It’s a Wonderful Life has become an icon of movie Americana. I first saw it in the pre-cable TV days of the 1970s. The copyright had lapsed and stations could show it fee-free. I was a teenager and immediately recognized the star, Jimmy Stewart, from Johnny Carson’s Tonight show. The longer the movie ran, the more entranced I became…
Now, it’s considered a classic, a far different view from when it was released in 1946 and flopped at the box office. This movie some now criticize as too syrupy sweet, was widely considered too dark, because George Bailey, the central character, considered suicide.
I eventually watched as many films from director Frank Capra as I could. He had experienced blockbuster success in 1934 with It Happened One Night, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. It was the first movie to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay. While well-made, it was purely for laughs.
Capra felt confident. As he wrote in his autobiography, “The Name Above the Title,” a stranger then initiated a conversation. The man acknowledged the film was humorous, but essentially said, you have the opportunity to speak to your fellow man for two hours in the dark. Give the public a message worthy of that responsibility.
The director was a devout Catholic and from that day forward, he wove into his movies Christian values such as love of and service to one’s fellow man and the Golden Rule. Those films include Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, You Can’t Take It With You, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and Meet John Doe.
Capra also espoused very American values, including self-reliance, leadership, and a sense of community. Often, the humor reflects a Norman Rockwellian touch. And, the main character always overcomes tremendous odds to win the day for the greater good and become a hero.
Now, there’s a compliment for that style: “Capraesque!”
So, Capra listened to a message from a total stranger, took it to heart, and created a subgenre of film countless fans have enjoyed for decades since!
What’s your favorite Capraesque movie and why?