IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) | MOVIE REACTION! | FIRST TIME WATCHING! 

Fun fact: The actor who played Mr. Potter, Lionel Barrymore was actually the nicest man. He encouraged Stewart to take the part in "Wonderful Life" when Stewart thought it was trivial and frivolous compared to his combat missions in WWII. He asked him, "what's more beneficial, dropping bombs on people's heads or providing them with a story of hope and celebrating life?"

I'm not crying. You're crying. Okay, we're both crying. Lovely reaction to a warm, classic film. Thanks Mary.

Well, if you had never been born, thousands of people would have been denied the joy of watching your reactions. That is a lot Mary.

Every time my father would happen across this movie when flipping through television channels he would say, "Oh, I'll have to watch this one of these days." He has watched it dozens of times and he still says that.

What a line in the intro. "Is he sick?" "Worse, he's discouraged." There are so many discouraged people in the world today causing so many problems.

The prayer scene in the bar.. I'm telling you that's one of the most real pieces of acting I've ever seen from films at the time. Stewart and Capra were such a great team ❤️

I just noticed two lines that mirror each other - in the beginning when George is telling off Mr. Potter he says of his father "In my book, he died a much richer man than you'll ever be." and then at the end Harry toasts George saying, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town!"

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. The snow was a new development for the film too. Capra wanted to use live sound for the close up scenes so the usual Hollywood method - cornflakes bleached or painted in white was out as clearly any walking nearby would create unwanted sound so the special effects team came up with a brand new method. There was actually a record heatwave going on whilst the film was being made ! The Raven that Uncle Billy owns is called 'Jimmy'. He starred in 1000+ films and was quite the star - insured for the equivalent of thousands of dollars today. He's actually the 'crow' that lands on the Scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Capra found a part for him in every film he made after 1938. Speaking of Uncle Billy, in the scene where he leaves the frame and there's a crash, a set hand dropped some equipment accidentally and the look of concern from Jimmy Stewart was genuine. Some say 'Uncle Billy' improvised the cry that he was alright, others say it was dubbed on in post. But the crash is genuine and unscripted. Jimmy Stewart was still suffering with PTSD from his WW2 service and credits this movie experience as being therapeutic. In particular, in the prayer scene it wasn't scripted for him to cry and they weren't really setup for a close up to really capture the emotion. Capra knew he couldn't replicate the emotion in a reshoot so he decided to go with the original footage and zoomed in on the negative for the final cut of the film. If you look, it looks grainier because of that but Capra thought it worked in bringing more emotion and it was certainly better than asking Jimmy to go again. Stewart is one of my favourite actors and even more so when you see this performance. So glad new generations are still enjoying this classic - and in black and white as it should be !

One of my favourite christmas movies. I watch it every year and cry everytime.

People who were around roughly in the mid 80's to mid 90's probably remember this movie being on TV ALL THE TIME during the holiday season. There had been a clerical error which prevented this movie's copyright from being renewed, allowing any TV station to air it. So EVERY TV station aired it seemingly non-stop around Christmas time. I remember you could literally flip through the channels and see it playing simultaneously on various stations. The good thing is, the constant air play allowed everyone to see it and probably helped cement the movie as an all-time classic.

One of the best movies ever made I think. I don't know anyone that doesn't love this movie. The story is as relevant now as back when it was made. $8,000 in 1940 is the equivalent of about $140,000 today so it was definitely a huge deal in the story. So glad you watched this movie Mary.

The story behind the actor makes this even better in my opinion. The actor had gone off to war, and when he came back he had PTSD, so it just seems to hit harder when you see him having difficult times and overcoming it

As good as this movie is, as vital and just... enriching, I have never really taken a second to appreciate the great job the young man playing George as a boy did in the scene confronting Gower. It's very hard for him to talk back to an adult, to his boss, and the way he pleads when he thinks Gower is going to clout his ear again while Gower is just thanking him for preventing a tragedy.... gets me every time. It's awesome to realize that the entire problem was solved as George walked out of his house; Mary picking up the phone and encouraging her daughter to pray very hard. Mary is an amazing character. Sam's telegram always makes me tear up, too. They likely already had the money but it just slams the door shut on there being a crisis. Hee-haw and Merry Christmas!

Watched this last Christmas eve for the first time. It wrecked me. I was a mess for hours after it ended. It is such a good movie!

Fantastic reaction, Mary, thank you! One thing that I like to think about is how amazing Mary was in this movie. It was her idea to use their honeymoon savings to bail out the Building and Loan. She organized their first night in the old house. It looks like she renovated that house single-handedly. Then as George is having his breakdown, she rallies the town to his aid. As amazing a guy as George was, he really needed Mary in his life. Also, really love your sweatshirt. Merry Christmas!

Even watching this edited like this the ending still gets me. It's full of so much joy.

VE Day = Anniversary of Victory Europe VJ Day = Anniversary Victory Japan James Stewart received the most military awards of any Hollywood Actor during WWII. He was commanding officer of the 703d Bomber Squadron out of England. He flew 20 B24 Bombing Missions.

This is not just a lot of people's favorite Christmas movie, it's a lot of people favorite movie ever!

I appreciate that no matter how bleak it may have gotten for George, he didn't resort to cooking methamphetamine.

I was laughing and crying at the same time when Mary broke because of the ringing bell. There's layer upon layer of emotions laid on at the end and it was indeed the last straw that broke the camels back as she said.

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.

I've seen this movie more than 20 times and I still tear up at the ending. I can not think of any other movie that has made me cry from happiness rather than sadness.

Donna Reed, who played Mary, played ball in high school and college. For the window-breaking scene, there was a sound effects artist standing by to make the noise of the window shattering. Reed hit the glass on the first take and the sound effect wasn't needed.

Welcome to the very big club of people who love this movie! It's a masterpiece, and you're exactly right: your children, and THEIR children will watch and love it. We have a family tradition for Christmas each year, with grandparents, parents and grandkids all watching together. The finale makes my cry every time, even though I've seen it dozens of times.

I watch this every year. When it originally came out it flopped at the box office. Now it's loved by generations.

A lot of people, including me, will come across this movie half way through, a stop just to watch the end. It makes you cry every time . Glad you loved it

This movie and the Peanuts Christmas Special (a TV special from the late 1960's) are two annual traditions in the US. Both are shown every year and they never get old.

I know that it's sentimental Americana. However, as far as I am concerned It's a Wonderful Life is simply a wonderful film. Thank you for a lovely reaction to a classic film.

The actress that played ZuZu also played the daughter in The Bishop's Wife (1947) with Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. Another sweet Christmas movie that Mary (and all of you) should watch. Merry Christmas!

Hi Mary, this is Jimmy Stewart's first film after returning from the European Theater of Operations as a B-17 Bomber Pilot. He remained in the Air Force Reserve the rest of his life. He eventually attained the rank of Brigadier General. He also did a pre-war movie entitled " It's a Wonderful World ". He also did a post-war movie called " Malaya 1949 " One of his best. It's about doings in the early years of World War II.

The actor who played George Bailey flew B-24 Bombers in Europe during WW2. He retired as a General in the US Air Force Reserves. He even had a mission over Vietnam right before he retired.

Oh joy, Mary made me cry. This movie hits a harder chord the older you are when you watch it as you have more years of life (good and bad) experiences behind you. 10 years ago, the movie to me was just meh. 10 years on, I cry whenever it's on. It is a gentle reminder that hopefully I have made a positive impact on the people around me, and that life gives you gifts that I should recognize as such. Wonderful reaction, Mary. Happy holidays to you and your husband.

The actor that George tells "why don't you stop annoying people" at the dance was Carl Switzer who played "Alfalfa" in "The Little Rascals." He was later murdered in a fight with someone over money. Weird. VE - Victory in Europe, VJ - Victory in Japan - the days when World War II ended in both theaters. Also, the strings around Uncle Billy's fingers are supposed to be a way to remind yourself to remember something. Of course, it doesn't work. This movie used to be shown in a 24-hour binge on Christmas in the US, the same way that "A Christmas Story" is shown today. You should also watch other movies directed by Frank Capra - "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "Mr. Deeds goes to town," and "Meet John Doe."

Fun fact Zuzu got her name from a cookie. Zuzu was a brand of ginger snaps owned by the National Biscuit Co. later renamed Nabisco. That's why George at the end of the movie calls Zuzu his little ginger snap

🤣 It never fails, everybody cries at the end. Even the hardest souls surrenders at the end of It's a Wonderful Life. Merry Christmas!

I cry at the end of this movie every time I see it. I'm so satisfied that you cried too! It's a wonderful life and a wonderful movie!

Mary my Christmas season doesn't start till I watch this movie. Growing up this movie was such a necessity we named our first dog Bailey because he had the same kind of long face as Jimmy Stewart . Mary have a wonderful Christmas 💚🎄🎄❄️

The ending of this film gets me every time.

I love the origin of this movies popularity. It flopped at the time (I'd guess thematically ahead of its time) and due to a clerical error the studio that owned the rights didn't renew the copyright putting it in the public domain. TV networks were able to show it for free, and it gained following as a classic.

What a gosh darn tear-jerker, every time.

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.

In the bar when George is praying before being punched, there is a couple singing in the background. The woman is Adriana Caselotti, who in 1937 voiced "Snow White" for Disney.

Definitely one if not my favourite Christmas films with my favourite actors James Stewart hard to believe this wasn't a hit when it was released.

One of the loveliest films ever made. You are a pretty crummy person if you can't derive pleasure and joy from this film!

This film ALWAYS makes me cry. I love it so much and I love that people are constantly discovering it.

Jimmy Stewart won a Oscar for his role in the Philadelphia Story! He stared with 2 of the greatest actors of all time Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant! Mary you would love it!!!”

Nice reaction. The reason this movie is still popular today, after all these years, is because it was just a great story. Great acting, (for the time) Really pulls on the heart strings. I guess this is about the 15th time I've seen it... with your reaction. Again, nice reaction, glad you appreciated it.

Helping you cry at the end of the movie is the most I've cried at it for a long time. One of my favorite movies.

Mary, your reaction is exactly what the Director was going for.

I remember watching this film in a Robyn Movie House in Leeds, with 4 old ladies in the front row talking about how handsome Jimmy Stewart was and “ ooh, my Harold looked just like him when we wed”. A wonderful film from a golden age of cinema. So glad you enjoyed this Mary. Merry Christmas & a happy new year!

Hi Mary, I really enjoyed seeing your reaction to one of my all-time favorite movies. I few interesting facts; Lionel Barrymore who played old man Potter was instrumental in talking Jimmy Stewart into getting back into films after he returned from the war. Stewart was contemplating giving up acting after serving in WW2 and felt that acting was no longer important to him after what he went through flying bombing missions in Europe. Second, the scene where Mary throws a rock through the window when they first met was Donna Reed really making that throw. She grew up on a farm in Iowa and was a bit of a tomboy She told the director that she could do it since she played a lot of softball growing up. Just in case she couldn't do it they had a former sharp shooter from the war who was on standby to break the window by shooting at it. Lastly, to show you how good of an actor Mr. Stewart was, the scene where he tells off Potter during the board meeting after his father's death was all done on the first take, one shot, no editing needed!

Mary, you asked what if you hadn't been born. Think about this - there are probably many people who would not have seen this movie on RU-vid without you. I don't know about all of those people but this movie has always kept me going whenever times were bad. I certainly believe it has for many others as well - - one of your many friends who watch this channel.

VE: Victory in Europe. VJ: Victory in Japan, which officially marked the end of WW2

Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan are VE day and VJ day. Great reaction, one of my faves.

You have become my favourite person to watch movie reactions with. This film is so special. There's a colour version too but i prefer the black and white one.

I watch it every Christmas Eve, it's become a family tradition :)

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?”

This is my favorite Christmas movie ever. I am 66 yrs old and every year for many years i would watch this . In my opinion a better Christmas story never was made.

Every time my RU-vid notification bell goes off...an angel gets his wings.

I start crying at the way the child Mary looks at George in Mr. Gower's shop.

hands down one of the greatest movies ever made. people will still be watching it in 100 years. its a wonderful life is a timeless classic.

It's probably just my warped sense on humor, but I found Mary's question about the squirrel to be hilarious.

The scene when he asks his mother to take him in and she says she doesn't know him, and he runs and turns to the camera, does a slow burn, that's great acting.

So many movies from the 30s and 40s are utterly magical. It was the golden age of hollywood.

This classic movie is one of the best ever made. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Well done, Mary. It's a nostalgic film, but a reminder of the goodness in life. Your reaction made me cry, in a good way. Chris

Every small town class has some kind of saying known only amongst themselves. For these kids (and now adults) it was Hee Haw. They showed it in the first scene with the sled shovels and continued it throughout their lives.

31:25 George said in the beginning" he wanted to travel and do great things"...... but, he didnt have to leave town to accomplish this. George never realized before that he- and he ALONE - kept Potter in check, which prevented the town from turning to vice and misery ... just by taking up his fathers mission,- becoming his successor, he prevented this from happening.Not to mention he saved his brother- a future war hero's life,and prevented a child from dying by a distraught pharmacist.

The strings on his hand were a trick people used to use to remember things. They’d tie a string to their finger to remind themselves they had something important to do.

“If I have ever kids I want them to watch stuff like this” I cried with you throughout the movie (as did many of us who have watched this over 20 times). Thank you for the beautiful reaction and congratulations on your recent expectancy! One day you’ll be watching this Christmas Classic with your Son or Daughter and sharing your experience when you first watched it with all of us :)

Such a beautiful movie that will always be remembered. Another Christmas movie with James Stewart I really enjoy is The Shop Around the Corner (1940).

4:10. People used to tie strings to their fingers to remind them of something they were supposed to do.

A great little thing in this is, as soon as George was never born, it stops snowing and doesn't start again until he "returns"

Mary you are flawless on picking black-and-white movies! I believe this is your fifth one and every one of them has been a iconic classic! I don’t expect you to react to this request this Christmas, but put this away for next year. A lot of people have done versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ but they always do modern versions that are not set in the period Dickens wrote the book. The original story is the best and it’s the reason the others copy it. I suggest you do the 1951 version starring Alistair Sim. It’s actually a British version and most people believe it’s the best. I always laugh and cry watching it.

The things he knocks over in the living room during his breakdown were models of bridges and buildings that he wanted to build. Destroying them shows that he has finally given up on all of his dreams. He has no hope left.

I love watching movies with you Mary, so happy you enjoyed this absolute classic!!!!!!! VE Dsy was victory in Europe day for WWII and VJ Day was victory over Japan day!!!

Hi Mary, "$20,000 in 1940 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $425,731.43 today, an increase of $405,731.43 over 82 years." Also, the reason Uncle Billy has strings tied around his fingers is to remind him to do something. Back at that time some people used to do that as a memory jog. Of course, they played it for comedic effect here. 😃

This is what Capra movies were known for.... for more like this I recommend Cant Take It With You, Mr Smith Goes To Washington, It Happened One Night, And Mr Deeds Goes To Town...

I like that the alternate Universe is not a fantasy. It is simple mathematics if there is one human less.

So glad you watched the un-colorized version! The colorized edition just doesn't look right.

This is by far my favorite reaction from you. This was a joy to watch. Merry Christmas!🎄

30:05 Mary: "What if I wasn't born. I don't think so many things would have changed." Well, for starters, I wouldn't have had the privilege of enjoying your company and your honest, genuine, and clever reactions. You always manage to brighten up my day.

31:47. Librarian here. The thing I most like of this classic film is the depiction of Library Science as the worst fate that can befall on a woman 😂

The stars are angels and heaven. Greatest Christmas movie of all time

That greatest Christmas movie ever, in my opinion.

I think was his first movie he got back from WWII. He flew bombing missions over Germany

Great reaction to this classic. For more Christmas movies try A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott and Scrooge starring Albert Finney. Scrooge is kind of a musical and I think you'd absolutely love it.

The thing with his hand: it used to be a custom to tie a string around your finger to remind yourself of something important.

For the last 42 years, I always watch "It's A Wonderful Life" followed by "Miracle on 34th Street." Hope you do that one soon. By the way, I lose it when he tell the kids he could eat them up. It just shows how much he loves his kids.

"I'll Be Seeing You" (1944) another old Christmas movie. A smaller movie but one that deals with wartime years back home, the social stigmas of debilitating PTSD and prison time, keeping secrets, romance, and family.

I've been watching your reaction videos for nearly a year now, and have enjoyed all of them very much. However, your reaction and closing comments for this move was so touching for me. I grew up watching this film nearly every year, and to see that youth, like yourself, can still see and understand the message of the story, even today, is extremely reassuring. It reminds me that even with the troubles, challenges and negativity I see in the world everyday, that the good that lives in the heart of mankind still exists. Thank you for being you. ♥

George was great but his wife was incredible. She was the true hero in the story. Every time there was a crisis, there she was, helping to make it better.

One of the best movies ever. Best Xmas movie ever. Stewart was worried about making a movie so soon after he'd returned from his service in WW2. In the scene at Martini's bar, when he prayed for help, he was able to tap into his PTSD and it come out in a glorious way. This thing makes me cry every damned time. Well done.

That's just it. No matter how insignificant you feel your life is, someone along the way may have found something you said or did incredibly inspirational. You never know who or how you influence other people.

I've been watching films for about the last 40 years and am an avid film fan. I rarely missed any iconic movie countdown of the best lists, or the favourite as voted by viewers etc, and It's A Wonderful Life often featured near the top of these polls, yet, because it was released in 1946 I was automatically deterred from watching it thinking that it couldn't possibly stand up to more modern film making. Then many years later, it was on, and I decided to give it a go. All I can say is that I was totally invested with the characters, enthralled by the film making (knowing the technology that existed back then) and astounded by the sets, the film making and especially the story and its originality. It really did stand up after all those years. By the end I was a blubbering mess and the ending always gets me choked up. This film has a firm place in my all time top ten.

THIS is why I watch reaction videos. May God Bless you Mary, and your family as well. May your Path be the Light!

This movie is a masterpiece. One of my favorite movies of all time,!! I absolutely LOVE it!!

It is my favorite Christmas (and one of my favorite movies) of all time! I always cry happy tears at the end. It reminds us to put things into perspective.

Wonderful reaction . We all feel like that sometimes, but this movie has such great message. Remember all your friends and family. Nothing can get better if you give up.

Hi Mary, I loved, loved, LOVED your reaction to this old classic! As my 3 kids grew up, it was a tradition at our house to watch this move around Christmas time. Jimmy Stewart is one of my all time favorite actors. Please keep checking out these old movies. They're wholesome and quite entertaining.