8 minute read
A holiday classic with class
Jimmy Stewart stars in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
By Kyla Brewer TV Media
The holiday favorite that never fails to warm viewers’ hearts is back just in time for Christmas Eve.
Oscar winner Jimmy Stewart (“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” 1939) stars as George Bailey, a good man facing financial ruin in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” airing Tuesday, Dec. 24, on NBC. Directed by Frank Capra (“You Can’t Take It With You,” 1938), the film was re leased in 1946 and has since become a Yuletide classic.
George has given up many of his own dreams to help the people in his hometown of Bedford Falls, but when his uncle misplaces $8,000 from the family building and loan business, the situation looks bleak. As a distraught George contemplates suicide and wishes he was never born, God sends a bumbling guardian angelin-training named Clarence (Henry Travers, “Mrs. Miniver,” 1942) to help him through. Clarence — who hopes the assignment will fi nally earn him his wings — shows George what Bedford Falls would be like without him, and they visit the many people whose lives he has touched throughout the years, including his wife, Mary (Donna Reed, “From Here to Eternity,” 1953).
Karolyn Grimes (“The Bishop’s Wife,” 1947), who played George and Mary’s daughter Zuzu, is one of the film’s few remaining living cast members. She’s famous for the memorable line: “Look daddy. Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” In a 2016 Vanity Fair article com- movie was considered a financial flop at the time of its release. The tale behind the production is almost as interesting as the movie itself.
As the story goes, the movie was based on the short story “The Greatest Gift,” by author Philip Van Doren Stern. Capra bought the rights for $10,000, and it was the director’s first feature since making propaganda films during the war. It was also Stewart’s first since returning from his wartime
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foamite and sugar to create fake snow for the film.
When the film was released in December 1946, it garnered mixed reviews and failed to break even at the box office. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but only won for Shearman’s special effects. While it may not have been a complete bomb, as some suggest, it did lose the studio about a half a million dollars.
However, all was not lost for the film. In 1974, the rights to “It’s a Wonderful Life” were not renewed due to a clerical error, and since it was now free to do so, hundreds of TV stations aired the movie repeatedly throughout the 1980s, and millions of viewers became enamored with the holiday tale. Although rights have since been reclaimed, it continues to delight fans each Christmas, and is now widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made.
Stewart’s critically acclaimed performance as Bailey undoubtedly has a lot to do with the success of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and Hollywood legend Lionel Barrymore (“Key Largo,” 1948) is fantastic as the movie’s antagonist, the mean, rich, old Mr. Potter. Barrymore had worked with Capra before, as had H.B. Warner (“The King of Kings,” 1927), who played druggist Mr. Gower. Fans of Capra’s work may also recognize another familiar face, or beak, as it were. The raven in the building and loan scenes was Jimmy the Raven, who appeared in many of Capra’s films.
Fans of Stewart’s work may recognize Beulah Bondi, who played George’s mother, Mrs. Bailey. Bondi portrayed the mother of Stewart’s characters in four of the actor’s films, including “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939). Thomas Mitchell, who stars as George’s Uncle Billy in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is also in that film.
Whether you’re celebrating a homey family Christmas with all of the trimmings or honoring the holiday in a more understated way, don’t miss the magic of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” airing Tuesday, Dec. 24, on NBC. And remember the wisdom of the film’s angel, Clarence, who sent George a card that read: “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”
Sometimes my fans can be nervous, and they say things they don’t necessarily mean. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve got, “Woah, you’re actually really pretty in real life” — it’s just like anytime I’m on a Tinder date!
I go back and forth on artificial intelligence. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad. It’s like taking shots. The next day you realize it was a mistake, but the night of you’re like, “I’m going to live forever!”
The one reason I love Thanksgiving is it brings the whole family together. And the one reason I hate Thanksgiving is because it brings the whole family together.
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Trump had his annual physical. There was an awkward moment when the nurse told Trump, “Mr. President, the open part of the robe should be in the back.”
Victoria’s Secret has officially canceled their Fashion Show. Or, as one guy put it, “Oh my God, this week CAN get worse!”
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but impeachment is still the big story. So big, in fact, that this year at the parade, the transcript of Trump’s Ukraine call is going to be one of the balloons.
This year the two turkeys up for pardon were called Bread and Butter. Butter got the official pardon moment. Only one thing: Bread won the White House Twitter poll by 12 points. I’m surprised Bread won the popular vote — I can’t believe it’s not Butter!
According to the TSA, you can bring your Thanksgiving turkey on an airplane. As for other Thanksgiving food, pies or cookies are allowed right in your carry-on, gravy or cranberry sauce can go in your checked luggage and corn pudding can go directly to hell!
5 Addis Ababa’s land: Abbr. 6 Butler of fiction
7 Ascend Mount Everest
8 One of Ned Flanders’ two sons 9 Down under currency: Abbv. 10 “Star Trek” and “The Big Bang Theory” actor Wheaton 11 Comics legend Stan 17 ___ tai (drink) 19 States of
By Jessica Gosse TV Media
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX “Lost in Space” Season 2
The Robinson family returns as Season 2 of Netflix’s reboot of the popular 1960s sci-fi series premieres Tuesday, Dec. 24. True to the original series, “Lost in Space” follows the Robinson family, astronauts who have become lost after their colony ship is attacked. Toby Stephens (“Black Sails”) and Molly Parker (“House of Cards”) lead the cast as father and former Navy SEAL John and mother and engineer Maureen, respectively. The parents are joined by their three children: Judy (Taylor Russell, “Escape Room,” 2019), Penny (Mina Sundwall, “Freeheld,” 2015) and Will (Maxwell Jenkins, “Betrayal”). Lost alongside the Robinsons are the cunning Dr. Smith (Parker Posey, “Columbus,” 2017), the roguish Don West (Ignacio Serriccho, “The Young and The Restless”) and the Robot (Brian Steele, “Exists,” 2014) that Will has befriended. Season 2 sees them still lost on the ocean planet Jupiter 2 facing new challenges as they search for Robot, who has gone missing, and try to find a way to survive and reunite with their colony ship. Don’t miss the action when Season 2 of “Lost in Space” premieres.
“You” Season 2
On Thursday, Dec. 26, Penn Badgley (“Gossip Girl”) returns in Season 2 of this thrilling series that had viewers obsessing last year. Badgley stars as Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager who becomes increasingly obsessed with his customer, Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail, “Once Upon A Time”), and uses social media to stalk her. The intense first season of the series is based on the popular novel of the same name by author Caroline Kepnes, and Season 2 is loosely based on the sequel called “Hidden Bodies,” a title that should serve as an indicator of thrills to come. As the series continues, we see Goldberg move to Los Angeles, where he meets and becomes infatuated with aspiring chef Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti, “The Haunting of Hill House”). Things are different this time around, though, since Quinn doesn’t use social media. Find out to what lengths Goldberg will go to make someone love him when Season 2 of “You” premieres.
“Fast & Furious: Spy Racers”
Vin Diesel continues working on his longest-running franchise as he produces and stars in the upcoming ninth and 10th installments of the Fast and Furious series, and takes on the role of executive producer for this new animated show
“Fast & Furious: Spy Racers,” which is set to premiere Thursday, Dec. 26. The animated series follows Tony Toretto (voiced by Tyler Posey, “Teen Wolf”), the cousin of Diesel’s original series character Dominic Toretto. Tony takes a cue from his cousin when he is recruited by a government agency to gain access to a crime organization that is using an elite racing league to cover up their plans for world domination. Also lending their voices to the series are Camille Ramsey (“Class of Lies”) as underground racer Layla Gray, Luke Youngblood (“Galavant”) as tech genius Frostee Benson, Charlet Chung (“Carmen Sandiego”) as the spy Echo, and Jorge Diaz (“Lost in Oz”) as the team muscle, Cisco.
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME VIDEO
“Night Hunter” (2018)
On Wednesday, Dec. 25, don’t miss this star-studded new crime drama. Henry Cavill (“The Witcher”) stars as police officer Marshall, alongside Alexandra Daddario (“Baywatch” 2017) as the newly promoted criminal profiler Rachel. After arresting a serial killer named Simon (Brendan Fletcher, “Siren”), Marshall and Rachel must team up with retired judge and vigilante, Cooper (Ben Kingsley, “Self/less,” 2015), in order to stay one step ahead as Simon manages to orchestrate brutal attacks despite being behind bars. Also starring Stanley Tucci (“The Silence,” 2019), Nathan Fillion (“The Rookie”) and Minka Kelly (“Titans”), this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU “Better Things” Season 3
Despite the scandal surround- ing series creator Louis C.K. that co-creator and star Pamela Adlon (“Californication”) described as a “Molotov cocktail,” this FX dramedy has pulled through and is back for a third season, which is available to stream starting Saturday, Dec. 28. Aldon continues in her role as Sam Fox, an actress who, on top of dealing with the intense pressure of working in Hollywood, is also a single mother raising her three daughters: angsty teenager Max (Mikey Madison, “Imposters”), radical middle child Frankie (Hannah Alligood, “Paper Towns,” 2015) and the adorable Duke (Olivia Edward, “Crazy ExGirlfriend”). She also has to handle her eccentric mother, Phyllis (Celia Imrie, “Malevolent,” 2018). The hilarious chaos of their lives continues as Sam’s age begins to show more physically, thanks to the onset of menopause. While Aldon has described the series as an exaggeration of being a single working mother, it is still deeply relatable. Watch this hilarious and heartwarming family that may rip each other apart but would still choose each other over anything else.
“Into the Dark: Midnight Kiss” Hulu’s horror anthology series “Into the Dark” continues on Friday, Dec. 27, in this New Year’s themed installment. Augustus Prew (“Prison Break”), Scott Evans (“Grace and Frankie”), Ayden Mayeri (“Homecoming”), Lukas Gage (“T@gged”), Chester Lockhart (“Todrick”) and Adam Faison (“Liberty Crossing”) star in this edition as a group of gay best friends. Every year on New Year’s Eve, the friends play a game called Midnight Kiss to ring in the new year in a fun and sexy way. The game challenges them to find someone special to be with at midnight. This year, though, their friendships are tested by resentment, secrets and jealousy, not to mention a psychotic killer who wants in on the fun. As what should be a night of thrilling fun turns into a night of terror, truths are revealed and the friends must fight to survive.
From the list, find each word and circle its letters in the puzzle to reveal a message relating to this week's theme
