Every year, some Ebenezer Scrooge type comes along to diss the holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life (1946). In the New York Times the other day, there was this article which from the title looked to be this year’s Grinch wannabe: “Wonderful? Sorry, George, It’s a Pitiful, Dreadful Life.” However, while pointing out the movie’s admittedly dark themes, this piece raises some interesting points including some interesting conjecture of Bedford Falls versus Pottersville:

Here’s the thing about Pottersville that struck me when I was 15: It looks like much more fun than stultifying Bedford Falls — the women are hot, the music swings, and the fun times go on all night. If anything, Pottersville captures just the type of excitement George had long been seeking.

Not only is Pottersville cooler and more fun than Bedford Falls, it also would have had a much, much stronger future. Think about it: In one scene George helps bring manufacturing to Bedford Falls. But since the era of “It’s a Wonderful Life” manufacturing in upstate New York has suffered terribly. On the other hand, Pottersville, with its nightclubs and gambling halls, would almost certainly be in much better financial shape today. It might well be thriving.

I have to admit, the thought of Pottersville being a more interesting place than Bedford Falls, let alone having a more stable financial base had never occurred to me. But in advance of screening the movie yet again this year, this thought did: What did George Bailey claim was his goal early in life? Note this declaration to Mary [emphasis added]:

                                       GEORGE                     Well, not just one wish. A whole                     hatful, Mary. I know what I'm going                     to do tomorrow and the next day and                     the next year and the year after                     that. I'm shaking the dust of this                     crummy little town off my feet and                     I'm going to see the world. Italy,                     Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum.                     Then I'm coming back here and go to                     college and see what they know...                     and then I'm going to build things.                     I'm gonna build air fields.  I'm                     gonna build skyscrapers a hundred                     stories high. I'm gonna build bridges                     a mile long...

George stated cleary that he wanted to (1) see the world and (2) build [important] things. And what happens? First, he does build important things, most notably the community of Bedford Falls, not only the many homes through the Savings & Loan, but also, as evidenced by the outpouring of support to him at the end, a spirit of community as well. And see the world? While he may never once travel to distant port of calls as he imagined as a youth, the angel Clarence allows George gets to ‘see the world’ in a way no person has: What life would be like if George had never been born.

I’ve probably watched It’s a Wonderful Life over 20 times in my life, ever since that first time back home from college on winter break, late one Christmas Eve, stumbling upon the movie and finding myself utterly engaged by the story. Every time I watch the movie, I see something different. And this year, as I say, I hit upon this new insight, even before watching it.

How about you? What do you think about It’s a Wonderful Life? Do you remember the first time you ever saw it?