In this version of the Bailey family's Ford Model T, the car is loaded up with the Martini family's belongings, including three of their children and a goat, to help them move from Potter's Field to Bailey Park.
Showing posts with label Mary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary. Show all posts
Friday, January 27, 2017
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Target Village - Mary Hatch's House
This is the home where possibly the most shocking and misunderstood line of the film was spoken by Mary Bailey, "He's making violent love to me mother!" Mary's mother wasn't very okay with George. She was too enamored with Sam and his money.
The side of the box reads, "Before Mary Hatch married George Bailey and moved into the Old Granville Place, Mary lived with her mother in a quiet corner of Bedford Falls. In this quaint little dwelling that always smelled of pine needles, Mary tries to woo George's affections with the strains of "Buffalo Gals" on the Victrola and her own special cartoon sketch of George lassoing the moon."
The side of the box reads, "Before Mary Hatch married George Bailey and moved into the Old Granville Place, Mary lived with her mother in a quiet corner of Bedford Falls. In this quaint little dwelling that always smelled of pine needles, Mary tries to woo George's affections with the strains of "Buffalo Gals" on the Victrola and her own special cartoon sketch of George lassoing the moon."
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Monday, February 29, 2016
The Fallacy of It's a Wonderful Life
Have you ever heard the phrase "if it's too good to be true it probably is"? It turns out that the same idea may be applied to It's a Wonderful Life. And it was done in the name of publicity.
Several nationwide newspaper articles recalling interesting stories about the making of It’s a Wonderful Life were published prior to the film’s release to spark interest in the public. One of these stories was about the party held at the Bailey house to celebrate Harry’s homecoming and wedding.
In the scene, an intoxicated Uncle Billy walks away from the party singing “My Wild Irish Rose” (The lyrics for the song can be found at the end of this section). From off-screen, we hear what sounds like Uncle Billy walking full-force into a number of trash cans and knocking them over. Uncle Billy yells, “I’m alright, I’m alright!” News accounts from the set claim that as the scene was being filmed, a dozing electrician accidentally knocked over a stack of props, which sounded like trash cans being knocked over. The electrician expected to be fired, but Capra was so happy with the accidental result that he gave the electrician a ten dollar bonus for “improving sound and characterization.” This story appeared the following day in newspapers around the country, including the July 19, 1946 issue of the Toledo, Ohio Blade (Basinger 31).
There is debate about whether this story is true:
“Whether this really happened or simply was the product of a publicist’s imagination, it helped to keep people thinking about Frank Capra’s new film” (Basinger 31).
In her book, Basinger also allows that readers may find contradictory information in other texts about the film: “Other archives, other files, may contain contradictory material; like all the great Hollywood films, It’s a Wonderful Life is surrounded by press agentry and planted stories as well as by legendary tales that embellish the facts” (Basinger x).
One of these contradictory stories concerns what may be the most famous scene in the film. The phone scene, in which George and Mary realize their love for each other, carries with it a legendary story that has manifested into the truth. Several sources indicate that the scene was filmed in one take. In an interview, Jimmy Stewart said, “we did that scene. . .in one great, unrehearsed take’’ (Basinger 84). Even the "Making of It’s a Wonderful Life" segment on the 50th anniversary release of the film indicates that it was shot in one take. According to Tom Bosley, who narrates the segment, when the scene was shot, Capra was very excited about the result. However, the script girl said that Stewart and Donna Reed, who played Mary (Hatch) Bailey, had missed a whole page of dialogue. To this, Capra reportedly replied, “With technique like that, who needs dialogue! Print it!”
It should be noted, however, that this scene was, in fact not filmed in one take. In the film, George says, “I want to do what I want to do,” placing emphasis on the second “I.” However, the film’s trailer depicts the same scene, in which George states “I want to do what I want to do,” placing emphasis on the repeated word “do.” The stress on words is different, the words muttered before the statement are muttered differently, and the camera angle is completely different.
While the first take may have been used in the film, there is no documentation of that. However, the scene could not have been shot in one take as many sources, including Stewart himself, have claimed.
Even Capra’s claims about very early work on both Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It’s a Wonderful Life, have come under scrutiny.
Journalist and author Jonathan Coe questions Capra’s report of his own actions upon reading the script for It’s a Wonderful Life, (still under the title The Greatest Gift at the time) which Capra described as “the story I had been looking for all my life.” Coe, who comes down hard on Capra throughout his book, comments parenthetically of Capra’s recollection, “(again, if his own account of events is to be believed)” (Coe 79).
Basinger, Jeanine (in Collaboration with the trustees of the Frank Capra Archives), Interviews by
Leonard Maltin. The It’s a Wonderful Life Book. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1996.
Coe, Jonathan. Jimmy Stewart: A Wonderful Life. New York: Arcade Publishing, 1994.
Several nationwide newspaper articles recalling interesting stories about the making of It’s a Wonderful Life were published prior to the film’s release to spark interest in the public. One of these stories was about the party held at the Bailey house to celebrate Harry’s homecoming and wedding.
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| Source: http://goo.gl/KcIYwy |
There is debate about whether this story is true:
“Whether this really happened or simply was the product of a publicist’s imagination, it helped to keep people thinking about Frank Capra’s new film” (Basinger 31).
In her book, Basinger also allows that readers may find contradictory information in other texts about the film: “Other archives, other files, may contain contradictory material; like all the great Hollywood films, It’s a Wonderful Life is surrounded by press agentry and planted stories as well as by legendary tales that embellish the facts” (Basinger x).
One of these contradictory stories concerns what may be the most famous scene in the film. The phone scene, in which George and Mary realize their love for each other, carries with it a legendary story that has manifested into the truth. Several sources indicate that the scene was filmed in one take. In an interview, Jimmy Stewart said, “we did that scene. . .in one great, unrehearsed take’’ (Basinger 84). Even the "Making of It’s a Wonderful Life" segment on the 50th anniversary release of the film indicates that it was shot in one take. According to Tom Bosley, who narrates the segment, when the scene was shot, Capra was very excited about the result. However, the script girl said that Stewart and Donna Reed, who played Mary (Hatch) Bailey, had missed a whole page of dialogue. To this, Capra reportedly replied, “With technique like that, who needs dialogue! Print it!”
Here it is in the movie trailer. The portion in question begins around 1:20, if you don't want to watch the entire trailer:
It should be noted, however, that this scene was, in fact not filmed in one take. In the film, George says, “I want to do what I want to do,” placing emphasis on the second “I.” However, the film’s trailer depicts the same scene, in which George states “I want to do what I want to do,” placing emphasis on the repeated word “do.” The stress on words is different, the words muttered before the statement are muttered differently, and the camera angle is completely different.
While the first take may have been used in the film, there is no documentation of that. However, the scene could not have been shot in one take as many sources, including Stewart himself, have claimed.
Even Capra’s claims about very early work on both Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It’s a Wonderful Life, have come under scrutiny.
Journalist and author Jonathan Coe questions Capra’s report of his own actions upon reading the script for It’s a Wonderful Life, (still under the title The Greatest Gift at the time) which Capra described as “the story I had been looking for all my life.” Coe, who comes down hard on Capra throughout his book, comments parenthetically of Capra’s recollection, “(again, if his own account of events is to be believed)” (Coe 79).
Sources:
Basinger, Jeanine (in Collaboration with the trustees of the Frank Capra Archives), Interviews by
Leonard Maltin. The It’s a Wonderful Life Book. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1996.
Coe, Jonathan. Jimmy Stewart: A Wonderful Life. New York: Arcade Publishing, 1994.
Monday, February 22, 2016
My Collection Part 10 - The National Geographic magazine
In my family, the scene shown above is one of the most commonly quoted segments of It's a Wonderful Life. In the scene, a young George Bailey and Mary Hatch talk about coconuts, Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, and the Coral Sea. For years, I have been trying to figure out which edition George shows Mary. On Feb. 12, 2016, I found out, and on Feb. 18, 2016, my own copy arrived in the mail.
Here it is:
My knowledge came from a discussion with uber-collector Richard Goodson on Feb. 12. During that discussion through the Facebook messaging app, Goodson told me, "I have a friend who is a retired movie producer. He is a professor of film studies in Bloomington, IL, and he bought a crazy computer program that snaps 1000 pics a minute and then allows you to manipulate the photo."
Goodson then forwarded me his producer-friend's message to Goodson, which helped identify the October, 1919 issue as the correct issue. Goodson's producer friend wrote, "Well my friend, you are correct. It is the October 1919 issue. There are two tells even though the images are not clear on the front of the magazine. The first two stories begin with a single letter like "A" or "I." I went through 20 years of the magazine starting in the 1930s through 1946 which is when the movie was made and couldn't find a single one with a first single letter. The bigger confirmation is when he turns the magazine over. There is an ad for Gold Medal Flour. It is the exact same as the one in the film. When Mary gives the magazine back to him, you can see the ad clearly."
For me, this is not ultimate proof, because there is still a question of the single-letter articles from the time National Geographic was first published in October 1888 to whatever date the producer friend looked at into the 1930s. I would be more confident if he had checked through all of the issues from 1910 through 1946. But having said that, I'm glad I got this edition. And as the last photo above shows, there is an article about the South Seas.
If you are thinking about finding yourself a copy, please be aware that on the next page after the last photo above, there is nudity. There is actually a lot of nudity throughout this edition of the magazine, so be aware of that before you buy it.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
My Collection Part 5 - Hallmark ornament from 1996
Here is the Hallmark ornament from 1996.
Due to the number of ornaments we display each year, we have unboxed all of our older ornaments and safely stored away the boxes....which means that I don't have the box at my fingertips to include a photo of it.
But here is my ornament from 1996. This picture was taken Nov. 28, 2015.
Monday, December 7, 2015
My Collection Part 4 - Hallmark Christmas Ornament 2015
Today I feature my Hallmark Christmas Ornament for 2015.
It is a display of George and Mary together during the final scene of It's a Wonderful Life. George is holding the copy of Tom Sawyer with the inscription from Clarence.
Here it is with the box and hanging on our tree.
Here is our Christmas tree in full:
It is a display of George and Mary together during the final scene of It's a Wonderful Life. George is holding the copy of Tom Sawyer with the inscription from Clarence.
Here it is with the box and hanging on our tree.
When you push the button, it plays "Auld Lang Syne."
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Blogging From A to Z - R is for Rain
Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.
Rain:
Wedding days are meant to be beautiful. They are days of celebration, optimism and love.
But sometimes it just needs to rain. And for some people, that rain coincides with one of the most important days of their lives.
On the day George and Mary wed, the audience does not see the wedding. The event itself is not important. What IS important is that we see George genuinely happy for the first time in this film.
Rain:
Wedding days are meant to be beautiful. They are days of celebration, optimism and love.
But sometimes it just needs to rain. And for some people, that rain coincides with one of the most important days of their lives.
On the day George and Mary wed, the audience does not see the wedding. The event itself is not important. What IS important is that we see George genuinely happy for the first time in this film.
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| Looking out the taxi window at the bank run Source: https://www.pinterest.com/lizchris610/its-a-wonderful-life/ |
As the happy couple runs outside, we see them doused by rice and rain. Rain typically is considered to be bad luck on a couple’s wedding date. We soon will learn that while it is a happy day for the couple because of their wedding, it also is a day of trial and success for the building and loan.
As Ernie drives the couple away in his cab, George and Mary tell him about their planned adventures. As they do this, the audience can see through the back window of the taxi that people are running down the street in the rain, some without umbrellas. We soon learn why the residents are running, as Ernie pulls his cab over and tells George that there is “something funny going on” at the bank. He adds that he believes it is a bank run.
George and Mary stop kissing and turn to look. We see the couple in close-up, framed by the rain-streaked cab window. When George climbs out of the cab to see what is going on, Mary is left framed alone and lonely in the cab's window. The rain streaking down the window is symbolic of the sadness she feels at that moment and the tears she is not crying. They are supposed to be on their way to their honeymoon. Instead, they are facing a challenge to the family business.
As Ernie drives the couple away in his cab, George and Mary tell him about their planned adventures. As they do this, the audience can see through the back window of the taxi that people are running down the street in the rain, some without umbrellas. We soon learn why the residents are running, as Ernie pulls his cab over and tells George that there is “something funny going on” at the bank. He adds that he believes it is a bank run.
George and Mary stop kissing and turn to look. We see the couple in close-up, framed by the rain-streaked cab window. When George climbs out of the cab to see what is going on, Mary is left framed alone and lonely in the cab's window. The rain streaking down the window is symbolic of the sadness she feels at that moment and the tears she is not crying. They are supposed to be on their way to their honeymoon. Instead, they are facing a challenge to the family business.
According to Jeanine Basinger, author of The It's a Wonderful Life Book, Frank Capra learned while researching for the film that the “weather in the New York State area that Bedford Falls was allegedly situated in had rain during the bank run of 1933” (Basinger 41). Capra added rain to the scene to make it more realistic.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Blogging From A to Z - M is for Many things
Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.
Mother:
There's something about the connection an oldest son has to his mother.
Call it love. Call it dedication. call it whatever you want. You can even call it being a Mama's Boy. I'm a Mama's Boy, and I'm okay with that.
So was George Bailey. Sure, he gave her a hard time on occasion. But when it counted, he listened. Although he would never admit it, he visited Mary after Harry got married on the advice of his mother. He knows the wisdom she holds. She has gained that wisdom by being a caring individual, dedicated to Peter and the entire family.
Mary:
Mary is the total package. She is beautiful, dedicated, smart, willing to sacrifice for the greater good, not judgmental except for that one brief moment before she caught herself. She is a dedicated and loving mother, gracious host, artist, and hopeless romantic.
She values the sentimental things in life, such as a meaningful song, or a turning point in a couple's relationship.
She is an American, helping soldiers and supporting her husband in his role fighting "The Battle of Bedford Falls."
Mary is in tune with her family, sensing when things aren't quite right. She is forgiving, not confronting Zuzu's teacher, and not dwelling on the frightening questions when she finds George has returned home.
She may be a Hatch by birth, but she is a Bailey at heart.
Martini:
Martini is the embodiment of the American Dream in this film. An Italian immigrant, he came to America to follow his dream to live in a decent home and support his family with a comfortable living. He managed to find that American Dream thanks to the building and loan and the end of prohibition.
Martini reminds us that with hard work, we too can accomplish our dreams. It is one of the many messages found in this film.
Money:
It's always about the money, isn't it? This is an unfortunate reality that we all must deal with.
It can buy us what we want, but it can't give us what we need.
More often than not, money leads to any number of issues. Look at the top 3 reasons for divorce. Money is always one of them.
Like it or not, the Bible is correct when it says, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)
Money, by itself, can do nothing. It is an inanimate object. The LOVE of money is what causes the evil. The LOVE of money is the embodiment of Potter. And at the end of It's a Wonderful Life, Potter sat alone...with the exception of his goon.
George was tempted....many times. That temptation almost cost him his life. Instead, he rose above it and discovered that a wonderful life is about faith, family, friends and community, not how many dollar bills you have in your pocket.
And if you don't believe that, don't forget about the toast and parade they held for Mama Dollar and Papa Dollar. It was little, but it was enough to celebrate.
Mother:
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| George, Ma Bailey and Uncle Billy. Source: http://internationalpsychoanalysis.net/2007/12/19/ its-a-wonderful-life-a-cure-for-the-holiday-blues/ |
Call it love. Call it dedication. call it whatever you want. You can even call it being a Mama's Boy. I'm a Mama's Boy, and I'm okay with that.
So was George Bailey. Sure, he gave her a hard time on occasion. But when it counted, he listened. Although he would never admit it, he visited Mary after Harry got married on the advice of his mother. He knows the wisdom she holds. She has gained that wisdom by being a caring individual, dedicated to Peter and the entire family.
Mary:
Mary is the total package. She is beautiful, dedicated, smart, willing to sacrifice for the greater good, not judgmental except for that one brief moment before she caught herself. She is a dedicated and loving mother, gracious host, artist, and hopeless romantic.
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| Mary Bailey Source: http://bit.ly/1OcEWwv |
She is an American, helping soldiers and supporting her husband in his role fighting "The Battle of Bedford Falls."
Mary is in tune with her family, sensing when things aren't quite right. She is forgiving, not confronting Zuzu's teacher, and not dwelling on the frightening questions when she finds George has returned home.
She may be a Hatch by birth, but she is a Bailey at heart.
Martini:
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| Mr. Martini Source: http://bit.ly/1GJ5rKP |
Martini reminds us that with hard work, we too can accomplish our dreams. It is one of the many messages found in this film.
Money:
It's always about the money, isn't it? This is an unfortunate reality that we all must deal with.
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| The movie's characters such as 'Uncle Billy' walked the streets of downtown Seneca Falls greeting the many visitors. The village of Seneca Falls turned into the real Bedford Falls as it celebrated with the annual 'It's a Wonderful Life' weekend Dec. 12-14, 2014. Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com Photo and caption source: http://bit.ly/1Ewri7e |
More often than not, money leads to any number of issues. Look at the top 3 reasons for divorce. Money is always one of them.
Like it or not, the Bible is correct when it says, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)
Money, by itself, can do nothing. It is an inanimate object. The LOVE of money is what causes the evil. The LOVE of money is the embodiment of Potter. And at the end of It's a Wonderful Life, Potter sat alone...with the exception of his goon.
George was tempted....many times. That temptation almost cost him his life. Instead, he rose above it and discovered that a wonderful life is about faith, family, friends and community, not how many dollar bills you have in your pocket.
And if you don't believe that, don't forget about the toast and parade they held for Mama Dollar and Papa Dollar. It was little, but it was enough to celebrate.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Blogging From A to Z - H is for Harry and Hydrangea
Welcome to the It's A Wonderful Blog's Blogging From A to Z April (2015) Challenge. For this challenge, I will post every day in April (except for Sundays) about topics related to the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart film, It's a Wonderful Life.
Harry Bailey:
Sure, he's a war hero, but what kind of brother is he?
He caused George to lose his hearing in one ear. Okay...I can give him that. It was an accident.
When the future of the Bailey Building and Loan was threatened, George gave his college money to Harry. So Harry earned his degree on George's earned money. There was a catch. Harry was supposed to take over the Building and Loan so that George could go to college.
But he couldn't even manage that. Harry left George hanging by getting married and taking a job with his father-in-law instead of taking the job he was SUPPOSED to take in Bedford Falls. Had he done that, George could have taken the trip and gotten the education he was patiently waiting for. Instead, George got stiffed because Harry was selfish.
He has some redeeming qualities. He came home when George needed him the most. But let's face it, he was coming home that night anyway....for a celebration in his honor...and didn't bring his wife, even though it is Christmas. So really, he was only coming home for selfish reasons, anyway.
And he didn't help George out financially. The only thing he managed to do was give a two-sentence, 10-word toast.
Perhaps the most endearing quality Harry possesses is that he saved a transport ship full of soldiers during World War II. He's a war hero, and I won't dishonor the armed forces by saying that he wasn't a hero or didn't deserve the Medal of Honor. However, as noble as that is, the reality is that he wouldn't have been able to do that if George hadn't saved him from the ice.
Harry was kind of a turd, come to think of it.
Hydrangea:
The hydrangea bush is the source of some of the sexiest, most suggestive dialogue in the film...at least in a scene that doesn't involve Violet.
Mary has lost her robe because George accidentally stepped on it while Mary was running. Technically, it was the creepy, nosey bald guy's fault.
In an unfortunate display, George actually whistles for Mary. He whistles like a master beckoning his dog. It's ridiculous. It's unfortunate. The clip is below. The action starts around the 3 minute mark. What does this say about the sexual politics of the late 1920s (when the scene was set), or the 1940s (when It's a Wonderful Life was released)?
Despite that, we get the sense that they could become very close if this scene would be allowed to play out. Unfortunately, their moment is disrupted by the death of George's father. It will be another four years before George and Mary can explore their relationship further.
Harry Bailey:
Sure, he's a war hero, but what kind of brother is he?
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| Harry Bailey, portrayed by Todd Karns Source: http://www.zuzu.net/essays/todd_karns.html |
He caused George to lose his hearing in one ear. Okay...I can give him that. It was an accident.
When the future of the Bailey Building and Loan was threatened, George gave his college money to Harry. So Harry earned his degree on George's earned money. There was a catch. Harry was supposed to take over the Building and Loan so that George could go to college.
But he couldn't even manage that. Harry left George hanging by getting married and taking a job with his father-in-law instead of taking the job he was SUPPOSED to take in Bedford Falls. Had he done that, George could have taken the trip and gotten the education he was patiently waiting for. Instead, George got stiffed because Harry was selfish.
He has some redeeming qualities. He came home when George needed him the most. But let's face it, he was coming home that night anyway....for a celebration in his honor...and didn't bring his wife, even though it is Christmas. So really, he was only coming home for selfish reasons, anyway.
And he didn't help George out financially. The only thing he managed to do was give a two-sentence, 10-word toast.
Perhaps the most endearing quality Harry possesses is that he saved a transport ship full of soldiers during World War II. He's a war hero, and I won't dishonor the armed forces by saying that he wasn't a hero or didn't deserve the Medal of Honor. However, as noble as that is, the reality is that he wouldn't have been able to do that if George hadn't saved him from the ice.
Harry was kind of a turd, come to think of it.
Hydrangea:
The hydrangea bush is the source of some of the sexiest, most suggestive dialogue in the film...at least in a scene that doesn't involve Violet.
Mary has lost her robe because George accidentally stepped on it while Mary was running. Technically, it was the creepy, nosey bald guy's fault.
In an unfortunate display, George actually whistles for Mary. He whistles like a master beckoning his dog. It's ridiculous. It's unfortunate. The clip is below. The action starts around the 3 minute mark. What does this say about the sexual politics of the late 1920s (when the scene was set), or the 1940s (when It's a Wonderful Life was released)?
Despite that, we get the sense that they could become very close if this scene would be allowed to play out. Unfortunately, their moment is disrupted by the death of George's father. It will be another four years before George and Mary can explore their relationship further.
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