# It's a Wonderful Life - Do you like it or not?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** movies
**Created:** [December 17, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638 "2009-12-17T14:56:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2009, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/101 "2009-12-19T09:46:06Z")
I’ve only seen it once in recent memory (though I probably saw it as a kid). I liked it, though I could probably get tired of it easily.
I got it on DVD in the dollar bin. It’s not under copyright anymore, so it’s easy.
I also have most of the claymation specials. We don’t have cable, but it’s been a tradition to watch them. Picking up IaWL was just a bonus.
---
### Author:  [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2009, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/102 "2009-12-19T10:09:48Z")
If you’re talking about specials like _Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer_ and _Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town_, those were not clay animation (nor Claymation).
While the film _It’s a Wonderful Life_ is not under copyright, it is an adaptation of a story (“The Greatest Gift”) that is still under copyright and to which the filmmakers own the film rights. Thus, in effect, IaWL is not available as a public domain work any more.
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### Author:  [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/103 "2009-12-19T12:30:34Z")
> [@CT\_Damsel](#):
>
> I am so glad you asked.
>
> Poor old Mary.
>
> Absolutely no chance she might have married some other guy, or moved out of town, or run away with the circus, or been “discovered” at the soda fountain and become a movie star. Oh no. Poor old Mary “one George away” from becoming a dried up bitter old virgin.
Who says she’s a virgin? Maybe without George around, she went on an ill-considered date with “some other guy” who “discovered” her: a too-aggressive suitor who left her abused and embittered.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2009, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/104 "2009-12-19T13:46:30Z")
I used to watch it several times a Christmas season. You’d find it running on all the cable channels. It’s disappeared now and only airs once. I usually miss it. My favorite part is the Christmas scene at the end when George rediscovers the joy of life.
My favorite Christmas film is the _Bishops Wife_ with Loretta Young. I love the ice skating scene. The scene with the bishop stuck to a chair always keeps me laughing.
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### Author:  [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/105 "2009-12-19T18:49:31Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#):
>
> Who says she’s a virgin? Maybe without George around, she went on an ill-considered date with “some other guy” who “discovered” her: a too-aggressive suitor who left her abused and embittered.
Mary Hatch, the “Sadder but Wiser Girl”? :eek:
Well, hello Mary Sunshine! 😛
---
### Author:  [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/106 "2009-12-20T04:18:09Z")
> [@Walloon](#):
>
> While the film _It’s a Wonderful Life_ is not under copyright, it is an adaptation of a story (“The Greatest Gift”) that is still under copyright and to which the filmmakers own the film rights. Thus, in effect, IaWL is not available as a public domain work any more.
I believe you’re wrong on this, although I may not be quite understanding what you’re saying. IIRC, my friend who wrote the adaptation consulted with a copyright lawyer and was told that, since IAWL was not under copyright, he could write an adaptation of the movie–but not of the short story or of any other adaptation of the movie–without infringing on anyone’s copyright.
Edit: [I think I see what you’re saying now](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Wonderful_Life#Release).
---
### Author:  [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/107 "2009-12-20T05:46:51Z")
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> I understand no bank has enough cash to cover ALL deposits. I get that. Bailey B&L didn’t even have enough liquidity to pay out ONE depositor. He had to dip into his honeymoon money to do it. …
> [@](#):
>
> GEORGE: All right now, what happened? How did it start?
> UNCLE BILLY: How does anything like this ever start? All I know is the bank called our loan.
> GEORGE: When?
> UNCLE BILLY: About an hour ago. I had to hand over all our cash.
> GEORGE: All of it?
> UNCLE BILLY: Every cent of it, and it still was less than we owe.
> GEORGE: Holy mackerel!
> [@Wheelz](#):
>
> … Anybody else think George was banging Violet before he ultimately hooked up with Mary? Of course they couldn’t say so explicitly, but it seems there’s a subtext that those two have a deeper history than just being childhood classmates.
Violet wanted George before she even knew what that meant,
> [@](#):
>
> WIDER ANGLE –– Violet Bick enters the drugstore and sits on one of the stools at the fountain. She is the same height as Mary and the same age, but she is infinitely older in her approach to people.
> VIOLET (with warm friendliness): Hello, George.
> (then, flatly, as she sees Mary)
> VIOLET: 'Lo, Mary.
> MARY (primly): Hello, Violet.
> George regards the two of them with manly disgust. They are two kids to him, and a nuisance. He starts over for the candy counter.
> GEORGE: Two cents worth of shoelaces?
> VIOLET: She was here first.
> MARY: I’m still thinking.
> GEORGE (to Violet): Shoelaces?
> VIOLET: Please, Georgie.
> George goes over to the candy counter.
> VIOLET (to Mary): I like him.
> MARY: You like every boy.
> VIOLET (happily): What’s wrong with that?
> GEORGE: Here you are.
> George gives Violet a paper sack containing licorice shoelaces. Violet gives him the money.
> VIOLET (the vamp): Help me down?
> GEORGE (disgusted): Help you down!
> Violet jumps down off her stool and exits. Mary, watching, sticks out her tongue as she passes.
but there’s no way anything ever happened between them,
> [@](#):
>
> MRS. BAILEY: Did you know that Mary Hatch is back from school?
> GEORGE: Uh-huh.
> MRS. BAILEY: Came back three days ago.
> GEORGE: Hmmmm . . .
> MRS. BAILEY: Nice girl, Mary.
> GEORGE: Hmmmm . . .
> MRS. BAILEY: Kind that will help you find the answers, George.
> GEORGE: Hmmm . . .
> MRS. BAILEY: Oh, stop that grunting.
> GEORGE: Hmmm . . .
> MRS. BAILEY: Can you give me one good reason why you shouldn’t call on Mary?
> GEORGE: Sure –– Sam Wainwright.
> MRS. BAILEY: Hmmm?
> GEORGE: Yes. Sam’s crazy about Mary.
> MRS. BAILEY: Well, she’s not crazy about him.
> GEORGE: Well, how do you know? Did she discuss it with you?
> MRS. BAILEY: No.
> GEORGE: Well then, how do you know?
> MRS. BAILEY: Well, I’ve got eyes, haven’t I? Why, she lights up like a firefly whenever you’re around.
> GEORGE: Oh . . .
> MRS. BAILEY: And besides, Sam Wainwright’s away in New York, and you’re here in Bedford Falls.
> GEORGE: And all’s fair in love and war?
> MRS. BAILEY (primly): I don’t know about war.
> GEORGE: Mother, you know, I can see right through you –– right back to your back collar
> button . . . trying to get rid of me, huh?
> MRS. BAILEY: Uh-huh.
> They kiss. Mrs. Bailey puts George’s hat on his head.
> GEORGE: Well, here’s your hat, what’s your hurry? All right, Mother, old Building and Loan pal, I think I’ll go out and find a girl and do a little passionate necking.
> MRS. BAILEY: Oh, George!
> GEORGE: Now, if you’ll just point me in the right direction . . . This direction? (as he leaves) Good night, Mrs. Bailey.
>
> ```
> WIPE TO:
>
> ```
>
> EXTERIOR MAIN STREET BEDFORD FALLS –– NIGHT
>
> CLOSE SHOT –– George is standing in the middle of the street, hands in his pockets. As a girl passes, he turns and watches her for a moment. He is obviously undecided as to what he wants to do.
>
> EXTERIOR VIOLET BICK’S BEAUTY SHOP –– NIGHT
>
> MEDIUM SHOT –– Violet is locking up for the night. A couple of men are crowding around her, each one bent on taking her out. There is laughter, kidding and pawing. She looks up and sees George standing there.
>
> VIOLET (to the two men): Excuse me . . .
> MAN: Now, wait a minute.
> VIOLET: I think I got a date. But stick around, fellows, just in case, huh?
> MAN: We’ll wait for you, baby.
> CAMERA PANS WITH Violet as she crosses the street to George.
> MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT –– George and Violet.
> VIOLET: Hello, Georgie-Porgie.
> GEORGE: Hello, Vi.
> He looks her over. Violet takes her beauty shop seriously and she’s an eyeful. She senses the fact that George is far from immune to her attractions. She links her arm in his and continues on down the street with him.
> CLOSE MOVING SHOT –– George and Violet.
> VIOLET: What gives?
> GEORGE: Nothing.
> VIOLET: Where are you going?
> GEORGE: Oh, I’ll probably end up down at the library.
> They stop walking and face one another.
> VIOLET: George, don’t you ever get tired of just reading about things?
> Her eyes are seductive and guileful as she looks up at him. He is silent for a moment, then blurts out:
> GEORGE: Yes . . what are you doing tonight?
> VIOLET (feigned surprise): Not a thing.
> GEORGE: Are you game, Vi? Let’s make a night of it.
> VIOLET (just what she wanted): Oh, I’d love it, Georgie. What’ll we do?
> GEORGE: Let’s go out in the fields and take off our shoes and walk through the grass.
> VIOLET: Huh?
> GEORGE: Then we can go up to the falls. It’s beautiful up there in the moonlight, and there’s a green pool up there, and we can swim in it. Then we can climb Mt. Bedford, and smell the pines, and watch the sunrise against the peaks, and . . . we’ll stay up there the whole night, and everybody’ll be talking and there’ll be a terrific scandal . . .
> VIOLET (interrupting): George, have you gone crazy? Walk in the grass in my bare feet? Why, it’s ten miles up to Mt. Bedford.
> GEORGE: Shhh . . .
> VIOLET (angrily): You think just because you . . .
> By this time a small crowd has collected to watch the above scene. Violet is furious and talking in a loud voice, and George is trying to quiet her. Finally:
> GEORGE: Okay, just forget about the whole thing.
> As George stalks off, the crowd breaks into laughter, and we:
>
> ```
> WIPE TO:
>
> ```
>
> George calls on Mary and their fate is sealed
CMC fnord!
---
### Author:  [@Ruminator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruminator)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/108 "2009-12-20T11:16:25Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#):
>
> UNCLE BILLY: About an hour ago. I had to hand over all our cash.
That’s right. All their cash was STILL LESS than they owe. He had no reserves ANYWHERE in ANY ACCOUNT to pay out ONE depositor. This happened because ALL their capital was locked up in HOUSES. No prudent for-profit business does that but in the fiction they do. In fiction, their’s no penalty for mismanaging the company’s treasury because ultimately, an angel (channeled through George’s wife) will round up the town’s residents to bail it out. In real life, a company goes bankrupt and liquidated (e.g. S&L crisis 1990s).
Re-read the script again (or watch the movie carefully)… line-by-line… including all the words by Peter Bailey (George’s father), all the words by George (especially the board meeting after Peter’s death), and you’ll see that the Bailey B&L was run as a charity. Peter Bailey was so poor that he had no money to send even one son to college. George also explains his frustration to his father about penny-pinching 3 cents on pipe in their “shabby office.” The entire screenplay sets up the B&L as barely scraping by. It has to do this so the audience feels the gravity of the situation during the climax of the missing deposit.
If the film was based around JP Morgan instead of Peter Bailey, that missing deposit scene has no teeth. JP Morgan could just say to to the bank examiner, _“one of my employees lost $8k but let me run home and get some money. I’m sure I’ve got at least $8k in loose change in between my sofa cushions.”_
---
### Author:  [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/109 "2009-12-20T12:35:30Z")
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> Peter Bailey was so poor that he had no money to send even one son to college.
IIRC, he did send one son to college. And then there _ **was** _ enough money on hand to put George through college, if Harry had stuck to the deal upon graduating; all they needed was _ **someone** _ handling day-to-day operations at the Bailey Building & Loan during George’s college years. That would’ve been Peter, if he’d still been alive; it could be George, it could be Harry; it just couldn’t be Uncle Billy.
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### Author:  [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/110 "2009-12-20T12:44:57Z")
> [@lieu](#):
>
> Clarence was his sled, right?
This is a long thread, so I’m not sure if anyone corrected you. You’re thinking of Rosebud, the name of a particular sled in some other (non-holiday) classic. There. I didn’t spoil it for anyone. 😃
---
### Author:  [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/111 "2009-12-20T12:50:40Z")
> [@Walloon](#):
>
> If you’re talking about specials like _Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer_ and _Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town_, those were not clay animation (nor Claymation)
.
If they were not claymation, what were they? Maybe “fuzzmation” (to coin a term)? While Rudolph et al do not look like clay forms, the only thing I’ve experienced close to this was a toy chick my pediatrician had. It was two styrofoam balls placed into a yellow sock-like tube and sewn shut (with face and feet glued on). The two styrofoam balls allowed one to pose the chick in various positions. Maybe this is what Rudolph really was?
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### Author:  [@Ruminator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruminator)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/112 "2009-12-20T12:59:22Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#):
>
> IIRC, he did send one son to college. And then there _ **was** _ enough money on hand to put George through college,
Incorrect. If there was enough money, then George would have gone to college _immediately_ after his high-school graduation.
> [@](#):
>
> if Harry had stuck to the deal upon graduating; all they needed was _ **someone** _ handling day-to-day operations at the Bailey Building & Loan during George’s college years.
To claim that George was needed along with Peter and Uncle Billy is to dismiss the fact that both George & Harry were NOT employees at B&L when little George was a kid working part-time at Gower’s drugstore. It was _just_ Peter & Uncle Billy running the B&L when little George saved Gower’s reputation from his negligence. And it could have continued to be _just_ Peter & Uncle Billy if George went to college immediately (at least until Peter’s unforseen stroke.)
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### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/113 "2009-12-20T16:32:08Z")
I watched it once and became very depressed.
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### Author:  [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/114 "2009-12-20T18:24:14Z")
> [@Jinx](#):
>
> If they were not claymation, what were they? Maybe “fuzzmation” (to coin a term)?
The word “Claymation” is a trademark owned by filmmaker Will Vinton (_Chicken Run_, etc.). The generic term is “clay animation”. In any case, the figures in the Rankin/Bass specials like _Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ were not clay, they were carved from wood, with several different heads used to make the characters “talk” or change expression. Stop motion animation, but not clay animation. I saw the figures on display at NBC in New York many years ago. In 2006, two of the figures were shown on [_Antiques Roadshow_](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/providence_200501A42.html).
---
### Author:  [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/115 "2009-12-20T18:31:15Z")
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> All their cash was STILL LESS than they owe.
This is totally normal for any bank or savings & loan, anywhere, at any time. Deposits are liabilities, and cash is less than liabilities.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> He had no reserves ANYWHERE in ANY ACCOUNT to pay out ONE depositor.
Yes, _after_ the large outside bank “called its loan”–in effect, withdrew its deposit–and demanded cash. There was no cash left for other depositors. This could happen easily during the Great Depression, when bank failures precipitated chain reactions.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> This happened because ALL their capital was locked up in HOUSES.
No, there capital was locked up in houses, with a cash reserve, _which had to be paid out_ when the outside bank unexpectedly “called its loan”.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> Peter Bailey was so poor that he had no money to send even one son to college. George also explains his frustration to his father about penny-pinching 3 cents on pipe in their “shabby office.” The entire screenplay sets up the B&L as barely scraping by.
Small business owners seldom lead lives of luxury. Small businesses vacuum up capital and every dollar of earnings–when there are any–tends to get plowed back into the business. It doesn’t mean they are run as charities.
Even if the Bailey B&L had gone insolvent, and everybody involved had lost every dime, that _still_ wouldn’t make it a charity. For-profit business go bankrupt every day, despite the best efforts of their owners and managers.
---
### Author:  [@Ruminator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruminator)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/116 "2009-12-20T21:02:11Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#):
>
> There was no cash left for other depositors. This could happen easily during the Great Depression, when bank failures precipitated chain reactions.
If the business was run for profit, they could have withered the chain reaction. Many banks did. On the other hand, if you’re running the business to help satisfy a “fundamental urge” and to have a “decent room with a bath.”
> [@](#):
>
> It doesn’t mean they are run as charities.
>
> Even if the Bailey B&L had gone insolvent, and everybody involved had lost every dime, that _still_ wouldn’t make it a charity.
At the beginning of the movie, Peter Bailey pleads with Mr. Potter to accept a delay on $5000 because Peter’s mortgage holders were out of a job. This is charity, not business. Would Bank of America, or Chase, or Citi plead with their investors to wait for their money because General Motors auto workers with mortgages lost their job?
During the bank run, George used his personal savings to tide his depositors over. Does Wells Fargo, or any bank do that? This is charity, not business.
Gee whiz, what _does_ George have to do to finally be considered a charity? Pimp out his daughter for free blowjobs?!?!
Why is it so hard to accept that the B&L was run as charity when that very fact is what adds to the charm of the movie? If it wasn’t run as a “charity” why would the audience care that the town pooled their money at the end and rescued George’s bank?
In George’s Bailey speech to the board after Peter’s death, he says,
\*"Why he ever started this cheap penny-ante Building and Loan, I’ll never know.
"Why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn’t that right, Uncle Billy?
“He didn’t save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me.”
“But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter.”
“Well, in my book, he died a much richer man than you’ll ever be.”\*
If that’s not Mother-Theresa-Jesus-Christ masquerading as a banker, what is it? Did you watch a different movie than I did?
In the last year, several businesses closed down such as Circuit City, Linens N’ Things, Saturn cars. Did any residents get together to rescue any of those businesses? Why not? Why would they care? Did Circuit City suspend payment on the Circuit City credit-cards for the plasma TV when some of their customers were out of work?
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/117 "2009-12-20T22:17:49Z")
No, they didn’t, the bastards, and that’s why there’ll never be a heartwarming movie about them!
---
### Author:  [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/118 "2009-12-21T04:01:15Z")
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> At the beginning of the movie, Peter Bailey pleads with Mr. Potter to accept a delay on $5000 because Peter’s mortgage holders were out of a job. This is charity, not business. Would Bank of America, or Chase, or Citi plead with their investors to wait for their money because General Motors auto workers with mortgages lost their job?
Sure, sometimes. Credit card companies and mortgage lenders will sometimes agree on stretched-out payment schedules rather than foreclosing or suing over the first missed payment. And these are impersonal multinational corporations–I would expect more from a locally-based building and loan association.
After all, the building and loan depended on the prosperity of its community and the reputation of its proprietor for its long-term health. That was one reason by American governments in decades past encouraged the growth of small, local savings institutions rather than huge national banks. Experience proved this preferefence was misguided, as small institutions fail more readily than large, but nevertheless this was the guiding principle behind the savings & loan industry, and it’s hardly appropriate to dismiss the Baileys as aid donors (as Potter did) for following it.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> During the bank run, George used his personal savings to tide his depositors over.
He wasn’t just tiding his depositors over, he was saving his business.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> Does Wells Fargo, or any bank do that?
Nope. But small business owners do it every day of the week.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> Why is it so hard to accept that the B&L was run as charity when that very fact is what adds to the charm of the movie?
Because capitalism isn’t a zero-sum game! Both sides benefit in any non-coercive trade, or the trade would not take place.
If George is a charity worker, the movie _loses_ its charm. Of course charity workers are noble. George is a capitalist. He does good by building a business for the mutual benefit of himself and his community. As a capitalist myself I endorse this premise.
Clearly, there are elements of self-sacrifice in George’s story. (Arguably the self-sacrifice is exaggerated beyond the point of diminishing returns, but Frank Capra was never known for subtlety.) Like most small business owners, George could make more money working for another (Potter). Instead he chooses the long-term approach of pouring his body and soul into his business, investing in relationships and in his community. And when he really needs it, the community is there for him and pays him back in a way that Potter never could.
> [@Ruminator](#):
>
> In George’s Bailey speech to the board after Peter’s death, he says,
>
> \*"Why he ever started this cheap penny-ante Building and Loan, I’ll never know.
>
> "Why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself.If that’s not Mother-Theresa-Jesus-Christ masquerading as a banker, what is it?
He’s campaigning against Potter. Allow him a bit of exaggerated martyrdom.
---
### Author:  [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2009, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/119 "2009-12-21T06:42:24Z")
> [@Walloon](#):
>
> The word “Claymation” is a trademark owned by filmmaker Will Vinton (_Chicken Run_, etc.). The generic term is “clay animation”. In any case, the figures in the Rankin/Bass specials like _Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ were not clay, they were carved from wood, with several different heads used to make the characters “talk” or change expression. Stop motion animation, but not clay animation. I saw the figures on display at NBC in New York many years ago. In 2006, two of the figures were shown on [_Antiques Roadshow_](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/providence_200501A42.html).
The technique sounds something like George Pal’s [Puppetoons](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppetoons).
---
### Author:  [@raindrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindrop)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2009, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-wonderful-life-do-you-like-it-or-not/521638/120 "2009-12-21T07:44:59Z")
**CMC** , where’d you get that? Do you have a copy of the script somewhere?
Or have you memorized the whole thing, like **Wheelz**?
Hmm, funny how this thread makes me want to see IAWL yet again. Geez.
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