One of the sweetest, most memorable, and romantic scenes of any movie ever. Their lips didn’t even meet immediately after the phone was dropped and he grabbed her, yet the passion was smoldering. And when they finally did kiss it set the screen on fire. Get the fire department on the phone!
The intensity of the scene, Jimmy Stewart's rage, is likely augmented by him just having survived as a bomber pilot for 18 months over Germany and France where many of his friends were killed. Jimmy is a rare 'actor', because he was first and foremost a Real Man. This is the first movie he made after the war. Reading his biography is worth the effort.
One of the best film’s ever made. This scene with Mary on the phone with George standing by her, looking at her and smelling her hair is electrifying. George doesn’t want to fall in love with Mary but he’s too far gone. He’s hopelessly in love with her.
@@michaelterrell5061 Yep. Love is always more invigorating that lust. The only sex scene I've ever seen that made me think that the couple was making love was Simon and Alisha from Misfits. Usually sex scenes are always just lust. That was love.
@@michaelterrell5061 This but also the entire scene feels natural the delivery of this moment is well earned, especially knowing Mary's always loved this man and George realizing what a wonderful woman this "little girl" in his mind has become. This scene wouldn't be nearly as awesome without that and the whole high school dance part of the film. This film is all about incredible payoffs
Because James Stewart was probably having a fling with Donna Reed during filming. He was known for it. Infact while filming a film with Marlene Dietrich, the director stopped filming because James was so “visibly aroused” and wasn’t even trying to hide it. Think he maybe had a kink for being watched or something. Public intimacy. I would bet my last penny he’s aroused as hell here, that’s why it looks so genuine and feels taboo to sit and watch. Oh I’d give anything to be Donna Reed that day. Or any day to be honest. Except today, of course, I like being above ground.
According to the director, Frank Capra, he didn't want Stewart and Reed to rehearse their kiss. He wanted it to be natural. He aided the couples' realism by having Frank Albertson, ( Wainright, ) actually talking to them on the phone. The scene was shot once and they became so passionate in their embrace, they had to cut it for the censors.
If a more convincing depiction of seduction exists anywhere in the history of cinema, I am open to being convinced. In the end, George's dreams of adventure were no match against Mary's longing for George. As the rest of their story showed, they both made the right choice. But Donna Reed''s eyes, her hair, her whole being . . . and Jimmy Stewart's masterful pacing of a man's slow and inexorable tumbling into love . . . both and all apparently captured in but one take. And my understanding is that this was the first scene filmed by Stewart after his return from his WWII duties. He was reportedly very nervous. But the whole thing worked and I can't count the number of times I've absolutely lost myself in this miraculous scene. Great film-making has never been greater.
That is very interesting. I really like your outlook over this scene. I didn't know that Jimmy Stewart had come back from WW2. This is probably one of my most favorite scenes in the movie. This is one of my most favorite films, it really puts things into perspective.
@Charlie Sager. I offer you a very sensuous scene from " The More the Merrier. " Jean Arthur tries to avoid Joel McCrea's roving hands in this seductive clip from a great film. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-12LeV-eRrdc.html
@@jamesdrynan You know, I've long believed that I've seen this film but, apparently, I've failed to really "see" it. Many thanks for sharing the link. Of course, I'm in complete agreement with you regarding this scene. (It must be said though that I have loved Jean Arthur in everything she ever did. Her playfulness is irresistible.) This film arrived before I did, not long before though. I do believe that real-life choreography between men and women in that era was kinder and gentler and therefore more patient and more seductive. Somehow, that time was filled with equal parts style and substance. Take my father's fedora for example, much like sported by Joel McCrea in this great scene. I think just adding that accessory back into a well-dressed man's attire might just help to soften the imagined boundary, perhaps that necessary tension, that at times adds too much to the frustration of both women and men. I'll be watching that movie again soon. Thanks to your efforts though, this time I'll be REALLY watching. Thanks again.
I didn’t get the hype for this film until I saw it the first Christmas during lockdown and I like a lot of people had a rubbish time and wasn’t myself. This movie lifted me right up and James Stewart in this film is a class act. If only the stars of today were more like him when it comes to talent.
one thing this movie shows, and in this scene in particular, was that this was Stewart's first film after serving 4 years in WW2 the US Air Force, doing bombing runs over Germany from March 1944 through the end of the war. Apparently, according to bios, he came back a changed man, the rest of his movies showed the anger and pent up rage or something that was inside him, that he had to repress. Look at the line, "I don't want to get married to any one", so much pent up rage, and I think he really scared Donna Reed, from her reaction. Some one below said this was done in one take, which is totally remarkable. This is the first scene that brought tears to my eyes when I first watched this in college, alone on a Christmas Eve night, in 1975...I was bowled over by the experience. Have watched the movie once a year ever since, it always puts me in touch with my often out of touch heart and reminds me that loving others is what it's all about.
I wish James and Donna were in more romance movies together I thought their chemistry was great in this and I had hoped they had been friends after this.
I think Donna Reed must have had bad representation, she was incredible in everything she ever did. But she didn't get the roles that went to Hepburn, Davis, et al. This is indeed the most passionate real scene ever put on film. Goes way beyond sexual attraction, into deepest love and passion. Meeting your soul mate. And they communicated that in one take.
This scene was shot in one take. The complete scene was edited down by the censors, being deemed too passionate for the times. Jimmy was nervous about doing the scene because it was so soon after returning home from WW2 and going back to Hollywood. I would love to see the unedited version but I can’t imagine this classic being any better.
There was a more love, tenderness and passion between George and Mary than Sam and his floozy on the other end of the phone. It illustrated that, in fact, George was the was the richer man of the two.
I was born in the 80s but wow shes beautiful. Her eyes. George was a lucky guy. Mary has this soft touch. Something about her is so attractive. I wish i could find a soft touch compassionate woman like Mary.
😂 That’s one of the romantic scenes I have ever seen . Especially when it dissolves to the scene when they had their wedding at the front of their home . That’s considered why they’re in love . ❤
"Love and passion - is more telling - than just one glance." "Wander and wonder... for the world, or.. for that kiss?" "The chance of a lifetime -- is to lasso a lass, like Mary." ~ George Bailey
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." ~ Rumi "Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another." ~ Thomas Merton
If she says "it`s a change of a lifetime", she also means it to George. "Now, you listen to me! I don't want any plastics, and I don't want any ground floors, and I don't want to get married - ever - to anyone! You understand that? I want to do what I want to do. And you're... and you're "... 😢😢😢
My favorite scene from the film.....the building of the passion he feels for her was so intense...just very sweet and romantic and intense all at once.~ 💜
Tell me if I'm wrong: my girlfriend doesn't understand this scene. I've tried so hard to explain that Stewart's character isn't doing anything violent or inappropriate here. They've both been in love the whole movie up until now, and finally all that emotion is spilling out. Also, to criticize this scene and say he's being a wolf just because he's holding her a little tightly is just ridiculous in my opinion. Look at the stuff Hollywood churns out today.... it's disgusting, and there's certainly nothing as redeeming about those intense scenes as there is in this movie. Is my girlfriend right? Is George's initial reaction unjustified? He's a torn man. He wants what Mary wants, but he also wants to "see the world" and all. Sure, grabbing her shoulders might not be the most gentlemanly thing imaginable, but that is a small part of a larger, more layered interaction in this scene, which I believe to be justified and deeply human.
I think you’re wrong. I get what you’re saying, but shaking someone by the shoulders and yelling into their face angrily is never okay. There are less aggressive ways for bottled-up romantic passion to spill out.
The emotions in this scene don't make any sense, which I suppose can be explained away by saying that love is often not rational, but still..... George is scaring the crap out of her, Mary is sobbing and then her mother just straight up runs away from looking over the bannister like a house invasion is underway instead of a marriage proposal.... Did George have to be angry when he throws in the towel? He could have just said, "Yeah, I don't want to get married, never saw myself doing it, but if I had to marry anyone, it would be you."
Sam Wainwright is definitely a forgiving person. George steals "his girl" and still comes through for him at the end by helping George with his money troubles. Who cares about how seductive this scene is?
Sad story There was this girl that I met at my trade school that was in another class that sadly liked me for one week, when we first met the first few times we talked she had the same look as Mary did to George in the movie. Just lit up like a fire fly when she saw me, as Georges mother told George. Her eyes sparkled and her face lit up we went on one date a few days after we met. three days after that marking a week. She just didn’t seem to care for me anymore she never seemed enthusiastic to speak with me over social media. I never really saw her at school anymore but before that, it seems like she was always busy to hang out with me anytime afterwards. It sucks more than anything in the world because I thought the first date went perfect. The emotional pain a few days after I was holding on for hope Friday and Saturday I had let go. The emotional pain on Friday and Saturday was the worst emotional pain I’ve ever experienced, to make matters worse. This was my first date ever in my life I’m 19 years old. I never went on a date before my life. I never did anything with a girl romantically before night. Even two weeks later, I still have a very sour taste in my mouth from the whole experience. It sucks so much that my first date in my life had to last 1 week.
Aw dude, chin up. You’re only a teenager. Maybe 20 by now. You’ll have SO many more chances. Don’t let yourself get caught up in all that woman hating stuff either that’s going around. That would just hurt your chances even more. Stick on the right path, be kind to women, treat them like human beings, and they’ll come. Trust me. It’s just not true what they say about women wanting a bad guy, not all of us. Forget this woman who rejected you. Don’t let her see you sulking, keep your pride, and use it find a woman who is more compatible with you. Good luck.
@@marston980 I am doing better mentally, sadly still don't have anyone but I have reached out to a dating coach and working though his videos and class to try to help me and I am eager to learn.
And I'm the only one here wondering. What the hell did George do to make Mary's mother dislike him? When George came over, the mom was like "George Bailey?! What does he want!?"
I think because during that time, mothers wanted their daughters to marry wealthy men so they knew they would be well taken care of. George wasn’t wealthy, so she didn’t want her daughter to have anything to do with him, even if she knew how Mary felt about George.
That's the only crystal clear part to me. He's not rich. Her mother's concept of what's best, is money. I get it. It's pragmatic. Maybe she doesn't even believe in love, just comfort?
Disturbing and awkward, is my personal feeling on this. I get the emotions. George is angry with pretty much everything. And Mary vowed to always love him. Still disturbing and awkward IMO. Maybe I am in minority.
wait if George wished he was never born then what would've happened to Clarence? Would he not exist too or would he be a guardian angel for someone else?
Due to the pandemic NBC will not be airing its a wonderful life this XMAS like they had for many years instead it will be replaced with its a miserable life 😆
Can someone explain to me what just happened at the end, why was Sam of all people the one to tie a knot with these two, wasn’t all this about plastics and investing?
George always said he wanted to leave Bedford Falls and do big things in the world, but it always seemed like big talk with no substance to back it up. Then, suddenly, Sam offered him a way to actually get out of Bedford Falls and do big things with the plastics industry. Finally, George could actually leave and not just talk about leaving! When it came down to it, though, George couldn’t leave. He loved Mary and was angry at how much he loved her. When Mary said, “He says it’s the chance of a lifetime,” it hit George that leaving Bedford Falls to pursue plastics with Sam would mean missing another chance of a lifetime: the chance to be with Mary.
But what did he mean at the end when he didn’t want any plastics or to get married to anyone? Was he just babbling? Because it seems a little contradictory
Not to spoil the entire film but the gist is he's wanted to travel all around the world and build all these amazing architectures since forever but things kept tying him down to his home. He's still a relatively young man in this scene and even tho everyone basically knew Mary was madly in love with him since she was a child, George kept denying it because once he's tied to a marriage that's basically it for him and his dreams. He doesn't necessarily want to take it out on her, in this scene he's doing everything in his power to convince himself he doesn't love her but ultimately he gives in cause whaddya gonna do when ur in love???
He was mad at himself for wanting to kiss her, because he knew that crossing that line with her would probably mean staying in Bedford Falls instead of leaving like he wanted to. He was shouting at her that he wanted all of these extraordinary things out of life, but, under the surface, that shouting was his white flag of surrender. Still, the violence and anger of this scene always make me uncomfortable. He should have dealt with those feelings in a more respectful way that didn’t involve shaking her shoulders or shouting at her or making her cry.
@@floatingdaisy3256 I have always disliked this scene. But maybe it's human, if you know what I mean. People are imperfect, and don't control their emotions well. I hate to burst people's bubble, but by and large, George is a kind of miserable person, as protrayed in this movie. He never seems to have gotten over being stuck in Bedford falls. We are supposed to like him, I guess, because he does what he thinks is right, not what he wants to do. I get it. I can think of four or more people right now, who are all doing what we have to do in life, and maybe not always pleased as punch about it. Life is not easy. Is the real hero of this movie Mary, not George? I wonder. Anyways, way more movies are told from a man's point of view, not a woman's. What would this story look like, if Mary had tried to throw in the towel? But no, she's too strong for that.
Remember this film was made in 1946. Back then sexism, domestic violence, and toxic masculinity was accepted. So George grabbing her was acceptable. Today this would not have been allowed into the movie.
So wonderfully erotic... until he "shakes some sense" into her. How in the blue Hell can he just do that to her? This isn't a Zucker brothers _Airplane_ movie where they parody the trope... this _is_ the trope! SMH
He doesn't want any plastics, ground floors...or success in general! George is a moron in this case. Though there are several scenes in the movie where he makes decisions thinking of helping others, this one he just needed to do for himself and he still couldnt. No one would have suffered if he put some of his money into it.
@@victordonavon292 Not sure that would be the case with respect to the plastics investment. I wonder if he could have stayed, gotten at least somewhat wealthier from plastics and done more overall.
@@ponyoutube3301 Wealthier is possible, but remember in this scene George does mention he doesn't want any ground floors. This means he'd have to square away his attention and time to oversee the investment. This in turn would take away his attention from his late father's business which needed constant attention and maintenance just to keep Potter in check. This is not like today with a lot of computer and automated tech and instant communication on the go.
@@victordonavon292 Yes, potentially. Fair point. My only point here is that for at least SOME of his life situations, George made it worse for himself. I personally think he could have invested in plastics and let his "hee haw" friend manage that and make him some money. George absolutely did think of others before himself in several situations. I do feel that for at least some, like this one, he could/should have thought of himself and no one would have suffered for it.
@@ponyoutube3301 Perhaps, though that would then defeat the purpose of the film. In addition, there was no guarantee that an investment pans out. In fact, a rough approximation is that 2 out of three businesses fail within 3 years from start to finish. And remember, hindsight approaches 20/20. Why risk what little money one has on something that is not a for sure thing when there's something very real and very material right in front of you- for instance the danger and the gifts in front of him where home is? A very big cardinal rule in investing is to absolutely never ever invest the money that you are not prepared to lose.
Indeed. This scene is far more violent than it is romantic. I mean, it starts out kind of romantic. But, when George snaps at Mary, the romance quickly turns incredibly aggressive and violent.
It's not the only scene where a woman is mistreated and it's treated as "cute" or "romantic," which is frustrating because I really want to like the movie! It's such a sweet story of teamwork for a common interest, resisting the unending pursuit of capital, etc.
How is this acceptable, much less romantic? George is always so openly resentful and occasionally even abusive toward his wife and kids for much of the movie
@@emberphoenix5618 Exactly, how can one be calm when they're going to jail for something that isn't their fault. I know I wouldn't be in the best of moods.
@@steelerfreak1977 well, my hair’s been pink, purple, orange... it’s blonde now.. I’m old and gray, so I might as well have fun with it. I’m also liberal as Hell.... you liked my answer.
@@tranurse I did like your answer. I was replying to the original post. Give me an older woman any day of the week. I was born waaaaay too late. The women of the ‘40s were IMO the ideal in terms of looks, dress, and mannerisms. And as for liberal vs. conservative, people need to wake up. It’s globalists vs. freedom lovers. And you just presumably voted in a globalist. You’ll see.
I think you mixed him up with Haille Selessie I, don't remember the Conquering Lion ever having a girlfriend, hanging around a bunch of stinky shitlocks in the desert.
And maybe you should do yours, Stewart was married for 45 yrs, I know enough about the Ethiopian as I need to know, grew up around Rastafari and Jamaicans from a youth, like Peter Tosh said about Bob Marley, I was the teacher, he was the student. So it goes.
Jimmy Stewart is the greatest American actor to ever live. He gave up a film career at the height of his fame to enlist in the US Army Air Corps in WWII. I don’t see any Hollywood stars doing that today.
This scene is not sweet or sexy. It's disturbing. George is taking out his rage and frustration out on someone who has nothing to do with the reasons. It's gross. I wish Mary had told him "to hell with you" and found someone else.
