This film from 1946 has rightly become classic Christmas viewing. It was James Stewart’s favourite of his own films, and it’s easy to see why. He plays George Bailey, a kind hearted businessman who has looked after others and sacrificed his own dreams to help his own family, but now he finds himself contemplating suicide as his business looks set to fail, and he faces jail for a mistake that he didn’t even make. An angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) is dispatched to earth to help George (Clarence hopes that if he can help George, he might finally earn his wings), and shows George what life would be like in his town, if George had never existed.
This is just such a lovely film. It certainly isn’t particularly light-hearted or funny (it touches on themes of poverty, lost dreams and suicide), but it is still a film that makes you feel happier for having watched it. James Stewart had such a likeable manner about him, and nowhere is it put to better use than here. He plays George as a thoroughly decent and generous man, but he is not without flaws. Indeed his sense of generosity makes him a less than brilliant businessman, and he keeps employing his hapless uncle -a decision that may lead to George’s downfall. Donna Reed is luminous and beautiful as George’s wife Mary, and is certainly not just a token wife. She is a strong and kind woman, who dearly wants to see her husband happy. Henry Travers is adorable as Clarence the angel – he might not be a very intellectual angel, but he has buckets of compassion. The villain of the piece is Lionel Barrymore as Henry Potter – a rich businessman who threatens to get rid of George and his business – and make many of the citizens of the village poor and trapped in unhappy lives. Barrymore is excellent in this type of role!
The ending is perfect, and yes I was sitting there with tears rolling down my face! It’s a perfect film to watch at any time of year (but especially at Christmas), and really reminds us of how all of us can make a difference to others.
Year of release: 1946
Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Philip Van Doren Stern (short story), Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Jo Swerling, Michael Wilson
Main cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, Toff Karns
Between the Pages 
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