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Title: It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Stewart | ... | George Bailey | |
| Donna Reed | ... | Mary Hatch | |
| Lionel Barrymore | ... | Mr. Potter | |
| Thomas Mitchell | ... | Uncle Billy | |
| Henry Travers | ... | Clarence | |
| Beulah Bondi | ... | Mrs. Bailey | |
| Frank Faylen | ... | Ernie | |
| Ward Bond | ... | Bert | |
| Gloria Grahame | ... | Violet | |
| H.B. Warner | ... | Mr. Gower | |
| Frank Albertson | ... | Sam Wainwright | |
| Todd Karns | ... | Harry Bailey | |
| Samuel S. Hinds | ... | Pa Bailey | |
| Mary Treen | ... | Cousin Tilly | |
| Virginia Patton | ... | Ruth Dakin | |
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his ... Written by alfiehitchie
Here's a new definition of cold-hearted: a man or woman who remains completely untouched by the 1946 Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life". You can't not be moved by this wonderful little gem.
The acting is all great. One of the film's greatest strengths for me is making George Bailey - the star of the movie played by James Stewart - a nice normal man. He's not perfect and that's pretty much essential to the film's success because Bailey could be *any* man. The lesson of the movie is fairly simple - we all have our role to play in the world and we are all important. Most movies would make this into a schmaltzy affair but Capra delivered a touching, heart warming tale. Bailey consistently denies himself to allow others to live as he sacrifices his life to make sure people can have enough money to avoid having to sell-their-soul in debt to the evil H. Potter (alas not a Harry Potter...). His complete and utter humility is great - he doesn't see how much he accomplished until his guardian angel Clarence shows him. Again Clarence isn't played in the usual clichéd manner but more as a believable character who honestly loves Bailey for his strengths.
The movie is a success because you can't but want Bailey to succeed. The manner in which he does could be classified as corny but, because it's so deserved, that doesn't matter. The music, the set pieces, all the touches add to a wonderful movie and give you hope that life can indeed also be wonderful. A lovely mood-lifter. 8.8/10.