“ 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.
“ 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