This Series will focus on random Catholic things that I interest me, that I love, that I want to share - things that don’t fit into the other categories.
It’s that time of year again. It’s the time of year when I can watch my favourite movie - It’s a Wonderful Life. When I say that I love this movie, I mean that I love it!
I watched this movie 5 times between December 1, 2019 and January 2, 2020 (I would watch it more this year, but it’s harder now with a baby).
I bought a children’s book version of this movie, and I read it all the time (I read it to Zuzu for the first time last night).
I tell everyone how amazing this movie in, even during the summer (I think my family is getting sick and tired of it, haha).
I named my daughter her first name, almost solely based on its ability to have the nickname, Zuzu (Zuzu is the cutest character, and I quote and paraphrase her lines all the time. I also want to have a rose themed party for Zuzu’s first birthday, so that I can reference this movie).
James Stewart is my favourite actor of all time (but not just because of this movie, although it’s mostly because of this movie).
I cry every time I watch this movie.
Every. Single. Time
I love everything about this movie. I love Sam Wainwright’s “heehaws,” I love the lighter in Mr Gower’s Drug Store (Hot Dog!), I sing “Buffalo Gals” to myself all the time, and I love Zuzu’s petals (who doesn’t love Zuzu’s petals).
I love the fun facts about this movie, such as:
James Stewart was overcome with emotion while filming the scene in the bar. He is actually crying, and when the director asked if he could do it again for another take, Stewart said that his emotions were the real deal, and he couldn’t replicate them.
Frank Capra (director), James Stewart (George Bailey), Donna Reed (Mary Hatch Bailey) all said that this was their favourite movie/characters.
In 2006, this movie was rated #1 Most Inspirational Movie of All Time by the American Film Institute.
The actor who plays Nick the bartender only accepted the role so that he could pay for baseball tickets.
The movie was filmed during a July heat wave.
The Vatican has this movie on their list of 45 great films list in the “Values” category.
If you have not seen this movie, I HIGHLY recommend it. It’s the story about a man named George Bailey, who lives in the small town of Bedford Falls. All his life, he’s dreamed of leaving town to explore the world and become an architect. But responsibilities keep him from achieving that dream. He saves his brother’s life when he was young, stops Mr. Gower from making a terrible mistake, saves his father’s business, and so much more. When his uncle makes a terrible mistake, George is at the end of his rope. I’m sure you’ve heard about the story, and know what happens next. George decides to end his life, but his guardian angel, Clarence, shows him what life would have been like for Bedford Falls if he wasn’t born.
Here are the two big reasons I love this movie so much:
1. George’s Selflessness
George Bailey is one of my favourite characters. He doesn’t get to travel Europe. He doesn’t go to university and become an architect. He doesn’t even go on his honeymoon, all because he is selfless.
When his father dies the night before he is scheduled to leave on his Europe trip, George gives it up so that he can sort things out with his father’s building and loan business. When he’s asked to take over as president, he stays and gives his university money to his younger brother. When the stock market crashes, George gives his own money, the money that he had saved for his honeymoon, to his customers so that they can get through the week until the bank opens again.
Every time George is about to do something for himself, circumstances ask him to give of himself. And he does, without complaint.
At the end of the movie, when George is stressed about the money that Uncle Billy lost, the whole town, everyone that George had helped in his life, returned the favour. They pulled together all the money they had to raise the $8,000 (they actually raise more than that) that he lost.
This movie is a wonderful example of how our lives should be. As Christian Catholics, we are called to give of ourselves freely to those around us. We may not get the big payback that George does at the end of the film, but we will be rewarded for what we do on earth in heaven.
2. The Pro-Life Aspect
Being pro-life, I often think about what our lives, and the world, would be like if so many babies weren’t aborted every year. Knowing people who have been suicidal, I sometimes think of what my life would be like without them. All of those people have gone on to do great things, and my life is better for knowing them.
This movie doesn’t talk about pro-life issues that are commonly discussed today, but it’s message is all about the dignity of human life. Clarence says something to George that I think is wonderful. He says,
“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?”
Isn’t that beautiful? Our lives impact so many others.
If George hadn’t been born, his brother would have died at a young age, and would not have been alive to save hundreds on men in WWII. George wouldn’t have stopped Mr. Gower from giving the wrong medicine to a sick child, which would have sent him to jail. His children wouldn’t have been born, and he wouldn’t have been able to help so many people. Even when we think we aren’t contributing anything special, we are!
This is one of those movies that stays with you throughout the year, that tugs at your heart strings, and urges you to be better than you are. It encourages giving of yourself, but also self worth. It teaches us that our lives are important, even when our dreams and aspirations don’t come true. It’s a timeless treasure that can bring joy and happiness to any home.
One of the last lines in the movie is said by Harry, George’s younger brother. He gives a toast to George saying,
“To my big brother George, the richest man in town.”
This Christmas, let’s try to be like George who, although he wasn’t rich in money, was rich in what mattered most.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
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