Good God I am tired. Worked last night, spent the day doing LOADS of jobs. I wrote a list of jobs to do, two foolscap pages long. I managed maybe a quarter of it, working full on at it . I have had an hours sleep and am due to work an overtime tomorrow during the day. Don’t expect greatness today. I am really tired and looking forward to bed, where I will probably sleep an hour then be wide awake for the rest of the night. Ah well. That should be jolly. Speaking of jolly, today’s entry:
It’s a Wonderful Life
This film has become THE classic for Christmas and it’s easy to see why. The film is charming from the moment it starts until it finishes. Made the year after the war, this is the ultimate in wish fulfilment fantasy that was the theme of so many films of the era.
Again it seems pointless to repeat the plot but, on the off-chance you have been on Mars the last few years: George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is contemplating suicide at Christmastime due to a life he considers wasted and being stuck in a town (Bedford Falls) that he resents. He is interrupted by an angel, yet to earn his wings, who shows him how life and Bedford Falls would have been had he not lived. Fascinatingly the angel, Clarence, appears late in the narrative. The film remains utterly engrossing despite this as it’s recounts the history of George, his hopes and disappointments; his continued, failed attempts to leave Bedford Falls and his quiet, impoverished life as he remains selflessly supporting the town he wants to leave. As such, when his wish that he never existed is granted, the true impact of his worth as a human being is revealed as Bedford Falls and the people he has touched are all in decay for not knowing him.
Jimmy Stewart has never been better and he imbues the selfless Bailey with a charm few could match. The film could so easily have been a schmaltz fest had a lesser actor been at its helm. Despite this, the film, on release, was a flop. It was only after the film became a staple of 70’s and 80’s Christmas televeion seasons that it was elevated to the classic status it enjoys today.
And, in truth, it is not necessarily a Christmas film, as such. It has become a Christmas staple as it embodies all of the positives we hope to achieve, which we reflect upon at Christmas time, such as selflessness, compassion, loyalty and self-respect. It’s a celebration of the heroism in living an ordinairy life. It is an anthem of the life of missed opportunity and happiness in spite of this and the importance of how we impact on others; our little moments of seeming insignificance that reverberate throughout the lives of people we touch.
An American classic in cinema.
Brandy Score: 0 out of 5, it’s magic.
This is my favorite Christmas movie and I refused to watch the “colorized” version Turner Classic attempted. Tacky Tacky Tacky. Some classics should be left in B&W.
Colourised films are appalling. I agree entirely. They did a colour job on the Donat version of Goodbye Mr Chips and it was blasphemy. Black and white films have way more character.
Random amazing fact :
Did you know Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie were named after the cop and taxi driver in this film…..
well pardon me!!! I obviously live on Mars…..OOOOrrrrrrr maybe, just maybe, I don’t watch so much T.V because I HAVE A LIFE….LOL!!!!!!! Seriously can’t believe there are so many movies I have not seen! SIGH…so many movies, so little time
Oh KB, God love you. I am amazed. You really haven’t lived, have you?! I will ensure you see IAWL soon. If it makes you feel any better, theres one coming up that of which im pretty sure you will be a fan.
KB, it’s a gay man thing. Our queer cards could be revoked if we didn’t keep up on cinematography and TV. The same goes for the ever changing names of colors. You must know that puce, periwinkle, chartreuse, autumnal bisque, blush, azure, burnt sienna, melon, magenta, raw umber, sepia, teal, fuchsia, cerulean, beaver, and flamingo were all created by gay men and are known to 99.99 % of all gay men. Well, beaver may be up for discussion.
Nigel was on probation for a period there. He was close to having his queer card revoked and would have had to submit to the ranks of breeders, where he could have lived out his life wearing his 4 blue shirts, raising 2.2 kids and painting and repainting his white picket fence.
You forgot cinnamon, frozen frappe, lavender twist and carmen miranda.
I was so worried about having my card revoked. I am crap at painting and picket fences have always scared me.
Questions…..
! What colour IS Beaver??? This is making me laugh really hard !!!!
2 Are you sure Nigel, that Lavender Twist is a gay guy thing??? I have my doubts!!!
3 Was it a gay man that thought up the name of my lounge walls..Oboe d’amour ? My french stinks, but doesn’t that mean I love oboes????
KB, my dear wife to be, Beaver is a husky brown, bristling with potential, maybe with a hint of lavender! All hail Massengil……………….
Oboe d’amour references the 18th century rich rubbed oak wind wood. It was invented in the 18th century and was first used by Christoph Graupner in Wie wunderbar ist Gottes Güt.
Beautiful color – obviously named by one of my global queer brother!
GM, I didn’t know what Massengil was. I googled it and found it was either a folk singer or an item to use for douches. To which were you referring? Cos ewww, lovely…..