You Already Take Me There: It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

For many, it's a holiday tradition, a limitless source of inspiration, and a swell movie. Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life has touched so many hearts since its release in the 1940's. It wasn't universally loved by critics at the time of the release, receiving criticisms for its sentimentality and misguided notions of what a life can mean. However, the movie received five Academy Award nominations which include Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (Jimmy Stewart). I'm fortunate enough to include myself amongst the masses that pull this solid classic from their shelves or check the television listings for a showing every year around the holidays. It's almost ironic that It's a Wonderful Life is thought of as a Christmas classic because the movie has little to do with Christmas, save for the crucial moment in George Bailey's life occurring on Christmas Eve. The television studios that made a decision to air the film around this time every year probably played a part in the Christmasization of the film, but I like to think that it's because It's a Wonderful Life is the sort of movie people need at the end of a tough year. It's the kind of film that reminds us that our hard work may not be in vain, even when we're so sure that it is.

It's a Wonderful Life is the story of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart). At the start of the picture, we learn through the prayers of many of the folk in Bedford Falls that George is in dire need of help. We further learn through some angels that George Bailey is to kill himself within the hour. The angel made responsible for saving Mr. Bailey spends the hour learning more about his life. We, the audience, are given the same experience as Clarence the angel (Henry Travers) in navigating through the life of our protagonist. The life of George Bailey, at least as we're told, starts with him as a young boy. We learn quickly that George looses hearing in one of his ears after saving his brother from drowning to death in the ice. We're also treated to a scene where George prevents his employer, the druggist Mr. Gower, from accidentally poisoning one of his customers. We also learn that George Bailey dreams of traveling the world. He's ambitious and plans to work as an architect or an engineer.

Time moves quickly, and now George is a high school graduate on his way to college to fulfill all his dreams. Only, he's got a few months to spend in Europe before he has to start school. On the night before he leaves, he steals a dance with Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) from Alfalfa himself. The two share a wonderful evening before George learns that he'll have to cancel is trip to Europe to take care of the family business: The Bailey Building & Loan Association. The Bailey Building & Loan Association has one real enemy, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), who wants to take over the Building & Loan in order to have complete control over Bedford Falls. Without spoiling too much more of the plot, let me just summarize the life of George Bailey with this: every time George is on the verge of beginning the life he had envisioned for himself, a problem develops forcing him to make a choice between self and other. In the final act of the film, Clarence grants George Bailey the ability to see the way the world would be without him in it.

It's a Wonderful Life is based on a short story titled "The Greatest Gift" which was sent out to various people as part of a Christmas card after the author failed to get it published. As luck would have it, an RKO producer discovered the story and bought the rights to make it into a movie. The producer let Frank Capra in on the story, and with the help of additional writing talent, we've got, with Capra's new title, It's a Wonderful Life.

The story of It's a Wonderful Life is remarkable in its creation of one of the most loved heroes and most hated villains in film history with George Bailey and Henry Potter, respectively. George Bailey is a bit of a contradiction. We want him to succeed in fulfilling all of his dreams, but it's precisely because George chooses not to fulfill his dreams that we want to see that happen. What's even more remarkable is the way George spends so little time deliberating over his choices because, to George Bailey, there is no choice when it comes to helping your fellow man. Henry Potter has the opposite philosophy, and as much as we might hate Mr. Potter, we have to appreciate his existence in this picture. As a seemingly irredeemable villain, Mr. Potter forces Bailey to become the hero that he is. Had Mr. Potter shown even occasional acts of mercy or compassion, Mr. Bailey wouldn't have felt the need to protect the population of Bedford Falls. Without evil, we would have no real conception of good.

The scene after the school dance between George and Mary is a fine example of how well written this film is. It exudes charm and romance, and is difficult to forget even after just one viewing. Recall the moment where George tells Mary, "You know, if it wasn't me talking, I'd say you were the prettiest girl in town," only to have her respond with, "Well, why don't you say it?" Or the way George talks about giving the moon to her if she wanted it. There's also the moment when Mary counters George's wish by throwing a rock at the old Granville house. You have to wonder if that wish truly keeps George from leaving Bedford Falls or if it were just coincidence. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed show real chemistry here, and it stands out as one of the best parts of the film.

Another notable scene in It's a Wonderful Life comes after George has begun his tour of 'Bedford Falls' if he had never been born. George discovers what had once been a set of homes is now a graveyard, illustrating the replacement of life with death in this alternate reality. It's such a strong contrast with the Bedford Falls we've come to know over the course of George Bailey's life. We learn that George's brother died without him there to save him, and by extension Harry was unable to save the lives he had during the war. Perhaps this scene more than any other in the alternate reality reminds us just how much of an impact one can have on the world. It's an instance where George's not having been born actually seems to do some serious damage outside of his little town. The music that supports the scene is haunting, and powerful. I've never watched this scene. I've only ever experienced it.

It's a Wonderful Life is an inspiration to all of us because it emphasizes the importance of love over 'success.' "When success is equated with excess, our ambition for excess wrecks us." The rewards for living a selfless life are not apparent to us because it can require the ability to remove ourselves completely to see them. It forces us to examine our own lives, wondering if we're a Potter or a Bailey, but to also assure us that if we are a Bailey, we can have peace of mind in knowing that we do have a wonderful life. Should old acquaintance be forgot and old times since? We'll take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne. Let us not forget our old acquaintances, for as Clarence reminds us, "No man is a failure who has friends."

It's a Wonderful Life, you already take me there.