AFI 100 (#20): It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 1:28PM I think something that got lost in my epic post about The Graduate is the performance of the actors. And to be fair, I think that's indicative of the kind of film it was. However, having recently watched Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life (#20 on AFI's Top 100 list), I have been reminded of yet another key ingredient in making a classic film: flat out acting that moves you.
Before I attach the following clip to illustrate my point, I'll give a little context for the 2.4% of you that have actually never seen the film on some cozy, or not so cozy, Christmas morn. Set in 1919, It's A Wonderful Life is about Bedford Falls native George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a small-town boy who grows up into a small-town man. The only dream he's ever had is to rid himself of his "small-town" moniker.
Unfortunately, all of George's well-intentioned, well-planned attempts at leaving are shot down one by one. For instance, he's about to head off to college when his father's untimely death leaves him responsible for the family business: the 'ole Bailey Building and Loan. Dutifully, but reluctantly, he takes up the reigns to keep it from going under.
There is, of course, also a romantic interest involved: fellow Bedfords Falls-er Mary Hatch (Donna Reed). Her equally one-dimensional dream has been to make George Bailey her one and only (see clip below).
Fast-forward a few years and Mary has just come back from college, while George has suffered another haymaker to his dreams (another clip). George wanders over to Mary's place and the two have a deliciously awkward exchange. Mary, obviously still love-sick for George, has set up a slightly pathetic 'greatest-hits' recollection from their first (and only) date. George is oblivious. Still confused and discouraged about his latest setback, he rejects Mary's advances coldly. He storms off as Sam Wainwright (more about him later), her current "beau", calls the house.
A perfect set-up for shenanigans folks. Let's see how they knock 'em down:
Yowza! To quote Roger Ebert for a moment, the scene is "wonderfully romantically charged." To quote my father, "I feel the tension. She says nothing yet with her eyes and breathing, [she] says everything." Frank Capra creates so much tension between them in the scene, it's palpable. If they hadn't kissed at the end, can you imagine how deflated everyone watching the film would be?
It's interesting to see how Frank (we're on first name basis now) plays this one out. Almost the entire scene is in a single, uninterrupted two-shot of Mary and George. It's eye-level, and the lighting is flat (that is, lighting which provides little or no shadowing). The only thing that's out of the ordinary or semi-subjective is the acting -- the way the two exchange glances, how he smells her hair as she gets a bit too close, the pauses in response to Sam's questions -- all of those moments are palpable with this bottled-up romantic energy bubbling to get out. Finally, for our sake, it culminates in George being overwhelmed by desire as he takes her in his arms.
Phew...
Best Hollywood Legend Regarding This Scene: According to popular, but questionable Hollywood-lore, Jimmy was very nervous about the scene because it was the first on-screen kiss he had to do since returning from WWII. Jimmy, like a savage, filmed the scene in one unrehearsed take. When the magic happened, Frank yelled "Cut. PRINT!" -- which in film speak means, "We got it! Let's move on!" -- and the rest is history.
Most Outrageous Claim Inspired By Me After Watching This: I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I think it's the best "sex scene" not involving sex I've ever seen. Challenge me sir or ma'am, I dare you!
Ok, you got me. The seminal romantic scene in Newsies between Christian Bale and that one girl he's into takes the cake. But other than that?? I think not.
An excuse to run a picture of Newsies.Best Forgotten Character: Funny story. When all the chips are down and George is faced with both financial ruin and substantial jail time, who comes to the rescue but none other than Sam "Hee-Haw" Wainwright -- yes, the very same Sam Wainwright who George steals Mary from in this telephone scene! The same Sam Wainwright who offered George a comfortable job far from Bedford Falls, not once, but twice! Yet, he still rings as fast as he can and wires George & co. the $25,000 he needs. What a stand-up guy.
The forgotten manIt's a shame that no one remembers who Sam is, let alone how good of a friend he was to the universally-beloved George. However, at long last, a project is being put together to commemorate dear Mr. Wainwright: a man who gave so much for other people and only had dolla dolla bills ya'll, and an otherwise cold, and empty existence to show for it. Check it out.
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I realize this took way too long to post. I will try to do the next one in a speedier fashion.
Reader Comments (6)
Hee Haw .. I'm in love with Mary!
Great movie. Especially like the shoot-out at the end.
Agreed pops.
Also, Kyle, you are a twat. The end.
My mom thought this was funny. This is one of her favorite movies. She cries EVERY time she watches it.
Momma Pulido! She would. Haha. Good for her.
Definitely Sexual