OKAY, this movie came out when your dad was probably in his teens, or maybe even
during your grandfather's prime years. A lot of people have forgotten about it.
So it is my duty to remind you that it is truly one of the best movies ever
made. One year after the Second World War ended, director Frank Capra released a
black and white movie called It's A Wonderful Life.
The main stars were James
Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and Henry Travers.
When it was released in 1947, the movie hardly created ripples in the Hollywood
pond.
It might triggered a discernible stirring or two but that was about it. In the
ensuing years, the movie became part of the Christmas tradition because it kept
on popping up on TV sets during yuletide.
The movie has such an infectious story and a feel-good warm that Frank Capra
later confessed that it was his favourite movie. I was delighted to learn later
that it was Jimmy Stewart's favourite movie as well.
Even though the movie was screen in 1947, it did not receive the kind of
attention it deserved until almost 40 years later. Apparently, the company that
produced the film was called Liberty Films, and it was bought over by Paramount
Pictures and remained a subsidiary until 1951.
The rights to It's A Wonderful Life was later sold to U.M.&M TV Corp. National
Telefilm Associates then got the rights to the movie and history would later
record that a clerical error prevented the movie from surfacing until 1974.
It was only then that It's A Wonderful World made its entrance into the
television realm free of royalties and other charges. Suddenly, in the 1980s,
this movie which had been gathering dust in the film library for decades finally
"saw the light". Television networks begun showing it during the holiday season
around Christmas and it caught fire.
Before TV producers could check with their accountants, there was a public
clamour for this movie which quickly became a holiday favourite.
It's A Wonderful Life is based on a story by Philip Van Doren Stern. The story
was entitled The Greatest Gift. Its estimated production budget in 1946 was
US$3.18 million. A pittance compared to today's standards.
Apparently, the movie was so well received that it was nominated for five
academy awards. The fact that it came up empty-handed must have shocked its
nominators. However, justice has been served.
Today, It's A Wonderful Life ranks 11th on the American Film Industry's Best 100
Movies of the Century.
The story of that wonderful life is basically a story about many of us ordinary
Joes. George Bailey is a small town guy who has big aims to venture into the
brave new world and harbours great ambitions to do wonderful things.
However, fate decides it has better plans for George so he's stuck where he is,
while his brother goes off to war and later returns a hero.
George is frustrated by the twist in events.
On top of that, he's falling in love with sweet next-door-type girl Mary Hatch.
Love to George is a nuisance. It will spoil the big plans he has for himself.
But the attraction between him and Mary proves to be too strong, and he
surrenders to its magic and marries her.
The years passed by rather swiftly. George's big heartedness makes him a regular
good samaritan and he helps the numerous people he comes across in a thousand
little ways.
These are not spectacular acts of heroism but mundance acts of kindness which go
a long way in alleviating other people's burden.
Then one day, George's family business, a bank, falls into deep trouble.
It seems to be George's fault because he misplaces some money. To make his
troubles even bigger, the wicked rich man in Bedford Falls, Mr Potter, is on the
verge of taking over the family business.
George becomes desperate and suicidal. He walks to a bridge and contemplates
suicide. Just then, an old man appears.
His name is Clarence and he's an angel. As it is with God who's forever working
in myterious ways, Angel Clarence jumps into the river first.
That triggered George's basic goodness and he jumps in to save that silly old
man, or so he thought.
The real story of It's A Wonderful Life thus begins.
It starts at the the closing chapter, rewinds to the beginning, races through
the entire episode of George's ordinary life, and starts again with George
telling Clarence that he wishes he were dead.
Clarence looks heavenwards and says to George: "Your wish is granted." And so,
George Bailey ceases to exist as a person in Bedford Falls.
What follows is a chain of events that shocks and frightens George to the core.
That's the Christmas story that has warmed the hearts and gladdened the souls of
all who have watched this movie during many Christmases from one end of the
globe to the other.
It's A Wonderful Life never fails to bring cheer to all homes. It tells the
truth about the importance of every person you meet.
Nobody is unimportant. Every single individual is a special gem in the eyes of
God. We are all never forgotten. We are always remembered.
And it is through characters like George Bailey that hope springs eternal and
love is forever fresh.
James Stewart had admitted that this movie had tugged at his heart-strings, just
as it did for director Frank Capra.
The movie may not have won any Oscars but for decades across the world, it has
brought hope, laughter, tears, joy and love to every household whenever it
appears on the TV screen.
That is its lasting legacy.
It is untouchable as one of the best Hollywood has to offer and indeed when it
was released, it was deemed to be Hollywood's finest hour. It is still one of my
favourite movies.
Time to call Astro or RTM to screen it again.
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