How 25 Christmas Traditions Started--Part 4: Wonderful Life, Lights, Santas, Fruitcakes & Cookies

16.  IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Frank Capra's Christmas classic debuted in 1946 with Jimmy Stewart playing George Bailey, a suicidal man who was shown what life would have been like if he had never been born.  It wasn't nice.  It was a flop at the  box office when it premiered, but did get five Academy award nominations, but no wins.

It wasn't until the owner neglected to renew the copyright that statins started showing it and that's when it took off.

My 3rd favorite Christmas movie and favorite non-comedy one.

17.  CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Edward Hibbard Johnson, a friend of Thomas Edison, came up with the idea of stringing lights around a Christmas tree in New York in 1882.  Now over 150 million sets are sold in the U.S. each year.  (I still want to know why I usually have one half of the lights go out in a string and then can't get them relit.)

18.  DEPARTMENT STORE SANTA

Dates back to 1890 when James Edgar of Brockton, Massachusetts, had a Santa suit made for himself  at his dry goods store.  Some say Macy's has had one since 1862.  (Still my favorite department store Santa was the one at Higbee's.)

19.  MAKING FUN OF FRUITCAKE

A favorite of the British (and me), but the subject of a long-running American joke.  Manitou Springs in Colorado has an annual Fruitcake Toss Day.

20.  COOKIE SWAPS

For over a hundred years in America.  I don't exchange.  I want them ALL!!!!

Ho, Ho, Ho!!  --RoadDog

In 1985, Johnny Carson joked:  "The worst Christmas gift is a fruitcake.  There is only one fruitcake in the entire world and people keep sending it to each other."

'It's a Wonderful Life' Returning-- Part 4: There's a Tear in My Eye

Jimmy Hawkins, who played 4-year-old Tommy Bailey, said people have come up to both of them and said that watching the film kept them from killing themselves.  It's message is about how important you are to those around you even if you don't think so.

And, even at the age 79, he said he feels like he's 4 all over again when he thinks about the movie.  "When people ask us questions about being on the set, you clock back into it," Hawkins said.  "It's so vivid.  It seems like a million years ago or just yesterday."

The movie itself is pretty dark on multiple levels, and Karolyn Grimes thinks people coming out of World War II, weren't quite ready for it yet.

Jimmy Stewart himself wasn't sure he wanted to even act again after flying naval planes over Germany but, as Hawkins said, actor Lionel Barrymore, who plays the miserly Mr. Potter, convinced Stewart to do it.

I don't know about you, but I have never been able to watch the movie's conclusion without getting a tear in my eye.

And remember, you can see the movie on NBC on December 4 and 24.

--Cooter

'It's a Wonderful Life' Returning-- Part 3: How Each Person's Life Touches Another

And, I see my local Walgreen's has one of those 100-page memory magazine/books for sale in honor of this movie's longevity.  I will be buying one.

In 1980, Karolyn Grimes had no idea how journalists tracked her down because her name had changed and there was no Google.  But the publicity enabled her to reunite with Steward and Reed, and she then became an unofficial ambassador of the movie.

Over the past four decades, she has attended countless screenings, benefits and conventions.  She helped create a museum for the film and returns each December to Seneca Falls, New York, the model for the movie's small-town Bedford Falls, for the "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival.

For grimes, the film's message is timeless:  "How each person's life touches another, and we're given an opportunity to make a difference. That's so important."

Again, my third all-time favorite Christmas movie.

--Cooter

'It's a Wonderful Life' Returning-- Part 2: Little Tommy and Zuzu

The movie is also a treasure to two surviving cast members.  Jimmy Hawkins, who played 4-year-old Tommy Bailey and Karolyn Grimes who played 6-year-old Zuzu Bailey and uttered the famous line, "Look, Daddy.  Teacher says, 'Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.' "

The movie, however, was just a footnote in their lives until the late 1970s.  Jimmy Hawkins said, "I started hearing more about it then.  People were holding trivia parties."  He remained an actor in the 1950s and 1960s and worked with Reed on the "Donna Reed Show" from 1958 to 1966.

Karolyn Grimes got out of show business in her teens after her mother died from early-onset Alzheimer's disease and her father was killed in a car accident.  She didn't even ever see the movie until she was 40 years old.

"I was enthralled with the messages from that movie when I first saw it,"  Grimes said.  "I knew then it was very special, and I could understand why I started getting fan mail and people wanted to have interviews with me."

And, remember, it will be on NBC December 4 and December 24.

--CooterOldManPotter

'It's a Wonderful Life' Set to Return-- Part 1: Didn't Renew the Copyright

From the November 24, 2021, Chicago Tribune "Magic still resonates for two actors in 'It's a Wonderful Life" by Rodney Ho of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"It's a Wonderful Life," Frank Capra's story about redemption and a life fulfilled, bombed at the box office when it was released in early 1947.

For decades it was largely forgotten until 1974 when Republic Pictures failed to renew copyright protection and the film lapsed into the public domain, meaning that anyone could show the film without obtaining permission or paying royalties.  

As a result, it was shown a whole lot on TV and its growing popularity gave it a second life.

Now, it is hard to imagine American life without it.  It was ranked No. 20 of the 100 greatest films in 2007 by the American Film Institute.  Frank Capra and stars Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart said it was their favorite film they ever worked on.

It is my third all-time favorite Christmas movie.

And, It Will be Shown on TV This Coming December 4 On NBC.  --Cooter

About 'It's a Wonderful Life'-- Part 2: Becoming a Classic

When it was first released in 1946, as I said earlier, the movie was not intended to be a Christmas movie.  And, it initially flopped at the box office.  The film's copyright was not renewed.

So, in the 1970s, "It's a Wonderful Life" was free for broadcasters to air repeatedly.  And they did and did and did and did.  So much so, that it either became a classic for some or made others, like my wife, gag.  Fortunately, for some reason, I didn't see it that much.

But, for those of us who are fans of it, we began to notice that this less-than-jolly-ho-ho-ho movie was a great one.  And, a Christmas tradition was begun.  I am surprised that we don't have a cable station offering a 24-hour array like TNT and TBS  do for "A Christmas Story."

NBC currently owns the rights to the film and broadcasts it on Christmas Eve every year (and several other times beforehand).  In 2016, Variety reported that the network's  42nd Christmas Eve showing had  4.5 million viewers.

NBC will again rebroadcast the movie this Thursday from 7 to 10 CST.

--DaCootLife

About 'It's a Wonderful Life'-- Part 1: My Top Four Christmas Favs

From the December 19, 2020, CTV News "How the Second World War shaped 'It's a Wonderful Life' by Rachael Scott.

This is my third favorite Christmas movie, even though when it was made, it was not slated as a Christmas movie.  (My top four Christmas movies:

1.  "A Christmas Story"

2.  "Christmas Vacation"

3.  "It's a Wonderful Life"

4.  "Miracle on 34th Street"

I have seen all but the 1st and 4th ones, but hope to see the 4th this week and know that I will see the 1st several times between Christmas Eve and Christmas night for some reason.

--Cooter

Quiz: Just How Well Do You Know Movie "Christmas Vacation"-- Part 2: Aunt Bethany

Answers below.

6.  What does Aunt Bethany recite when others ask her to say grace before the Christmas meal?

7.  How many lights does Clark use on his house?

8.  What kind of vehicle does Cousin Eddie drive?

9.  What classic holiday movie is Clark's son Rusty watching on TV when the in-laws arrive?

10.  What does Clark do to amuse himself while he is stuck in the attic?

Answers below.

****************************************************

6.  The Pledge of Allegiance


7.  25,000   I missed this one.


8.  RV


9.  "It's a Wonderful Life"


10.  Watches home movies.


"Four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking."

We're Gonna Do This Big.  --CootEddie

Box Office Mojo's Top Movies of All Time (Adjusted for Inflation)-- Part 3

Name, studio, Box Office (adjusted for inflation), Box Office (dollars), release date.

11.  101 Dalmations--  Disney--  $938,490,000--  $184,925,486--  1937

12.  Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back--  Fox--  $845,335,300--  $290,475,067--  1980

13.  Ben-Hur--  MGM--  $843,780,000--  74,000,000--  1959

14.  Avatar--  Fox--  $837,367,900--  $760,507,625--  2009

15.  Star Wars: Return of the Jedi--  Fox--  $809,851,500--  $309,306,177--  1983

Top 15.  --Cooter

A Christmas Movie Rumble-- Part 4

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

A Christmas Movie Rumble-- Part 3

Continuing with the comparison of my two favorite Christmas movies: "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life."


CHRISTMAS FOCUS

WL: Though the key, climatic scene takes place on Christmas Eve, three-fourths of the story has nothing to with Christmas.

CS: Take a cue from the title.

Winner: Christmas Story

MC-- If you want your Christmas experience, CS is it. But, there never be a more lump in your throat Christmas scene than WL's finale. That makes up for all the non-Christmas. I have to go with WL.



VILLAIN

WL-- Henry Potter, experienced bully with enough money to (almost) control a town.

CS-- Scut Farkus, callow bully who relies on fists, sidekicks and yellow eyes to terrorize school children.

Winner: Wonderful Life, though Farkus gets extra credit for his name.

MC-- Potter not only represents an individual villain, but these days Big Business. He hurts huge numbers of people while Scut Farkus' victims are limited. Definitely Potter wins it here.

Two More Essential Components Coming Tomorrow. --Cooter







OVERALL WINNER

A Christmas Movie Rumble-- Part 2

The Chicago Tribune article then broke down "A Christmas Story" (CS) and "It's a Wonderful Life" (WL) into a comparison in seven categories.


HERO--

WL-- George Bailey, a small-town everyman who thinks of everybody.
CS-- Ralphie Parker, a small-town 9-year-old boy who thinks of himself.

WINNER: "It's a Wonderful Life"

My Comment (MC) No contest here. George was trying to do right, but the loss of the money by his uncle made him question his life. Ralphie was just being selfish.


HUMOR HIGHLIGHTS--

WL-- The dance at the gym where the floor opens and George and Mary fall in the pool followed by most everyone else.
CS-- The flagpole incident, the leg lamp, the Bumpus dogs, the visit to Santa.

WINNER: "A Christmas Story"

MC-- I agree. By a landslide. CS was just one funny thing after another. "Ohhhh Fudge." But I always like the looks on the face of the bridge tender when he was listening to Clarence.


FANTASY SEQUENCES--

WL-- Clarence shows George what would have happened had he never been born.
CS-- Teacher rhapsodizes over essay; Ralphie saves family from Black Bart; Ralphie gets soap poisoning.

WINNER: "It's a Wonderful Life."

MC-- I agree. That part where New Bedford Falls became Potterstown was something else.

More to Come. --Cooter

A Christmas Movie Rumble-- Part 1

From the Dec. 24th Chicago Tribune "Christmas movie rumble" by Nancy Watkins.

It's a Scrappy "A Christmas Story" taking on Venerable "It's a Wonderful Life" for Bragging Rights as the Best Christmas Movie.

There are lots and lots of Christmas movies being shown on TV right now. But the real heavy hitters come out Christmas Eve just like the Bowl Games beginning New Years Eve. Before that, they are often just a reward for a .500 season for the big guys like Georgia and Tennessee or an excellent season for little guys like Northern Illinois, 11-3.

Last night, NBC ran "It's a Wonderful Life" for only the second time of the season. It began at 7 pm Central opposite the beginning of TBS' 24-hour marathon of "A Christmas Story."

I have already seem parts of "A Christmas Story" and will at some point today will see the whole thing. (I'm also recording Spike's Star Wars marathon which started last night.)

For more that 20 years "It's a Wonderful Life was numero uno without question. This was due to a copyright lapse and stations showed the movie so often that many people grew to dislike it. In 1994, NBC got exclusive rights and now only shows it once or twice a year. I didn't watch it last night because I'd already seen it a couple weeks ago.

This has allowed "A Christmas Story," with the TBS marathon and other showings to mount a serious threat for top spot. Some say it is already number one.

I have to admit that these are my two favorites, but "A Christmas Story" is first.

Nancy Watkins then broke the movies down into some essential components for a comparison of the two, much like sports channels do with opposing teams.

That Will Be in Part 2. --Cooter

Those Christmas Movies

I just got home so have not as of yet watched any of the Christmas movies being shown, particularly, that Christmas show of all Christmas movies "A Christmas Story."

I wondering if they still have the "A Christmas Story" display at the Indiana Welcome Center on I-80 by the Illinois line. We saw it back a few years ago and it was pure "Story" nirvana.

These were the windows at Macy's in New York City awhile back.

Anyway, I accidentally posted two stories on my Down Da Road I Go blog yesterday that I had intended to have on this one. I hate when I do that.

One story was on the 70th anniversary of the Red Ryder BB gun and continued to today. The other one was about what the kids on "It's a Wonderful Life" are doing these days.

Worth checking out if you are a fan of either movie.

http://downdaroadigo.blogspot.com

I Have Seen Three of My Top Four Must See Christmas Movies, So Now Have to See #1, "A Christmas Story." --Cooter