Should I wait until christmas day to watch "It's a Wonderful Life"?

[Steophan]

I've never seen the film before. I'll be alone on christmas day. I've been watching a good few Jimmy Stewart films recently and liked most of them. Oh, I'd prefer no spoilers in replies, but I'm aware it's such a well known film it may be inevitable.

[Antigen]

It's always been a Christmas Eve movie in my family.

[Quercus alba]

Originally Posted by Antigen

It's always been a Christmas Eve movie in my family.

But when do you watch the Muppet Christmas Carol?

[panache45]

Although it's considered a Christmas movie, most of it could take place any time of year. It's only the last scene that has anything to do with Christmas. (I haven't seen it in several years, so I may be wrong about this.)

[a35362]

I vote for Christmas Eve. Enjoy!

[silenus]

I would skip it entirely and watch something else, like Taxi Driver or Bad Santa. It's A Wonderful Life is a lousy movie.

[interface2x]

Originally Posted by silenus

I would skip it entirely and watch something else, like Taxi Driver or Bad Santa. It's A Wonderful Life is a lousy movie.

Huh, that took longer than usual. I was guessing by post #4.

I say Christmas eve, as well.

[Steophan]

Originally Posted by silenus

I would skip it entirely and watch something else, like Taxi Driver or Bad Santa. It's A Wonderful Life is a lousy movie.

I'll hold you entirely responsible for any actions that follow from me watching Taxi Driver alone on christmas day!

[Chefguy]

We watch it somewhere in the middle, after A Christmas Carol and before Miracle on 34th Street.

[Zsofia]

It's pretty bleak if you're actually paying attention. Just FYI.

[Markxxx]

Originally Posted by panache45

Although it's considered a Christmas movie, most of it could take place any time of year. It's only the last scene that has anything to do with Christmas. (I haven't seen it in several years, so I may be wrong about this.)

I agree I never thought of it as a Christmas film. It just happens to end there.

If you like Jimmy Stewart dont forget Rear Window, he's OK but Grace Kelly is so beautiful, and I'm a gay man so you know she's really hot if I think so

[BrotherCadfael]

I saw it before it became a Christmas classic. This would have been about 1981, at a college bar's movie night. As I recall, it was in September or thereabouts?

[ZipperJJ]

Nah, the entire second half, where Clarence comes down, takes place at Christmas. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas when George goes off the deep end. So it's not just the last scene that is Christmassy.

If you are planning on being sort of melancholy about being alone on Christmas, this movie might not make things better. The message is that "no man is a failure who has friends." So if you feel sad about not having friends around on Christmas, it might make you more sad.

Still, a wonderful movie. I watch it every Christmas with my folks.

[a35362]

We had this discussion of It's a Wonderful Life last year. Some strongly-held opinions all around. You might want to watch the movie first before reading this, though.

[gonzomax]

Originally Posted by silenus

I would skip it entirely and watch something else, like Taxi Driver or Bad Santa. It's A Wonderful Life is a lousy movie.

If you want to go to sleep early ,run it. I prefer" Bad Santa".

[Stranger On A Train]

Originally Posted by silenus

I would skip it entirely and watch something else, like Taxi Driver or Bad Santa. It's A Wonderful Life is a lousy movie.

Now, now, silenus, while I agree that It's A Wonderful Life is a terrible movie about a poor man whose dreams and achievements are foiled at every turn by a beguiling succubus who dooms him to remaining his entire life in some crappy town full of freakazoid people that will soon be the setting for a Stephen King novel, we must stay in the spirit of Christmas. I recommend that the o.p. watch Die Hard or Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which are good movies that have a prominent Christmas theme.

Besides, Taxi Driver--along with Scorsese's Raging Bull--is really more of a New Year's Eve film, to really get you rolling right for the coming year.

Stranger

[silenus]

OK, Die Hard I can get behind. Or maybe Lethal Weapon.

[Steophan]

Originally Posted by Markxxx

I agree I never thought of it as a Christmas film. It just happens to end there. If you like Jimmy Stewart dont forget Rear Window, he's OK but Grace Kelly is so beautiful, and I'm a gay man so you know she's really hot if I think so

I love that film! Along with Harvey, it's my favourite Jimmy Stewart performance. Grace Kelly's too blonde for my taste in it though!

[Steophan]

Originally Posted by Stranger On A Train

Besides, Taxi Driver--along with Scorsese's Raging Bull--is really more of a New Year's Eve film, to really get you rolling right for the coming year. Stranger

If I want Scorsese for christmas, I'l probably watch New York, New York. I can't remember if it actually mentions christmas, but it's got the right sort of feel.
Or if I really want to be miserable about sitting in a room alone watching films, The Aviator.

[Jim's Son]

I'm not a big fan of the movie but since it is so well-known that you might as well see if just because it is well-known. How about December 20th, because that was when the filmed debuted in 1946?


"Rear Window" also has Raymond Burr as the villain. Having grown up watching him on "Perry Mason", it was surprising to me that originally he played villains in movies (being 300 pounds helped that). Apparently he auditioned for "Perry Mason" as DA Hamilton Burger but author Earl Stanley Gardner saw him and said "That's Perry Mason!". Same thing with Ernest Borgnine and Fred McMurray. They were baddies in movies but somehow got cast as good guys on TV.

[Stranger On A Train]

Originally Posted by Jim's Son

...and Fred McMurray. They were baddies in movies but somehow got cast as good guys on TV.

Well, that's a matter of interpretation. Certainly, he played the genial father figure on My Three Sons, but the frequency with which characters disappeared, suddenly and with only the most half-baked explanations suggests that something far more sinister was going on just behind the fake plastic brick wall.

Stranger

[a35362]

God bless us, every one, but especially Stranger.

[Guinastasia]

Watch it whenever you want. Comedy Central has been showing Christmas Vacation a lot lately and I NEVER skip it. (I love that movie)