Which is the best Christmas movie: "A Christmas Story" (CS) or "It's a Wonderful Life"(WL)?
Continuing with the Dec. 24th Chicago Tribune's article. My comments are after (MC).
CLIMAX
WL-- Building and Loan is saved, angel gets his wings, George's entire life is validated.
CS-- Ralphie gets a BB gun.
Winner: Wonderful Life
MC-- I agree. Also, the kids and Mary get their father and husband back. The old uncle and two other employees keep their jobs. Everybody now knows George. In Christmas Story the brother has his neat Zeppelin. Mom and Dad have that great restful final scene by the front window, which no longer has that major prize glaring forth soft sex.
FINALE
WL-- The happy crowd rallying around George, the children, the singing, but especially George's palpable joy truly convey "good will to men."
CS-- In a movie otherwise played for laughs, the Old Man's reaction as Ralphie opens the BB gun is genuinely touching. Otherwise, it's all material gain.
Winner: Wonderful Life
MC-- I always get a big old lump in my throat at WL's final scene. I don't know how it could possibly have more of an impact.
OVERALL WINNER
"It's a Wonderful Life." As Uncle Billy said, you just can't keep those Baileys down. Heehaw and merry Christmas.
MC-- Actually, you really can't compare these two meetings as they are two completely different genre as Troutbirder pointed out. But, anything about either of these movies is always fun to read.
Waiting for Next year. --Cooter
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