* IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE * made us tear up 😪😪 First Time Watching | Movie Reaction

[@jtoland2333]

With respect, have to say I don’t understand how you could think Clarence didn’t do his job well. I think he did great. He had to let George see with his own eyes how many lives he touched. And as you may have noticed, George is stubborn. He’s not the kind of guy who the Angel could just talk to. This movie kept me from ending my own life and I am sure I can’t be the only one. Thank you, Frank Capra.

[@mandisanders40]

George was filled with regret, remorse, and resentment for an unfulfilled life. Clarence knew Potter had the money. He could have helped George get the money back. But that was not Clarence's goal. The money would not have set George free. He wanted to give George freedom/salvation from himself. I'm glad you found your freedom.❤

[@positivelynegative9149]

If only that method worked for everyone. My life has largely been a burden to everyone who knows me; and even more so to those I've encountered who don't know me. Probably going to check out in a few years. 😖

[@ellenmarch3095]

​@@positivelynegative9149 Happy birthday. ❤❤❤

[@realitycheck5376]

@@positivelynegative9149 Join the club. Your not unique. Find a good 12 step group that suites your situation, go to therapy or both. A third option is to do just what you're doing, nothing. God help's those who help themselves.

[@positivelynegative9149]

@@ellenmarch3095 What? 🤨

[@Nitedawg1]

8:50 that is a cigarette lighter, even today it is rare for a bic lighter to light up the first try, so people used to make a wish before striking the lighter. If you could get it to light the first time you get your wish. Like breaking a wishbone to get the longer piece, or blowing out all the birthday candles in one go, to get your wish. It’s just a game people used to play.

[@iampapa318]

The Original Black and White version is a lot more impactful.!!!

[@kellymoses8566]

Nah, The color version is pretty good.

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@sdtlawton]

Tying a string to your finger is to remind you to do something…like setting an alarm or using a sticky note on your computer screen…

[@boomeister2]

Yes, and Uncle Billy's memory was so bad he would forget why he tied the strings on his fingers. 🙃

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Yes, I used to mark my left hand with a pen. And sometimes would forget why since I didn't want to write actual words in it to be discret 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@laurab68707]

The original movie was in black and white. The version you watched was the colorized version.

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@RenfrewPrume]

Really happy you all liked this. It’s my second favorite film of all time, after William Wyler’s “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Capra and Stewart both regarded this as the best film in their careers. Its production was a miracle in itself. The author was Philip Van Doren Stern, a prominent historian and author, who couldn’t sell the short story the movie is based on. So he sent it out to friends as a homemade, illustrated Christmas card. The story captivated Capra, who bought the rights. Stewart had come back from the war as a decorated hero, having led a bomber squadron on some 20 runs over Germany, but he had PTSD and thought he would never act again. Thankfully, his good friend, Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), talked him into accepting the role. Stewart was drawing on real emotions in his dramatic scenes, especially in the prayer at the bar. Capra’s unmatched ability to move a story smoothly from comedy to drama and back to joy is on fully display in this film. He was aided in this by a tremendous group of character actors who appeared in many of his movies. Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) won an Oscar for his performance in “Stagecoach.” Beulah Bondi (Ma Bailey) was a Broadway star in the 1920s and became a great character actor as she aged. I love her remarkable transformation from a loving mother to a crusty old woman in this film. H. B. Warner (Mr. Gower) was a popular star of the 1920s and also moved into character roles as he aged. He got an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Capra’s “Lost Horizon” (1937). Not to forget Donna Reed (Mary): she played her part so well, I can’t imagine anyone better for the role. She acted in many films in the 40s and 50s, but achieved her greatest fame with a highly successful TV sitcom, “The Donna Reed Show,” which I watched as a kid in the early 60s. Incidentals: Tying a string on the finger was a popular means of remembering something, still done when I was growing up. I tried it a couple times, and it worked. The device the kid wished on was a lighter for cigars. When George and Mary conclude their song, they aren’t out of tune because the actors can't sing, but because it is supposed to be out of tune (i.e., naturalistic). When Mary broke the record, it was real because the record was a 78, which are extremely breakable (LPs, which came later, are not nearly so breakable). The movie is a beautiful black-and-white film made by one of the greatest directors of the 20th century. Please, going forward, don’t watch colorized versions, which destroy the B&W lighting effects and tend to flatten the textures.

[@susanb4213]

A lot of people don't seem to understand about the missing money: when people deposit money into the Building and Loan, it MUST be deposited into the bank. Losing the money is no different legally than spending it on yourself. It is EMBEZZLEMENT, punished by going to prison for taking peoples' hard earned money and not accounting properly for it. It wasn't George's loss, it wasn't the Building and Loan's loss, it was the DEPOSITERS' loss, and THAT is illegal.

[@John-r3p4q]

I understood the situation totally

[@Dave-hb7lx]

Yes, was the Spanish flu epidemic 1918-1920, that started in Kansas.

[@phila3884]

The classic (and best) version is in B+W. This was colorized. Guys, you got the spirit of this movie from the very beginning. This is a Christmas tradition in the US, but it was not always that way. In fact, this movie was basically a flop in 1946. But starting around 1974, it started being played on us TV channels and got popular with new audiences.

[@deanthemachine8879]

Something that I think might be part of why the town coming together to help George hits even when you can see it coming is how *happy* the town is to help him. They FINALLY get to repay George for how much he helped each of them. He would have never asked them to help. He was literally about to throw himself off a bridge instead of asking the people he helped to help him back. He helped because it was right, not because he ever expected something in return.

[@paulamoya7956]

So True ⭐️✨💫☑️

[@richardhepp8917]

Must be seen in black and white. Greatest Christmas movie ever.

[@annme7638]

I actually think it’s way better in black and white.

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@jontastic]

The old records were not made of vinyl but an earlier material that would shatter.

[@mattx449]

Yes shellac resin

[@JohnVinylGen]

yes, very brittle.

[@DFWTexan42]

I know all too well. My grandparents had a cupboard full of old 78s. I loved listening to them. Went to pickup my favorite record one day, and it just fell apart in my hands.

[@bradjbourgeois73]

Old 78's! My grandparents left me a few back in the day, wish I still had them!

[@Col_Fragg]

I’ve seen plenty of plastic records shatter. They are not designed to be smashed against hard surfaces.

[@JohnOeffling]

You should really watch in the original black and white sometime. It really is beautiful cinematography in its original form

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@robertdesantis5272]

She is correct. The Wish I Had a Million Dollars prop in the drugstore was a lighter.

[@manueldeabreu1980]

This is really an inversion of Dickens A Christmas Carol. Where Scrooge forgot his beginnings and really became Potter and had to be reminded of his humanity, George had to be reminded his humility and sacrifice made everyone else's life better.

[@jamesalexander5623]

Should be Watched in the Original Black & White!

[@JohnVinylGen]

True. Colorization of black and white films was obviously a scam from the studios just to make more money from films that people have already seen. Adds absolutely nothing, the colorized product always looks washed out. There was never a need or demand for this. This trend lasted only a few years then it died out, thank God. Always watch the original version.

[@kona883]

@@JohnVinylGenit was done by Ted Turner who was a muti millionaire and owned WTBS and the Atlanta Braves. Also owned thousands of acres of land in the United States

[@paintedjaguar]

Generally speaking I agree, although even in the silent era it was common for some or all the footage to be tinted for effect. A movie like "Casablanca" or the 1933 "King Kong" or "Johnny Belinda" which is notable for its B&W cinematography shouldn't be touched and in all cases, the original needs to be preserved, but for some films there's room for debate. For instance, I love the 1939 "Hunchback of Notre Dame" but the prints I've seen suffered from poor contrast in many exterior scenes, which were improved in the colorized version I've seen. Some of the colorized scenes reminded me of classic N. C. Wyeth illustrations and I'd love to see a really well done colored version. Many other historical dramas and adventures might also be improved by the addition of color just due to the subject matter. Tyrone Power's "Prince of Foxes" is one that comes to mind. There's nothing wrong with the B&W cinematography in that one, but I believe it would have been done in color if the budget had allowed. Speaking of Tyrone Power, his "The Mark of Zorro" has some ropy day-for-night scenes that do look better colorized, although overall I'd still recommend watching the original. Having seen both versions of "It's a Wonderful Life", I have mixed feelings. They did a better than usual job of colorizing that one and I think both versions look very nice. I've noticed that the color does spotlight clothing textures and some other elements, making them stand out, so personally I'd watch the original movie first, then try the colored version -- it's a movie that bears re-watching anyway.

[@rabbitandcrow]

@@paintedjaguar Good points there on colorization, but mostly it's a matter of quality. Shooting and designing for black and white is a completely different mindset from shooting in color. It's not just about "adding color". They're almost two completely different disciplines. Sometimes some really interesting effects can come from colorization - but I think we should think of them as completely new versions.

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@smedleybutler1969]

You should have watched the Black and white version!

[@JusBidniss]

Karolyn Grimes, who played little Zuzu, is still with us at age 84. Her character's name is similar to that of a cookie made at the time by Nabisco (then called NBC, National Biscuit Company), Zu Zu Ginger Snaps, which came in a distinctive yellow box with reddish type. In the scene at the end, George rushes up the stairs, hugs his kids and says, "Zuzu, my little ginger snap!" In a 2018 interview, Karolyn laughed, “I was named after a cookie!” 😊

[@RobertFergus-l3c]

"Karolyn Grimes, who played little Zuzu, is still with us at age 84." And not a smidge of temperature.

[@MsCatmando]

The black and white version is much better for some reason, everybody seems to like that one better

[@civwar054]

Color somehow changes the texture of the emotions. It homogenizes them, smoothing out some rough edges that are needed for the full impact.

[@scottmcgregor4829]

This is an odd black and white movie, that does not need to be in color. The great story and grwat charactors give this movie all the color that it needs.

[@Stogie2112]

8:50 "I wish I had a million dollars....Hot dog!" George is operating a cigar lighter! Sometimes, it wouldn't light, so George took it as a good omen for him when it did light.

[@uggggggghhhhh]

I thought hot dog meant "darn!" Or something lol

[@Stogie2112]

​@@uggggggghhhhh ... It's the equivalent of "Hooray!" "Yahoo!" Yippee!" "Woot!".... 😀

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

We had never seen one before! 😅

[@uggggggghhhhh]

@@Stogie2112 thanks! this whole time i've been saying 'hot dog!' nonsensically hahah

[@boomeister2]

@@uggggggghhhhh 🤣🤣🤣

[@keywesttexmex1]

It doesn’t matter what day it is, this is a great movie 🎥

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Agreed!

[@Wizardjudge]

Uncle Billy is an eccentric, might even have diminished capacity - this is represented by the animals, forgetful spells, and his somewhat childlike personality. There is some reference to his wife passing as well. Without George he would’ve ended up in an asylum.

[@louismarzullo1190]

Yes. Around 70 by the time he loses the money (short-term memory loss... possible early dementia?) plus alcoholism exacerbated by death of his wife, Laura. Much easier to see how it could have happened under these circumstances.

[@SueProv]

This was originally black and white. Colorizing it is like osinting over Van Gogh or the Mona Lisa.

[@rabbitandcrow]

Or like taking your favorite song and just adding some more instruments to it, because "more is better".

[@rabbitandcrow]

But still, it's a masterpiece no matter how you watch it!

[@meganlutz7150]

Yes, It is absolutely a Christmas movie because the message of the movie is what Christmas is all about. You guys understood that so perfectly. Wonderful reaction !

[@sj_lute]

Lovely reaction! Also, I thought it was adorable how, as the movie went on and both of you got more wrapped up in it, Lucie wrapped herself around Daniel's arm more and more! Awwww!!!

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

😄😄 thank you!

[@jazzmaan707]

Wonderful Reaction from both you. Everyone gets tears at the end, even after watching it for the last 40 years. Thanks for posting and reacting.

[@John-r3p4q]

I don't get tears at the end

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Thank you very much 🙏🏻🤗 this was a wonderful film indeed

[@otter3095]

A must see in the original black and white👍🏻

[@mikehubble3962]

Black & white 1 is better.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

By the way, if you want an example of how brainless and culturally destructive huge US retail monopolies can be: Amazon just came out with an abridged version of _It's a Wonderful Life_ that cuts out all of George's journey through the alternate world. It cuts directly from George's asking Clarence for $8,000 to George running through the restored Bedford Falls wishing everyone merry Christmas. I can't imagine the stupidity and gall it takes to censor one of the great classic Christmas movies so it no longer makes sense.

[@LukeLovesRose]

Yikes. That sounds awful. Why would anyone watch that atrocity??

[@sp72929]

Please tell me that's a bad joke... Please... I still did not recover from the news that Severus Snape might be payed by a black actor... (which too would twist the story completely into a farse). What's wrong with the world to take worderfull, perfect, magic things loved by generations and twist them into a caricature...

[@boomeister2]

What's really sad is that there will be people who have never seen this movie and that "abridged version" will be what they see.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

@@boomeister2 Yes! How unfair is that! They already do this to classic children's books like _Grimms Fairy Tales, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ , and Roald Dahl. In new editions publishers will cut out words they think anyone could possibly object to, or even entire dialogs and scenes. It's been called cultural vandalism. This is just the extension of this to movies.

[@Nitedawg1]

20:19 he is not destroying any property. That is the flag on the mailbox it is supposed to go up and down like that. When you have mail to be picked up you put the flag up so the mailman knows. when mailman takes it out he puts the flag back down.

[@michaelhartsell6566]

Someone should have advised the Black & White version vs Color.

[@michaelwhite6740]

I can't believe nobody told you guys NOT to watch the colorized version. You should've watched the original black and white movie

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

"It's a Wonderful Life" is like Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" turned on its head. In "A Christmas Carol," ghosts came to show Scrooge how terrible he'd been, and the negative effects of his actions. In "It's a Wonderful Life," an angel came to show George how good he'd been, and the positive effects of his actions. The goat in the car was an inside joke. "Capra" means "goat" in Italian. Director Frank Capra based Mr. Martini on his own father, an Italian immigrant. When Harry said, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town," it was a callback to an earlier part of the movie, when George told Potter that his father "died a much richer man than you'll ever be." The spirit of Peter Bailey hovers over the whole story. George got his values from his father, and stuck to them even when it was painful for him. Lionel Barrymore, who played Mr. Potter, was Drew Barrymore's great uncle. The Barrymore family tree is full of actors, going back to the days before movies. "It's a Wonderful Life" was director Frank Capra's first movie after World War II. He intended it as a tribute to all the people who sacrificed during those years. Many people, not just soldiers, set their personal plans aside for the greater good. Jimmy Stewart (George) served as a bomber pilot during the war. He came out of it with PTSD. He drew on it in the scene where George broke down in Martini's bar. The dance at the gym was filmed at Beverly Hills High School. There really is a swimming pool under the gym floor, which they still use to this day.

[@LukeLovesRose]

Agreed. Instead of watching this Ebenezer Scrooge, Mr Potter suddenly become a great guy, we see God and the Angels save a great guy before he kills himself or turns into an Ebenezer Scrooge himself

[@Stogie2112]

You have now reached the highest echelon of Christmas films! 👍👍 Great choice!

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

And Im so glad it was a first for both of us 😋

[@jacquelinecallejas1390]

In the scene where they were breaking glass in the old home, they had a sniper ready to hit the glass if the actress missed. She hit the glass without help because she played baseball in high school. The gym over the pool really exists and is STILL working in Beverly Hill High School.

[@raymonddevera2796]

The dance scene is a real gymnasium, located at Beverly Hills High School Beverly Hills California. Jimmy Stewart was a WW ll veteran he flew over 20 bombing missions over Europe. When he was praying in Martini's Bar he was suffering from PTSD, this was his first film after he was discharged from service. Another film of his before WW ll is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, another movie with great story.

[@leeyaferguson9019]

B & W. Bettter!!! Cigar lighter. Hot Dog!!!!

[@victorcachat7984]

Thank God,Lucie had an emotional reaction to this. I was scared to death her cynical side would win out here. Love you two!

[@luvlgs1]

I didn't think she had it in her

[@RobinTig]

She can be a little bit harsh

[@daveangels]

Not a psycho at all it seems😉

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Its a Christmas Miracle!!! 🤣

[@LukeLovesRose]

I wish you chose to watch the B/W version. It's the only way to watch this timeless masterpiece. There are a few movie masterpieces that MUST be seen in B/W. It's A Wonderful Life is one of them. To me, Its A Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie, its the best Christian movie this side of The Passion of The Christ. Director Frank Capra even wanted to end the film with George reciting the Lords Prayer. I believe the ending is what Jesus wants for all of us. Its A Wonderful Life also features one of the greatest love stories ever put on film. Jimmy Stewart shouldve won Best Actor as George Bailey. Donna Reeds Mary Bailey is the greatest, most beautiful wife and mother in film history.

[@JohnCiaschini]

Lionel Barrymore who played Old man Potter is the great uncle to actress Drew Barrymore. The man who played Nick the Bartender is Sheldon Leonard who later went on to produce the Dick Van Dyke Show. Happy New Year!

[@rabbitandcrow]

Wow, I never knew that was Sheldon Leonard! He produced a lot of 1960s TV.

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Happy New Year! 🤗

[@tehawfulestface1337]

A source of happy tears for the family every year during the Holidays. A belated Merry Christmas to both of you.

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Thank you 🙏🏻 for you too, and Happy New Year!

[@cayminlast]

Amazing to see younger generations enjoy this iconic movie, Jimmy Stewart (George) was also a decorated war veteran bomber pilot, this was his first movie after returning from the service. My family have a tradition of watching it every year during the holiday season.

[@Rickhorse1]

Overlooked by many is the acting by James Stewart. IMO, if a lesser actor had the role, it could have been almost ridiculous. He made you believe through his depression to the joy at the end. To me, the one moment which gets me is his hugging his son as he puts tinsel on his hair...the look on Stewart's face is totally convincing of a man in deep pain & panic.

[@civwar054]

That's the part that hit me hard, with bills to pay and two babies at home. I got thru it, it was 40 years ago, but at the time it broke me.

[@boomeister2]

Jimmy Stewart drew on his emotions from his PTSD for that heartwrenching scene of George hugging and kissing his youngest son. He was truly feeling that pain and panic.

[@rpk0925-s5j]

Great reaction! ... thank you. (But please ... it's even better in the original B&W).

[@melenatorr]

7:49 - Yes, yes, yes. He has to put it in his mouth: there is no technology to test out the medicine: he has to do it as it was done for centuries: by using his sense of taste and smell. Yes. He has to taste it. 9:03 - that's a cigar lighter. It could be a little tricky, so having it light up at first try is being considered lucky. 11:24 - Jimmy Stewart was about 38 when this movie was made. We can figure how old his character, George, was at key points: We know he was 12 years old in 1919 when he saved younger brother Harry, so George was born in 1907. Very close to the actor who played him. The gym scene takes place in 1928. George is 21, and just now able to consider college: remember he tells his father that most of his friends have already finished college. When Harry marries, it's 4 years later, so George is about 25. He marries Mary probably that same year, at most a year later, so all this and the bank run takes place say 1932. And so, when the war ends, George is just about the same age as Jimmy Stewart was at the same time. We also know that Mary is 18 in 1928 so she's born in 1910. Harry, we see, is born in 1911. 15:02 - George is seeing her all in a silver glow from the moon, and allowing her to see herself in that same way. How is that creepy? 49:10 - Well, Clarence is kind of working hard: he jumped into a freezing cold river; he got thrown of the bar into snow; he fought to protect George and was attacked himself, saved only by Joseph, and has been shoved into snow by desperate George. Also, he is a gentle, simple soul, with, as was said at the beginning, the faith of a child. It must be hard for him to have to put George through this. So I completely disagree that this isn't hard work for Clarence. 57:42 - What type of acting is your preference? It IS black and white: you have a colorized version, which would have been done to the movie decades after, and which has nothing to do with the original intent and strategies of black and white movie production. I hope that if/when you watch it again, you'll see it as it was originally created: in black and white. I'm almost sorry that you say it worked for you, because now you may be disappointed in the original version and this is completely unfair, not only to the creators of this movie, but to you.

[@rabbitandcrow]

I think George's "swallowing the moon" dialogue is supposed to be a little out there and weird. It shows how creative and imaginative he is. No one else in the movie is going to come up with something that outlandish off the top of their heads. It makes him stand out as someone who should be hanging out with artists in New York City, not stuck in Bedford Falls.

[@bobbuethe1477]

Right. George has a full imagination, a head full of dreams and fantasies, and Mary is willing to dive right in and share them with him. By contrast, when he let his imagination run wild while talking to Violet, she just responded "Huh? Run through the grass in my bare feet? Mt. Bedford is ten miles away!" She was too rooted in reality to be a good match for George.

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

We would probably prefer the black and white version tbh since it's a look that we really enjoy 😅 its just that I didn't knew there were different versions when I got this copy

[@d.j.starling3559]

It's a wonderful movie!! And even better in black&white, as it was made to be. Next time, make sure you watch the B&W version. You'll be glad you did!

[@callieluna2459]

The black and white original is the best way to watch this masterpiece. It was filmed in black and white and that is the way the film makers intended it to be viewed. The lifeless and artificial colorized version robs this film of so much of its power and impact.

[@artomatt]

I have two recommendations off of this movie that I think you would enjoy. First, another comedy-drama directed by Frank Capra called "Meet John Doe" (1941). And second, a comedy that also stars James Stewart called "Harvey" (1950).

[@reinholdmueller4882]

Great reaction and congratulations on reaching 10K subscribers before the end of the year!

[@laapache1]

YOU ARE CORRECT ,WHEN IT LIGHTS YOU SUPPOSE TO GET YOUR WISH

[@ednafenton7558]

Oh no, they're watching the colorized version.

[@heyskipj]

Love your reaction. One crit. The movie NEEDS to be seen in black-and-white. Cinematography is richer stripped down because they shot it with that intent.

[@LukeLovesRose]

If the film is made with color in mind... like Gone With The Wind or The Wizard of Oz, they need to be seen in color. But these old B/W classics were made with shadows and contrast in mind more than color

[@harryrabbit2870]

I've written this elsewhere on other reactions but this movie is classic Frank Capra, the director. Most of his movies are about the basic goodness of the common man and the corruption that follows money. Capra did "Meet John Doe", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and "It Happened One Night." They're all classics of the era.

[@courtneyraymer6586]

The self appointed critics of Capra’s day liked to label his movies “Capracorn”. He didn’t mind, because he knew what he had to say was important. Today, no one remembers a single one of those critics names, but many remember Frank Capra’s name.

[@jackmessick2869]

Lionel Barrymore is the actor who played Mr. Potter. To see him in a much different role, watch and react to "You Can't Take It With You," which has the same director and also has James Stewart as the lead actor as this film.

[@bobbuethe1477]

Barrymore was much more likable in the "Dr. Kildare" movie series as the gruff but kindhearted Dr. Gillespie.

[@chris20874]

Yeah the movie takes place from when George freaks out at the house and leaves on Christmas Eve. Then the prayers go out and the angel gets caught up on his life…but the entire movie takes place on Christmas Eve

[@BonniBarlow-fn6oj]

Clarence kept telling him he had never been born and he wasn't listening - he had to show him.

[@TD-mg6cd]

The $5,000 house is $100,000 today. The $20,000/yr offer would be over $400,00/yr today. The $8,000 that Potter stole would be about $130,000 today.

[@courtneyraymer6586]

Thank you for providing the “translation” in today’s dollars! I’ve always tried to guesstimate but never been able to be sure if I’m even in the ballpark.🤔🙄🥴

[@nunyabizness5391]

It's kind of weird how the DEflation during the depression affects the numbers a bit, but your numbers look about right according to inflation calculators. I guess the price of houses has gone up a little more than the overall inflation rate. Would you let someone like Uncle Billy walk around with $130,000 in cash?

[@TD-mg6cd]

@@courtneyraymer6586 Add an inflation calculator app to your phone. Then you can simply check.

[@realitycheck5376]

"I'm an old man and most people don't like me. I don't like them either so it makes it all even." Henry Potter - Bedford Falls 1946

[@blackpowder99]

Thanks to KZbin and first time reactors Like You "It's a Wonderful Life" is a gift that keeps on getting long after Christmas❤

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

More people need to watch this yes! 😋

[@leslieoneal4464]

I almost hate to tell you, but I had to laugh when you asked if $2,000 would be enough for their honeymoon travels. Considering that it would have the purchasing power of around $41,500 today, I'd have to say YES! 😉

[@leslieoneal4464]

Also, Sam offering to front George up to $25,000 is HUGE!! That would be over a half million dollars today! 😲

[@Dave-hb7lx]

Very good movie. FYI Three of the Bailey children are still alive. Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu) is 84. Carol Coombs (Janie) is 89 and Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy) is 83. The last credited actress was Virginia Patton who played Harry Bailey's wife died Aug 2022. She was also, General George Patton's niece. Sam Wainright was played by Frank Albertson who 14 years later plays the creepy guy w the $40,000 in Psycho. On a not so happy note, Donna Reed (Mary) and Jimmy Stewart (George) did not get along during filming. A few years later Reed was up for a part in a Stewart movie but he refused to work w her again and she lost the part. Potter played by Lionel Barrymore, Drew's great uncle.

[@sj_lute]

I never knew that about Stewart and Reed, despite knowing a lot of other trivia! Thank you. And that's really unfortunate.

[@MidnightLittle]

Wow I have seen so many Jemmy Stewart movies & was introduced to Donna Reed when she took over the role of MS Ellie in Dallas but never knew this. I of course went back & discovered Reed's other work. I was Miss Blockbuster back in the day & it 🤯 my mind that the 2 didn't get along. It goes to show how professional & amazing their talent was because their chemistry on the scene was amazing. This movie wouldn't be a classic if we didn't believe in the 💕. Active today unable to conceal & overcome their use to make magic like this in my opinion 😊

[@js-ig4xm]

Daniel your better half is the real deal. She comes across as sincere and is a joy to watch.

[@patrickholt2270]

Structurally, it's a version of Charles Dickens's _A Christmas Carol_ in reverse. Instead of being a cruel, miserly old money-lender who has to be visited by three spirits of Christmas past, present and future to show him how wickedly he has lived and that no-one will miss him so that he will decide to change his ways and treat people well so that people will love him, George Bailey is visited by an angel to show him how righteously he has lived and that he is loved, so that he will decide to live instead of die. It's the Biblical story of the righteous life of generosity, self-sacrifice, kindness and community vs the wicked life of greed, selfishness, callousness, cruelty and destruction of community in both cases, but from the opposite starting points of view. It's also, I speculate, a manifestation of the New Deal democratic socialist perspective of the FDR Presidency and the wartime generation in 1946.

[@mcbeezee2120]

New to your channel. Thanks for keeping Christmas going. I'm always a bit sad when 25 December passes, but your reaction cheered me right back up. Keep 'em coming.

[@mattfinleylive]

It's only the fifth day of Christmas! It continues until the Epiphany on the 6th!1 Don't let 'them' steal that from you!! (EDIT: The night of the 5th is the proverbial 'twelfth night' of Shakespeare.)

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

And Happy New year! 🤗

[@jkennedy1048]

Two of my favorite reactors watching one of my favorite movies. I totally enjoyed this reaction and analysis!

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

The $8,000 Uncle Billy lost in 1946 is equivalent to $132,000 today

[@ThistleAndSea]

That's a keeper, isn't it? So glad you got to enjoy this one. Thanks for sharing it with us, and Happy New Year to you both! 🎉

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Thank you ☺️ and Happy New Year!

[@brandonflorida1092]

Actually, this is a colorized version of a black and white film. I've never seen it in color before. Later in his career, Jimmy Stewart, who plays George, starred in several of Alfred Hitchcock's films like, for example, "Rear Window."

[@boki1693]

Most people don't like the color version. I prefer the black and white version but after a few minutes I don't care that much. LOL.

[@peacemaker6662]

@@boki1693 Yes and those who won't watch a B&W film don't notice after a few minutes. lol

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Yes, I do remember seeing him in "Vertigo" for example

[@boki1693]

@@ptthatswhatshesaid Jimmy Stewart was one of the biggest stars of his time. Sort of like Tom Hanks. And Lionel Barrymore, Potter, was a huge deal. He's Drew Barrymore's great Uncle and Ethel, John and him are considered Broadway royalty.

[@SSgtBaloo]

According to the US Inflation Calculator, in 1932 (when the bank run happens in the movie), the $2000 George and Mary had saved for their honeymoon had the same purchasing power as $46,057.37 does today. My dad once confided in me that at one time he thought that if he could ever make $10,000 a year, he'd have been set for life.

[@jeh58]

Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) is a fantastic American actor. He flew planes in WWII. Another of his movies is, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." It is my favorite Jimmy Stewart movie. Hopefully you can watch that one as well.

[@craigmarshall8377]

That gymnasium with the pool is from Beverly Hills High School where many movie stars and their kids attended.

[@boki1693]

And the kid who opened the pool with the key was Alfalfa from the Little Rascals.

[@boomeister2]

And the school is still using that gym and the pool!

[@TD-mg6cd]

People used to have someone tie a string around their finger to remind them to do a task. Uncle Billy is forgetful. Very forgetful.

[@anrun]

The colorized version...ugh.

[@jesusfernandezgarcia9449]

As a Spaniard, I would like to express my strongest protest against the name Spanish flu (I know, I know...) for the rest, it's fine.

[@Stogie2112]

Yes, your country got a raw deal on that.

[@michaelpeli2429]

Yes, but unfortunately, they were being accurate to what they called it. But I agree, another case of scapegoating, in this case against Spain.

[@georgeditzel3504]

Originated on a pig farm in Kansas, carried to Europe by troops towards the end of the war. Major outbreak started in Spain.

[@Dave-hb7lx]

@@michaelpeli2429 It started in Kansas, The US sent it to Europe. Should have been called Flu America.

[@michaelpeli2429]

@@Dave-hb7lx True, I don't disagree, or maybe American Flu

[@thomastimlin1724]

this was a black and white movie, colorizing it does not make it any better or more watchable. That's a mentality of those who grew up with only color TV or films to watch.

[@raymeedc]

The $20,000 salary Potter offered George would be worth about $450,000 today. George would have been wealthy overnight 😱

[@charlieeckert4321]

This is a rare instance of a movie that failed in its first run in theaters and became well loved and a cultural milestone. After it failed at the box office, Liberty Pictures went out of business. Movies received a copywrite, which meant, among other things, that the copywrite holders had to be payed if it was shown. But, the people holding the rights to this movie didn't renew the copywrite, so the movie went to public domain and television stations and networks showed it dozens if times. Then the movie became part of the culture. It's hard to find an American 40 years old and older who hasn't seen it. The lesson of the movie, that each person has an important part to play, has prevented a lot of people from canceling themselves. This film also saved Jimmy Stewart's career. He was a comic actor before the war, and after got a wide variety of parts. His best movie, according to many, was Vertigo, where he played a very troubled police detective. Then again, he starred in Harvey has a sweet natured man who has a invisible rabbit for a friend.

[@bluebird3281]

Harvey isn't invisible, I can see him.

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Interesting how that can happen xD but yeah, sometimes quality wins because it survives the test of time ☺️

[@avidavid9237]

The movie was originally in black and white, it was later colorized to make it more appealing to modern audiences that are used to color in everything. This movie has a message that irrespective of where you're from or what language you might speak is universal, glad you've enjoyed it.

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Its such a great story and message 👌🏻

[@amexgirl84]

Don’t let the fact that they watched the colorized version scare you off! This is a charming reaction and well worth a watch. I just wanted to leave this comment in case any potential viewers check the comments first.

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Charming indeed---they both got a lot out of it.

[@CoolHandLuke-q1e]

I prefer this version .

[@beesmitty3435]

As someone who grew up w the blk and white I LOVE that the color version exists.. If your a movie buff it's pretty blasphemous considering the use of lighting in this so masterful but outside of that the color version tells the same story

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Thank you 🙏🏻🤗 I didn't knew about the different versions though 😬 since I had never seen this movie I went as blindly as possible, although I should have checked that

[@raymeedc]

You made a major mistake by having selected the bastardized colorized version 😖 If you ever wind up watching this film again, do yourselves a favor by watching the original monochrome version ✅

[@kirks1234]

When a drunken Uncle Billy left after the wedding, the sound effects seemed to suggest he fell over garbage cans. Truth was, a stage hand dropped some equipment, Jimmy Stewart stayed in character and went with it. When the movie wrapped, Frank Capra the director gave the stage hand a bonus for adding to the scene.

[@victormolina3601]

Strings around the finger, meant he's supposed to remember something.

[@timmuetzel2675]

Wonderful reaction again guys! Makes me tear up every time I see it. This is my favorite movie of all time for all the obvious reasons. Thanks for this reaction!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

This was the time when my parents grew up. Long before television was invented. People socialized and most people knew how to dance. It was their entertainment along with radio shows.

[@lylesmith9547]

I watch this every year ever since I was a child. I’m 60 now and still tear up each time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@MrRizzo1961]

I can't watch colorized B/W Classics it's sacrilegious. Not to mention it hurts my eyes.

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

I think they did a pretty good job here tbh but then again, I was not aware there were different versions 😬 I went into this reaction pretty blind 😅

[@penguin8711]

Loved your reaction ! I was crying along with you even though I saw this a hundred times. Congrats on 10K subscribers. Happy holidays from the US.

[@JohnVinylGen]

Frank Capra, the director of the film, was Catholic. Janie, the oldest daughter, practices "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", a very devout Christian song (my favorite Christmas song). So there is no doubt in my mind this is a Christmas film, we just need to understand George's life before we can get him back on track and have faith again. One of the best films ever made.

[@jtoland2333]

Agreed. There’s a definite Gospel theme at the center of this movie. Everyone matters, God has a plan, and though they don’t outright say it, Jesus is our comfort and strength.

[@flyonawall6521]

22:17 Why the record shattered. Shellac: The main material for records from 1898 until the late 1950s, shellac records were brittle and were commonly 10 or 12 inches in size. They were known as "78s" because they typically played at 78 revolutions per minute (RPM). Shellac was made from the resin secreted by female lac bugs, and was popular because it was naturally resistant to moisture. However, shellac was easily scratched and would break into pieces if dropped.

[@toodlescae]

George is supposed to be 21 or 22 in 1928 when his brother graduated from high school. He was 12 in 1919 when he saved Harry's life. Jimmy Stewart was in his 30's at the time of filming though.

[@JohnnyPappas]

Strings tied around the fingers is to remind somebody to do something. Yes the records would break because the old 78 rpm records were very fragile. Clarence was the perfect angel for explaining to George what it happened. I know it took a little time. You should’ve washed the black and white original. The film is public domain and there are many colorized versions that were done pretty badly. I love this touching movie.

[@charlieeckert4321]

A lot of banks did go out of business when private businesses failed. This mainly took place in the early years if the depression.

[@enidrobertson4858]

Back then people would tie a string around their finger as a reminder hack -- when you noticed the string later in the day it reminded you there was something you had to do. Uncle Billy had several strings because he was forgetful. In fact, the string trick only works if you can remember why you tied it in the first place.

[@rah2287]

What many people don't realize is that Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) was a real hero of WW II. He was a B-24 Bomber pilot who flew 20 combat missions over Germany. Stewart became Wing Commander of an entire squadron of bombers and was awarded the 2nd highest medal - the 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.

[@YoureMrLebowski]

1:06 congrats on 10K 🎉

[@CoastalNomad]

George's Ages: - 1907 - George born 12 - 1919 - Ice/Drugstore 21 - 1928 - Dancing/ Father's Stroke 24 - 1931 - Harry Married/George Married/Bank Run 39 - 1946 - Movie End (Actor James stewart was 38 at time of filming, Played the chacter ages from 21-39)

[@ptthatswhatshesaid]

Thank you! 🤗

[@badbone7704]

You're right, this IS the best Christmas movie ever! :) Loved your commentary at the end too, 100% agree!

[@jerrywalters8885]

The pool scene filmed at Beverly Hills High school and is still used today. The actor who opened it was known for playing Alfalfa in the series Our Gang with Buckwheat and other child characters.

[@michaelaldan6969]

Boas festas ! hope you guys have a great holiday and lots of fun, thank you for the great reactions !

[@KateBoyle-vf1ep]

Another great James Stewart film you may like is "Harvey".. It's about a carefree man whose best friend is a 6ft Rabbit only he can see.. It's awesome, check it out if you get a chance.. Loved your reaction!!