# I'm watching "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 25, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120 "2013-12-25T02:40:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/41 "2013-12-25T18:13:31Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](#): > > [That’s urban legend, according to some.](http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Are_Bert_and_Ernie_named_after_characters_from_It's_a_Wonderful_Life%3F) Some, including the Jim Henson team, who should know. See paragraph 15 here: [http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/02/10/mf.muppet.favorites.stories/](http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/02/10/mf.muppet.favorites.stories/) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/42 "2013-12-25T18:19:58Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > It’s not in the public domain, that’s why you’ll find only NBC airing it, they’re the only ones licensed to do so. > > The movie was in the public domain (effectively) for years and that is how it became famous as every local TV station in the country could show it without having to pay anybody. > > But in the '90s there was a lot of legal wrangling and ultimately it was taken back out of the public domain (as a derivative work of something still under copyright) and that is when every TV station stopped showing it and it became an annual NBC tradition. > > A horrible tradition to me as I’m of the opinion that America got it right the first time by mostly ignoring this movie. I remember seeing a colorized version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” when it was temporarily in the public domain, probably on TBS. Ted Turner was heavily into colorization at the time. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/43 "2013-12-25T18:50:40Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/44 "2013-12-25T19:39:32Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’m not much of a TV or movie watcher. Don’t hold it against me. > > I did enjoy this movie however. > > This is the first year in my life that I’ve spent Christmas Eve alone. So, I got to choose what to watch. And with the annual NHL Christmas break… No games on TV (even in an Olympic year) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/45 "2013-12-25T19:57:28Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > I’m running out of time to watch it myself since I’m 57 years old now. I’ve never seen A Christmas Story either. You’ll love it. It’s set in that indeterminate 30s-40s-50s-very-early-60s period that you caught the tail end of. Radio instead of TV, but I felt right at home. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/46 "2013-12-26T02:55:57Z")
As for the floor opening in the Beverly Hills high-school gym, my father was attending Hollywood High at the time they filmed the movie. He knew all about the Beverly Hills High gym floor and confirmed it was real. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/47 "2013-12-26T03:48:07Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > It’s not in the public domain, that’s why you’ll find only NBC airing it, they’re the only ones licensed to do so. > > The movie was in the public domain (effectively) for years and that is how it became famous as every local TV station in the country could show it without having to pay anybody. > > But in the '90s there was a lot of legal wrangling and ultimately it was taken back out of the public domain (as a derivative work of something still under copyright) and that is when every TV station stopped showing it and it became an annual NBC tradition. > > A horrible tradition to me as I’m of the opinion that America got it right the first time by mostly ignoring this movie. And just what qualifies _you_ to speak for America? ---
**Author:** ![Hermione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cdc98d/32.png) [@Hermione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermione)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/48 "2013-12-26T03:50:12Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I remember seeing a colorized version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” when it was temporarily in the public domain, probably on TBS. Ted Turner was heavily into colorization at the time. You got that right, and it looked invariably AWFUL. That weird pinkish-yellowish tone they tried to pass off as “flesh”… My folks got me the VHS of IAWL when I was fourteen (my CCD class had watched it over my teacher’s house and I’d fallen in love with it), but they got the colorized version. After a while, I got to turning down the color knob so I didn’t feel like I was watching a cheap Saturday morning cartoon. (The thing is…many of the movies that were colorized were made in the era of color film, so if they’d wanted to film it in color, they WOULD have. It might have been nice if this were filmed in color, but it’s in black and white and looks fine that way.) ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/49 "2013-12-26T04:04:50Z")
I happen to be watching this movie right now as I type (the job offer scene, by coincidence). We watch it every Christmas. Given my hatred of most commercials, we simply bought the DVD. Second the loathing for colorizing. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/50 "2013-12-26T05:41:49Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > And just what qualifies _you_ to speak for America? Apparently having better taste. (Not that I spoke for America and pretty explicitly stated it as a personal opinion.) ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/51 "2013-12-26T06:31:42Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > Apparently having better taste. (Not that I spoke for America and pretty explicitly stated it as a personal opinion.) YOU have better taste? Ho, ho, ho. Well, trot out titles of YOUR favorite movies and we’ll see! ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/52 "2013-12-26T06:48:41Z")
I don’t need to justify my taste. On this issue, obviously I think it is better. If I didn’t think I was right I would have a different opinion. You’re apparently under the mistaken perception that taste is objective. Personally, I find It’s a Wonderful Life to be a terribly boring movie with little redeeming quality. I’m ok with others disagreeing. Though I find it an interesting historical oddity that most people agreed with me until a pure business decision (not an artistic demand) resulted in people seeing the movie presented every year slowly changing perception. Personally, I think this is not because people were wrong about the movie but because people tend to be stupid about things they come to associate with the holidays. Thus: most Christmas songs. And egg nog. So how about this, you trot out your list of favorite movies and we’ll all yawn with indifference regardless of what you name because none of our opinions on movies are based on anything that makes dick measuring worthwhile. However, if it turns out that It’s a Wonderful Life is actually your mother and you’re being so weirdly antagonistic because I just insulted your mother, I’ll retract it as something true but impolite to say in front of the children of an ugly mother. ---
**Author:** ![Happyasaclam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7c8e57/32.png) [@Happyasaclam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happyasaclam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/53 "2013-12-26T06:54:32Z")
I think an angel just got her wings. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/54 "2013-12-26T14:03:26Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > I don’t need to justify my taste. On this issue, obviously I think it is better. If I didn’t think I was right I would have a different opinion. > > You’re apparently under the mistaken perception that taste is objective. Personally, I find It’s a Wonderful Life to be a terribly boring movie with little redeeming quality. I’m ok with others disagreeing. Though I find it an interesting historical oddity that most people agreed with me until a pure business decision (not an artistic demand) resulted in people seeing the movie presented every year slowly changing perception. Personally, I think this is not because people were wrong about the movie but because people tend to be stupid about things they come to associate with the holidays. Thus: most Christmas songs. And egg nog. > > So how about this, you trot out your list of favorite movies and we’ll all yawn with indifference regardless of what you name because none of our opinions on movies are based on anything that makes dick measuring worthwhile. > > However, if it turns out that It’s a Wonderful Life is actually your mother and you’re being so weirdly antagonistic because I just insulted your mother, I’ll retract it as something true but impolite to say in front of the children of an ugly mother. I may be wrong, and it is just my opinion, but wouldn’t this be considered an example of thread-sh\*tting? If that is the case, please go away, the grownups are talking about a movie they enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/55 "2013-12-26T15:00:19Z")
I expressed very mildly my opinion on the movie in the course of correcting someone’s misinformation as to the intellectual property status of the movie, it was demanded that I defend that opinion. And when I declined to do that (mostly because it wasn’t really relevant) it was demanded that I present my bona fides for having any opinion at all. This was not a thread started for the sole purpose of praising this movie. In fact, no opinion is initially expressed at all. I was not aware that having any divergent opinion from the average or thoughts on how the movie came to have the reputation it does would be beyond the pale. I’m glad you all enjoy the movie. I’m sorry that someone not agreeing with you apparently causes trauma. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/56 "2013-12-26T15:12:39Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > I’m glad you all enjoy the movie. I’m sorry that someone not agreeing with you apparently causes trauma. You were on reasonably safe ground until this comment because it’s just intended to annoy. Everybody drop the hijack, please. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/57 "2013-12-26T16:42:37Z")
Actually, that one was sincerely meant. The It’s a Wonderful Life as ugly mother was the one intended to annoy. But your point is taken and I’ll move on. So, in sincerity, I’m glad the OP experienced a new movie and enjoyed it. And since comments in this thread suggest that Leaffan has had at minimum a lack of exposure to old movies, if not an aversion to them, I hope this success opens a door to the many wonderful discoveries waiting. Within the vein of Frank Capra I would suggest trying It Happened One Night or Arsenic and Old Lace. Leaving Capra I would also recommend my personal favorite movie of all time (since I was asked): All About Eve. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/58 "2013-12-26T17:08:11Z")
If we’re making recommendations for old movies: _Kind Hearts and Coronets_ with the great Alec Guinness in multiple roles. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/59 "2013-12-26T17:26:45Z")
OK, I’ll play: _Casablanca_ - rousing WWII-era drama and romance. Bogie, Rains, Henreid, Lorre and Bergman! Deservedly a classic. _Notorious_ - my favorite Hitchcock. A great spy thriller/romance. _The Third Man_ - Atmospheric, post-WWII thriller set in occupied Vienna. Great zither soundtrack. _The Maltese Falcon_ - Classic hardboiled detective story, also starring Humphrey Bogart. _The General_ - Buster Keaton slapstick in an idealized American Civil War. _City Lights_ - Charlie Chaplin at his bittersweet best. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120/60 "2013-12-26T17:37:49Z")
My father dismissed this movie without watching it. “Like hell it’s a wonderful life!” If he only had watched it, he may have gotten its message. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-its-a-wonderful-life-for-the-first-time/677120.md?page=4)