It's A Wonderful Life....Maybe

Wendell Jamieson writes in the New York Times about his experience with Frank Capra's 1946 film, It's A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore and Donna Reed.

He remembers his 15 year old response to the idea that the movie's most responsible, practical and level-headed character continually gets stuck with whatever's left over.

When his father dies suddenly, he has to post-pone his plans in order to run the family business, and send his younger brother off to college instead.

Later, when he's off to his honeymoon, the Stock Market crashes and there's a run on the family's Savings And Loan. He post-pones the honeymoon, using that money to stave off collapse, meeting every depositor's request for a withdraw.

When Uncle Billy misplaces $8000 of company money, precipitating Mr. Potter's calling in his loan and effectively taking over the family business, George Bailey has a drink and runs into a tree with his car.

He is contemplating suicide when an angel (Clarence) shows up to help. He grants George his wish, that he had never been born. And the movie runs off showing us what things would look like if George had never been born.

Friends and family alike are in terrible shape. There is anger, despair, debauchery and poverty. All because George never lived. He never saved the Pharmacist from jail. He never helped his brother through school. He never helped people get loans to buy their own homes. He was never there for anyone.

Jamieson remembers thinking that "Potterville," the city Bedord Falls became, because George wasn't around, was actually more fun. And he thinks how much more profitable it would have been with nightclubs and gambling halls.

You see, upstate New York where Bedford Falls was supposed to be, has suffered with the collapse of manufacturing. If it had become Pottersville, it would be thriving today.

Mitchell L. Moss, professor of Urban Policy at New York University, agrees. Connecticut is growing because of casinos. And Gov. Patterson of New York is under pressure to allow gambling upstate because of the economic problems.

"We ease up on a lot of cultural behaviors in a depression," Moss says.

At the end of the Article, Jamieson eases up, admitting his adult perception of the movie's plot is far different than it was when he was 15. Even though he admits to weeping while watching.

You see, George Bailey exhibits self-denial and selflessness. His choices are rooted in godly character and eternal priorities. It is soooo 1946!

Today, we are more sophisticated; practical. We look out for ourselves and for our own. We don't take chances when helping others. In fact, we hardly know anyone -- even our closest friends and family members. We're too busy.

We've become successful Pottersville when Bedford Falls is so much nicer.