In December of 1983, I was a First-Year (not “a freshman”, savage) at the University of Virginia, and finals week was about to start. I’d seen the flyers for the movie hung wherever such things were placed, but having no familiarity with the movie to that point, I pretty much ignored them. Back at the dorm (Metcalf, First Left) , our RA—Bruce DeGinder—was busy doing that which older males are supremely responsible for in society, and that is civilizing and socializing younger ones. It turns out that to the extent that he had any authority whatsoever, he was going to use it to ensure that his charges made their way across Grounds (not “campus”, savage) to catch the final showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a group. Generally a rule-follower and subject even to arbitrary demonstrations of authority, I complied. And the rest as they say, is history.
I knew nothing of the movie. Not that I had some kind of a benighted childhood or anything, just that I was unfamiliar with it. Nor did I have any knowledge of the fact that UVA students treated its showing (at least then, I haven’t a clue if this tradition remains) as if it were a holiday version of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, with a good bit more audience participation than one would expect from a (relatively) stuffy, white movie-going audience. In fact, I’m not sure that I had ever been to a movie at that time (except Rocky Horror) that audiences cheered and jeered in, but this was to change on that December night.
When we got our first image of a young George Bailey on screen, the place erupted in cheers. When we got our first view of a young Mary Hatch—the same. When Mr. Potter’s carriage sidles up in front of the Building and Loan, there were cheers, jeers, and Euro-style Olympic level “Sssssssss”es. I was transfixed, both by the story, its telling, and the atmosphere. To this day I “hiss” when Potter’s carriage shows up. I did it last night as a matter of fact. When Jimmy Stewart shows up in the luggage shop (“I wanna BIG one”), literal pandemonium.
This is our first glimpse of Jimmy Stewart, who we are led to believe by plot is a 22 year old about (I occasionally try and do a straight line chronology in the movie, and it makes my head hurt. I don’t recommend it) to take a summer trip before college, an experience forestalled four years working with his father at the Building and Loan saving money for the experience. In actuality, Stewart was in his mid-30’s and already a genuine “movie star”. He was also a Colonel in the US Army Air Corps (soon Air Force), and recently returned home from several years in Europe flying combat missions against Germany. Stewart eventually rose to Major General in the USAF Reserve, something that will always increase his standing in my book.
What I wasn’t ready for in his performance, and what I’ve grown increasingly aware of and appreciative of over the years, is its depth. There are SO many points in this movie where Stewart INSTANTLY changes his mood/demeanor/mien before our eyes. It is masterful. Below is a photo of Stewart upon learning that it would be up to him to skip college and stay at the Building and Loan in order for it to remain open against the machinations of a Potter-inspired cabal.
Later, after he sends his kid-brother Harry to school with his college money, George is sent to the train station to meet Harry after graduation. The happiness and mirth in George’s face is obvious. His beloved brother is home, but more importantly, Harry would take his place at the Building and Loan in order for George to get going on his dreams of building bridges and skyscrapers and not saving three cents and a length of pipe. But then, Harry gets off the train and he introduces his new wife—a surprise to everyone. Ruth Dakin (Bailey) then proceeds to innocently inform George of a fantastic job offer her father has made to Harry in research at his Rochester-based glass factory. (Note—the movie contains scenes and dialogue of American industry that may be unfamiliar to modern audiences). In the course of a few seconds, George goes from joy for his brother’s marriage, to agony that his brother’s job would likely keep George in Bedford Falls, to equanimity that the right thing to do is to suck it up. Be a man.
Later, when Clarence Oddbody (AS2) is showing George what the world would be like without him, George believes that the way to end the dream sequence is to get Clarence to show him what’s become of Mary. In a sequence that sometimes gets the feminists a little steamed, Mary is an old maid working at the library. Here is when George realizes this.
Now—I mention Mary’s old maid status not to score points against feminism, but the score points in favor of “soul mates”. I think they exist. Not for everyone, mind you, but they are out there. And my theory is that if you are one of those for whom a soul-mate exists, no other outcome than being together is possible. Mary is unmarried because a bit of her soul was never born.
All of this depth and emphasis on Stewart’s range is to make a broader point, and that is, if what you get from this movie is the last ten minutes where “Auld Lang Syne” accompanies the telegram from Sam Wainwright, the basket of cash from the town, and the arrival of CDR Harry Bailey, USN (recent Congressional Medal of Honor recipient), then you’ve missed out on an amazing spelunking into the caves of emotion; discouragement, dread, fear, anger, despair. George Bailey came THIS CLOSE to killing himself. He’s spent the ENTIRE MOVIE putting his own life, needs, wants on the back burner, and his nitwit uncle loses $8K putting it all in jeopardy, including his actual physical freedom.
This movie deals with some heavy stuff, and while it has lots of cute little things to leaven the despair, there is a ton of despair.
But then, there is Mary.
Mary saves everything. She rescues George from loneliness, and she rescues George from prison. She never wavers. She is the rock. And she may be the most beautiful creature to ever grace the screen. Well, her and Diane Lane.
After watching the movie last night (Christmas Eve Eve) and crying like a baby at the end (as I have done EVERY SINGLE TIME I’VE WATCHED SINCE 1983), I began to think. If some movie maker were to make a movie “inspired” by this one—not a sequel, not a remake, but “related to” maybe—it could be set in the mid 60’s. Potter’s wheelchair man turned him in for the theft of the $8K in 1945, and the Building and Loan prospered. The Baileys are comfortable in their post-Eisenhower lives, with their children grown. Tom Hanks plays George and Diane Lane plays Mary. Harry is a Four-Star Admiral and is wrestling with demons of his own….alcohol, infidelity (Ruth left him years ago), and a nagging feeling that things in Southeast Asia just aren’t what they seem to be. George dies early in the movie, but then is assigned as his brother’s guardian angel, something he’s always been to some extent anyway. That’s all I have on this so far, you can add plotlines in the comments if you’d like.
Bottom line: there is real greatness in “It’s a Wonderful Life” that transcends its place as an annual holiday movie. Don’t be lulled into thinking it lightweight Christmas fare. It is a great film. But then again, you already knew that.
Merry Christmas everyone!
“ Nor did I have any knowledge of the fact that UVA students treated its showing (at least then, I haven’t a clue if this tradition remains) as if it were a holiday version of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, with a good bit more audience participation than one would expect from a (relatively) stuffy, white movie-going audience.”
They don’t. I wasn’t aware of anything like this when I was at UVA (2014-2018).
Love this movie. Definitely my favorite Christmas movie. We watch it every single year.
Thank you for so eloquently sharing your memories of this Christmas classic, a favorite of mine as well. I recall sharing "I want a big one! and other quotes long ago on a holiday duty night; odds are high we watched it, but I can't be certain. I can attest that your love of this classic is deep, heartfelt, and enduring.
Each viewing reveals a new facet of the story, and touches emotions that resonate at 55 in a way they could not at 22.
I would later learn that Stewart's portrayal of George Bailey's emotions - pitting his stoic acceptance of his duties with rage, guilt, jealousy, resentment, helplessness, and despair - came from a very real place. Stewart was a bomber pilot and group commander who agonized over the lost lives of his crews in the skies above Europe and civilian casualties on the ground as he carried out his duties to the best of his abilities. A job he did not have to do; he was too old and underweight, but trained himself as a pilot to gain admission to the service.
Mary - the Blessed Mother incarnate in George's life - does indeed save the world and rescue George. I reflect on the resentment in his manic outbursts - "You call this a happy family? Why do we have to have all these kids?" and his inability to take Mary at her word that their humble home was all she wanted, that he hadn't failed her or his family.
How truly fortunate he was to have found Mary, his soul mate. And for Mary to have found George.
And how truly fortunate are those who have not only found their soul mate, but were wise enough to realize that they have all they need to be complete.
Merry Christmas, Wahoo!
PS In the spirt of the season, I won't argue about Diane Laine, and agree on Donna Reed. And contemplate how Jennifer Garner would be PERFECT in the Hallmark version of the next Wonderful Life inspired film.
Go. Fish.
https://youtu.be/YLHD3SDToCM