My mother told me once that she and her husband-to-be (and my father-to-be)
went to see “It’s A Wonderful Life” in the original release.
And that they liked it, but it had been not a roaring success.
Reading about Stewart returning (somewhat traumatized) from his
tour of duty in B-17s over Europe...I guess he was somewhat despirited
by the less-than-stellar success of the film.
But all I can say is thanks to Mr. Stewart, Mr. Capra and everyone
that made the film.
I can be pretty cynical, but I admit I got a bit misty when I saw the
film the first time during it’s “unprotected” period on TV.
Stewart’s most desparate moments during the film have the authenticity
of a man that had seen such ugly things in war that death/suicide
sounds like a perfectly rational and soothing option.
It’s a heck of a film, and amazing honest and blunt about
the struggle for an “American dream” when it runs up against the
soul-free and ethics-free bad-boys of commerce, as embodied by “Mr. Potter”.
Just a great, great, movie.
All these Christmas movies really make the season for me.