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:

George, Ma Bailey and Uncle Billy.
Source: http://internationalpsychoanalysis.net/2007/12/19/
its-a-wonderful-life-a-cure-for-the-holiday-blues/

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.

Mary Bailey
Source: http://bit.ly/1OcEWwv

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:

Mr. Martini
Source: http://bit.ly/1GJ5rKP

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.

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

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.

Blogging From A to Z - J is for Jimmy

Source: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000071/

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.

Jimmy Stewart:

On screen, Jimmy Stewart was known to portray characters who were honest, humble, loving, righteous, God-fearing, wife-loving, responsible, respectable, funny, upright, decent men and dedicated fathers.

In real life, Jimmy Stewart was an honest, humble, loving, righteous, God-fearing, wife-loving, responsible, respectable, funny, upright, decent man and dedicated father.

And for this reason, Jimmy Stewart is a better role model than any modern-day athlete, star, musician or "reality" television personality could ever be.

(mic drop)

Isn't George Ironic? Don't You Think?

Source: http://www.virginmedia.com/music/pictures/
profiles/when-popstars-get-political.php?ssid=16

His business is in trouble. Potter has (unknown to him) absconded with $8,000. Uncle Billy had neither his mind on his money or his money on his mind. Uncle Billy needs to call Snoop Dogg, fo' shizzle.

Of course, I am talking about the famous Frank Capra film, "It's a Wonderful Life." It’s all I ever talk about.

With nowhere to turn, George Bailey stands atop a bridge, ready to end his life. Then the strangest thing happens....Just as he prepares to jump, someone else falls in. George's protective, humanitarian instincts kick in and the jump changes from suicide attempt to rescue mission.

Source: http://archive.wired.com/table_of_
malcontents/2007/01/alanis_morisset/

It turns out that George rescues his Guardian Angel. Ironic, isn't it? Someone call Alanis and set her straight. Since I'm on the topic of Alanis and irony, she should ask George and Mary Bailey about rain on their wedding day. I'll bet they have an opinion.

Anyhooo......time to cut the snark. Seriously. Now, back to the show.

In the course of their discussion, George wishes that he had never been born. Ironically (there's that word again. What's my problem tonight?), it's one of the few wishes he is granted.

George is swept off to Pottersville, like Dorothy on her way to Oz. There's even wind. Okay, it's not exactly like that, but I'm trying to break some sort of pop culture reference record. Note to self: Google "record for most pop culture references in a blog entry."

Source: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/almira-gulch

When George gets to Pottersville, he is shown a litany of train wrecks that are other people's lives. Without George, these people are lost.

Not to be too much of a Negative Nellie, that's a really sad commentary about all of these people and their need for someone else to make their lives meaningful. On the other hand, it says a lot about George and his importance to the community, his friends and his family.

George isn't shown one single thing that would change his life for better if he returned to Bedford Falls and not followed through with the suicide.

Nothing he is shown directly impacts or improves his life. Clarence leads him on a path of showing how great other people's lives are because George is in them. And yet, it is enough.

George ultimately decides to pray to be returned to Bedford Falls because, as he says, "I want to live again." That is not a wish, this time, but a prayer. His prayer is answered. He returns to Bedford Falls, knowing full well he will face charges of "bankruptcy and scandal and prison." And he goes joyfully.

He is glad to be alive for the simple fact of knowing that he has positively impacted the lives of so many other people.

For my dollar, that makes him the ultimate humanitarian; George, however, never noticed it. It's like Alanis said, after all: "Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you think everything's okay."

Isn't it ironic?

Don't you think?

Ironically (HAHAHA) I couldn't find a picture of Alanis angry. So I chose this one instead.
Source: http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/6683/20131109/you-oughta-know-alanis-morissette-americas-angriest-singer-is-bringing-a-barrage-of-bluntness-to-broadway-with-jagged-little-pill.htm