Movies: They're Pretty Good!
Movies: They're Pretty Good!
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Ever wondered what our world would look like if one person never existed? This episode of our podcast takes you on a journey through Frank Capra's beloved holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life", and the life-altering experiences of the film's protagonist, George Bailey. While examining the profound impact George had on his family, friends, and the entire town of Bedford Falls, we uncover the incredible power held by a single individual's actions.
As we navigate through George's sacrifices, financial struggles and emotional turmoil, we bring to light the power of family, community, and individual actions to shape the lives of others. We stumble upon George's despair and the transformative influence of a celestial visitor. Fasten your seatbelts as we navigate the eye-opening sequence where George sees the world without him. We'll explore how this revelation alters his perspective, giving you a fresh appreciation for this timeless holiday favorite.
Finally, we rejoice in George's journey of redemption and the uplifting ending of "It's a Wonderful Life". By touching upon the film's core themes, we highlight the massive ripple effect one person's actions can have on the world around them. This episode promises to instill in you a newfound admiration for this enduring classic and inspire you to consider the difference you make in your own community. It's not just about analyzing a film; it's about recognizing our value in the lives of others.
Experience "It's a Wonderful Life" like never before as we unravel its depth and resonance in this endearing episode.
If you'd like to own your own copy for when this film isn't streaming, look no further!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Please subscribe, rate, and review! Thank you for listening! Hope you enjoy!
Website: https://moviestheyreprettygood.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/moviestheyreprettygood
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087938154530
Twitter: https://twitter.com/moviesgoodpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8iGT7riyJ_K2DFLwfbTemg
Hello and welcome to another episode of Movies, colin. They're pretty good. I'm your host, travis Dutting, and today we're going to talk about my personal favorite Christmas film, frank Capra's 1946 masterpiece. It's a Wonderful Life, so let's get right into it. We're opening on a narration of various prayers for a character, george Bailey. That's the main character played by Jimmy Stewart.
Speaker 1:We just hear various people like, okay, please pray, or please be with George, please pray for George. That's what they're doing and we're just getting that there's a lot of people that like and care about this character. So after that we cut to a couple of galaxies having a conversation. We can kind of gather that one of them is supposed to be God and the other is named Joseph, and they're saying like, oh, like poor George Bailey, like there's something, something needs to be done. Let's send someone down to help them out. And they decide to send one of the newer angels, clarence, who doesn't have his wings yet and this is going to be his mission to get his wings. Because this is a concept that they talk about in the movie how angels need to, like, work their way up to getting their wings and then, once they have their wings, they're at full power, basically. So we hear Clarence, they they're like OK, like this is your job, you're going to go help this guy. He's thinking about ending his life. They say he's thinking about throwing away the greatest gift to man, or something like that. And then he's like, oh, he's thinking of ending his life, ok. So then in order to intervene, they're going. Clarence needs to know as much as he can about George's life. So they basically are showing him flashbacks of George's life, like leading up to this moment, and which is perfect as a narrative device to show us, the audience, george's life leading up to this moment. So we see a bunch of kids sledding. They're going down a hill. They're using snow shovels as sleds, which is pretty ingenious. They're going down the hill and they're sliding onto like a frozen pond.
Speaker 1:During this we see young George, we see his brother as well, harry Bailey, and when it's Harry's turn to go down, he slides too far and goes through the ice and George saves his life. But we hear through narration that he gets an infection and basically ends up losing his hearing and his left ear. So then we cut to him at his job, where he works for Mr Gower. So he works at the pharmacy, he does deliveries, he works the counter, everything like that, and he's like a young kid. So this is like pre-child labor laws and stuff like that.
Speaker 1:I mean, if the movie is set in 1946, then this is obviously way before, so lost my spot in the notes. Oh yeah, and this is also where we're introduced to young Mary, who will end up spoiler alert being George's wife later in the movie. She's sitting at the counter and then another young girl comes in named Violet and she's kind of like a little flirty with George and George is like not interested. He's not interested in either of them really at the moment. But at one point when George is like leaning down to get like a scoop ice cream for Mary, she leans over and like says into his left side, like the ear that he can't hear in, that she'll love him till the day that he dies, basically, or till the day I die, either way, either way.
Speaker 1:So oh, and then this is also when we see that Mr Gower seems a little upset about something and George clocks this, then notices a telegram on the counter addressed to Mr Gower, informing him that his son, robert, has passed away due to, I think, pneumonia or the flu. Yeah, it was influenza, yeah. So George is like okay, now I see why he's so upset. He goes into the back because Mr Gower needs him to make a delivery of some pills to a customer. George notices, because Mr Gower drops the pills, that he was using the wrong medicine because he's all frazzled, obviously because his son just died. So George is like okay, like he's trying to tell Mr Gower. He's not really listening because he's too distraught. So he is exiting the store, sees a sign that says like what is it? Oh, yeah, ask dad, he knows. So he's like all right.
Speaker 1:Then he goes to his dad's office. His dad works at Bailey Building and Loan Bailey Brothers Building and Loan, and his dad's in the meeting with Mr Potter, who was like the richest man in town, super greedy, the villain of the movie played by Lionel Barrymore, drew Barrymore's great grandfather, I think and so he's trying to like find out, he's trying to like get some help from him, but his dad's obviously busy, but he's also in there, while Mr Potter's kind of like berating his dad and putting him down. And so George like stands up for him and everything ends up leaving. And I think it's like, even though he didn't get any direct advice from his dad. He still like like I don't know, like learned it on his own, pretty much like he had like the power to like stand up to Mr Gower, not that he like really needed to, but just like hey, like. So he goes back to the shop, mr Gower's on the phone, saying, like what do you mean? Like I sent those pills out an hour ago. It should have been there. I'll get them there soon, you know. And then he starts yelling at George, ends up slapping him in the ear to where his ear starts bleeding. So I mean, it was definitely a different time, so I don't think you'd see too much of that now. And then also, like later on, still care about this character. But but George says like you did something wrong, like you put poison in those pills, like they could have died. I know you didn't do it on purpose. I know you're upset and know about your son. Like I understand, like I'd be there too. And then Mr Gower's like he realizes like the error of his ways and apologizes to George and like gives him a hug and he's like oh, and then they're both like kind of cry together and everything. So it is like it, what could have easily been like a very terrible scene, like ends up on the lighter end.
Speaker 1:So, moving on, now we flash to George, all grown up, he's about to go on a trip to Europe before starting college. So basically, he just graduated, he's going to go to Europe and everything. He's at the store picking up a suitcase. He wants to buy something big, and the shop owners like showing him this one. And he's like, nah, I needs to be like way better than that. And he pulls one out and it's like, oh, there's the second hand one. He's like, oh, that's perfect. And he's like, how much? And then no charge. He's like, what do you mean? No charge? And he's like, oh, mr Gower, your old boss came in, picked this one out for you, and then he even had his name on the ground in it and everything. So it's super sweet. He goes over to Mr Gower, thanks him and everything and then heads back home.
Speaker 1:So during dinner we find out that there is a school dance because of the graduation that night. I don't think he just graduated, I think it's Harry just graduated, the younger brother, but he's been working to save up to go on this trip and go to college, basically so, but he's still going to go to the graduation dance that night and everything. So there at the dance we see Violet, the blonde girl from before when they were little kids, is trying to dance with them and he's about to. But then Mary's brother comes and he's like hey, like, like remember my sister Mary, like I think you should dance with her. And so he goes and dances with her.
Speaker 1:Some guys trying to talk to her and try to get her to dance and she's just you could tell she's like not interested, but she's being polite and everything. I'm pretty sure I should have looked this up beforehand, but if I remember correctly, my dad told me that that's the original alfalfa from our gang, like way back in the 30s and stuff. So but yeah, so that guy's all upset like hey, like you're stealing my date or whatever. But Mary's like immediately like oh, it's George Bailey, like I've loved him since I was a kid. Like of course we're going to go dance with him. So they start dancing and everything they're doing Charleston competition, basically. And oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:So we see that the nerdy guy is off to the side, kind of like sulking about losing his date and not getting to dance with Mary, excuse me. And then someone comes up to him and is like hey, like you jealous. And he's, like you know whatever, like hey, just so you know, like there's a pool under the floor of the dance floor and just so happens that the button to open the pool is right behind you and it also happens that George Bailey is dancing right over the opening and I just so happen to have the key here, so gives them the key, opens, the hits the button to open the pool and then the floor starts to slowly open and then so people are noticing except for George and Mary who are still dancing and doing the Charleston and everything and they keep like getting like closer and closer to the edge. And then people are like kind of screaming and cheering and everything like that, and they think that and they think that they're just like cheering them on. And then you know a couple, a couple of fake outs and then they finally go over the edge and fall into the pool and there's, there's laughing and they're still dancing in the pool and everything. And then other kids start to jump in the pool and then eventually, even the I don't know if it's a teacher or the principal, but one of the faculty decides like, oh, oh well, and then he dives in so great scene, love it One second. So they're, george and Mary are walking home.
Speaker 1:They're singing a song like Buffalo gals Once you come out tonight and dance by the light of the moon. They're having a great time. They're talking, they come across this old house and George is like oh, like you throw a window or throw a rock, and if you break something and make a wish, then that wish will come true, basically. So he throws a rock, glass breaks, he makes a wish that you know is talking about how he wants to travel the world and everything like that. And then Mary throws it and then breaks even more and makes a wish, but she won't tell what it is Then. But she's also saying how she loves that old house and like George is like nah, that place is like hideous, it's abandoned, like all that stuff. And she's like, no, like it's very charming and I really like that place. So they keep talking and everything.
Speaker 1:And then there's a old man on his porch, like kind of eavesdropping on them because there he lives next door to that abandoned house, and at one point he just kind of interrupts them. He's like aren't you going to kiss her already. And then he's like that George is yelling back at him and he's like, ah, like youth is wasted on people like you, or something like that. And then, like, gets in, gets up and goes inside. All grumpy Mary goes to run away, but George is standing on the rope to her, or the, the sash to her robe, and it comes off and so she is now completely naked, but like hiding in the bushes. And George realizes like okay, like the, the, the robes on the ground, like. And then she's like, oh, give it back to me. And he's just messing with her, Like he can't see anything or anything. He's just kind of rambling on, like joking with her.
Speaker 1:But during this a car pulls up and it's George's uncle, billy, saying like your dad had a stroke, like you need to come now, and he just tosses the rope onto the bushes. He's like Mary, I got to go, I'm sorry. And then drives off, cut to finding out that his dad died. Harry, or George keeps saying Harry, george had to cancel his Europe trip to be there to take care of like the estate and everything for the business, as well as like the funeral and everything. So he's about to like leave, get on a train and go to college after this meeting. And by then he finds out that the that they're basically going to close the business and Mr Potter wants to dissolve the company entirely. And he makes this big speech, like you know, like Don't, don't fall for this mr Potter guy, like he's gonna, like he's gonna have everyone like paying too much rent and everything like that, and it's gonna destroy the town and everything. I can't control like what happens. But basically like if you do this, then you're just destroying everything my dad built. But you know, doesn't matter, cuz I'm out of here, I'm going to college, see ya. And so, as he's like saying goodbye to people out in the Lobby of the business, then Someone comes out and he's like, oh, the board members have decided to To keep it open and they're not going with Potter. But there's one catch is that you have to run it. So Basically, he ends up sacrificing his college, like sacrifice, going to college, gives that money to his brother Harry, lets him go to college and then Runs the company. The runs his dad company, basically. So next, let me find my place in my notes again. Oh yeah, so cut to.
Speaker 1:Four years later, george is waiting at the train station and Harry's coming home and he's like, okay, like Harry's coming home, now he can run the business and I can finally go to college and do all the stuff that I want to do. And then who does Harry have with him? But his new wife, who has a father. That has offered Harry a job. So George once again knows like, even even though Harry is trying to say like I know, like I promise, like I would come back, so I'm not necessarily taking that job, but George is like Also just such a nice guy that he's not going to be like you know, like that's a better job, you should take that job and everything like that. So once again, like sacrificing his own happiness and everything.
Speaker 1:So there's a party at at the house celebrating that Harry's back from college and that he's married. So One funny part is that they're out on the porch. Uncle Billy comes out and he's just like completely drunk but as he's like stumbling away. This is a piece of trivia that my dad was just telling me that there's a sound of like it sounds like trash cans, like getting knocked over, and but what it really was was someone on set dropped something and during the take and it sounded like you know, crashing through trash cans and the actor playing Uncle Billy Adlibbed like he was yelling off from the side that he fell over drunk into the trash cans. So save the take. Everything. It's perfect, it's a good joke, it's good, good, good Jag, good gag. Oh, I'm tired, oh yeah.
Speaker 1:So then His mom comes out and is talking to George Saying like oh, did you hear that Mary's back in town? She got back from college too. So I mean they I don't think they went to the same college, but you know they've left at the same time. And so George is like okay, like I'm gonna go visit her, and heads over there. But he's kind of like Just not really sure what he's doing with his life. You know Cuz he had like a plan and that even though he's very happy for Harry, it's kind of like the plans got a change now, no matter what.
Speaker 1:So he's kind of hanging out in front of Mary's house like Contemplating whether he should go in or not, and she notices from the upper window like hey, like your mom just called and said you were on your way over here. And he's trying to play it off like oh no, I was just out for a walk. I didn't tell anyone else coming here, but so she invites him in, goes inside the. She has a painting that she made of a, something that he had said to her when during their walk after the dance and everything, and he said that he wanted to throw a Lasso around the moon and pull it down and give it to her, basically. And so she has like a painting of that that she wants to show him. But he's just so like it has so much on his mind that he's not even like clocking, like the Romanticism of that or anything like that, and he's just kind of being like a Jerk to her a little bit and just kind of like brushing off things that she's saying because he just is in shambles mentally at this point.
Speaker 1:And then and the, her mom's upstairs like yelling down, like oh, sam Wayne Wright, who's another one of their classmates, is gonna call tonight, you know, and Like I think he's interested in Mary, but Mary is not interested in Sam, she's only interested in George, you know, as she has been since she was a little girl. So the mom keeps saying like what's George doing here? Like get him out of here. Like Sam's gonna call any minute. And and they're like like what's going on down there? And then she's just like Mary says that he's a Violently making love to me or we're making violent love to me, mother, and she's just so like you know, like grabs a robe and goes to her room and everything.
Speaker 1:So then Sam finally does call, while George is like trying to leave and but then he ends up forgetting his hat so he comes back in the house and but then Sam's on the phone, he wants to talk to George and the mom's like like why are you calling George? Like he doesn't want to talk, to talk, to Talk to him. And then Mary's like no, like he literally just said like put George on the phone and she's upstairs listening on the extension and everything. And Basically he has this like offer to that he's gonna start investing or start producing plastics and he wants them to invest. I think they end up turning them down and the conversation basically ends with them hanging up the phone. They say like no, we're not investing or whatever.
Speaker 1:Then he's like starts yelling at her like I never want to get married to anybody, like I don't want to stay in this town, Like all this stuff. But then just like breaks down, crying hugs or and then like kisses are Cut to them, getting married like pretty much right away I. But then as they're leaving for their honeymoon and driving away, they look and there's like a big crowd around the banks and stuff and the building alone and he's like, oh my gosh, like what's going on? It's a run on the bank, because this is probably taking place during the Great Depression. And sure enough, big crowd outside the building alone goes over there to kind of figure everything out. And Uncle Billy's in there with the door locked and everything You've like locked everybody out, which is not what you're supposed to do. That's basically guaranteed death to your business. At that point let's everybody in and just kind of like tries to talk them down. They're like we want our money now.
Speaker 1:Uncle Billy tells George like there's no money here, like I literally had to go take all the money over to the bank, like all the cash that we had here and that still wasn't enough to cover our debts and everything. Because I mean, I don't really know how it works in this situation, because I know it's not. They're not like a straight bank, they're a building alone, it's like a loan place. And so he gives this speech to the people out there is like hey, like no, you can't just like come get your money, like your money is in his house and his money is in this person's house, and stuff like that. And you even signed when you, when you got the loan from us, that it would take 60 days to get your money. And they're like no, like we need it now because basically this would happen a lot during this time where and I don't really know what would cause it but people would just panic and try to get all their money out of the bank, you know, because the banks were failing, it was the depression.
Speaker 1:But he's just trying to say like hey, like this facility doesn't work like that, we don't have your money here right now. But then Mr Potter says like hey, like, I'll bail you guys out, I already bailed the bank out, I'll use my own money and I'll pay their loans for 50 cents on the dollar. So basically he's going to like just give them half their money that they are owed. And George says no, but then someone comes in, is trying to get like the crowd like hey, like Potter is going to give, give 50 cents on the dollar or cash. And so some people are going to go. And he's like the one guy's like, oh, rather good, half to nothing. And though I wouldn't, because I mean in a desperate situation, yes, but like you, that money's still there and you're still owed that money. It's not going away, but so I'd rather not lose half of it.
Speaker 1:So, but then Mary sees, like what's about to happen and she's like, hey, I got cash and she has, like the, the honeymoon fund, $2,000. And so she's like, okay, this is her like kind of making the, the step. Like, okay, like George won't do it this time, so I'm going to do it. And so they offer to pay out, like hey, like how much do you need right now to get you until the banks reopen? And that same guy before that was like, oh, I'd rather get half the nothing. He still wants his full $242. And everyone else is like no, like just give me 20. That's enough to get me by, you know, but that guy is just ridiculous. So yeah, basically they end up using their own money to bail everybody out. So they crowds died down, they.
Speaker 1:They close the doors right at six o'clock, because that's what Mr Potter said. It's like if you close before six pm tonight, then you'll never reopen. And then so they make it to six o'clock. They managed to help all the customers and they still have $2 left. And then he's like George is like realized, is like oh it's late, like supposed to be on train, wait trains definitely left.
Speaker 1:Where's Mary, like any need to find my wife? And then she's right at that moment she's calling the building alone and like George like Mrs Bailey's on the phone, so she wants him to come home. And he's like okay, like well, where's home? Because they don't have a house yet. And she's like gives him the address, like I forget, it's like 300 something, second more street, and so he gets a cab, he goes there and it's the old house from their walk like way earlier in the movie and it's not fixed up yet. But you find out that she bought the house and she's got a few of the townspeople there to like make it seem like it's a hotel. It's raining, the roof is leaking, there's posters of different like destinations, like covering the windows because the windows are broken and all this stuff, and they just like try to make it like a honeymoon place in this like rundown house. But they bought the house and now they have a home and everything. So it's like a silver lining and like what could have easily been like a very disappointing day, you know, and it just doesn't matter because they have each other.
Speaker 1:And so we see that cut to a little bit later. George has built like a neighborhood of like affordable homes for people, that way they don't have to like rent to Mr Potter and they call it Bailey Park. He's there at like the grand opening ceremony, is giving this house to. Well, I don't know giving but helping. Move in martini who owns the. He's an immigrant who owns the bar in town, clever, and oh yeah. So Sam Wayne writes there and he's like oh, like hey, like the plastics business has taken off, like you were, guys really should have invested, and he's like rich now and everything and like he's being like fairly nice about it. But also, you know, it just kind of that's the last thing George wants to hear after he's literally given up everything except for that money to invest, to like everybody else, to help other people. So after Sam leaves a little upset, you know what should be a good day, and he's just like slamming the door and just like man, just a little defeated at this point.
Speaker 1:So so Mr Potter calls a meeting with George because he basically is like running numbers and everything and seeing like, oh man, like George is selling these houses for half of what they're worth to these people. If I had a stake in this or whatever you know, or if I could take over, if I can hire George, close his business, then I could, you know, rent these people and take advantage of them. And so he calls a meeting with George, says like hey, like I want to hire you, I want you to work for me. You'll have so much money You'll never know what to do with it and all this stuff. But you know, in the end George is like no, like I'm not going to do that, like no, I'm not going to work for you. I mean, he definitely toys with the idea but just ends up doing the right thing and not taking the offer, because all he's going to do is buy out the company and close it. You know that's all he really wants to do. So then he goes home, mary tells him that that she's pregnant and he's, he's happy.
Speaker 1:And then we get kind of a montage of World War two starts. They're refurbishing the house. He can't go because of his ear. Harry ends up going yeah, harry wins the Medal of Honor for saving a bunch of people and all this stuff. Then we cut to its Christmas Eve. Harry's and the mom are in Washington DC, he's getting his medal and then he's gonna come home on for Christmas and everything like that.
Speaker 1:Then we see Uncle Billy, he's going over to the bank to deposit $8,000 for the business you know, and while he's in there he runs into Mr Potter and so he's like Showing him the newspaper. He's like look like you always say that the Baileys are good for nothing, but he won the Medal of Honor and all this and just kind of like shoving it in his face. Well, during that like because he picks up the newspaper and he's holding it with the same hand, that he's holding the envelope full of $8,000 in cash and During this moment ends up giving the newspaper back to Mr Potter along with the envelope. So he doesn't realize till he's at the Window making a deposit and the bankers, like aren't you forgetting something? Like usually, when you make a deposit, like there's cash involved. And you know he's like oh, like he's just checking his pockets and he just can't find the envelope anywhere. He starts freaking out. He doesn't remember that he added in his hand when he given the newspaper and everything.
Speaker 1:Mr Potter gets into his office, opens the newspaper and, being the greedy old man that he is, doesn't say anything about it. He's like, well, this is mine now Can't wait to watch this business fail. And so then Uncle Billy's freaking out. Obviously. He tells George, like what happened? George is at the office, so is the bank examiner there to like do an audit on them, and you know perfect timing, of course.
Speaker 1:And George like goes with Uncle Billy to his house. They retrace the steps, all this stuff, and obviously they don't find it because Mr Potter has it and and so at the end of the search he just ends up like kind of berating Uncle Billy and just calls him like a drunken fool and stuff. He leaves Uncle Billy's there. He starts crying, you know cuz you know it's his fault that it is. You know it was an accident, but in in the end it really is. And Well, technically I guess it's mr Potter fault cuz he has it, knows where it came from, is doing the wrong thing. But you know, and so George goes home he now has four kids that this does get talked about in the montage. Now he ended up with four kids, two boys, two girls. Mary's decorating because there's gonna be a Christmas party that night. The older daughter is Practicing on the piano.
Speaker 1:I forget her name, I forget most the kid. Only know one kid's name, zuzu, and she's the one who's sick upstairs. I think there's a Tommy, but I could be wrong, but none of their names get said, quite as much as Zuzu, and that will come later. Why so he's there? He's Visibly agitated. Everyone can tell like there's something wrong. But depending on how old of a kid you are, you're not really gonna pick up on stuff and you're still just gonna be like, you know, bugging your dad and stuff like that and asking questions and everything.
Speaker 1:He goes upstairs to visit Zuzu because she's sick in bed. She got sent home from school but she forgot her coat and you know now she's running 99 degree temperature, you know. So very low grade fever. But you know, definitely sit in bed till you feel better. You know, don't make it worse.
Speaker 1:So he goes up there, he's talking to her. She has like a paper flower. Maybe is a paper flower just a real flower, I don't remember. But either way she's got this flower, but some of the pedals came off and she wants her dad to fix it. He kind of does like a good trick of like kind of turning to the side, taking the broken pedals and stuffing them into his pocket, like where she can't see, and then brings it back to her because you know she's not gonna notice. She didn't count the pedals, so so yeah, it goes back downstairs, just ends up snapping and like he has like these models because he always wanted to be an architect and design cities and things like that, and there's models of buildings and bridges that presumably he made at some point, just kind of daydreaming or whatever, because you know maybe someday he will still get to do that and Just is looking at it, snaps, knocks over all the models, kicks over the tables, everything like that, starts yelling at the kids, like yells at the daughter playing the piano, like how many times you're gonna play that song and all this stuff, and you know the kids start crying. He right realizes like oh my god, like why am I doing this? Why am I taking it out on them?
Speaker 1:Ends up leaving. As soon as he leaves, though, mary's like alright, like let me call Uncle Billy see what's going on because George isn't telling me what's going on. The kids are like should we pray for daddy? Yes, like he's gonna need all the prayers he can get. Basically is what Mary says. So after he leaves, he goes to mr Potter to beg him for help. Like hey, like this is what happened. I lost this $8,000 and Like I just need help, like I. You know, it's not a discrepancy in the numbers, it's just the physical money is misplaced. You know, mr Potter's just like nope, like cuz he, he knows the truth, and it's just like gonna use it to his advantage. So he's like no, like I'm not, I'm not helping you, I'm using this opportunity to make sure you close for good and Says that he's gonna call the district attorney and everything like that.
Speaker 1:And so George leaves, heads to the bar Uh, he's there drinking um, and he starts to pray like like God, like I know I'm not a praying man, but just like I need help, you know, and Either martini or Nick, like one of the two, because martini is the bar owner, nick is like the head bartender. They're like hey, like what's going on, like you know, and at some point like hey, mr Bailey, and someone down the bar here's Bailey, which Bailey like and this is like, this is George Bailey, and earlier the zoos teacher had called To make sure she was okay. George picks up the phone and yells at her and just like, what do you like? How stupid are you to send a kid home with no jacket and all this stuff? She's sick, she's probably gonna get a pneumonia because of you. And just like is yelling and yelling and yelling at her and she ends up like Hanging up and crying and the husband picks up and yells at George and all this stuff.
Speaker 1:So the guy that overhears that George Bailey is at this bar is the teacher's husband, and so he Just decks him in the face, you know, punches him to the ground and he's like it's like what do you get off? Like yelling at my wife, like she, she cried for an hour after talking to you, after you yelled at her, and it's like she's tired of teaching your stupid kids and all this stuff, and you know like she worked so hard. And Then he gets thrown out of the bar by the other guy like hey, like martini's, like that's my best friend, george Bailey. Like you don't hit him, like you're out of here, you're never coming back again and all this stuff. Um, so, eventually, uh, george gets up and he's like okay, like I'm out of here. And they're like no, like you shouldn't go, like this, like you should rest for a little bit, because he's drunk and he's stumbling a little bit, so but he's just like insisting, he's like no, like I'm going, gets in his car, crashes into a tree, but you know, this is the 40s, so the cars weren't going that fast and he stumbles out.
Speaker 1:The guy whose house it is like comes out and yells at him like hey, like what are you doing? Like my great-grandfather planted that tree his oldest tree here, you know and like Like why are you leaving your car here? Like you drunk fool, like all this stuff. But George is just like had enough, and he's just stumbling away, comes to this bridge, he's looking over the edge and everything. And then we see that there's someone watching him and it's Clarence. You know he's, you know he's kind of watching him from also on the bridge, and Clarence decides to jump in and which gets George's attention because he gets in there. He's like flailing around in the water like help, help, and then George jumps in to save him and everything, uh, and then we see them like warming up inside of the like I don't know guard shack or something, some kind of like Facility, um, and there's a guy in there that's like Gave him blankets and stuff and he's helping them warm up on the fire and everything like that.
Speaker 1:Um, and they're getting dressed and Clarence is like mentioning stuff and the George is like still too out of it to like pick up on these like various things that he's saying. But Clarence is very like blatantly saying like oh, like I'm an angel, you know, and all this stuff and and, uh, like, oh, like, your clothes are weird, is what the guy says. And then he's like oh, like, yeah, I got this on my last birthday and I was buried in it, you know. And because he's got these like frilly clothes and everything, because he's from like at least 100 years ago, uh, and he's like talking to George, like well, like Glad you didn't go through with it. And he's like go through with what. He's like, well, you were gonna kill yourself, like, weren't you, and I jumped in there to save you, you know? And the the guard is like hey, it's against the law to commit suicide around here and um, but then George is, they're still talking. And George is like I like everything would be better off if I was never born. And Clarence is like, okay, like, if, if you, if that's what you want, like I can show you like and like what it's like if you were never born. And he's like, just like that, like you were never born.
Speaker 1:And then so they go to leave and everything. Um, they go to find his car, which of course, it's not there because he didn't exist to crash it. Um, he even talked to the neighbor and the guy's like, when he flied, not the neighbor but the guy, that whose tree they crashed into, and he's like what are you talking about? Like You're drunk, like get out of here. Um, then, uh, oh, yeah, at one point he said, oh, this is the oldest tree in Pottersville and George is like Pottersville, like what are you talking about? It's like, yeah, like this is Pottersville, like it has been for years, you know. And so they go to the bar and he's like, okay, maybe I left the car at the bar and I'm just like was too drunk to remember that and I dreamt that I crashed it in a tree.
Speaker 1:They go in there, they're talking to Nick and he's like hey, like like I know it was here earlier. And Nick's like what are you talking about? Like I don't know who you are. And he's like where's Martini? He's like who you know. He has no idea who Martini is. He's like I'm the owner of this place and Nick's like overhearing like their conversation about Clarence being an angel and stuff like that. And at some point he's had enough and he was like all right, out, you two pixies go and then kicks him out of the bar and they get thrown out into the snow.
Speaker 1:But before that happens, mr Gower comes in and but he's just like completely out of it, super drunk, and everything like that. Nick's like he's getting like bullied and stuff. Nick like splashes him in the face with like a seltzer bottle or squirts him in the face and then he's like hey, like what are you doing? Like that's Mr Gower, and he's like well to see in. Nick's like see, there's another reason I don't like you. That guy or that Rummy or something like that, so said that he got. He spent 20 years in jail for poisoning a kid. So that goes to show that since George wasn't around, he wasn't there to stop him from giving those pills out and a kid ended up dying.
Speaker 1:So George runs downtown he's seeing all these signs and it's all these bars and strip clubs and all this stuff and like it's just completely different than it ever was before because Potter took it over and sees Violet getting arrested, she's like screaming and like resisting arrest and all this stuff. He runs to his house or tries to go to his house, takes a cab there and he's like talking to Ernie and Ernie's like and like I don't know who you are, man, ernie flag is down, the cop and it's like hey, like I got a weird one back here, you know, but still takes them over to the house. Of course it's still run down because they didn't buy it and fix it up. And then at some point, like when they're like all right, buddy, like it's time to get out of here, and George is like Bert, ernie, like like you're my friends, and I just do think it is funny. It took me forever to realize that the cop, that those two were named Bert and Ernie, so they try to arrest them.
Speaker 1:George runs away, clarence, they are Bert. The cop has him on the ground, has Clarence and Clarence is like Joseph, help me, you know to the other angel and Clarence disappears like right in the hands of Bert, and so he's freaking out. And so they get away. They head over to the what used to be Bailey Park, like the neighborhood that George built, and it's just a cemetery, which makes me think, like because there's a lot of headstones there. So did George like pave over a cemetery to build that like low income housing? Because that's pretty messed up if you did. But I have no idea.
Speaker 1:But there he finds Harry's headstone and that Harry died when he was nine because George wasn't there to save him. And George is like what are you talking about? Like Harry's a war hero he saved like like a transport full of people, and Clarence is like no, like all those people in that transport died because Harry wasn't there to save him, because you weren't there to save Harry. You know he's just trying to really drive that point home, like how much of an impact one person can have, and that which is the whole point of the movie. So he's just like all right, like where's Mary, though, like I have to see Mary.
Speaker 1:And Clarence is like I'm not supposed to tell you. And he's like come on, clarence, please. Like I have to like see her, and he's like you're not going to like it and basically like she's she never married like said that she's an old maid, which is kind of funny, like the worst person, the worst thing you could ever be as a woman is unmarried, which just goes to show you, like how old fashioned it is. I think that's like probably that's, in my opinion, the one flaw of the movie. I know I'm not alone in that. It's not otherwise perfect movie, but that's like where it's just kind of like okay, like there's worse things that could have happened, or like literally, and they could have logic their way into making anything else like happen to her, you know, and but that's just all they did. Like the worst thing ever an unmarried woman.
Speaker 1:So, oh yeah, he does end up going back to his mom's house first, before that I forgot about that, um, and it's a boarding house, you know, like his dad still died and everything, um, and she's like like I don't know who you are, you know what are you doing here? Like we don't have any rooms, we're full. And she's like, well, like what about? Like Uncle Billy, like your, your brother-in-law, and it's like what? Like? It's like when did you talk to him last? And he's like what? Like this morning duh? And she's like, well, that's how I know you're lying, because he's been in in the same asylum for years, you know. So, uh, uncle Billy's in an insane asylum.
Speaker 1:Uh, harry's dad, all that stuff, like his mom, just you know, lost, lost a kid, lost her one son, really young, and lost her husband, and now she's just running a boarding house and it's just a grumpy old woman. Uh, so he does go find Mary. She's just at the library. You know the other worst thing that can happen to a woman? I was working at a library, apparently. Um, she's like wearing glasses and stuff, so somehow, like George being in her life made her vision better, I guess. Uh, then, like they purposely make her look all like, uh, like bland and everything, and so he's like Mary is.
Speaker 1:She's like like who's this strange man? Like yelling at me, and so she starts running away. She runs into some like restaurant or bar or something. Um, george runs in there and he's like it's like Mary. And then she just starts like screaming and like get him away from me. And he's like, hey, like that's my wife. And then she like screams and faints, like once he says that and which is also just funny and weird.
Speaker 1:Um, so he takes off, running out of this place, the Bert the cop he's I'm running and just starts opening fire at him, like as he's running through a crowded down square. So oh my gosh, it's just insane. Um, but yeah, at this point he's just like no, like this isn't right. He runs back to the bridge and he's just begging Clarence. He's like Clarence, please, like I'm sorry, like I'll change, like you know whatever. Like I want my old life back. I'm glad I was born. I wish I was born, all this stuff.
Speaker 1:As he's there crying on the bridge, car pulls up, bert gets out, the cop and is like George, like we've been looking for you, and so, like George is like what? Like you know who I am, like you know all this stuff, and so he's like super happy, he runs home. He's running home, he's running through town. He's so happy to see all the old businesses there. He's like Merry Christmas, bedford Falls. Merry Christmas, you old, building them alone, you know all. Just naming out all the businesses and same Merry Christmas to all the people. He pounds on Mr Potter's window and says Merry Christmas to you, mr Potter. Mr Potter is like I don't like happy new year to you.
Speaker 1:In jail or whatever you know, even though he couldn't hear him because he already ran off. Um, so he runs home. Uh, the bank examiner is there. Uh, they're like a reporter with the cameras there. Uh, I think the DA is there and with like a warrant for his arrest and everything. And he's like, oh, like Mr Bank examiner, like, and he's just like all being all nice to them and he's like, oh, like I assume you have a warrant for my arrest. Like, okay, like I'm going to jail tonight, and he's all like happy about it. Goes upstairs, he hugs his kids, um, gives them, you know, kisses and everything. He's just like giving them this big hug and he's like so happy to see them.
Speaker 1:Mary comes home and she's like, oh, like George, like I'm so happy to see you, like everyone's on their way and he's like what are you talking about? And she just like clears off this like uh, card folding table and then income people. Uh, it's uh Uncle Billy carrying this like giant basket and he just dumps it on the table and it's just full of cash. And like the whole town just like they got word that like George was in trouble and they all like pitched in to like bail them out, because he had bailed them out, like back when the run on the bank was happening. And just like, everyone in town is coming and the, even the bank examiner, puts down money and the DA puts down money and he rips up the warrant and everything and they're all singing old Langzine.
Speaker 1:Harry comes home like he made it home. He flew home himself, you know cause. He's a, you know, war pilot or military pilot, or military pilot, war pilot, Um, yeah. And then, uh, oh yeah. And then there's a telegram from a Sam Wainwright in London and he's like, he's like, hey, like Mr Gower told me you needed money and uh, I've instructed my business to wire you up to $25,000 and you know, merry Christmas. And then, harry, when Harry comes in, he like proposes a toast and he says to my big brother, george, the richest man in town. And then they're seeing old Langzine. I'm crying, the, the.
Speaker 1:They look at he looks on the tree, there's a book and it's uh, clarence's book, like a first edition of, uh, huckleberry Finn or Tom Sawyer, one of the two. Um, and there's a message in there to him. And then, like Mary's like, who's that from? He's like, oh, it's from an old friend. And then bell rings on the tree and then Susan's like teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings, and like, then you just know that Clarence got his wings and that you know he got a happy ending, and George gets a happy ending and everyone but Mr Potter gets a happy ending, and that's the way it should be.
Speaker 1:And that is like why, oh man, it's just that that end scene is so good and I love the message behind it because it's very easy and not that everyone has such an extreme impact on the world like this example in this movie, you know, um, but it's very easy to not realize what an impact you have on other people's lives and it's very easy to be like, oh, it's better if I wasn't born, or anything like that. And I'd say, in extremely, except for in extremely rare cases, that's just never the, that's never the case, you know, and it's just a beautiful message, it's a beautiful movie and it's a wonderful life, you know. So, um, yeah, so, before I get too worked up thinking about that, um, thank you guys for watching or listening.
Speaker 1:Whichever you're doing, um, I hope you stay tuned for a couple more, two more Christmas episodes, uh for this year. And uh, yeah, uh, be sure to follow on Instagram uh, at movies. They're pretty good. That's also the name of the YouTube channel. If you're listening and would like to watch um, there should be a link in the show notes um to a couple of those things. Uh, so you should be able to find everything on there or on the podcast website. But Instagram is where I'm the most uh active and that's where I post um what the next movie is going to be and where you could watch it Uh.
Speaker 1:So, thank you guys for listening, thank you for watching Uh. Thank you for subscribing. Uh, if you haven't, please subscribe. Like the video. Uh rate the podcast If you're listening um, everything helps, just everything. Spread the word If you know someone else that might be interested in it. I understand if you're interested in it, I understand if you don't, um, just if you think that I like it, you know uh. So, once again, thank you guys and uh see you next week. Thanks, bye.
