It should be classified as a horror flick. Hinds, were businessmen, in the building and loan business, and they were shown as using money as a benevolent influence.” But the hero and his father, played by James Stewart and Samuel S. That picture is Frank Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ The banker in that picture, played by Lionel Barrymore, was most certainly. The pressure eased up when a witness liked by the HUAC, ex-Communist screenwriter John Charles Moffitt, testified, “I would right now like to defend one picture that I think has been unjustly accused of Communism. A 1947 memo by the FBI containing interviews with Hollywood types, which became of interest to the House Un-American Activities Committee, stated, “With regard to the picture ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, stated in substance that the film represented a rather obvious attempt to discredit bankers by casting Lionel Barrymore as a ‘scrooge-type’ so that he would be the most hated man in the picture.” This, according to these sources, is a common trick used by Communists. had a lifelong apathy towards his Catholic upbringing, and the movie’s religious characters and references seem superficial and insubstantial, or simply whimsical in comparison to the action and characters that dominate the central narrative of the film.” Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed Everett Collection Regarding Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey, Wilson notes: “Even if he does at one point pray to God, is not religious at all, but simply a man trying to find transcendence in the routine of his life and in his duties to his family, friends and community. It’s “the least religious but most humanist film you could ever see,” said David Wilson in The Guardian, because it suggests people should fix their problems on Earth rather than waiting for God to help out.
This town needs this measly one-horse institution if only to have some place where people can come without crawling to Potter. That’s what you’re talking about, I know. You’re talking about something you can’t get your fingers on, and it’s galling you. I’m talkin’ about the Building and Loan.īailey: I know very well what you’re talking about. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you’ll ever be. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so.
Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about, they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Wait? Wait for what?! Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they’re so old and broken-down that - You know how long it takes a workin’ man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. You, you said that they - What’d you say just a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even thought of a decent home.