*IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE* is a wonderful movie | first time watching | movie reaction
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 24. 12. 2022
- merry christmas to george bailey & co, martini, and clarence, but BAH HUMUG to mr. potter.
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Having lost my own father some years ago, the fact that the last words George says to his father is that he loves him and that he was proud of him really hits hard.
When you cried about affordable housing, I teared up too! I saw this as a kid and always thought it was special, it wasnât until a year or two ago when I showed my son that I understood the true meaning of what george and his father did for the community. Beautiful!
1919 is Spanish Flu, that century's COVID pandemic, so that opening scene means more to me now than it did when I first saw the film.
I understand unlike most diseases, it mainly hit young healthy people. One could be fine in the morning, start to cough at noon, dead before dinner (I understand, I'm no expert).
This is why Mr. Gower was so upset, his son had been taken by the Spanish Flu. George not making that delivery not only saved the life of the kid who didn't get poisoned, he saved Mr. Gower, too.
@@moeball740 that's not true ,his son died of leukaemia .
bro, the spanish flu was 100 times worse
@@agemoth No, the telegram said influenza, although we rarely use the full name so at a glance it could be mistaken for leukemia. The telegram can be seen at time-stamp 4:12. Also, this spread so fast, death was a shock, a normally healthy adult dead in hours. Leukemia generally had enough lead time to get ready for the tragedy.
Every time I see this film, I focus on something new. The latest time, I saw how the writer scattered little hints of Uncle Billyâs mental issues throughout, culminating in him saying âI canât think anymore, it hurts!â when George confronts him over losing the money. The first time, hearing Ma Bailey say that he is in the insane asylum is a real shock, but after paying attention to those scattered hints, it really makes sense that losing the S&L would break him.
Donât feel bad. Iâm 59 and I saw this movie for the first time a few weeks ago. I guess for the same reasons pretty much. I thought I knew the gist. Was I wrong! And I also thought the shared phone scene was one of the hottest scenes ever! đź
Something I hadn't noticed before...when Mr. Gower, the pharmacist, received the telegram telling him his son had died of influenza the year was 1919 - the middle of the world wide Great Influenza Epidemic. I imagine audiences in 1946 would have made that connection since it was much more recent history for them.
A classic film, strange to think it was a box office flop when released and got mixed reviews and critics said Capra had lost the magic touch and no longer knew how to make box office money.
The real problem was America's (and Capra's) war-time experience; after the initial euphoria of victory wore off, a delayed reaction set in, and the mood of much of the country was rather dark (thus the meteoric rise in the film NOIR genre). People didn't know what to make of "Wonderful Life"; most expected they'd be seeing a piece of feel-good fluff (like some of Capra's pre-war output), but were dismayed by the dark, upsetting and almost tragic elements in the film. Others stayed away because the studio advertised the film as a "lighter-than-air" romantic comedy, so THEY stayed away, due to the current taste for more violent fare. So "Wonderful Life" didn't satisfy either group, and audience interest dwindled. It would be, sadly, the beginning of the decline in Capra's career.
Everyone wishes they'd have seen this movie sooner after watching it the first time. Now you know why it is watched by most every year, one of the best films ever made.
I am glad you got to experience this movie. It's message is timeless. Merry Christmas!
Trust me, crying at this movie (especially the ENDING) is NOT unusual!
My tear ducts are a trained Pavlovian dog whenever I see it.
The quote under Peter Bailey's father was later echoed in the Beatles' song The End: "And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make".
And George's life is the epitome of John Lennon's lyric from Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy): "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
I'm 62 YO, and probably first saw this movie way back in the mid 70's. The great thing now is that I'm able to see it for the 1st time again through yours and many other's eyes via their reactions.
Oh, before I forget: Waving the bird at Potter every time he shows up? Most I've laughed at any non-verbal response in any reaction video!! Also, love the new haircut. Molto bella!
Oh my Lord, the algorithm suggested you and that coder ate their Wheaties that morning. You hit every highlight I love in this movie with the exact reaction I had. And then The Ronetteâs! Instant sub, thank you for perhaps the perfect reaction.
The thing I love most about this movie this year is how George is the protagonist but Mary is the hero. Itâs really Maryâs will thatâs achieved and she made it happen at the critical points. She roped George into the phone call with Sam, getting him on the same handset. She had the idea to invest the honeymoon kitty to keep the Building and Loan solvent. She organized the honeymoon dinner. She renovated the house while George worked. Finally she rallied the town and got through to Sam Wainwright to save George. She even got everyone praying, setting in motion Clarenceâs involvement.
Frank Capra was an absolute master at how he told Maryâs story while keeping the spotlight on George as his culture required. Merry Christmas!
We are ALL crying...even the 67 year old one who have seen it 100 times.
INDEED....one of a handful of TRULY PERFECT movies that have ever been made. I watch it once a year around Christmastime for nearly the past 50 years and it never fails to bring tears of joy. Please make it part of your yearly Holiday tradition.....you won't regret it. đ
It was such a treat watching you watch Its A Wonderful Life for the very first time, and I knew you would love it, and you have the rare opportunity to watch it for the first time as a adult, I believe you will get more enjoyment out of it and your emotions are the biggest as a adult, Iâll go back a watch some more of your reactions âșïžđ
This is in My Top 10 of all movies. Thankfully, iâve been watching and cry/smiling with it since childhood. I envy You for having been able to really take in this film, during Your first watch. Really Enjoying Your channel.
Wonderful reaction! This is one of my top favorite movies ever (not Christmas movies⊠movies, period!) Itâs just so darn beautiful!
I have heard that Frank Capra filmed a scene where Mister Potter has a heart attack while counting the $8,000 he stole, while Clarence arrives to carry his soul to hell, but it was so dark, he decided not to include it. This is the only Production-code era movie I know of where a criminal doesn't suffer his just desserts.
If you still want to see Mister Potter get what he deserves, look up the "found footage" of that scene that aired on SNL in 1986. đ
Zuzu is still alive and is in her 80s.
So happy your watching this. The message definitely is to live a life of service is rewarding. However can I applaud you for understanding the economics of it. I have seen a few people not understand the importance of the building and loans and why it mattered so much. Who knew it would still be a problem in 2022.. Great reaction!!
Really like your reaction. I suspect you have a real big heart. The actor who's playing mean ol' Mr. Potter is Lionel Barrymore who usually played sympathetic characters. If you like James Stewart, you'll probably enjoy seeing him in "Rear Window," "Mister Smith Goes To Washington," "Harvey," "Vertigo," and "Anatomy Of A Murder."
Iâm very happy the CZcams algorithms brought me to you. Thoroughly enjoyed your reaction to one of my favorite movies. Subbed.
I've watched many of these It's a Wonderful Life reactions and yours is a new favorite! You are delightful. Happy day after Christmas!
The only Christmas movie I know that surpasses this is "Curse Of The Cat People". Ollie and Alice got married and live in Sleepy Hollow. Ollie is still haunted by the memory of his first wife. Their 8 year old daughter is a strange little girl who begins getting visitations from Irena, who now lives in a parallel universe. Their growing friendship leads to a heart-breaking conclusion at Christmas time. There is no way to describe this but to say that if you like, "It's A Wonderful Life", you will love this.
An absolute classic movie, I really enjoyed watching you watching this!
I really enjoyed watching this awesome movie with you, Happy Holidays!
i like to think clarence went back to a heavenly cozy bed for a long nap
For a movie where Lionel Barrymore redeems himself and plays a loveable grandfather, you should watch You Can't Take It With You. It also stars Jimmy Stewart and was directed by Frank Capra.
He was the great uncle of Drew Barrymore
Great reaction! Your sentiments are so accurate. Itâs just a great reaction đ
You made me freaking cry again!!!
I love this movie and I loved your reaction. You just really get it! You are a joy to watch. In all your reactions!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS đâïžđšïžđ§âđâ
I'm 55 years old and I just saw the movie for the first time 2 years ago. I've always known it existed, but I've never watched it.
Unfortunately nothing bad happens to Potter, at least in the movie. According to something I read somewhere, he most likely was arrested for embezzlement or went bankrupt. I had also read there there was supposed to be a scene where Clarence confronts Potter about keeping the $8,000, but was cut from the movie.. It was to happen right after George comes back to reality and knocks on the window and says "Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!" and Potter says, "Happy New Year to you...in jail!"
the "married with children" spoof is a lot of fun
Building and loan associations were organizations that provided loans to members for buying homes. The organizations were formed by a community of low income members that made regular payments into the fund. Members owned shares in the organization where they have rights to a loan at some point in time or dividends. Today they are called savings and loans and a lot of them went out of business back in the 80s and 90s during the banking crisis. They are similar to a credit union.
A cool fact about this movie ⊠The raven inside the Building and Loan was actually known as Jimmy the crow ⊠Jimmy was in his first movie for director Frank Capra in 1938, thatâs 8 years before this movie ⊠Jimmy the Crow was in every movie Frank Capra directed from 1938 forward ⊠in total, Jimmy was in over 1,000 feature films ⊠he could actually understand several hundred words ⊠Jimmy Stewart made the comment that Jimmy the Crow was the smartest actor on the set.
I just looked it up. No, he was a raven, although I can't tell you the difference. He was said to be as smart as an 8yo. His last appearance in a movie was 1954. No one knows what happened to him but his owner died two years later.
Potter keeping the $8,000.00 was not the worst aspect for George; with the bank examiner there and the $8K missing, Potter will jump in and buy the assets of the Building & Loan, thus closing his monopolistic fist around Bedford Falls' businesses.
I cry every year watching this film. Too give the same whenever someone buys a home. â€ïž
How exactly do you get *Angel Second Class* from *AS2?*
If "S" is for "Second", what is the "2" for? If "2" is for "Second", what is the "S" for?
Well, since angels are servants to god, maybe the S stands for Servant?
I can't tell you the number of times I've seen this movie or the clips from people reacting to it. I NEVER noticed that. Now I pick up on that every time!
I always imagined the S stood for something like "status". AS3 would be angel third class, AS4 would be angel fourth class...
Fun Fact: Mr. Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's grandfather. You should check him out in Captain's Courageous with Spencer Tracey. Just have plenty of tissues.
This movie is the inverted A Christmas Carol.
The big 4 I have to see each holiday season are It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bishop's Wife, and Scrooge (I prefer the 1951 version with Alastair Sim). If you haven't seen the other 3, they are worth your time.
Oh my god, Laura, I was crying right along with you, from beginning to end! Yours is definitely the proper, completely correct response to "It's A Wonderful Life"! It would bring a tear to the most hardened of criminals; it would make a stone cry! I hope you had a great holiday today; your reaction to this true classic is how I'm officially ending the holiday! And just to share something encouraging with you: I had five "It's A Wonderful Life" reactions that dropped yesterday in my subscriptions that I haven't seen yet: I chose YOURS. You're SUCH a great reactor, and I love it when you hit classics. As you already know: there are great movies that transcend time from ALL time periods of film, just like any other art. Not every "classic" is a classic......but there are plenty that are! You just watched such an example!!! PS: George and Mary are the best! Especially Mary!!!!! That actress, Donna Reed, is synonymous in pop culture as "the perfect wife" and mother, almost as a derisive cliche or a joke: "Who do you think you are? Donna Reed?", etc. Myself, I love Mary too much to ever say a bad word about Donna Reed! A very cool woman!
ditto
Simply a beautiful reaction, Laura. This has been my favorite movie for about 60 years, to the point where I have an autographed photo of Frank Capra on my wall. Frank made these emotional, moralistic films that just drill into your heart and it earned his films the nickname "Capra-corn.". You really should watch "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" - also with Jimmy Stewart. Also "It Happened One Night" with Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert; "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Cary Grant; "Good Sam" with Gary Cooper ... and there are even more. All of these films will have a similar effect on you - they're simply beautiful and celebrate the good things in mankind. So many young people won't watch these works of genius because they're in black & white ... not realizing that it is an art form and expresses emotions using shading instead of color. It's their loss until they finally learn. You earned a sub with this heart-felt reaction! So glad you enjoyed this movie ... your last words were exactly correct ... it's a perfect film!
So, glad you watched it? Haha. Best movie ever. Couldnât begin to tell you how many times Iâve seen it. Just beautiful. Thank you.
My father used that gesture for the rest of his life. When he found something distasteful or awful, heâd rub his hand on his shirt and let us know. Especially with people. I use it often myself.
I first saw this film in 1979, and it made a huge impression. But of lot of years have gone by. Watching yourvery perceptive reaction (and others here on YT) "revives" my original feelings, which I truly appreciate. NOTE: if you'd like to see the great Lionel Barrymore ..and "cleanse" yourself of his evil Mr. Potter, find the 1939 film "On Borrowed Time", where he plays a kindly grandfather who adopts his orphaned grandson (grandma is played by Beulah Bondi, Ma Bailey in "Wonderful Life"; Henry Travers (Clarence) is also in the film). But things take an unexpected turn in this fantasy, when Gramps is forced to confront Mr. DEATH, and holds him prisoner in the magical apple tree in his backyard. Oh, yes.....stock up on the Kleenex.
love your hair!
Yep, I cry over the affordable housing every time!
Wonderful reaction. đ
Nobody ever talks about the kid's teacher and how George told her off in a despicable way. That loose end never got tied either. đ€
In 1933 and 34 it was the middle of the Great Depression. Banks closed because people rushed to get all their money. Unfortunately if you got there too late you lost everything
The federal government didn't insure accounts.
@Laura seek out "You cant take it with you." Its even better then this and also a frank C film (the director) If someone does not show emotion when watching this RUN from those people :)
Hilariously bad prediction đ You mixed it up a bit with A Christmas Carol.
Well, yesterday we whipped up some Hot Chocolate with Absolut Vanilla Vodka and watched it again. Because that's just what you do. And by the way...the basketball court/pool? That's the Swim Gym at Beverly Hills High School where I went. It's still there and still in use. And Merry Christmas!
I've seen it many times and cried each time. One new thing, though, I put $8000 (1947 money) through the inflation calculator and it's the equivalent of $111,000 today. *That* is what Potter found in the envelope.
Jimmy Stewart was a great actor and a great person. He's a treasure.
"It's A Wonderful Life" was, unbelievably, not a success at the box office. The copyright was allowed to lapse in the '70s, about the time cable was proliferating. As a result, "It's A Wonderful Life" began being aired on many TV channels in 1976 and for several years it was virtually impossible not to see the movie on TV at Christmas time. The movie was "... nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.[8] It was No. 11 on the American Film Institute's 1998 greatest movie list, No. 20 on its 2007 greatest movie list, and No. 1 on its list of the most inspirational American films of all time." (Wikipedia)
The fact you can't get through it dry eyed after the gazillionth viewing is the greatest testament to this classic.
It's a masterpiece. No. 11 on AFI top 100
Good reaction đ
âŠ.and Mary becomes âŠ.(The Horror) an unmarried OLD MAID!!!
Oh well, still a good movie
Jimmy Stewart was one of the best. Might I suggest Harvey if youâre in the mood for another old movie with amazingly pertinent issues.
Jimmy Stewart was a WWII bomber pilot and his experiences left scares that never fully healed. Still, he made the best of it, like George.
Frank Capra, the director said if he was to do it over again, the only thing he would do differently would not make her an old maid. Although I think it would seem strange if she wound up married to someone not George.
Maybe a follow-up to the ending is that when all the townspeople hear what happen, some will remember seeing Uncle Billy counting the money, and yet it was gone by the time he got to the window. And maybe other people will so hate Potter they will claim just about anything to get him into trouble, like they saw him pickpocket Uncle Billy. OR heaven knows and Mr. Potter will be getting horns and a tail instead of wings when he dies.
Hi there
Potter offered him $20,000 a year which would be equivalent to $350,000 in this day and age, just like the $20 they were asking for to get through Christmas and not to close their accounts and sell out to Potter is equal to $350
Gotta watch Band of Brothers
Regarding Ernie and Bert. Guess what Jim Hensons favorite movie was?
It's A Wonderful Reaction... to a Wonderful Film. Seriously... I've watched this film dozens of times, and it impacts me each and every time. Truly a brilliant film that resonates today as much as it did when first shown. If you love Jimmy Stewart, you should watch two other brilliant films he did: "THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER" and "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON"... you'll adore those, as well.
Also some suggestions of more contemporary films that meet the great acting / directing / cinematography / affects / story level: "PLEASANTVILLE," "STRANGER THAN FICTION," "AMELIE," and "CHILDREN OF MEN"... All films you'll never forget. Great stuff... I'm going to subscribe, now. Cheers!
You beat me to the Jimmy Stewart suggestions đ đ
HOT DOG ! I'm glad you got to see it at last ! đ
Mary is played by Donna Reed. This is my favorite clip of Donna Reed.
czcams.com/video/L6aA3fiwTs0/video.html - (30 seconds)
Hereâs what youâre looking for:
czcams.com/video/vw89o0afb2A/video.html
Fyi mr Potter Lionel Barrymore n drew Barrymore are related Lionel Barrymore is her great grandfather
He's was her great uncle. Her grandfather was John Barrymore, "The Great Profile."
The story is often told of how the movie didnât do very well when first released and only became popular when the copyright expired and tv stations started showing it, since it cost them nothing to broadcast.
That is the story Iâve known for decades. However, it seems that may be a false telling. Although they chose not to ban it, the movie was watched by the FBI - this was during the McCarthy era - and deemed as subversive and possibly communist. The portrayal of Potter, the town capitalist as evil, combined with the positive story of a lending institution that invested peoples money into other peoples homes and livelihoods was seen as a socialist message. It is claimed that Hoover put pressure on distributors and movie houses not to show the film and for critics to review it less than favourably
Wow, your prediction was impressively wrong. :D
So why didn't it do well? I think it got really dark (suicide) before it ended happily. And Potter got away with it.
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Wonderful reaction, as usual. But that subscriber total pisses me off. Should be a hundred times that. Merry Christmas!!
In 1985, this TV show made me look for "It's a Wonderful Life": czcams.com/video/RWCPflhVQ40/video.html
The thwarted life of George Bailey is on display; he's famous for Always Doing The Right Thing, putting travel plans aside. His uncle's mistake puts George Bailey at the crossroads of Life or Death. His guardian angel stops that arc, then makes an offer that George doesn't refuse. Bedford Falls becomes Pottersville, since he doesn't exist. Rocked by the many awful changes in the town, he "mans up to The Law." About to be jailed for fraud, the community comes to his rescue. His guardian angel gets his First Class wings; to use an old-time phrase, George is a Pillar of the Community.
Sometimes, the thing you dread the most is your fate. God's kind of a dick.
The stunning realism that Potter doesn't get any comeuppance đ€Ź
There's a good socialist message underneath It's a Wonderful Life (affordable housing, looking out for community, etc), slightly undercut by the capitalist pig going unpunished.
Except Potter is No capitalist. Heâs a tyrant - see the Napoleon bust in his office? A capitalist welcomes competition. Potter tried to destroy any competition.
@@catherinelw9365 Aww, it's cute that you think that...
Aww, it's cute that you think that...
But he did Patrick! :) czcams.com/video/vw89o0afb2A/video.html
@@catherinelw9365 yes, and although George Baily was a great guy...he didn't run the building and loan for free.
And it wasn't govt controlled.
Homes were built by a private sector company that employed several people.
If markets are allowed to be free and competitive capitalism is the best system.
Sorry, but it's just TOO depressing for me.
Did you watch to the end?
@@ammaleslie509 I find the movie itself to be very depressing. My dad committed suicide when I was a kid. So the movie "hits" me in a different way, I guess. No angel was there to talk him out of it.
@@Estes705 Oh, how sad! Your feelings make perfect sense, since the suicide has hurt your life and your family. I am very sorry for your loss.
PS: But what about Potter? What about his comeuppance? Saturday Night Live did a great sketch, "The Lost Ending" of It's A Wonderful Life. Enjoy! It's the only thing that was missing from the movie itself, right? czcams.com/video/vw89o0afb2A/video.html
45th...amazing an 80yr old movie Brings out the Emotions in people...as a Boomer Ive seen it more then I can count - but the last 10min gets me EVERY TIME...Every!