"It's A Wonderful Life"...Not Just For Christmas

 Family and friends have gathered and we have a decision to make...what movie do we put on while we prepare dinner and get ready for the New Years Eve festivities?

Why not, It's a Wonderful Life?

That's a good question, and the obvious answer is also a question...why not?

 I don't think I've ever watched one of my favorite movies on New Years Eve before. We watch it every year before Christmas and usually on Christmas Day (if not several times...). For me, it's a timeless film. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to be in a stage play production of the show. Now, whenever I watch the film, the memories of those amazing casts return, making the show even that much better for me.

But, I don't think I've ever watched the show the week after Christmas. 

Other than the ending scene where everyone sings Auld Lang Syne, what makes this a "New Years Eve flick" and not just a "Christmas film?"

It's a tale of reflection. George Bailey is given the opportunity to see, not only who he is, but what he means to the world. I don't know if many of us go this deep on New Years Even when reflecting on things, but there's a connection.

It's a tale of starting over. Many people--myself included--use the New Year as a focal point to do better, to improve, to make the next year better than the previous. That's what George does--he just doesn't come out and say it in that manner.

It's a tale of redemption. Thanks to the help of others, George realizes his contribution to his family, his community, even to every man on that transport. He is saved as the bell tolls and the music fades.

Of course, you could watch the show on many holidays throughout the year. Memorial Day/Veterans Day, lots of time dedicated to the war and those who served. You could watch this on Independence Day. This movie is such an example of a truly American film. It's part teen comedy--George and Mary's courtship (though short as it was). And, naturally, you can watch it at Halloween, what with all the ghosts and alternative realities...it's a natural.

Maybe next year when we gather, God willing, I'll recommend we watch, It's a Wonderful Life on New Years Eve.

Why not?

Happy New Years, everyone!

Clarence...Was Definitely Right

 Yes, Clarence was right.

One of the most thoughtful lines in one of my most favorite films.

In the past week, I've read hundreds of posts of people expressing gratitude for the things in their life. I've read them because most were friends. I'm grateful for them and that I can call them friends.

In the end of It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey is shown what an amazing life he really has, and that he's had that life all along--he just didn't see it. I thought of this very quote as I read well wishes friends sent to me today.

Now, I don't consider myself a failure--sure, there's some things I'd like to improve about myself, but Clarence's words ring (see what I did there...?) true for everyone, no matter how you feel about yourself.

Remember no man is a failure who has friends.

To all my friends, thanks for everything.

My Own Little Editing Studio...

Tonight I had a problem, a technical problem. I needed to take three sections from a movie I downloaded on iTunes and make three clips I could watch over and over again.

You might think, "how hard can that be?"

Turns out, it wasn't all that hard, but it just took a while to figure out.

I bought It's a Wonderful Life the other day because I've been cast as Sam Wainwright, George Bailey's obnoxious, yet misunderstood friend in Centerpoint Legacy Theatre's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Sam's not in that many scenes so I found the three scenes where Sam has the most lines and noted the times they come up on the film.

The problem I ran into is I can't just copy the film. I tried taking screenshots from my phone, but each time they came up completely blank. I can only assume it's because I bought it from the iTunes Store.

So, I needed to film the film from one camera to another. I ended up using my new SLDR (that has video capability...) and I recorded as my iPhone played the movie. I used an audio cord so the sound would be heard on the camera doing the filming.

It's not the best quality, but I can now watch--or, more importantly--listen to Sam's lines so I can hopefully memorize them easier. And because my phone and camera were all hooked up, I used my iPad to take the picture of my little editing studio.

It's A Wonderful Film...

It's A Wonderful Film...

Tonight we came home from helping my in-laws decorate their home for Christmas and flipped on the TV. After searching around a little, we came across a film in mid-presentation. "It's A Wonderful Life."

I didn't find this film until I was in my 20's. I was at a party at a friend's house and the video (VHS tape in those days...) to end the party was "It's A Wonderful Life." Many at the party were surprised I had never seen the film. I think I, like most, fell in love with the film the first time I saw it.

There have been books written about this film. I doubt this humble little blog post can do it adequate justice to it. But the show's on and so the show's where my mind is.

 

I know I'm not alone in saying that I can connect with the film. I think everyone can see themselves in some way in George Bailey. He represents the best of humanity, a failed person who continues to endure, who never stops denying his true nature--that being, a man who must help others.

 

It's a movie played at Christmas, but could be played anytime. Christmas Eve is only the day Harry Bailey returns to town and Uncle Billy loses the deposit at the bank. Other than that, it could be any day of the year.

There are other aspects of the film that affect me on a very personal level. Preston Sturges created a masterpiece when he assembled a stellar cast and presented his vision of regret and redemption.

 

These pictures represent some of my favorite scenes of the movie (and especially, some of my favorite quotes...). scenes and quotes after we began watching tonight, that is. One of my favorite scenes early in the film is George, Mary, and Violet in the drug store while George is dishing out shakes. Great scene.

 

For me, the film ebbs when Clarence arrives and shows George what life would be like without him. I think the story is good as a drama showing how George grows up and deals with life. Of course his conversion would need explaining...

But take the film in its entirety and we have what we have. Who am I to question the work of art. The show continues and I continue to watch and enjoy.  I love this show.

 

All photographs are taking from "It's a Wonderful Life" shown on NBC without their permission. I hope it's okay...