Agree with everything you said, and I will love this movie to the day I die. Looks like you watched a colorized version? The original black and white is better, imo.
Having just watched this on Christmas Eve for apparently the first time, I feel like Lindy is speaking my thoughts exactly! But also, so Potter just gets away with stealing $8000? I was expecting his henchman/wheelchair attendant to have a moment of conscience but i guess crime does pay in Bedford Falls. Delightful read as always.
There was a film code law (Hays Code) at the time that stipulated that villains in film couldn’t win and the ending actually broke that code (in a few ways - it was quite a sexy film for its time)!
…but it’s also a realistic ending and a social commentary on our times. Capitalists always seem to benefit from any tragedy and everyone else is fighting and scrambling to survive while they walk away richer. It’s a call to arms, really. Appreciate your life, but eat the rich.
1. My dad grew up in a tiny town in NJ that is actually called Pottersville and on Christmas for 24 hours they change the town sign to say “Welcome to Bedford Falls.” 2. I didn’t know there was a colorized version of this movie! 3. This movie was deeply unsettling to me as a child because my dad has strong George Bailey vibes and I was worried that one day he was going to throw himself off a bridge because he had to work in retail instead of being a history teacher. I can’t believe I had already figured that out at 10, but sheesh.
I know it’s a weird movie but I’m glad you liked it anyway (and cried). Also my two doors down neighbor in L.A. is the actor who played his youngest kid.
“George goes to work at—what is this? A child store? Where children shop? And children work there? It’s a bar for children???? There’s a girl named Violet sitting at the bar who can only be described as… slutty? Despite being 8?”
I just also need to put it in writing, somewhere: Mary Bailey had four kids in as many years WHILE rebuilding an entire house from the ground up BY HERSELF and that man has the NERVE to whine about his life
Awesome write-up. Somewhere, I wrote down a spiel about how with a more cynical lens, this movie could be the Objectivist, anti-altruism screed that Ayn Rand wishes she had written back in the day.
Hi Lindy! 1000% unrelated: I know you have some regrets about it (we may disagree bc I think it's perfect), but the phrase "I'd definitely just kill myself right away with a knife!" is such a critical part of my lexicon, all thanks to you and your SATC2 review. Thanks and happy New Year!
I just realized how weird it is that George's brother has the same name as the villain (Harry) and that's weird, yes?
Lindy, my request is Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. For the love of all that is good and holy, please recap this one. It is so badass. The ultimate "little girl wants to be a big girl" movie. It came out when I was 16 and my sister was 7 and we both yell, "I'M RIGHT ON TOP OF THAT ROSE!" to each other on a regular basis.
Hahahaha!! I’m 40 and still haven’t seen it either (maybe it’s a Seattleite thing?) but now I think I have to?! Also, I always thought the whole movie was the “what if you had never been born” part 🤷♀️
Just here to say the incel who opens the pool on George and Mary is none other than Alfalfa from the Little Rascals. Merry Christmas, Lindy
And is ALSO the pictured brother of the Haynes Sisters in White Christmas (something I realized today when watching both movies back to back)!
Freckle-Face Haynes, the Dog-Faced Boy!
YESSSS!
Agree with everything you said, and I will love this movie to the day I die. Looks like you watched a colorized version? The original black and white is better, imo.
Having just watched this on Christmas Eve for apparently the first time, I feel like Lindy is speaking my thoughts exactly! But also, so Potter just gets away with stealing $8000? I was expecting his henchman/wheelchair attendant to have a moment of conscience but i guess crime does pay in Bedford Falls. Delightful read as always.
There was a film code law (Hays Code) at the time that stipulated that villains in film couldn’t win and the ending actually broke that code (in a few ways - it was quite a sexy film for its time)!
…but it’s also a realistic ending and a social commentary on our times. Capitalists always seem to benefit from any tragedy and everyone else is fighting and scrambling to survive while they walk away richer. It’s a call to arms, really. Appreciate your life, but eat the rich.
1. My dad grew up in a tiny town in NJ that is actually called Pottersville and on Christmas for 24 hours they change the town sign to say “Welcome to Bedford Falls.” 2. I didn’t know there was a colorized version of this movie! 3. This movie was deeply unsettling to me as a child because my dad has strong George Bailey vibes and I was worried that one day he was going to throw himself off a bridge because he had to work in retail instead of being a history teacher. I can’t believe I had already figured that out at 10, but sheesh.
Does anyone remember an extended version where George and Mary give poor Eye-talians bread and vinegar or something?
bread and salt.
Bread – so that your house will never know hunger
Salt – so that life may always have flavor
I was so confused when you said Clarence was a "green" star. I completely forgot there was a colorized version. B&W 4 EVA! I'm so glad you liked it!
I know it’s a weird movie but I’m glad you liked it anyway (and cried). Also my two doors down neighbor in L.A. is the actor who played his youngest kid.
ZuZu? Of the petals??
I think the youngest is the little kid who says “excuse me excuse me! I burped”
The little boy! The actor plays Christmas carols from a speaker on his lawn all December long. His name is Jimmy.
“George goes to work at—what is this? A child store? Where children shop? And children work there? It’s a bar for children???? There’s a girl named Violet sitting at the bar who can only be described as… slutty? Despite being 8?”
I’m dying rn
Bravo! Such a classic - we watch it every year. But no viewing is complete without this lost ending from SNL: https://youtu.be/vw89o0afb2A
So 8/10 DVDs of The Fugitive?
I just also need to put it in writing, somewhere: Mary Bailey had four kids in as many years WHILE rebuilding an entire house from the ground up BY HERSELF and that man has the NERVE to whine about his life
Awesome write-up. Somewhere, I wrote down a spiel about how with a more cynical lens, this movie could be the Objectivist, anti-altruism screed that Ayn Rand wishes she had written back in the day.
Hi Lindy! 1000% unrelated: I know you have some regrets about it (we may disagree bc I think it's perfect), but the phrase "I'd definitely just kill myself right away with a knife!" is such a critical part of my lexicon, all thanks to you and your SATC2 review. Thanks and happy New Year!
I just realized how weird it is that George's brother has the same name as the villain (Harry) and that's weird, yes?
Lindy, my request is Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. For the love of all that is good and holy, please recap this one. It is so badass. The ultimate "little girl wants to be a big girl" movie. It came out when I was 16 and my sister was 7 and we both yell, "I'M RIGHT ON TOP OF THAT ROSE!" to each other on a regular basis.
Hahahaha!! I’m 40 and still haven’t seen it either (maybe it’s a Seattleite thing?) but now I think I have to?! Also, I always thought the whole movie was the “what if you had never been born” part 🤷♀️
Was suicide not a reason to invalidate a life insurance policy back then?