When I first saw this movie I thought it was too mushy and sentimental to be taken seriously.

Now I am living in a shelter for the homeless, have ended a relationship of 10 years, and have the usual Christmastime hypersensitivity and memories of Christmas past that make my heart sore and tender.

This Christmas I really NEEDED "It's a Wonderful Life."  It nourished me.  Watching Jimmy Stewart--his beautiful, mobile face, his grace, his astounding acting ability, his ability to quintessentially embody what is best about America and make us feel we are all in it together--filled that hollow place.  The wonderful Clarence--his connection to G-d in` a casual and clumsy way, and yet his ability to bring off a glorious miracle: to grant a man an appreciation for being alive.  The miraculous rescue of George through the goodness and kindness of the people who know him.  George's heartfelt prayer on the bridge, when he has hit bottom.

The movie left me feeling connected, understood.

Frank Capra borrwed from Dickens's immortal A CHRISTMAS CAROL--an intervention by spirits into the life of mortal man to instruct and glorify--although, interestingly, Dickens did not venture into the realm of formalized religion.  The joy we share with George Bailey on his glorious return to the land of the living mirrors the unforgettable scene when Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Alistair Sim) realizes he is back in his own room, safe and sound.
That may be one of Frank Capra's themes:

It's a Frank Capra world, as far as I'm concerned.  Yes, I know life isn't really like this, but maybe it could be.

". . . and it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.  May that be truly said of us, and all of us!"
Charles Dickens
A CHRISTMAS CAROL

P.S. I gave away the colorized disc.  YUK!!!!!!!!
When I first saw this movie I thought it was too mushy and sentimental to be taken seriously. Now I am living in a shelter for the homeless, have ended a relationship of 10 years, and have the usual Christmastime hypersensitivity and memories of Christmas past that make my heart sore and tender. This Christmas I really NEEDED "It's a Wonderful Life. "  It nourished me. Watching Jimmy Stewart--his beautiful, mobile face, his grace, his astounding acting ability, his ability to quintessentially embody what is best about America and make us feel we are all in it together--filled that hollow place. The wonderful Clarence--his connection to G-d in` a casual and clumsy way, and yet his ability to bring off a glorious miracle: to grant a man an appreciation for being alive. The miraculous rescue of George through the goodness and kindness of the people who know him. George's heartfelt prayer on the bridge, when he has hit bottom. The movie left me feeling connected, understood. Frank Capra borrwed from Dickens's immortal A CHRISTMAS CAROL--an intervention by spirits into the life of mortal man to instruct and glorify--although, interestingly, Dickens did not venture into the realm of formalized religion. The joy we share with George Bailey on his glorious return to the land of the living mirrors the unforgettable scene when Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Alistair Sim) realizes he is back in his own room, safe and sound. That may be one of Frank Capra's themes:

It's a Frank Capra world, as far as I'm concerned. Yes, I know life isn't really like this, but maybe it could be. ". . . and it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! "
Charles Dickens
A CHRISTMAS CAROL

P. S. I gave away the colorized disc. YUK!!!! !!!!