One thing that a lot of people don't pick up on, is that at least George's last words to his father was that he was proud of him and that he loved him. A lot of people have regrets about what they said, or didn't have the chance to say to their loved ones for the last time.

@LizLuvsCupcakes

Жыл бұрын

I had a friend whose mom was demented and when it got bad, he said he couldn’t stop thinking about all the stuff he didn’t say to her, and thinking she’d die without him knowing he loved her. I for one am sure she knew, but still.

@custardflan

Жыл бұрын

I'd give anything to see my Dad again and tell him, especially after all the grief I gave him.

@Steve-gx9ot

6 ай бұрын

I told my dad that I loved him and guess his response..... "I hope so" in a matter of fact way.. . How would you feel??

@allanalogmusicat78rpm

6 ай бұрын

That seems like a reasonable answer from a man who did not see any reason to question it. I'm sure he was tickled to hear it, even if he played it cool. Unless I am overestimating one or the other of you.@@Steve-gx9ot

Just to let you know, Zuzu is a diminutive form of Suzanne - I have a aunt Susie who was called Zuzu as a child. Further, back in the turn of the century, there was a candy - specifically Gingersnaps - that were marketed under the Zusu name, so when he says "Zuzu, my little gingersnap" everyone in 1946 would have understood the reference.

@ajclements4627

Жыл бұрын

There’s a character named Zuzu Petals in the Andrew Dice Clay movie Ford Fairlane.

@gitchegumee

Жыл бұрын

If you watch another great Christmas movie from the same era, "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant, Loretta Lynn and David Niven, you will see Bob Anderson (young George) and Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu) . This would be a good pick for next year's viewing.

@carolhart8696

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for that great info. I love the name Zuzu because of this movie. I have considered it for a dog name. Very cute.

@TSIRKLAND

Жыл бұрын

Karolyn Grimes is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Zuzu Bailey in the classic 1946 Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life. She also played Debby Brougham in the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife (this from Wikipedia) Karolyn has spent many years going around giving talks about her "Wonderful Life" experience, and sharing the love and warmth that this film is all about. She was five or six at the time of filming Wonderful Life; she's 82 now, and still going.

@only257

Жыл бұрын

@@gitchegumee another great Christmas movie is national lampoons Christmas vacation 🎉

Dawn, you left out the greatest line in the movie: "To my big brother George, the richest man in town" 😞

The actor who played Nick the Bartender was Sheldon Leonard (yes, that is where the characters Sheldon and Leonard came from in The Big Bang Theory.) He became a producer for some classic American Television shows like The Andy Griffith Show.

@philiplafleur4504

Жыл бұрын

I doesn't get mentioned much these days but he was also produced Bill Cosby's TV show I Spy in the 1960's.

9:15 I find it most interesting how so many reactors don't get why George is in a foul mood when he goes to see Mary. It's because he's depressed, because he sees that he's trapped in this town, with apparently no way out, and he's mad, cause he was going to see the world. Not sure why people miss it, but they do. Go figure.

@only257

Жыл бұрын

4:02 🎉

@longfootbuddy

Жыл бұрын

no, they just cant believe hed be so cold to her.. interesting how you miss it, go figure

@luvlgs1

11 ай бұрын

and that's why so many of these reactors don't get George and Mary's encounter on the phone. if they can't understand his sense of loss and frustration, they can't see his dam of resistance breaking by his attraction to Mary.

@Lightmane

11 ай бұрын

@@longfootbuddy it's obvious why he was cold to her. Weird how you don't get it.

@longfootbuddy

11 ай бұрын

@@Lightmane we all get that hes depressed, jabroni.. but people cant believe hes being so cold to her

This was Jimmy Stewart's first film after serving as a B-17 pilot in WWII (20 combat missions when the average lifespan of a crew was only 10 missions). You can see the change in him compared to his pre-war films. He became more intense and a little darker from his wartime experience.

@Caseytify

Жыл бұрын

From what I've heard, he was suffering from PTSD. Flying daylight bomber missions over Europe was extremely stressful. It's possible that's why Stewart's performance was so convincing.

@christopherconard2831

Жыл бұрын

He stayed in as a reservist. Eventually rising to the rank of Brigadier General. On the Tonight Show he talked about showing up for his two week duty. He was in full uniform but the people on the base knew him as an actor and assumed he was there to shoot scenes for a movie. It wasn't until another officer walked up, saluted, and asked for his orders that people realized he really was a General. He was surprised how fast people could simultaneously scatter and look busy.

@anastasiosgkotzamanis5277

Жыл бұрын

@@Caseytify i read that during a mission over Berlin, a shell from an anti aircraft canon punched through the flour of the bomber between his legs and through the ceiling. Add close calls like this to him having trained the crews he commanded and then had to look as planes did not return, you got all the ingredients for PTSD.

@joelwillems4081

6 ай бұрын

He was a very dark actor in the 1936 film, "After The Thin Man". That was his first ever. "Mr Smith Goes to Washington", he was intense. Although he was pretty light-hearted in "Shop Around the Corner", up until the third act when he plays it very similar to his sad part here, just not so angry. I think you are just repeating stuff you've seen others write.

@jakerazmataz852

6 ай бұрын

@@anastasiosgkotzamanis5277 My father was a B-24 Navigator. He told us they would sit on there helmets to protect their junk from AA.

The “garlic eaters “ ethnic slur greedy Mr Potter utters referred to Italian Americans. Director Frank Capra, hinself of Italian heritage, featured the success story of Martini, another Italian, who moves on up renting from Potter to becoming a homeowner in new Bailey Park. George even drives Martini etc to the new place.

@SueProv

Жыл бұрын

Frank Capra was born in Sicily and came to America with his parents and a sibling or two the rest were born here. His father woke him up one morning carried him to the deck. They were passing the Statue of Liberty. People were on their knees and in. tears. Gratitude. Also Capra means goat in Italian so he paid homage to his family when yhe hoat got into the car

@Hexon66

Жыл бұрын

Even as progressive as the film may seek to be, for the time it still could only go as far as Italian-American for diversity. Just an observation.

@SueProv

Жыл бұрын

​@@Hexon66 I had family that was 100 percent Irish great great grand parents. One of their daughters was dating an Italian and she kept it from her mother and vacillated between marrying him or not. She married him but her mother would Not go to the wedding. The rest of the family went including her father but the mother's language was unrepeatable here. PS When the grandchildren were born she came around. So Italians were diversity 80 to 90 years ago .

@paisleyplaid4074

5 ай бұрын

Love that! Thanks!

At the 10:20 minute of the movie many wonder what George was doing acting like that at Mary’s house. It’s simply George desperately trying to hang on to his dreams while at the same being overwhelmed by his love for Mary. He couldn’t resist her but it really showed the inner conflict he had over what he thought he wanted and what he really wanted. As you can see he put others needs ahead of himself and without him even knowing it he had become the very man that his father was before him. It’s beautiful.

@thatpatrickguy3446

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

In the 80’s, the movie was public domain, meaning that any TV station could show it anytime, and for an entire December, every TV station did-One Christmas, I counted nine stations showing it at the SAME TIME. Now it’s back and studio-owned, so it’s only shown once or twice at Christmas, and a generation grew up not having seen it as much as their parents had… And I can now click on KZread and see five reactors all. First-time reacting to it at the SAME TIME…. 😅

@HuntingViolets

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, everybody had seen it when I was growing up, one of those movies on TV every year. Now so many don't see them. It's nice to see younger people enjoying this and other old movies.

@joelwillems4081

6 ай бұрын

It's one of many that are now illegally studio-owned. There is not a law that legally allows the studios to steal it back from the public domain when they never owned it in the first place. It doesn't matter if they've cleaned up the sound and image a bit. Also, I have the technicolor version of this as well. That rarely was played but as far as I know, it still remains in the public domain.

@jethro1963

2 ай бұрын

There is a video on KZread where recently deceased Canadian director Don Shebib was interviewed in 1970. He said he was influenced by a little known Frank Capra film called It's a Wonderful Life. After its initial release, by 1970 it was little known. In 1974 the copyright lapsed and it fell into public domain. It was from then that the number of airings of the movie exploded and it became a perennial public classic.

George loved Mary but he wanted so badly to do what he'd wanted to do since he was a kid. He was fighting in his mind to keep from admitting that he DID love her and that he was going to let Harry go both of which would mean staying in Bedford Falls for the rest of his life and giving up his dreams forever.

You kept asking what was wrong with George during the scene with Mary. Basically, George was coming to grips with the fact that his dreams were dying; crumbling to dust in front of his very eyes. He always put others in front of himself, time and time again, and now if he tells his brother to take the job with his father-in-law, which he will, he’ll never leave Bedford Falls. He’s so distracted by this he can’t see that his future is right in front of him, in Mary. But as he lets it all out, basically while shouting it in her face, he sees her tears and their for him. For the anguish he’s going through, not out of any hurt feelings on her part. It’s then he realizes that he’s found a partner in her, to stand with, side by side and build a future. One not of HIS choosing but one that’s chosen him.

@paisleyplaid4074

5 ай бұрын

Beautifully said. This is something I constantly want to write when watching first time viewers. Sometimes I. So surprised they wouldn't immediately get it ...

I always found this movie to be an in-depth character study. George Baily is a modern take on the tragic hero archetype. Thinks selfishly but always acts selflessly. Impulsively will do what's best for others and will only lament later what he had to sacrifice to do it. He gave up everything he ever wanted to stay at home and fight a financial war against Potter. All he has to do is lose that war and, in his mind, his whole life has been for nothing. It's not hard to see how he might be driven to suicide.

@davidstraight3622

Жыл бұрын

The tragic hero is overall a very admirable figure (like George) but who has a tragic flaw which usually leads to his downfall, As you pointed out, George’s flaw is that he “thinks selfishly”; so in stead of going to his wife and confiding in her, which would have led to a solution, he alienates himself from his family and broods over his misfortune which almost leads to complete disaster.

@unclebounce1495

Жыл бұрын

Terrible way of explaining that. He wasn't thinking selfishly. Just because someone has a dream or a personal want doesn't mean that's selfish. Selfishness requires prioritizing yourself above others. His whole character concept was that he was as selfless as his father, in both thought and deed. Hell of an F'd up way of looking at the world to think having wants/dreams is selfish thoughts. His wife was 10x more selfish than him. All she wanted was what she wanted, her house and picket fence fantasy, even if that meant taking away his dreams in the process. He willingly gave up his for hers. She willingly sacrificed his for her own. And I don't evenn think I'd call ehr that selfish, but if anyone in that household was, it was her way before George.

One of the greatest movies ever made, and yet, believe it or not, according to Wikipedia: "It's a Wonderful Life initially received mixed reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office, it became a Christmas classic after its copyright lapsed in 1974 and it fell into the public domain, which allowed it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees." I can't believe it was unsuccessful at the box office. That just boggles my mind.

@DylansPen

Жыл бұрын

Yes it broke even, the budget was $3 million and it made $3.10 million.

@joelwillems4081

6 ай бұрын

It was released in the summer and not marketed as a Christmas film. Quite often good films are just marketed wrong. They letter become known as "cult classics" if they are truly good. Also, it's a little depressing with the suicide thoughts and the scenes of the Great Depression and WWII so fresh for many people then. It is also 100% illegal that this film is still not in the Public Domain. The studio, actors and everyone who made it is gone and get no royalties anyway.

It's a masterpiece, especially in story telling

This is probably one of the best movies ever made

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.

The actor who played Potter, Lionel Barrymore, actually was in a wheelchair in real life and had been for more than ten years before the film was made. He comes from generations of stage actors, some of whom became film actors. Drew Barrymore is Lionel's great-niece.

@longfootbuddy

Жыл бұрын

i heard he was a satanic goon

@pfcampos7041

Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, thanks for sharing that!

@RossM3838

Жыл бұрын

He usually played comical characters, see him with Capra and Stewart in you can’t take it with you, so he jumped at the chance to play a really bad guy and he sure did

In the scene where Uncle Billy walks off and he says “I’m alright!”, that wasn’t supposed to happen. A crew member accidentally knocked something over and the actor played it off. Later the crew member thought he was going to be fired. He got a promotion😂

@InjuredRobot.

Жыл бұрын

Frank Capra gave him ten dollars for "improving the sound quality of the film". Please provide a source for your comment that he 'got a promotion'.

@joshy9857

Жыл бұрын

@@InjuredRobot. I’m sorry I got it wrong

@stoogeswoman

Жыл бұрын

@@joshy9857I'm with you, getting a bonus when you thought you were going to lose your job probably felt like a promotion to that guy! :-)

@charlieeckert4321

Жыл бұрын

That $10 bonus Capra gave the stage hand is worth $157 today.

@longfootbuddy

Жыл бұрын

i doubt it was accidental

"It's A Wonderful Life" is what I say each time watching a Dawn Marie movie reaction. In the 70's an angel second class misplaced the copyright papers so the movie entered public domain and became a Christmas tradition, the richest movie in town. A delightful Merry Christmas and New Year to Dawn Marie, wonderful family and youtube friends. Like to think, hearing how the town heartfully came to help George, old Mr Potter wished he was never born (and another angel got his wings).

@only257

Жыл бұрын

@@argentokaos2629 it happened one Christmas lame remake of this classic night of the living dead great zombie movie too🎉

@bobbuethe1477

Жыл бұрын

It's a Wonderful Life: the Lost Ending kzread.info/dash/bejne/qKtsm9FpkcnIYqQ.html

The two cops standing outside in the rain serenading the newlyweds were named BERT and ERNIE.

@SueProv

Жыл бұрын

Ernie wasnt a cop he was the cab driver. Burt was the cop.

The woman he is dancing with is Donna Reed. She had her own show on T. V. At one time. I love her dearly. America's favorite mom .

A movie where the magic of the story becomes more potent and more compelling every time it is viewed. It is always a joy to watch some ones first experience because the next.....and the next just get better and better. Here is to your next time Dawn Marie.

What I love about this movie is it doesn't worry about going to those dark places as George struggles to deal with first the loss of the money and then the 'loss' of his life. James Stewart is just excellent in this. PS: For another fantastic, very funny but very heartfelt black and white James Stewart movie from approx the same time, I hugely recommend "Harvey". Probably my all-time favourite film.

@merkitten953

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Ive seen a couple reactors get upset about how mean he is to his family, how he acts out in front of them, but thats partly the point-that a good man like him is at the end of his rope, doing and saying things he never would-otherwise its not believable that he really wanted to kill himself, and if we dont believe that then the rest of the movie doesnt work. If he's just mildly upset theres no reason to believe hes desperate. The scene of him losing it at home in front of his family is crucial, and its human, and all to real. Which is why i think it makes some peoole uncomfortable.

@RossM3838

Жыл бұрын

Sometimes people criticize the movie because George accepts too readily that he is worth more dead than alive George is so quick to believe it because he already believes it. potter and the insurance just confirm that

@benjaminroe311ify

7 ай бұрын

@@RossM3838 For sure. Those that haven't lived a life of discouragement wouldn't always accept it. But it's VERY realistically. The man has been severely disappointed his whole life and given up all his dreams. He seems reasonably happy on Christmas Eve and with his family that he has accepted it more or less to only have his stability swept out from under him by the loss of the money. All that pent up disappointment and rage comes out. It would for ANYONE if they were George Bailey.

@chrissyhoran404

4 ай бұрын

Gotta watch Harvey at Easter time.

This is amazing film not just at Christmas with the Amazing James Stewart hard to believe it wasn't a hit when it was released originally.

@Caseytify

Жыл бұрын

Not only that, but IIRC it was released in the summer. As you say, it was a flop when it came out. The studio didn't protect their copyright, and the movie passed into the public domain. After that it became a tradition for the networks to broadcast it every year for Christmas, and it gradually became very popular.

There is a shot in film in the old building and loan where the camera pans to a wall and you see a framed post which says: “All you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.” - Pa Bailey Y'all be safe. Merry Christmas from Texas.

One detail I liked was Potter's office chairs. Note how he deliberately chose low-sitting chairs for the other side of the desk, so he'd be looking down at them so he could seem powerful and imposing. It's small, but it's a really good detail because it fits his character, and makes him seem more real.

I watched this today with my Da. And absolute classic. Merry Christmas from Scotland guys 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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 was 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 during the take, others say it was dubbed on in post. But the crash is genuine and unscripted. Oh and the squirrels name was Snoopy ! 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. The footage of WW2 is genuine. It's taken from a Navy film about the USS Yorktown called 'The Fighting Lady'. After the war she was used as one of the recovery ships for the Apollo Space programme and has a replica capsule on her lower deck in Charlestown NC where she is now a museum ship. Oh and the dancehall with the floor over the pool is also genuine - and it's still there today ! Frank Capra had a rifleman lined up to shoot out the window glass during the house scene but he wasn't needed as Donna Reed was an experienced baseball player with quite the throwing arm and she nailed it for real. When Ms Davis asks for $17.50, Jimmy Stewarts kiss is genuine and not scripted. You may not have seen it but if you remember the TV series, 'The Waltons' Ellen Corby who plays her went on the play Grandma Walton. "Just say no" to Potters contract you say - not quite as easy when you know it's the equivalent to $500k a year today. So glad new generations are still enjoying this classic - and in black and white as it should be !

That’s the still functioning “swim gym” at Beverly Hills High School!

We can tell almost right away that George's dad had died because of the black armband George was wearing. There's a custom I haven't seen in ages.

Love to see more Scottish people here! It's A Wonderful Life is the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

Colonel Jimmy Stewart in World War II, he was a bomber pilot and retired in the Air Force a general.

Today's Christmas was good. Talked to my brother for the first time in a couple years, had a big dinner with my sisters family. Thanks for asking.

For more Frank Capra, Mr Smith Goes to Washington, and Mr Deeds Goes to Town. For more Jimmy Stewart, Philadelphia Story, and Harvey, and a moderately Christmas movie The Thin Man (Stewart is in the second Thin Man (After the Thin Man) which takes place over New Year's)

A favorite of mine starring Jimmy Stewart is 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' (1962).

So glad you reacted to this one Dawn! It's my favorite Christmas movie of all time! And btw, you looked as great last year as you do this year! Merry Christmas!

@christhornycroft3686

Жыл бұрын

In an otherwise flawless movie, there's one cringe moment. I know it's 1946, but they basically say that the worst thing that could ever happen to a woman is never getting married. That line was definitely written by a guy who was overcompensating, because it's us who are the dependants. We need to get married, so we rigged the system and made it so that it's more difficult for women to have careers (though that's changing) so we don't have to admit our own insecurities. Most women would be just fine without us. We complain about how much women annoy us, but in reality, we know we're nothing without them. Even gay guys have a lot of female friends for the same reason. LOL. I just find it funny. I'm not into political correctness, but it's just amusing how on the nose that line was. Like her whole life was ruined because she didn't get married.

I love that when George ceases to exist the snow stops and when he comes back again the snow starts again. This was the first movie after Jimmy Stewart came home from the war. He was a B17 bomber pilot in WW2 and was still suffering from war fatigue when this film was made. It has been my favourite Christmas movie since the first time I watched it in the 70s.

A cool fact about this movie … The raven inside the Building and Loan was actually known as Jimmy the crow … Jimmy was in his first movie for director Frank Capra in 1938, that’s 8 years before this movie … Jimmy the Crow was in every movie Frank Capra directed from 1938 forward … in total, Jimmy was in over 1,000 feature films … he could actually understand several hundred words … Jimmy Stewart made the comment that Jimmy the Crow was the smartest actor on the set.

That pool under the floor is real and still exists. It's at Beverly Hills High School. They call it the swim gym.

the guy who opened the pool was Alfalfa from the Little Rascals

My grandpa used to sing that “Truly song” out loud when I was a kid. Merced California

This movie is one of three favorites for Christmas " It's a wonderful life", Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, White Christmas originally titled Holiday inn

I used to watch this every year at Christmas, in the 1950s, when I as a child. Good movie.

@DavidB-2268

Жыл бұрын

I don't think it would've been in the 1950s. It didn't get regular TV airings until 1974-1993, while it was in the public domain, and TV stations didn't have to pay royalties or licensing fees.

@AmatureAstronomer

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidB-2268 Just looked it up and according to Google, you are correct. I was an adult in 1974. They may have paid royalties or maybe I was just young at heart.

This has been the gloomiest Christmas in recent memory for me, so I actually rewatched this movie today.

It's a great movie. Some interesting behind the scenes facts: (1) The student who George tells to stop annoying people at the dance was played by actor Carl Switzer who was famous for playing "Alfalfa" in "The Little Rascals" short film series. (If you don't know of it, The Little Rascals (or "Our Gang" as it was known on its first run in theaters) was about the adventures of a group of little kids and their dog Petey) Switzer appeared in 75 shorts that were shot between 1935 and 1940. (He also makes a cameo via photograph in the "White Christmas" movie.) Sadly Carl died young at age 32, shot in a drunken altercation with a friend. (2) The scene in the beginning where the kids are sledding onto the ice 🧊 covered lake was actually shot on a Soundstage. For years I was convinced that was an actual location, but there are behind the scenes stills that show it was indeed filmed on a studio Soundstage. (3) The greedy and unpleasant Mr. Potter was played by actor Lionel Barrymore, great uncle of famous actress Drew Barrymore (of E.T., Firestarter and other more recent films.) Lionel really was confined to a wheelchair at this point in life due to an accident and severe arthritis. He continued to act until 1953 and he died in 1954. (This film came out in 1946.) (4) The dance floor over the pool depicted in the film is an actual location which is part of the Beverly Hills High School in the Los Angeles area. (5) Bedford Falls was inspired by the real upstate New York town of Seneca Falls which director Frank Capra visited for inspiration while he was working on the script.

Some history of the character actors, supporting parts in this movie, like the cab driver, became TV stars and producers later in the USA. Donna Reed, who play the wife "Mary" in particular, had her own Tv show, a situation comedy called the Donna Reed show for 8 years, from 1958 to 1966. The Cab driver played by Frank Faylen, became the father on Dobie Gills, another comedy show that ran from 1959'1963. the bartender played by Sheldon Leonard, who had been in many films, he became a producer of may TV comedy shows like the Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC, The Dick Van Dyke Show, the Danny Thomas Show, and a TV spy show called I Spy which starred Robert Culp and Bill Cosby

Old movies are the best movies. Built on stories and characters. Happy Holidays to you, and thanks for putting a smile on my face.

@only257

Жыл бұрын

Agreed well said 🎉

I know you recorded this reaction a year ago last Christmas, but it was worth waiting for! You keep on going with these great reactions to classic films! Way to go, Dawn!

Always love reactions to this movie. But it’s clear from the way you react to EVERY beat of the movie without missing one, that you’ve seen it before

Still my favorite Christmas movie, and more than forty years after I first saw it I still tear up. Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) kept pushing Jimmy Stewart to take this role after he served in WWII. Stewart was very likely suffering from PTSD after being pilot of a B-24 Liberator and then second in command for the air wing he was in. Sending young men off to die, in addition to his own bombing runs over Germany took it's toll on him, and Barrymore believed that a wholesome, uplifting film was what Stewart needed to help him get back onto happier footing. It's said that the prayer scene in the bar shows how much Stewart the man was struggling. The pain and suffering in his face seemed to be a bit more than just an excellent actor doing his intense scene. Hopefully this movie did help Stewart get back from the darker place where his war experiences took him. He certainly seems joyful at the end for sure. 🙂

I haven't watched this for years but just the memories bring tears to my eyes.

Donna Reed actually Through The Rock that broke the glass in the window when she made that wish. The director wasn't sure if a woman would be able to throw a rock and break a window. So they had somebody standing behind waiting to throw a rock for her. What they didn't know was that Donna Reed played softball and could actually throw. She picked up the rock and threw it before the guy could. When Jimny Stewart comments Say, that was a good shot. Was his actual reaction to her breaking the window. Donna Reed is a dish and a half.

In my humble opinion, you're about to see one of the best movies ever made! Merry Christmas Dawn, to you and all of yours!May you be blessed with 1000's of times the joy you have given all of your YT family in your life!

Thank you for commenting this film I like very much. Another Frank Capra’s movie you certainly would like is You Can’t Take It With You ; also starring James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore (Potter) as the sweetest grandpa, as he was younger, he only used crutches… And next Christmas, I highly recommend The Bishop’s Wife ( Henry Koster -1948) starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. Young and Niven’s daughter is played by the same actress as Zuzu and in the park, you’ll also recognise George Bailey at the age of 12 ! A joyful movie !

@Steve-gx9ot

6 ай бұрын

She reacted to this movie as wondering if this is hiw USA was years ago. ANSWER = YES

I forgot another black and white movie that James made that had a good story line, was The man who shot Liberty Valance.

If you had grown up when this film was in the public domain and every local independent tv station in the country had a copy of it, it would have been fuzzy. It's since been digitally remastered to give it that sharp, clear image.

I usually watch this movie by myself so I can cry in peace. When you watch it you can't help but wonder how you would react if you were in George's shoes

Jimmy Stewart is my second favourite actor. A few films of his that are worth your viewing either in camera or off are. “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)” “The Philadelphia Story (1940)” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)” “The Glenn Miller Story (1954)”.

The guy who chucks a big chunk of money in and says "Here you are George, Merry Christmas" ... ? I'm pretty sure that's Tom, the guy who insisted on taking out his full $242. Just a subtle detail that even the greedy guy became better over time.

@TheBTG88

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No. Tom is the guy that asks “What is it George, another run on the bank?”

Watching this with you in a kinda way I guess makes the holidays even better this was such a nice old movie and it fills me with such hope and belief and to not give up that’s how this movie makes me feel so thank you for sharing this with us

This was my wife's FAVORITE Christmas movie. It was NEVER Christmas until we watched it. BTW I just adore you ( Dawn Marie) and epically your reaction to this wonderful classic. She (Zuzu) lived in Osceola Missouri and went to collage in Warrensburg and University of Central Missouri.

No love at first sight at the dance; George has known Mary Hatch for years and years! How deep that love goes is up for future discovery.

The happiness shown through here is 'Wonderful'.

22:31 Zuzu: "Look, Daddy. Teacher says, 'Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.'" Yep. And guess _which_ angel.

Those were very nice things you said near the end of the film and afterward. I’m sure someone needed to hear that.

The "lost" alternate ending to this absolute classic was found in 1987 and digitally restored! Here's the link! ENJOY! kzread.info/dash/bejne/qKtsm9FpkcnIYqQ.html

Merry Christmas. I am glad that things got sorted out and we could see your first time experiencing one of the best Christmas movies.

This classic movie is the epitome of the old saying "Life is what happens when you're making plans."

Dawn, I absolutely LOVE your reactions! When I first saw this film when I was about ten, I knew nothing about it, nor even Jimmy Stewart at the time. Wow, I've seen numerous times since, can quote some of the classic lines, and I find it charming that such an old film still can impact people of more recent generations. Although I am not as old as these people were, I did grow up in a smallish town and knew lots of old folks who would have been Jimmy Stewart's age. Yes, people did know each other, would help others, etc. I knew I could relate to the film because of it reminds me of many of my long gone elders, but it shows how excellent Frank Capra was in creating a masterpiece. It's amazing that this film wasn't a raging success when first released, yet has since become probably in the top 100 films of all time.

😁 👍 Glad You’ve joined the Bedford Falls Gang !….Welcome to believing that All Will Be Well No Matter What….. Been keeping me smiling and seeing me through sad times for years and years. And it was an entertaining movie too 🤗✨ Thanks for sharing 🥰

I got to spend most of the holiday with someone very special, so it's been the best Christmas I've had in a very, very long time. I too am glad you could get this uploaded, and such a wonderful gift! I remember when you started your Monty Python journey in that room! Dawn, thank you so much for all the hard work you did for us this month, even those of us who aren't currently able to help with Patreon (but maybe soon fingered crossed!), I wish you and your family a very wonderful 2023 🎅❤❤❤❤

Well, it's that day again...time to watch it again. Because that's just what you do. And by the way...the basketball court/pool? That's the Swim Gym at Beverly Hills High School where I went. It's still there and still in use. Merry Christmas Reply

Great movie and a great reaction Dawn. This is one of those must see movies for Christmas. Glad you shared it with us.

George was cold to Mary because at that moment he was disappointed in his life, really wanted to live a different one in which he could travel first and then go to college to become a civil engineer, and therefore he didn't want to get married, not anytime soon or ever. But of course, he also loved Mary, and couldn't stand to lose her to someone else, such as Sam, so he had to sacrifice the life he wanted again to settle down with the woman he loved. He made the right choice, but understandably it wasn't easy for him, emotionally. Yes, he was acting childish, but it really was the wrong time for what Mary was trying to do. George was just in a bad mood and should have stayed home.

I could listen to tat angelic voice of yours all day Dawn. Thanks for the great reaction

This movie has an interesting history. Basically a flop when it was first released and then years later when the copyright was about to expire the studio forgot to renew it and it fell into the public domain for a while. When that happened, every TV station in the country (and probably around the world too) started playing it every Christmas because it was free. _Then_ it became a classic. It is no longer in the public domain because of the soundtrack (I think). Anyway, great classic Christmas movie.

The scene where George comes into Mary's house is 4 yrs after the night when they sang Buffalo Gals.

I always tear up when I watch this movie, and I just did again. Thank you for sharing it with me. 😊

Having the best Christmas ever. Just me & my cats watching this reaction video. And the Mac-&-Cheeze should be ready before the video is over. Merry Christmas you ole wonderful Building & Loan . . . Merry Christmas !!!

A wonderful reaction to a wonderful film, Dawn. It really is a wonderful life, this film is a classic for a reason.

Small town can be like that... everyone knows everyone and helps out and knows your business. Some neighborhoods are like that as well (neighborhood I live in now is like that). Neighborhoods seem to make the effort and it pays off in a positive civic local culture... the suburbs make that really hard, the street design and larger plots of land. But I've noticed it's making a bit of a comeback with Facebook and neighborhood web pages... :)

This is my #1 favorite movie of all time. It has every element of the human condition in it (love, greed, sacrifice, despair, selfless-ness, family, honor, sense of doing the right thing ..and so much more). My first time watching it in the 1990's when i was in my early 20s.. #1 favorite tv series of all time: Band of Brothers. Other top 5 favorite movie of all time: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Dawn you're touching on all of them on your channel. Awesome! Do Casino Royale 2006 (James Bond) some time, and you'll hit on another top 5 of my personal favorites of all time.

Jimmy Stewart was a well established actor prior to WW2 and had even won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Already a private pilot, he enlisted in the Army and flew a bomber over Europe. After the war he returned to acting but stayed in the Army Reserve, eventually retiring as a General, all while turning out some incredible movies.

I really enjoyed watching your charming reactions to one of my all time favorite films! And you even pointed out a part I'd never even noticed before - and I've seen this movie a LOT - the scene where young George gives Potter a little push while he's telling him off! That's one of the reasons I love viewing favorite movies with other people..and this video was absolutely delightful. Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 📽️⭐🎉

Kind of in the same vein as Forrest Gump this movie is a lesson into American history. This covers from the Spanish influenza (1919) through the Depression and to the end of WWII.

I have to tell you, dear Dawn Marie, you are one of the sweetest, funnest people on KZread. I think you would be wonderful to know in real life. Thank you for being to true and right! Merry Christmas!

@ 5:44 - the guy that drifts through the shot, kills me every time.

Once you know this movie, you'll see references to it all over American culture. Everywhere. "The Simpsons" made reference to it. By the same director who specialized in this sort of thing: For another completely different view of Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter here, Drew Barrymore's great-uncle) and James Stewart, see "You Can't Take It with You" 1938. (with Jean Arthur. The movie got two Academy Awards, 7 nominations) Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) is also a "must watch" (Gary Cooper & Jean Arthur) Also, mainly, see "Meet John Doe" 1941 by the same director. (Gary Cooper & Barbara Stanwyck) as well as "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" 1939 (Jean Arthur & James Stewart. nominated for eleven Academy Awards) You could do these as a series of Frank Capra movie reactions.

Thank you, DM, for this Christmas present! Was so hoping for this. Merry Christmas 🎄

Wonderful, Dawn! A perfect Christmas gift. Loved it! Merry Christmas to you and your family, dearest! 🧑‍🎄🌲⛄💕😊

Merry Christmas, Dawn Marie!!!🎄🎄🎅🏽🎅🏽🎁🎁The movie has been restored several times to preserve it as best as possible.

I live in rural Oklahoma. I was born and raised in Texas. Every town I lived in was like this. Everyone knows everyone.

I watch this every year like clockwork with a GF and other friends. We have a It's a Wonderful Life Christmas party. I do not watch many if any older movies but this one was just written so well and Jimmy Stuart IMO is an acting legend.

No wonder Donna Reed's character's name is Mary : she's basically the Saint of the whole story , maybe even more than Clarence !

The Sesame characters Bert and Ernie were named after Bert the cop and Ernies the taxi driver.

Absolute classic movie! Merry Christmas to you and yours 🎅 ⛄️

This is a Christmas Eve staple for decades. It didn’t hit when it was released but Turner Classic Movies got the rights to it and put it into heavy rotation. It’s nostalgic, idealistic goodness.

I watch this movie every Christmas it has always been my favorite

George Bailey was sacrificeing his whole life putting his own happiness on hold

When he went to visit Mary, he was so cold to her because he was realizing that his dreams of traveling and building things wasn't going to happen.