It’s A Wonderful Life (1947) - 🤯📼First Time Film Club📼🤯 - First Time Watching/Movie Reaction/Review 

The end always gets me not because how everyone shows up to help George but because of how happy and excited they are to do it - George spent his whole life helping others without asking anything in return and when he really needs the help back, the whole town is excited to get to return the favor. It’s not just kind, it’s love, and it’s Christmas, and I’m def not crying! 😭♥️

In 1982, I was on the verge of doing something very stupid. Before I had the chance though, this movie came on the TV. It was the first time I had seen it and it changed my life. This movie is the main reason I am here today to even write this. I watch it ever year and cry and thank God that he placed this movie before me to show me how wrong I was. I hope you get as much from this movie as I did and do each and every time I watch it. I am going to grab some Kleenex now and watch your reaction.

This is an important film to my Aunt. My Aunt was in a bad place in her life and was preparing to take her own life when she saw this movie on TV. She changed her mind. Thankfully she got the help she needed and is still around and my favorite Aunt. Thank you Frank Capra and others for making this movie.

This film is a treasure - not very well received upon release, it took time for people to realize how meaningful it truly was - even more meaningful than its creators knew. It's cliche, but it is truly timeless.

Jimmy Stewart's first film after serving in ww2. He enlisted and wasn't drafted because he wanted to serve and when they wanted him to entertain the troops he knew men were dying so he wanted to serve. He flew bombers and saw a lot of death and had PTSD (they called it shell shock back then) and this was his first film after the war. The emotion you see from him in this movie is real and raw, he was working through his pain of what he experienced in the war and you see it play out in this film. As an American, this film is a treasure and a reminder as to why they call them "The Greatest Generation". I am grateful to have known them as my grandparents generation and walked the earth with them at the same time even if it was short. This is perhaps one of the greatest films ever made.

You mentioned the bar scene where Jimmy Stewart actually broke down and cried. Jimmy Stewart was one of the first actors to sign up for WW2, and struggled to get an actual combat position instead of just filming war films and doing USO stuff. He was already a pilot, and ended up flying a B-24 Liberator over Germany. He flew 20 missions, received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, a Presidential Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre, lost quite a few of his men, and suffered PTSD as a result. He didn't even want to go back to making movies afterwards, but Capra convinced him to. So the trauma, grief and anger you see in the movie was all real.

Don't forget, the actor who played Mr. Potter is Lionel Barrymore, great-uncle of Drew Barrymore. Huge, deep roots to that acting family.

I love "Arsenic and Old Lace". Great to hear someone is going to react to that classic.

This is one of the few old-time films that makes me cry every time I watch it. Such a timeless classic.

The scene where George kicks over his architecture corner is what gets me first. The stunned look of shock, fear, and, worry and concern on the faces of his wife and kids... his shame and embarrassment and desire to take it back, just tears me up.

For me, this is not only a Christmas movie, it's the absolute best Christmas film ever. Hands down. I've watched it countless times, the final message gets me through each year. Did you notice it NEVER snows in Pottersville ? Yes you can see it on the ground but look when George is begging to Clarence that he wants to live again - the moment it starts to snow is when you know he's back in good old Bedford Falls. As for the "crow", it's actually a Raven. As Matthew said, he starred in 1000+ films and was quite the star, insured for the equivalent of thousands of dollars today. Capra found a part for him in every film he made after 1938. Oh and the squirrels name was Snoopy ! Speaking of Uncle Billy, in the scene where he leaves the frame and there's a crash, some say 'Uncle Billy' improvised the cry that he was alright "live", others say it was dubbed on in post. But the crash is indeed genuine and unscripted. The footage of WW2 is genuine. It's taken from a Navy film about the USS Yorktown called 'The Fighting Lady'. After the war she was used as one of the recovery ships for the Apollo Space programme and has a replica capsule on her lower deck in Charlestown NC where she is a museum ship. Matthew mentioned the kiss from Jimmy Stewart to Ms Davis but did you notice who played her ? It's an uncredited young Ellen Corby who went on to play Grandma Walton in her latter years. So glad new generations are still enjoying this classic - and in black and white as it should be !

My favorite scene is at the train station when George learns of Harry's job. A mediocre director or writer would add dialog to the scene to convey the emotions that George is feeling, but I love how we just see it in his eyes and brilliant acting with no words

"Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them, because you didn't save him." That part always gets me: it makes you really feel the weight of your being in relation to the other life you touch, for good and for bad.

This movie was my dad's favorite. I watched it with him every single Christmas since I was a baby in 1976. When he passed in Feb 2003, I swore I would never watch it again. Then Christmas time came around. And my 9 year old stepson, who'd known my dad all his life, came to the computer room one day and he said to come into the living room right now. When I got there, he looked at me and he said "come on, it's about to start". On the table there was a bowl of chips, a bowl of pop corn, Coca-Cola with ice, some gummy bears etc... Like there had been every year my entire life. That's when I heard the music. My heart broke and I opened my mouth to thank this boy for his nice gesture but I wasn't going to be able to watch it this year. Before I could say anything he sat on the couch and said "I think it's time I watched it, even though it looks boring. Don't make me watch it alone." And the first time he heard a bell ring after he saw that movie, he smiled the biggest smile and told me "grandpa got his wings". This boy is 28 years old now. And every year he comes over with chips, pop corn, gummy bears and cokes. And we watch it together.

$8000 is worth $122,137.85 today. Also check out the snl sketch It's a Wonderful Life: The Lost Ending with William Shatner. It's very satisfying.

"No man or woman is a failure who has friends." It's a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite Christmas film. It's the best feel-good movie that everyone needs to watch because it shows how everyone is important. No one is bigger than anyone else. We all matter because we as individuals can make a difference, no matter the situation that comes towards us. Also, Fun Fact: James Stewart was nervous about the phone kiss scene because it was his first onscreen kiss since his return to Hollywood after the war. Under director Frank Capra's watchful eye, James Stewart filmed the scene in only one unrehearsed take and it worked so well that part of the embrace was cut because it was too passionate to pass the censors.

I lost my job a month before Christmas and then I found out who my real friends are. Some people no longer associate with me, even telling me to not talk to them anymore. So now i focus on what matters and this film always is a reminder of that. Classic.

Frank Capra + Jimmy Stewart = magic. Check out "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" too

James Stewart displays the full range of life… joy.. frustration… anger… desperation. The story allows the viewer to really understand his character.

11:02 The moment where Uncle Billy stumbles into trash cans offscreen was entirely unscripted. During that take, one of the crew accidentally dropped a box of props, and the actor playing Uncle Billy immediately improvised the "I'm all right, I'm all right." Jimmy Stewart's look of concern followed by his smile were both genuine reactions. The director ended up tipping that crew member $10 (equivalent to $150 today) for enhancing the scene.

Still a better love story than The Star Wars Holiday Special.

You mentioned the Hays Code: The one huge code violation that made it past the censors was that Potter was not arrested for his crime of stealing Billy’s deposit. The code required that all criminals must pay for their crimes.

Hands down my favourite Christmas movie. The ending always has me crying in happiness. The love, care and help you give to others is returned when needed

This is the grandparent of all holiday movies. I’ve seen it no less that 18 times and I still love it like it was the first time.

The movie's publicity has always made a point of saying the Bedford Falls set was "one of the largest built for a film" which implies it was built for this film. It was actually built on the RKO Encino lot for a film called Cimmaron. They redressed it and added the oak trees. Sadly, that lot is now a subdivision. Great reaction, as usual. Thanks!

"He's making violent love to me, Mother!" Just love that line in a classic family Christmas movie. But serves Mother right, she needs to mind her own business.

You'll love this : in real life, Lionel Barrymore was nothing like Mr. Potter. When he was moving into his new house, they heard meowing coming from inside the walls. They broke it open, and found two kittens. No sign of the mother. He adopted them both on the spot. Whenever I feel like strangling Mr. Potter, I just think of the "kitten in the wall" story. Hear that, Pippin? 😉 🐈 🐈‍⬛ 😺😽

It's a 10 out of 10 for me, too. Everyone is brilliant in this movie. The hat tip with water is also one of my favourite moments in the film.

A timeless film, with a message that resonates with anyone going through tough times or who feels they've failed to meet aspirations. Love you guys, keep it up!

Miss. Davis 13:47 "Could I have $17.50?", Ellen Corby. She would go on to play Esther "Grandma" Walton on the tv show the Waltons 1972-1980.

I've seen this movie a couple hundred times and never noticed Donna Reed touching her stomach there. This movie is genius and y'all are, too noticing that.

HARD TO BELIEVE ,the film was not a hit on its release , its my favourie xmas movie and the line "to my big brother George the richest guy in town" always brings tears to the eyes .

The "lost" alternate ending to this absolute classic was found in 1987 and digitally restored! Here is the link! ENJOY! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vw89o0afb2A.html

I always loved the small detail that it stops snowing when George hasn't been born, and only starts again once he's "back" Merry Christmas to you both!

Great film, great reaction, Emily. My favorite line: “George Bailey, I’ll love you ‘til the day I die”. Sniff 😢

Easily one of my top 10 favorite films of all time. Beautiful reaction, guys! Loved it!

Hey Matthew and Emily. Merry Xmas to you both. This is a special film to me. My aunt and uncle were dancers in the movies in the 40's. My aunt was in this film during the school dance along with hundreds of others. She was not paid much but had the opportunity to earn stunt pay for being one of the dancers who went into the pool. The funny thing is that my aunt never learned to swim so she nearly drowned to earn extra money. Thank goodness she did not. Just a fun fact I wanted to share. Much love to you both.

Jimmy Stewart movies were very special, because many of them were all about the "every man" struggling against the challenges of life. His movies also had a certain "heart" to them. If you like Jimmy Stewart in this, you should definitely check out Mr Smith Goes to Washington!! A great movie!

The woman who asks for $17.50 is Ellen Corby. People of my generation know her as Grandma from the "Waltons" tv series. She has a sweet supporting role as one of the sisters in "I Remember Mama", which is a lovely movie.

A reason many consider this a Christmas movie is because for years it was in the public domain so TV stations could play it on an endless loop without having to pay royalties, so it was always on around Christmas.

It’s pretty close to a perfect movie. And so happy to hear that “Arsenic and Old Lace” is on your list! It’s hilarious.

I hadn't realized until someone pointed it out, that this film actually VIOLATES the Hays code - since it requires that "crime does not pay" and bad guys either have to be caught & punished or repent & atone. But Potter gets away with it! ....at least until that legendary SNL sketch. 😏

I’m always crying by this point anyway, but if for some reason I’m not, when Harry gives the toast to “the richest man in town,” my fave contorts in strange ways and I grab for the Kleenex.

A lot of people have never seen this and that is a shame, this is one of my favorite Christmas movies

The crow is Frank Capa’s crow and he like having it in his movies.

Jimmy Stewart was my Dad's favourite actor. They both served in the 445th Bomb Group ( B-24's ) based at Tibbenham, England during WW II.

The anecdote you described about the filmhand dropping some equipment offscreen - you're correct about that being an accident, but you left out a key part. After the crash Capra (the director) was about to yell "Cut!" but the actor playing Uncle Billy ad libbed the "I'm all right, I'm all right." line, Stewart smiled and stayed in character, and they kept the scene going.

Another wonderful film that also came out in 1947, and is most definitely a Christmas movie is The Bishop’s Wife. It is also heartwarming. And 2 kids from “It’s a Wonderful Life” are in the cast of Bishop’s Wife.

I have to agree that this movie is good to watch all year ‘round. It always makes me tear up.

Such a classic, glad you enjoyed it! Since you mentioned it, I'd like to enthusiastically upvote Arsenic and Old Lace. One of my favorite comedies of the era, and in general. An unusual but amazing role for Cary Grant!

2 more fun facts. The boy who opens up the pool floor is Carl Switzer "Alfalfa" from the Our Gang movies. Also. When George is praying at Martinis. The raven haired singer is Adriana Caselotti. The voice of Disney's Snow White.

The Capra movie you mentioned "Arsenic and Old Lace" is a wonderful farce (CHARGE!). I highly recommend it. Another of this time period staring Jimmy Stewart is "Harvey". Stewart said it was his favorite movie and character. Others of the time period, "The Bishops Wife", "It happened One Night", slightly newer flick that is fun is "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" (1957 Pacific war). For 40-50s musicals try "White Christmas", "Holiday Inn", "Going My Way" and "Bells of St, Mary's" All of the musicals can be applicable from Thanksgiving through Christmas, and all are excellent. Any Hitchcock movie is a jewel.

Just a pedantic point of order, but it's actually a 1946 film (premiered December 20th).

The movie is Sentimental, especially towards the end, but that is all balanced out with real characters and real life. As much as I could during the Hayes Code, they talked about drinking alcohol, and sex, and jealousy. It wasn't included in this video, but the part of the walk home where Mary is naked in the bushes and George is jokingly contemplating what he should do was a surprising topic for 1946. And many movies of the period people were just too good to be true.

When George runs past the movie theater the marque shows The Bells of St. Mary's playing. Henry Travers (Clarence) is in that movie too.

I've said it several times and I'll say it again; Every time I watch this movie, I fall in love with Donna Reed/Mary Hatch all over again.

"Well, it's that day again...time to watch 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!

Great movie! Fun reaction! Personally, I would love to see some of the classics. Casablanca is a great story with surprisingly funny dialogue. Should you guys ever get to that one, I'll be front and center. And I feel like "Paper Moon" would be highly entertaining also. Happy New Year, y'all! Thanks for the fun times. ✌️

A young George tells his father that he wants to go out and design buildings and plan cities. The beauty of it, is that is exactly what George is doing in Bedford Falls, just on a smaller scale and for people he knows and loves. He and Mary are both selfless and giving.

George Bailey'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.

The actress who played Ruth Bailey (Mrs. Harry Bailey), Virginia Patton, died in August of this year. She was 97 and the last surviving adult cast member. The boy who played the young version of Sam Wainwright and the actors who played 3 of the Bailey children (Peter, Janie and Zuzu [Suzanne]) are all still with is. The man who played Nick the bartender was Sheldon Leonard. He went on to produce The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC, I Spy and others.

One of the things people don't like about this movie is that Potter gets away with everything he did with no repercussions, but imagine how he felt when he woke up to find that George didn't go to jail, and the Bailey Building and Loan is still in business. Funny enough, everything that Potter recommended to George, is what eventually was done to save George and his business.

* Jimmy the Crow was Frank Capra's personal good luck charm. He was in several of Capra's movies. * The boy that Mary is talking to at the party (her date) was the person who played Alfalfa in the Our Gang/Little Rascals films.

If you saw Lionel Barrymore in other roles you most likely wouldn't be able to recognize him. He brought a unique look to every character. Sometime in the late 30s he broke his hip and the resulting arthritic pain essentially put him into a wheelchair. Mayer (of Metro Goldwyn and Mayer) made sure to either have roles accommodated or written for him to appear.

Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra - “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington”

13:13 The bird is Jimmy the raven, who apparently appeared in over 1,000 movies between 1938 and 1954. His debut was in another excellent Frank Capra movie, a 1938 film called You Can't Take It With You. After that, Jimmy was the raven that landed on the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Fun fact about ravens - in the wild, they generally live for about 10-15 years; however, they can live over 50 years in captivity, and the longest-lived raven is believed to have lived for over 70 years.

No wonder why this movie were parodied uncountable times, this flick is a treasure! >XD

I think that the reason this film ascended to become “the” Christmas film despite the marginal role the holiday plays in the story, is that it was aired on Christmas Eve every year for decades. It was a film that became so associated with the holiday that it was rarely played outside of the holiday season. It eventually just became part of the furniture of Christmas like wreaths and stockings. There’s lots of other films that would like to enjoy that place in the popular imagination, but nothing has yet surpassed this one as far as I can see (though there are a number of contenders).

A wonderful reaction to "It's A Wonderful Life"!

It's not particularly Christmasy in and of itself, but it has a very Dickensian "A Christmas Carol" quality to it, which helps make it feel more Christmasy than it actually is.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ⛄🎄❄️🧑‍🎄🌨️

Capra later regretted portraying Mary becoming a librarian as the most horrible fate possible, especially compared to the truly nasty things that happened to everyone else.

Jimmy Stewart's reaction to losing the money was excellent.

Back in the 80s, Saturday Night Live did a sketch called "The Lost Ending to 'It's a Wonderful Life'" where Potter gets what was coming to him.

Great movie, I enjoyed watching you watching this! Arsenic and old lace is also really good movie!

Old Man Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore born April 28th 1878 to famous theatrical parents Maurice Barrymore and Georgina Drew. The elder Barrymore was born Herbert Blythe but went by his stage name Maurice Barrymore. So he would not embarrass his family name. At the time acting was not considered a reputable profession for someone born to privilege. Lionel's maternal grandparents were both famous actors. Lionel's siblings, brother John and sister Ethel, also were famous actors. All three were prominent stage actors before making the transition to film. Brother John married third wife actress Dolores Costello, nicknamed The Goddess of the Silver Screen, a silent film star. Her parents were famous vaudevillians. They had a son John Drew Barrymore. Who also became an actor. He later had a daughter, actress Drew Barrymore.

James Stewart is one of the greatest actors ever and the highest ranking actor in history, reaching Brigadier General in the United States Air Force.

This was after Stewart came back from the war, and there is a lot of the damage it did to him in this film. Incredible performance.

The most important message was without even realizing it, George Bailey singlehandedly kept Potter in check....preventing the town from descending into squalor ultimately saving the citizens of Bedford falls

James Stewart is the most incredible character actor I’ve seen. He’s the lead in many movies however he’s not the poster child for leading male rugged, romantic role. His screeching excitable intensity is compelling and he portrays that so well. Watch Mr. Smith goes to Washington. If I were you I wouldn’t get into what genre this is. Just enjoy it for what it is. And be cognizant of the year it was made and realize times were very different back then. This movie is good. Very very good.

Fun fact, the kid that opens the pool under George & Mary is none other than Alfalfa from The Little Rascals!

I'm gonna name you a few from this era you can go with. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Quiet Man, It Happens Every Spring, North By Northwest, The Champ, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, McLintock!, Donavan's Reef and Chisum. These are some of my favorites.

My favorite line in the whole move. “I bet it’s a warrant for my arrest. Isn’t it wonderful I’m going to jail”

For more good movies from this era, I have to suggest “The Shop Around the Corner’, (1940) another favorite at Christmas also starring Jimmy Stewart in addition to an exceptional cast. It’s a really cute movie and worthy follow-up to ‘Its a Wonderful Life’.

Another fun fact you may not have known about this movie: Remember the scene where Mr. Martini and his family and their animals are moving to their new house? The Martini Family bring their goat with them in their car to their new house. The director of It's a Wonderful Life is Frank Capra. Frank Capra is Italian. In Italian, "capra" means "goat".

One of my favorites, Jimmy Stewart and his iconic voice

I cry at the end no matter how many times I've seen this

t's a Wonderful Life is more than a Christmas movie I am not christen and I love it. It is a feel good movie and one of the first time travel element movies. It is so much about time travel or alternative realities that Back to the future allude to it :). Fun fact the movie was not a financial success when it came out and was forgotten. Only because of a copyright registration error ( Which was fixed decades later) the movie was considered public domain for years and because of the that the Tv Networks aired over and over every Christmas till it became a cult classic. Another fun fact the scene with the uncle that was drunk and fell down was adlib because one of the stage worker dropped something in the middle of filming. I love George speech to Mr Potter about the working class. The actor who plays Mr Potter is by the way Drew Barrymore great uncle. If you want another great Jimmy Stewart movie you should watch Mr Smith goes to Washington.

Not only was this Stewart's first film after the war but was also Capra's. There is an excellent documentary (on Netflix last I checked) called 5 Came Back that details what 5 Hollywood directors did during the war including Capra and how it changed them. There is concentration camp footage that you will never be able to unsee.

The line after Clarence asks if George is sick is one of the best lines of the movie. "No, worse. He's discouraged." 💜

John Barrymore, Mr. Potter, is Drew Barrymore's grandfather or great grandfather. He also won a best actor Oscar in the 1930's.

What gets me every time is Harry Bailey's toast: "To my big brother, George. The richest man in town!"

That's wild that Emily noticed Mary touching her tummy when she and George were talking to Sam Wainright by his car in Bailey Park. Then we find out a couple of scenes later that she is, indeed, pregnant. I've seen this movie countless times and a bunch of times in the last couple of years with various reactors and I never picked up on that.

Best ending of a movie ever. When Harry says, "To my brother George, the richest man in town!" I always think, "he will be by the time the stop counting all that money everyone just gave him!" ----------------- As for old movie recommendations, I highly endorse my very favorite movie, "Kind Hearts and Coronets" about a man who decides to kill all his relatives who stand between him and royalty. Also, check out "Casablanca", "Dr. Strangelove", "The Great Escape", "Sullivan's Travels" and "Bridge on the River Kwai."

You can't take it with you add that to your Capra list it is amazing... and like all his directed films has real heart and stirs real emotion

Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas Matthew and Emily. I first saw this in 1992 as all the kids in my middle school were forced to watch it for a class when I was in 8th grade. Wonderful film.

YAY! Wonderful reaction! And I can't wait for Arsenic & Old Lace! For another classic w/ Jimmy Stewart watch "Harvey". (wrote this before you guys did the trivia wrap-up)

Look at this warrior trying to keep it together while George runs through Bedford Falls. Kings weep, brother.

What I love about this movie is the fact that most of the movie is following George through most of his life. This allows the audience to really see the character development, fall in love with the characters, and draw more from the timeline where George does not exist. We saw the significant events that happened, but we do not see the regular events in between. We even forget through the movie some of the events that took place, or can’t draw conclusions from what may have happened to the characters that is not shown. The alternate timeline not only shows the impact of the significant acts like Harry, Mr. Gower, Mr. Martini, Uncle Billy and Mary. But, it also show others that were indirectly affected like Bert, Ernie, Ma Bailey, Violet, and the rest of the town. We could all learn a lot from this movie. I bet many times we see things through George’s eyes where we only see the negative right in front of us at the time. One of the quotes that hits me now is “Strange isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he?” Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!