AMERICA’S WORKFORCE SKEWS YOUNGER AND YOUNGER EACH DAY so there’s a good chance many of you have never heard of this movie, much less seen it. [Or seen it over and over again through the years at Christmastime.]
Produced for a mere $3 million dollars nearly 80 years ago [1946], It’s a Wonderful Life was originally released in black and white, the norm for filmmakers in those days. It received mostly mediocre reviews, won no awards, performed poorly at the box office, and soon fell into obscurity.
It didn’t help that, six months after its release, the Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] issued a statement that called out the producers’ “intent” to discredit all bankers, create a sense of mistrust, and foster a belief that bankers everywhere were simply greedy, money-grubbing capitalists, and all wealthy people were evil. [Some things never change, it seems!] The Feds said this was a common tactic of communist revolutionaries and warned the public not to place much credence in the film’s central messages.
A SECOND CHANCE
The licensing term for It’s a Wonderful Life expired in the 1970s and the film entered the public domain. Several movie studios colorized the original B&W version and re-released it in hopes the story would resonate more with modern audiences.
It certainly did!
Very quickly, the film became a mainstream American classic and is now considered among the very best of all Christmas movies along with Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas and A Christmas Carol, the Scrooge story.
In a nutshell for those unfamiliar with it, here’s the storyline: A young man has wanderlust dreams much larger than his tiny hometown of Bedford Falls. His plans to see the world derail when his father dies suddenly and the family’s building and loan business is handed over to young George to run. Feeling his life has been nothing but waste and crushed dreams, he contemplates suicide but a bumbling guardian angel named Clarence saves George and helps him understand his life has actually been rich with kindness, caring and generosity. The rest I’ll leave up to you to explore.
6 TIMELESS MESSAGES
I never tire of watching the film though it’s a bit long at 2 hours, 11 minutes. That’s because the messages in it, despite FBI warnings, are timeless and serve as wonderful reminders for all of us when we begin to question ourselves and our ability to make a positive difference in the world. Let’s take a closer look …
Emotional Authenticity – To begin with, lead actor Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of George Bailey is raw and heartfelt, making his journey through life, including its detours and disappointments, deeply moving. His struggles may be agonizing but his perseverance is powerful.
Depends on Your Perspective … — The movie shows George at his lowest point, believing life has failed him but Clarence the Angel helps him realize his very existence has positively shaped the lives of countless others. This shift in perspective highlights the unseen impact we all have on the world around us.
What Truly Matters — The film touches on widely embraced themes of love, sacrifice, family, and faith, making it forever relatable across generations, cultures and backgrounds. Bottom line: Happiness is fueled when one appreciates what they currently have in life and recognizes the magic that comes with helping others.
Hope, Redemption and the Power of Community – When George sinks to his lowest point, the very townspeople he unknowingly helped all rally around him, demonstrating the power of collective goodwill and mutual support. It reminds us how important close, caring relationships are. Once he realizes his life’s worth, George’s despair turns into hope and reinforces the notion that, even in our darkest moments, redemption and renewal are always in play.
It’s a Grateful Life, too! – Perhaps above all, gratitude is the best way to start and finish every day.
It’s Silly to Try and ‘Keep Up with the Joneses’ – Though young George once dreamed of adventure and aspired to great wealth, he sacrifices his personal aspirations for the sake of family, community, and duty. The film celebrates these quiet, everyday concessions, showing they are as heroic and meaningful as grand achievements. Even an ordinary life can be a wonderful life!
My wish for you this holiday season is to embrace the lessons found in It’s a Wonderful Life. To look around and realize, no matter how tough things may be at any moment [and none of us escapes life unscathed], we all have the opportunity to make positive changes and effect positive change in the world around us. Your life matters. What you do matters. And you matter … especially to me.
From all of us at dynami, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, everyone!
Cheers!
Kenneth Jones
