# Should I wait until christmas day to watch "It's a Wonderful Life"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096 "2010-11-27T20:10:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/1 "2010-11-27T20:10:45Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/2 "2010-11-27T20:59:03Z")
It’s always been a Christmas Eve movie in my family. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/3 "2010-11-27T21:07:05Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > It’s always been a Christmas Eve movie in my family. But when do you watch the Muppet Christmas Carol? 😕 ---
**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:** [November 27, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/4 "2010-11-27T21:11:50Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/5 "2010-11-27T21:14:26Z")
I vote for Christmas Eve. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/6 "2010-11-27T21:19:17Z")
I would skip it entirely and watch something else, like **Taxi Driver** or **Bad Santa**. **It’s A Wonderful Life** is a lousy movie. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/7 "2010-11-27T21:35:54Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/8 "2010-11-27T21:42:35Z")
> [@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! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/9 "2010-11-27T22:33:43Z")
We watch it somewhere in the middle, after _A Christmas Carol_ and before _Miracle on 34th Street_. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/10 "2010-11-27T23:16:47Z")
It’s pretty bleak if you’re actually paying attention. Just FYI. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/11 "2010-11-27T23:49:21Z")
> [@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 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/12 "2010-11-28T02:52:54Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/13 "2010-11-28T02:58:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/14 "2010-11-28T03:23:54Z")
We had [this discussion](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=544279) 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. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/15 "2010-11-28T03:26:36Z")
> [@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". ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/16 "2010-11-28T03:58:15Z")
> [@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 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/17 "2010-11-28T04:07:47Z")
OK, **Die Hard** I can get behind. Or maybe **Lethal Weapon**. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/18 "2010-11-28T06:12:25Z")
> [@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! ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/19 "2010-11-28T06:18:45Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096/20 "2010-11-28T11:10:33Z")
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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-wait-until-christmas-day-to-watch-its-a-wonderful-life/562096.md?page=2)