Questions About "It's a Wonderful Life"

[debodun]

I wondered why George didn't tell his wife about his financial problem when he got home instead of having a tantrum all over the place. She had to leave the house on Christmas eve, leaving the children unattended, to find out.

After Uncle Billy loses the deposit money, George says, "Somebody is going to prison and it won't be me!" Why would George have to when it was Uncle Billy who lost the money.

 

[Knight]

I wondered why George didn't tell his wife about his financial problem when he got home instead of having a tantrum all over the place. She had to leave the house on Christmas eve, leaving the children unattended, to find out.

In 1946 that was at a time when the man of the house was the bread winner & pride in being able to do was the way it was. Pride in the ability to support a wife & family was the norm. IMO Job loss was a blow to his pride

Fast forward to present time. Unemployment compensation is available so the father can have time to look for another job. Meanwhile the wife is working so the family can have some stability until the father can regain employment

 

[CallMeKate]

My favorite movie EVER! And the answer is what @Knight said... things like that generally didn't turn into a problem for the whole family or even to share with a wife. Trivia... did you know that Jimmy Stewart was suffering PTSD at the time the film was made? It was his first movie after returning from the war and he was having some difficulties. That scene of him getting angry and throwing things around in the living room before running out? Not totally scripted... it worked out great, but it wasn't all "an act" for him.

This speaks a little about it... worth the read. How Jimmy Stewart's war service affected 'It's a Wonderful Life'

 

[dilettante]

A less-known (today) film for the holidays that addresses PTSD and another social stigma:

 

[hearlady]

Men didn't share things with their wives back then.
He was also feeling like a failure I suppose.
Uncle Billy was his employee. George was ultimately responsible.

 

[dilettante]

Well, George also had a black cloud hanging over him even on a good day. All of those ambitions and dreams that he'd put off for others, one after another. He must have carried a lot of stress when you add Potter's antagonisms to the mix.

 

[CallMeKate]

Wish I had a million dollars... hot dog! He didn't realize that he already had so much more.

 

[jujube]

After Uncle Billy loses the deposit money, George says, "Somebody is going to prison and it won't be me!" Why would George have to when it was Uncle Billy who lost the money.

As the old saying goes, "$h!t rolls uphill". The officials would have ultimately held George liable for the loss.

 

[Marie5656]

An interesting aside, I read that the movie was never meant to be a Christmas movie, but that is when it is always shown on TV

 

[officerripley]

I heard that the director, Frank Capra, said he heard for years from fans of the movie that the only thing they didn't like about it and were upset with him about was that he didn't have Mr. Potter get his much-needed comeuppance.

 

[OldFeller]

I heard that the director, Frank Capra, said he heard for years from fans of the movie that the only thing they didn't like about it and were upset with him about was that he didn't have Mr. Potter get his much-needed comeuppance.

There was enough fantasy in that movie without adding the fantasy that all people who are evil get what they deserve.

 

[Robb.hisself]

An interesting aside, I read that the movie was never meant to be a Christmas movie, but that is when it is always shown on TV

Agree. It really isn't much of a Christmas time movie to me as well. It is more of an Easter movie with an angel, redemption, and a miracle. How that's Christmas, beats me. Where is the wise men and gift giving?

 

[Marie5656]

Agree. It really isn't much of a Christmas time movie to me as well. It is more of an Easter movie with an angel, redemption, and a miracle. How that's Christmas, beats me. Where is the wise men and gift giving?

Well....he rung a bell, and an angel got its wings. That can be a gift...LOL

 

[CallMeKate]

Agree. It really isn't much of a Christmas time movie to me as well. It is more of an Easter movie with an angel, redemption, and a miracle. How that's Christmas, beats me. Where is the wise men and gift giving?

It was the Christmas season... the children were getting ready for a Christmas play, the piano playing music was Christmas carols... and at the end they were singing Auld Lang Syne (okay, that part is more New Year's than Christmas, but it's just a week later.) The bell that rang when an angel got his wings (sure hope it was Clarence!) was hanging on a Christmas tree. Maybe they didn't write/produce it as a holiday film, but it certainly was one.

 

[debodun]

A trivia quiz about the movie:

It's a Wonderful Life: True or False Quiz

 

[debodun]

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