Blogmas continues with another Christmas Movie Bite. Today we are looking back at one of the classics, It’s A Wonderful Life. Even though they might not know where it is from, most people recognise the line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings”. This is a beloved holiday movie- grab your popcorn and settle in!
Synopsis
“Merry Christmas, you beautiful old savings and loan! Merry Christmas, you beautiful beat up old house!” So shouts George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) who has just been saved from suicide by an apprentice angel who convinced him of his life’s worth by showing what the town of Bedford Falls would look like without his influence.” (The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, 118.)
The History of It’s A Wonderful Life
Wonderful Life first premiered in 1946, and it had a fairly mediocre reception. When the copyright was up for renewal in 1974, no one actually renewed. This allowed tv stations to broadcast the film for free, and although it originally was not very popular, free trumps paid. (I mean, that is still true of a lot of things…) For the next twenty years, broadcasters played the movie throughout the holidays, cementing its spot in holiday traditions. By the time the copyright was finally renewed in 1993, it was entrenched in the season!
My Thoughts on It’s A Wonderful Life
I will be very honest- I couldn’t tell you how old I was when I first saw It’s A Wonderful Life. I will guess that I was a toddler, because I can’t remember a Christmas season without seeing it. And that perhaps is why I am not a big fan… As far as holiday movies go, Wonderful Life is rather depressing. As a small child who is excited for the holidays, you don’t really want to spend time being introspective and imagining your life without you.
As an adult, I can more than appreciate the meaning behind it and the thoughtfulness of this movie, but it still doesn’t scream “Christmas” to me. I maybe watch this every 4-5 years.
If you want more holiday movie recommendations, book recommendations, recipes, and more, you can purchase my holiday history guide here!
Are you a fan of It’s A Wonderful Life, or do you pass?
Cheers,
The Historian
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