12 days of blogging: Day 12- It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

"every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings"

Come on now you didn't really think I wasn't going to include this christmas classic in the list, shame on you. This film is considered the best christmas film by many and some have even said that it is the best film in the world so it has earned its place as my post for christmas eve and last post of this blogathon. I recently went to watch a production of this film in my local theater and though some of the acting and set design was questionable it did remind me of why I fell in love with this film and the meaning behind it. Though the film was a flop in 1946 it has now become one of the most powerful and inspirational films that has ever touched the world, it has now become timeless. I couldn't praise this film more, so please if you haven't already watched this film than now is the time.

Cast

James Stewart

Donna Reed

Lionel Barrymore

Henry Travers

Thomas Mitchell

Beulah Bondi

Gloria Grahame

Synopsis

An angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), is hired to help a man so he can get his wings, George Bailey (James Stewart) is contemplating suicide, to help him he must see his life up to this point. We are shown all of the people who George has touch and all of the significant points in his life. George saved his brothers life by rescuing him from drowning and because of this became death in one ear. George also helped his boss who had recently lost his son and turned to alcohol. He had made plans to leave Bedford Falls and go to college but he kept having to stay and run the bailey and loans company in order for it to not be taken over by the greedy Mr. Potter, who owned everything else in the town. George soon falls in love with Mary (Donna Reed), they marry and have children while still living in Bedford Falls, the town of which George always wanted to leave. 

On christmas eve, George's uncle Billy loses the businesses $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter found the money and kept it in hope that they would get arrested and he could then take over their company. When George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company would collapse, thinking of his loved ones he contemplates suicide while on a bridge in order for them to receive his life insurance. Clarence then shows up to help George, he does this by showing him what the world would be like if he didn't exist, when finding out of the things that he did that caused the world to change for the better he realizes that suicide isn't the answer and so returns home. Once he returned home, his friends, after finding out the trouble that George was in all came together to raise the money he needed to keep the company. Afterwards Clarence is seen to have gotten his wings for helping George Bailey.

"no man is a failure who has friends"

Some Little Facts

• 42 bells are heard throughout the film, so 42 angels get their wings.
• This film created an alternative to using painted cornflakes as snow and instead used foamite, soap and water, pumped at a high pressure through a wind machine. The company was awarded for this achievement.
• Frank Capra said the film would be shot in 90 days and when he was right a party was made to celebrate.
• This was Donna Reeds first starring role.
• It is James Stewart's and Frank Capra's favourite of their films.
• The role of George Bailey was originally made at another studio with Cary Grant in mind but when Frank Capra took over he rewrote the part to suit James Stewart.
• Though a stunt double was hired, Donna Reed successfully threw the rock that broke the window in the Granville house, she had a strong throwing arm from playing baseball in high school.
• This was the only time that Frank Capra co-wrote, produced, financed and directed a film.

Now I know it's sad that it is the end of my Christmas blogathon but I feel like I have made a great achievement and have been successful in what I set out to do, I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I have. Don't worry I will still post regularly just not as regularly as this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR