizes that his youth is gone and his dreams of the life he's always wanted will never come true. Jimmy Stewart doesn't say a word - he acted that moment with just his eyes.

[@zooks527]

@@PlastiSeen This was the first movie that Jimmy Stewart was in after returning from being a bombing squadron commander in WWII and flying 20 missions himself. During the scene in the bar, he really was breaking down remembering many of the things he had seen. The scene is grainy as it had been shot in a wider angle, but Capra had it optically enlarged into a closeup after being strongly effected by Stewart's performance. In addition to his movie career, Stewart continued in the Air Force Reserve into the 1960s, rising to Brigadier General, including piloting B-52s in training and flying as an observer for one last mission over Vietnam in 1966. He retired in 1968 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60.

[@LukeLovesRose]

In hindsight, I think Stewart was totally snubbed for this movie

[@arthurrubiera8029]

Actually, l hate to ruin it for you, but James Stewart was a big womanizer, even had affairs with married women.

[@laurab68707]

You should definitely watch "Twelve Angry Men" the 1957 version. One of the greatest movies of all time. Everyone who watches it, absolutely loves it.

[@mapegatkinson92]

I am 74 and I still cry everytime I watch this! I think everyone changes for the better after watching this. Great reaction.

[@QuisletEsq]

When Mary tells George her wish on their honeymoon she is saying it to the ear he can’t hear in. So he never really knows what her wish was.

[@joejoebrian1014]

This movie is so endearing to so many generations of people. The part that gets me is when Harry toasts to George and calls him the Richest man in town. To me it beautifully represents a full circle moment. George had unwaivering love and respect for his father and what his father meant to people and sacrificed of himself for people. George calls his dad the richest man in Town in the first scene with Potter. And considering what George unselfishly sacrificed for his brothers stability and future, to hear that Harry views George as George viewed his father just opens the flood gates for me. This movie and Jimmy Stewarts performance will never not be relevant.

[@brettharlow7010]

Mr. Potter makes Darth Vader look like a Disney princess.

[@realrembrandt8273]

True

[@3DJapan]

Strings on your finger to remind you to do something. This is foreshadowing for him forgetting the money later.

[@jd-zr3vk]

The script girl (that was the title of the position at the time) after the scene where George and Mary get engaged told Capra that 2 pages of dialogue were left out. Kapra's response was, "With acting like that who needs dialogue. "

[@PlastiSeen]

It really was great acting!!

[@jakerazmataz852]

Jimmy had PTSD, his emotions in Martini's were real.

[@davestang5454]

As Richard Burton said about what made American actors special: "With British actors, it's what we say that makes the performance but with American actors it's what they DON'T say that makes the performance." Steven Spielberg learned that magic by directing actors to master the reaction shot, which became his trademark.

[@margiewilliams537]

I have watched this movie every year since I was little and cried every time, now that I'm 61and watch the reaction videos, I still cry at them all

[@timromerz9204]

This Film changed me and SAVED me. A TRUE-GENUINE-ALL-TIME-FILM My All-Time FAVORITE FILM GREAT CHOICE

[@melenatorr]

"Hee haw" is simply Sam's little signature phrase. It has no other significance other than it's Sam who does it, and there's a tiny, lovely little callback to it way at the end.

[@paintedjaguar]

I've always thought that it might be a school mascot sort of thing that Sam never outgrew.

[@melenatorr]

@@paintedjaguar Entirely possible! I think we hear it as early as the shovel-sled scene, and we hear it in a chorus of boys as young George waves goodbye at the drug store. I think that's the only time anyone other than Sam says it, except for Mary on the phone. So maybe it was something that everyone but Sam grew out of. Funny: he seems to have been the most financially successful of his crowd, and the first to really break away and be something different. But he hangs onto Bedford Falls with that "Hee Haw".

[@davestang5454]

Not exactly true. Sam was comparing George to a foolish, stubborn donkey for his behavior. That's what the "Hee Haw" sound with the donkey ears was about. There was even a "Hee Haw" comedy show in the 1970s focused on "country humor" and the donkey saying "Hee Haw" was their advertising.

[@melenatorr]

@@davestang5454 I remember the show "Hee Haw" and it was a lot of fun. There may be an element of that light mocking in Sam's Hee Haw to George, but we hear him calling it out generally as early as the ice skating scene. And when Mary picks up the phone during the scene of George's visit, the first thing she says is "Hee Haw! Hello, Sam, how are you?" And this is before George walks back in to get his hat. So I won't deny your point, but it definitely isn't all there is it Sam's "Hee Haw".

[@kroanosm617]

Too many teary eyed moments to list. The part where the Uncle is telling George how people didn't even ask any questions. They just heard George in trouble and that's all they needed to know.

[@PlastiSeen]

That made me cry too. George realizing that the small things he did which he thought nothing of were actually massively lifechanging for people 🥲

[@ismaelpalomino4685]

This movie should be a national treasure of the world. 😊

[@edjasper92]

Casablanca is a classic you should react to. My favorite of all time.

[@brianthom6798]

Mine too!

[@ammaleslie509]

Oh yes, if you are doing great B&W films you must see Casablanca and 12 Angry Men

[@RiverPond11]

"All those men on the transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry." Gives me chills every time. Shows the massive ripple effect George's action caused. Not just the people he's directly interacted with, but people & families he's never met. Always makes me think, what domino effect like that have I caused?? Love it. Thanks for the reaction!!

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

The movie doesn't emphasize the point, but I often think, what must be George's emotion to see his brother alive again after standing at his graveside? And knowing that not only Harry, but every man that Harry saved is also alive again?

[@buzzfeng4365]

The strings on Uncle Billy's fingers are to remind him to remember something. It's something people used to do back then. If there is something you don't want to forget, you tie a string on your finger to remind you.

[@pacebrison1453]

People used to tie strings around their fingers as a reminder of something they needed to remember. The fact Uncle Billy has quite a few strings indicates he very forgetful.

[@horsedoconfb]

The actor who played Mr. Potter was a member of a very famous acting family. His name was Lionel Barrymore and he was a brother to John Barrymore who is Drew Barrymore‘s grandfather. Lionel Barrymore was instrumental in convincing Jimmy Stewart to take this role after Stewart served in World War II. Lionel Barrymore played the kindly Dr. Gillespie in the doctor Kildare series of movies. His playing the evil villain was not a typical role for him.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

Except that one of Lionel Barrymore's best known roles to audiences of the time was his annual portrayal of Scrooge in a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day radio broadcast of Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. By 1946, this tradition had been going on for more than a decade. Though Lionel played many more kindly roles, I think IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE's original audiences would have been acutely aware that the Scrooge-like Mr. Potter was being played by "Scrooge," and that it would have been no more surprising to them than seeing Bela Lugosi cast as a vampire, and no less fitting.

[@mescko]

@@oliverbrownlow5615 I have an LP that was one of my late father's favorites of Lionel playing Scrooge. My dad loved Dickens and CC was his favorite fiction.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

@@mescko I wonder if that LP contained one of Lionel Barrymore's radio performances, or if it was an original studio recording for the record album?

[@mav2knight]

This is without a doubt the best Xmas movie made. I know generations younger than mine may disagree but the story is timeless. I'm 66 years old and have seem this every year without fail. First with my mom and dad and later with my children. To this day, I still cry at the end because after all, "George Bailey is and always has been the richest man in town".. in so many ways..

[@michaelwalsh2498]

A couple of classic tear jerkers: The Best Years of our Lives, same year as Wonderful Life, one of favorite movies of Spielberg, Scorcese, it's about returning soldiers from WW2. Marty, 1955, it's about two "dogs" who find each other, and happiness.

[@meganlutz7150]

Marty is a great suggestion ! Love that one !

[@Nomorage]

Best Years of our Lives beat out this movie at the Oscars in several categories, and deservedly so. It's a far better film than this one, IMO.

[@jethro1963]

The Best Years of Our Lives is probably the greatest Hollywood made movie. It was at the top of top ten lists for decades. Along with the director William Wyler it had the GOAT for a cinematographer, Gregg Toland. It's a must see movie and if you're not bawling when Wilma tucks Homer into bed there's something wrong with you.

[@user-mg5mv2tn8q]

Very much like It's a Wonderful Life, The Best Years of Our Lives will take you down and make you feel sad, then bring you back up and make you feel magnificent.

[@cflournoy1529]

OMG!!! Those are literally two of my most favorite movies!! I watch them every time they come on TCM!

[@danalawton2986]

Here is a great movie and it is from 1934, "It Happened One Night". It shot Clark Gable to stardom and it is probably the standard by which all RomComs were measured by for decades after. Believe me... a great movie, up there with Wonderful Life, and it was done more than 10 years earlier.

[@mrcapra]

YES! Most definitely watch It Happened One Night.

[@Jim-Mc]

Ditto, it holds up.

[@THOMMGB]

It Happened One Night was the first movie to win the top Oscars at the Academy Awards show: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. Only two other movies have done that - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and Silence of the Lambs. Another great movie is The Apartment. Nominated for 10 Oscars and won 5 including Best Picture.

[@robincochran7369]

"I want to live again!! I want to live again!! Please God, let me live again". Gets me teary every time. "To my big brother George. The richest man in town" would be a close second.

[@PlastiSeen]

Both of those definitely had me in tears 🥲

[@larrydrozd2740]

This was the first movie Jimmie Stewart did after fighting in WW2. He flew 20 combat missions in a B-24.

[@johno1765]

When you started shedding tears at some of the early scenes, I knew you'd never get through the end without a flood of tears.

[@PlastiSeen]

I’m a big baby 😅

[@johno1765]

@@PlastiSeen, If you want to see Mr. Potter get his due, you should see the old Saturday Night Live skit on the "lost ending" of "It's a Wonderful Life. It's on KZbin.

[@TedLittle-yp7uj]

It seems that most reactors have difficulty understanding George's reaction to Mary's cartoon of him lassoing the moon. Mary meant it as a tribute but George sees it as an accusation. He had promised her the moon but none of his ambitions were being realised. "Some joke." That is the way he was thinking then.

[@cindyknudson2715]

Exactly.

[@beefsupereme]

It’s hard to pick my favorite moment, maybe near the end when George goes to Potter to recoup the 8 thousand he says he’s misplaced. Even after being so angry with Billy and declaring he won’t take the fall for it, he does anyway because that’s who he is. Potter is surprised of course, because he has no concept of sacrificing for others. Or it may be the moment Clarence jumps into the river and George completely forgets his problems, yanks his coat off and goes after him. Both moments solidifying what the film has already shown us, that no matter how much he deserves a break, no matter how dark his outlook, George is simply geared to automatically help where needed.

[@phantombrakeman4983]

Not only is Potter surprised that George said "he" missed placed the money, but now Potter sees that he can turn all this onto George. Note how Potter starts all the attacks against George at that point and finishes with "You're worth more dead, then alive."

[@drcornelius8275]

Spot on, I couldn't agree more!

[@starman2337]

But if Mr. Potter hadn't kept the money, George would never have experienced the revelation of how others felt about him. He still might think his life would have been better elsewhere.

[@omgbygollywow]

Jimmy Stewart won an Academy Award for The Philadelphia Story and also was in The Rear Window and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He was the Tom Hanks of his day.

[@davestang5454]

True, but Jimmy Stewart was an even more versatile actor than Tom Hanks. He could play tough, gritty roles like "Flight of The Phoenix" as well as sensitive roles. He could do that because it was a lived experience as a military pilot. Hanks is good but not THAT good.

[@johnnehrich9601]

Yes, not only a great story, but this is such a wonderful encapsulated authentic American history from the people who lived through out - the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, the roaring twenties, where everyone and I mean everyone danced the Charleston, the bank runs of the Great Depression, WWII on the home front. And yes, I tear up at all the tender moments throughout the film, and of course at the end, no matter how many times I've seen it.

[@davestang5454]

The sheer amount of suffering and death people endured between 1918 and 1945 makes Covid look like a head cold.

[@michaeldmcgee4499]

A great reaction. I get a lump in my throat every time I see Harry toast George as the richest man in town. The next B&W classic you should watch is "Casablanca". There's a reason it's at or near the top of everyone's list of the best movies of all time

[@roywall8169]

Mary was there for every one of George’s lowest moments. She saw exactly how he handled every failure. The drug store incident, the news about his father and the savings and loan going broke. She never wavered or thought about bailing on him. She was his reason for living.

[@davestang5454]

Mary was the ideal wife. She was both strong and selfless, patient and endlessly loving.

[@leannezezeski-sass2773]

She’s the type of wife I wanna be

[@reichensperger1847]

You are an exceptionally good commentator, emotionally sensitive as well as intelligent. I like how you instantly deduced "the Depression!" when you the run on the bank.

[@PlastiSeen]

Thank you so much for the kind words 💜

[@jeromedavis1353]

The greatest screenplay ever written. Every little throwaway moment in the movies comes home at the end with huge emotional payoff.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

3:49 The strings on the hand were a common memory aide, a way to remind yourself of future events, back before smartphones. 5:50 The flame was a drugstore gas cigar lighter. Apparently they didn't always light on first try, so if they did you got your wish

[@3DJapan]

5:14 This was one of the first times a freeze frame was used in film. It was a complicated special effect for the time.

[@PlastiSeen]

A trailblazing movie for sure. Thats such a cool fact to know, thanks for sharing!!

[@Soundhypno]

Sunset Boulevard is also a gem from 1950, not in the same vein as this though still a great oldtimey movie! Great reaction PlastiSeen

[@georgemckeon6710]

Not only the best Christmas movie but also one of the top movies of all time. Its message is timeless.

[@billolsen4360]

Maybe the greatest movie ever made

[@richardmcnulty2543]

My mum and dad showed this to me when I was a kid, they have both gone now. I want to die every day but this film saves me every time I watch it.

[@SeanCosgrove1]

"To my big brother George. The richest man in town." Gets me every time

[@dabe1971]

The absolute best Christmas film ever. Hands down. I've watched it countless times, the final message gets me through each year. Did you notice it NEVER snows in Pottersville ? Yes you can see it on the ground but look when George is begging to Clarence that he wants to live again - the moment it starts to snow is when you know he's back in good old Bedford Falls. The snow was a new development for the film too. Capra wanted to use live sound for the close up scenes so the usual Hollywood method - cornflakes bleached or painted in white was out as clearly any walking nearby would create unwanted sound so the special effects team came up with a brand new method. There was actually a record heatwave going on whilst the film was being made ! The Raven that Uncle Billy owns is called 'Jimmy'. He starred in 1000+ films and was quite the star - insured for the equivalent of thousands of dollars today. He's actually the 'crow' that lands on the Scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Capra found a part for him in every film he made after 1938. Speaking of Uncle Billy, in the scene where he leaves the frame and there's a crash, a set hand dropped some equipment accidentally and the look of concern from Jimmy Stewart was genuine. Some say 'Uncle Billy' improvised the cry that he was alright, others say it was dubbed on in post. But the crash is genuine and unscripted. Another unscripted moment is when Ms Davis asks for 17.50 from George. Capra took young actress Ellen Corby to one side just before shooting and told her to ask George for an strange number. This caught Jimmy off guard so he reacted with the kiss. Older folk like me might recognise her as she went on to play Grandma Walton in the long running TV show - The Waltons. Jimmy Stewart was still suffering with PTSD from his WW2 service and credits this movie experience as being therapeutic. In particular, in the prayer scene it wasn't scripted for him to cry and they weren't really setup for a close up to really capture the emotion. Capra knew he couldn't replicate the emotion in a reshoot so he decided to go with the original footage and zoomed in on the negative for the final cut of the film. If you look, it looks grainier because of that but Capra thought it worked in bringing more emotion and it was certainly better than asking Jimmy to go again. Stewart is one of my favourite actors and even more so when you see this performance. So glad new generations are still enjoying this classic - and in black and white as it should be ! I watched again- on Christmas Eve as is my tradition along with 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and I cried like a baby just like I always do. Being a 52 year old guy doesn't change that such is the power of this movie. Jimmy Stewart said it was his favorite and who are we to argue.

[@user-mg5mv2tn8q]

I'm over 60, and I have the same reaction. Oh, and the new method for creating snow was instant mashed potato flakes, something originally developed to feed navy crews during WWII.

[@charlieeckert4321]

Five actors in this movie are 21:54 Oscar winners: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed (Mary), Lionel Barrymore (Potter), Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) and Gloria Graham (Violet).

[@chuc5o]

The moment Potter said " you misplaced eight thousand dollars" he knew George was covering for Uncle Billy. Thats why he kept the charade.

[@allanalogmusicat78rpm]

6:40 The device is simply a cigar or cigarette lighter. In those times, drug stores usually offered pharmacy service, a soda fountain/ice cream counter, various sundries, and a smoking section, with cigars and cigarettes, plus pipes and cans of pipe tobacco. The gas lighter was provided as a service, and they were not very reliable at igniting. Therefore, George has made a game of using it as a wishing device. If the flame sparks, his wish is granted!

[@christopherjohns1566]

What is another indicator of how much of a difference George made, consider this. It was about 11 pm when George went back home. That makes it 4 am in London. Sam took care of the cable at that hour for George.

[@PlastiSeen]

I didnt think about that. Now excuse me while I have another little cry 🥲

[@TheCkent100]

@@PlastiSeenNot only that, but Sam didn't just give the money to George because they were childhood friends. Remember in the phone call at Mary's house, Sam mentions that George had suggested making plastics out of soy beans and that his father "ate it up". Also, Sam and his father had planned on opening their new factory in Rochester. George responded "Rochester? Why Rochester?" Then he suggests to Sam that if they can "get the old abandoned tool and machine works factory for a song. And all they labor they could use. Heck, half the town was thrown out of work when it went out of business". Sam saved so much money on that new factory, employed many people in his home town, and while George didn't invest in plastics as Sam wanted, he was extremely instrumental in making Sam's business a success and to set Sam up to "make a fortune in plastic hoods for planes". Sam undoubtedly recognizes how instrumental George was in his success.

[@davestang5454]

Sam made fun of George but he really admired him. Sam had things money can buy but George had things money can't buy.

[@rickhawk22]

The best Christmas movie of all time! The part that gets me everytime is when his brother Harry toasts to his big brother, the richest man in town.

[@ElliotNesterman]

I tend to tear up earlier and earlier with each watching, but the moment that always gets to me is when he finds Zuzu's petals in his pocket again. If you have in interest in classic films you've got a deep well to dive down. Sadly, except for a handful of the ones younger generations know most of them won't do much to boost views. That said, here are a handful I think you'll find particularly eye-opening: _M_ (1931; Germany; crime, thriller) directed by the great Fritz Lang and starring Peter Lorre in his most challenging role, it is a riveting crime thriller. _City Lights_ (1931, comedy, romance) written, directed by, and starring Charles Chaplin, it is one of the finest romantic comedies ever made. Though sound movies were appearing in 1928, when he began work on _City Lights,_ Chaplin decided to film it as a silent movie. Chaplin also composed the score. In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked it 11th on its list of the best American films ever made _It Happened One Night_ (1934, comedy) directed by Frank Capra ( _It's a Wonderful Life_ ) and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, it was the first film to win all of the "big five" Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. _His Girl Friday_ (1940, comedy) directed by Howard Hawks and starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, it is one of best of the screwball comedies. If you like witty, fast-paced dialogue spoken by smart characters this one is for you. It also happens to be in the public domain, so no copyright blocks. _The Maltese Falcon_ (1941, mystery, film noir) directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor, it is generally regarded as the first full-length film noir. It is also considered to have one of the finest screenplays ever written. _Citizen Kane_ (1941, mystery, drama) written, directed by, and starring Orson Welles, it is universally regarded as one of the greatest, and most influential, films ever made. It is not going too far to say that modern cinematography begins with _Citizen Kane._

[@PlastiSeen]

Thank you for these recommendations!! Wow youve given me quite a few to look at 💜

[@ElliotNesterman]

​@@PlastiSeen These only begin to scratch the surface. One distinction you should be aware of, and which is worth investigating, is the difference between pre-code and Hays Code films in the US. The Wikipedia article on the Hays Code explains it well.

[@meganlutz7150]

Beautiful reaction ! Would love it if you watched more old classics since you clearly know how to appreciate them. They have a charm that modern movies just don’t have. I would recommend Casablanca (1942), Arsenic and Old Lace ( 1944), and Rear Window (1954).

[@PlastiSeen]

Thank you for the recommendations!! 💜

[@ammaleslie509]

Rear Window is another great Jimmy Stewart movie and it is also in color​ @@PlastiSeen

[@757optim]

The "device" George makes wishes on is a cigar lighter. The strings on Uncle Billy's fingers are reminders (obviously didn't always work).

[@davestang5454]

the reason tying a string around your finger worked as a memory aid was that you thought about about what you had to remember while you tied the string, so that in your mind you associated the thought of tying the string with the image in your mind. You were "binding" something in your memory.

[@omgbygollywow]

Jimmy Stewart eventually rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the Air Force. He flew many missions in WW2.

[@itt23r]

Of all the movies Frank Capra directed this was his favorite. But of all the movies lead actor, Jimmy Stewart, starred in this was his 2nd favorite To see his all time favorite role, check him out in the timeless comedy, HARVEY, an iconic film so highly regarded in Hollywood it is referenced in several of the greatest modern movies including SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, FIELD OF DREAMS and A BEAUTIFUL MIND, And they too should be on your must watch list too if you haven't already seen them. as every one is as inspirational as IT"S A WONDERFUL LIFE if not more.

[@billolsen4360]

10:16 That basketball court with the swimming pool under it is still there, too. The high school doesn't dare get rid of it.

[@quicktastic]

I still say the phone scene with George and Mary is one of the most romantic scenes ever. Once he got that close to her, he was done for.

[@bobbuethe1477]

2:13 That was a tabletop cigar lighter. It was said that if you could get one to light on the first try, your wish would be granted. 3:50 Before smartphone reminders, people would tie string around their finger to remind themselves to do something. Uncle Billy's memory is so bad, he had a string around almost every finger. 11:10 George graduated from high school, then worked for the Building and Loan for 4 years until Harry graduated and could take his place. Harry and Mary graduated together, so George is 4 years older than Mary.

[@Wizardjudge]

People would tie strings around their fingers to “remember” things. Uncle Billy tries to remember things, but it never seems to help.

[@HeatherDeweyPettet]

Because he’s still depressed about his wife passing away. It was quickly mentioned that there were rooms in the house he hadn’t been in since she passed, when he and George were searching for the money in his house.

[@Zylos3]

Potter calling people "Discontented lazy rabble instead of a thrifty working class" sounds so familiar to what certain people in the scrooge class still say today, still hasn't changed. That aside, this is might be the only Christmas movie I don't mind seeing every year. Reminds me of my grandparents who grew up in that era and how my grandfather was known by everyone throughout his small town. As a kid that was always so inspiring to me, miss you Poppy.

[@PlastiSeen]

Thats why I said there were so many parallels to today. But still, life was diff back then eh?

[@Tateorsomething]

RIP Jimmy Stewart. One of the greatest actors of all time.

[@scottls]

I have to admit this is one of my absolute favorite movies! In fact, this movie in a large way help shape my life. I Loved the philosophy of what the Bailey's family business stood for, so much that my brothers and I all became active tradesmen each in our own field of expertise. My older brother was a carpenter and our general contractor, I became an electrician, and my younger brother runs a large roofing crew that also does siding, windows, and doors. (exterior work) We could have been considered The Bailey's Building and Loan of the last 30 years here where we live. Unfortunately, Cancer took my older brother so my younger brother and I still try to keep up our family name to the best of our ability, but each in our own field.

[@josephpaul4548]

It was criminal that Stewart lost out to Fredric March in 1946 for Best Actor. March was excellent in The Best Years of Our Lives, but Jimmy's performance here has never been topped.

[@arthurrubiera8029]

A movie you should and must see and react to is Casablanca. Many consider it the greatest movie ever made!

[@jodieturner6350]

Thanks! You made me cry! You have a good heart! ✌❤✌

[@thewildgoose7467]

You're one of the few from the younger generation of reactors who actually understand the timeline (great depression, WW2 etc.) so well done and a great reaction overall. Btw the 'string on a finger' was a reminder to do something important as each time you see it you'd keep being reminded so it would stay fresh in your thoughts. Doesn't work with multiple strings though as it only becomes confusing as demonstrated by Uncle Billy in the movie?

[@PlastiSeen]

Thank you for the kind words! Maybe if uncle billy didn't tie so many strings, he wouldn't have handed Potter free money XD

[@paintedjaguar]

Yes, it is refreshing to watch along with someone who knows a bit of history. That's rare these days.

[@alanschlesinger8687]

A must see from that era is "From Here to Eternity" with Donna Reed who played Mary in "Its a Wonderful Life ".

[@SueProst]

The phrase "hotdog" is like saying oh wow. The apparatus where George asked for a million dollars was for lighting g cigars. It didn't always work. If it lit on the first try he would get his wish.

[@NoLegalPlunder]

It's a rare movie that can elicit so many strong emotions. Shop Around the Corner, also with Jimmy Stewart, is another must-see Christmas movie.

[@paintedjaguar]

Don't worry, everyone cries. It's always nice to see a younger person appreciate one of these older movies. This isn't the only really good one either - getting into old movies is like discovering Aladdin's cave of treasures. How about a couple of good romances like "Random Harvest" (1942), "Roman Holiday" (1953), or "I'll Be Seeing You" (1944). Maybe a colorful epic like "Ben Hur" (1959) or "Doctor Zhivago" (1965) or "El Cid" (1961). Then there are all the great Hitchcock films... "To Catch a Thief" (1955) is a fun Hitchcock rom-com and doubles as a French Riviera travelogue and fashion show. In brilliant Technicolor.

[@julien.4617]

A string on your finger means there's something you need to remember. When you see the string, you should search your memory for what.

[@throttle1000]

I can't think of any film remotely close to this era that still moves people this way.

[@edp5886]

That device was a cigar lighter - it worked less on the first squeeze than it worked, so if it worked on the first pull you would get your wish.

[@robertcrouthamel9140]

Mary's jilted boyfriend at the dance was the actor who played "Alfalfa" in the Our Gang comedies.

[@siskokidd]

Roman Holiday, with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Love it you will!

[@JohnH.Sturgis]

Great reaction! I've watched a dozen reactions, probably two, to this film, and yours is top-notch. You knew this was the time of the Stock Market Crash/Depression in 1929, which no one ever gets. And you mostly avoided the political correctness often used to gauge a time when it didn't exist. Yay you! As for tears, they come with so many scenes... the impact of a classic, well-made film.

[@PlastiSeen]

Yes I always try to watch stuff through the lens of the time, though sometimes I don’t always manage haha. Thank you so much for the kind words!! 💜

[@Yaktahbay]

That scene wasn't in 1929, though. More like 1932.

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Thanks for a very empathic and sensitive reaction. There's nobody who watches it who fails to tear up, especially when, as you put it, the community he helped create rallied around him in the last scene.

[@phila3884]

The toughest cookies on the internet *all* crack with this movie. It's great to see.

[@catherinelw9365]

Well, there was a reactor here on KZbin who didn't tear up. She was stone cold.

[@michaelwalsh2498]

@@catherinelw9365I think I know who you mean. Sad.

[@BryGoose]

My first video of yours. A beautiful reaction and I am a new subscriber now. Thank you so much for sharing your first time watching

[@fidel2xl]

Good reaction. Btw, regarding the the $5000 house in 1928 inflation-adjusted is equivalent to $90,000 in 2023. So, even back then in 1928, a $5000 house in a small town like that was still considered an inexpensive home in that era....basically a starter home for a young couple. Also, the $20,000 per year salary that Mr. Potter offered George Bailey in 1934 is equivalent to around $458,285,000 (Four Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty-Five) Dollars per year today in 2024 dollars. And the $8000 that was lost (the money that Mr. Potter 'stole') in 1946, is equivalent to $126,000 in 2024 dollars. Just to provide some context in 2024 regarding the money discussed in this old classic movie.

[@TheRscorp]

Great reaction. While it's still winter - Grumpy Old Men is a great comedy I think you'd like. The Wedding Crashers is a great comedy too. Shawshank Redemption. Fargo. If you want another old time black and white, "Some Like It Hot" is a good one.

[@TexasD36]

Just noticed the newspaper Burt was holding at the beginning said Smith wins nomination I wonder if that was a nod to James Stewart character from Mr Smith Goes to Washington 😊

[@scottevans2685]

It probably referred to Al Smith (then Governor of New York) winning the Democrat party nomination as candidate for President in the 1928 presidential election (Smith was defeated in the election by Republican Herbert Hoover).

[@omgbygollywow]

More classics include: Lifeboat. To Kill a Mockingbird. The Good Earth. Treasure of the Sierra Madre. The African Queen.

[@johnmaynardable]

This is one of my favorite movies. I watch every First Reaction to this movie that I come across. I think you are the first one to catch that Uncle Billy left his deposit in Potter's newspaper.

[@francoisevassy6614]

Great reaction ! I wish you watched another Frank Capra’s movie also starring James Stewart : « You Can’t Take It with You », another lesson of life. Lionel Barrymore (Potter) is also part of it as the sweetest grandpa ever, also H. B. Warner (Gower), Samuel Hinds (Pa Bailey) … and the crow ! And : • The Shop around the Corner • Casablanca • Twelve Angry Men • The Third Man and for next Christmas : • The Bishop’s Wife Greetings from France 🇫🇷

[@thomassmith6232]

I think you would like The Bishop's Wife, with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. It also features an angel coming to Earth to help someone.

[@TBClarkJr20]

Your reaction(s) to the closing scenes of the kindness of the community matched my own, when I first saw this powerful film. I was home with the flu, on Christmas Eve, and my family was out at Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. They all arrived back home as the final bells rang in the logo of Liberty Films. I was a wreck, sobbing and blubbering and wishing they’d all had seen what I just saw! Thank you for sharing your reactions with us.