Counting down to Christmas - December 1 - It's a Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn

Hohoho!  As I was watching the Frank Capra classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" I was thinking about how nice it would be to have sort of a day by day holiday movie/tv special countdown and a place where I could share my thoughts but also a place where others could chime in as well. (Seeing that this is the Internet, what could go wrong with that, right?!)

We begin with The story of George Bailey and a movie that really is not just a Christmas film, but one that espouses the trials and joys of life in a small community.  The movie became a classic favorite because it was in the public domain and shown on broadcast tv non stop for many years.  It is both old fashioned and modern at the same time: heartfelt sentiment (also called "Capra-corn") mixed with self exploration and duty to family, friends and community.

George Bailey's personal journey is that of a frustrated optimist who allows the needs of others to come before himself.  He finds that the riches he receives from his life of giving far outweigh the silver and gold he might have found in a self centered life. Considering the season in which it is shown, I would say that in some ways it's one of the most "Christmasy" films available.

As an interesting contrast, I also watched another chestnut on December 1: Holiday Inn.  There are some great moments including Bing Crosby's introduction of White Christmas and Fred Astaire's Fourth of July firecracker dance, but most of the characters in the film, especially Astaire's Ted, are selfish jerks.  Ted steals Jim's (Bing) girlfriend Lila to start the film and makes an attempt to do so a second time later.  He tries to cash in on the Holiday Inn idea and take advantage of his former partner and supposed good friend.  The characters all try to take advantage of each other and the situation at hand for their benefit.  Now in true Hollywood style, they all get a little spanking of comeuppance over the course of the movie and it all comes out ok in the end, but it made for very interesting viewing to watch a film about putting others first contrasted with a film about putting yourself first at all costs.

Both are good pictures to watch at some point in the season, but I have to say that " It's a Wonderful Life" is the winner on day one for me.