Wonder why Paramount hasn't licensed this for a DVD/BD/4K release? Though off the top of my head, I struggle to think of any Paramount releases that include vintage radio shows. WB does that a lot, and Criterion does it too. It'd be a nice bonus feature, especially because the "IAWL" DVD/BD/4K releases have been so light on extras!
wasn't it filmed in B&W for budget? that's why I can see Capra in favor of a colorized version...the newer one is best! Indeed...
I hear you, it is a nice touch that Sam sends money at the end, he's not all bad. But I stand by the idea that any real relationship Mary would have had with him would have ended in unhappiness for her. But yeah, Sam is not an irredeemable bad guy, he's not very self aware but he's relatively innocuous and even light-hearted compared to someone like Potter.
Sam brings them together (finally) with his phone call to them "chance of a lifetime", she's not interested in him
I didn't consider Sam a bad guy, he knew Mary was never really interested in him. He was ultimately a true friend to George.
I must have missed something. Why is Sam a duplicitous cheat? He absolutely begged George to go into business with him and George refused.
Meh. Sam is man of means in the big city. Such men like to cast a wide net and play the field. Sam was simply chasing anything with a pulse. Mary knew the score and chose George instead. Substance over Style. Remember that while George turns down Sam's job offer, he suggests Sam's father purchase an unused factory nearby and set up shop. Assuming that happened, Sam probably provided a lot of employment in his hometown. So, it is clear that the Baileys saved Bedford Falls from Potter with an able assist from the Wainwrights. Now if Sam and Potter had ever collaborated, it would have been Pottersville with Sam leading the Santacon hordes down Main Street every Christmas. Violet would be in charge of the Mrs. Claus Auxiliaries.
One of the most depressing movies ever. I watched it this past night just now and am trying to recover from it. INCREDIBLY depressing. Would not recommend to ANYBODY. If you have money, tons of friends, a wife, people to help you in crisis, well then, you might be okay watching it; otherwise, I'd recommend strongly to AVOID it.
I'm a huge fan of both Dobie Gillis, and It's A Wonderful Life, and I never put two and two together until this post. Wow.
I think the idea was the B & L did not pay. George keeping it afloat was helping the town, but just giving him a middle class lifestyle when he had the talent for much more. After 3 years of managing Potter’s properties, he could go on to some very impressive positions.
Interesting how that movie got around the Hayes Code. When Violet sashays past and stops traffic, one of the cops says "Say, how would you like to...?" The other cop says "I know. Think I'll go home and see what the wife is doing."
I always thought the line about leaving Papa Dollar and Mama Dollar alone to see what happens was a little surprising too.
The movie is on NBC this evening. Doesn't look like HD at all. But the NBC logo bug is nice and sharp.
Ok here is my '"Hurray, I am for the other team." I remember seeing the colorized version some decades ago. It was excellent. I was happy to see that it is now available. No offense Frank.
