Every holiday season there is that one token movie you always make sure you watch. It just doesn't feel like the holiday season until you've seen the movie, that movie, your movie. I have several movies I feel that way about, but there is that one movie I have to see every year that makes the difference.
What would the holidays be like if I didn't see it at least once? Sure, I could play the DVD, but it's about the anticipation of knowing it's going to be on TV and waiting for it to come on TV makes it so much more fun. I love It's A Wonderful Life. It's the basic story of the George Bailey we all know or the Mary we happen to be ourselves, or the children that come along with the marriage and the normal pursuits and pressures of life that makes us relate to this story.
If we had the chance to see what our lives would have been like, like George did, would we still choose the life we know now all over again? Yeah, I think we would.
Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Karolyn Grimes, who played ZuZu, Georges' youngest daughter, in It's A Wonderful Life. She had the iconic line in the movie, "Look Daddy, teachers says every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." Karolyn's list of movies as a young actor had her acting along side some of the biggest players in Hollywood at the time. From 1945 to 1952 she made over 16 films acting along side the likes of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Betty Grable, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Glen Ford, Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne and, of course, Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, to name just a few.
My family has a long history of being in the movie business so, I don't get too excited about seeing a movie star, but because this movie means a lot to me and reminds me of my childhood and my mother during the holidays, it meant a lot to me to meet her today.
Though I was not able to take pictures of her, (the venue would not allow photographs) I was glad I got to spend ten uninterrupted minutes talking with her. I did take home a token of our visit, an ornament with her signature, which now hangs on my Christmas tree, and a memory that means a lot to me.
It's A Wonderful Life
What would the holidays be like if I didn't see it at least once? Sure, I could play the DVD, but it's about the anticipation of knowing it's going to be on TV and waiting for it to come on TV makes it so much more fun. I love It's A Wonderful Life. It's the basic story of the George Bailey we all know or the Mary we happen to be ourselves, or the children that come along with the marriage and the normal pursuits and pressures of life that makes us relate to this story.
If we had the chance to see what our lives would have been like, like George did, would we still choose the life we know now all over again? Yeah, I think we would.
Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Karolyn Grimes, who played ZuZu, Georges' youngest daughter, in It's A Wonderful Life. She had the iconic line in the movie, "Look Daddy, teachers says every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." Karolyn's list of movies as a young actor had her acting along side some of the biggest players in Hollywood at the time. From 1945 to 1952 she made over 16 films acting along side the likes of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Betty Grable, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Glen Ford, Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne and, of course, Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, to name just a few.My family has a long history of being in the movie business so, I don't get too excited about seeing a movie star, but because this movie means a lot to me and reminds me of my childhood and my mother during the holidays, it meant a lot to me to meet her today.
Though I was not able to take pictures of her, (the venue would not allow photographs) I was glad I got to spend ten uninterrupted minutes talking with her. I did take home a token of our visit, an ornament with her signature, which now hangs on my Christmas tree, and a memory that means a lot to me.
It truly is a wonderful life!
6 comments:
OMG!!! What a thrill for you!!! I am the same way....NOT Christmas until I get to watch, "It's A Wonderful Life" (just to hear Zuzu say that famous line!), "White Christmas" and "Miracle on 34th St". I also feel the same way about being able to watch them on tv! Even though I have all the DVD's...:)
Merry Christmas Sandra!
Great post! I heard that ZuZu was touring around, speaking in some venues... so glad you got to see her! I am always on the lookout for people writing about It's A Wonderful Life, my favorite holiday movie as well. I wrote a song called George Bailey, would love for you to take a listen via the website below, or you can watch the youtube video. Thanks and happy holidays to you and yours!
Carolyn Sills
http://www.carolynsills.com/Original_Music.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOQna0DuOfU
What a heart warming story!!! I have a lump in my throat and blinking back tears. I love that movie and love how I almost heard your voice reading this.
This is the most wonderful time of the year!
XO~Stephanie
It is a magical movie... that withstands the passage of time, and never seems old or dated. It does speak to something inside all of us. It reminds us to be introspective, to be loving and to judge our accomplishments with our hearts. Who we are can not be measured in dollar signs, in square feet, in horsepower, or even by our title at work. People are so much more, and our lives, no matter how small they may be, are so much more than all of these things. Let us take this idea and hold it near throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to all!
I love It's A Wonderful Life! Such a classic! Fancast actually has tons of classic holiday movies up now. Enjoy them! http://www.fancast.com/specials/holidays
What a great experience! That is such a great holiday movie! I have to admit, it's not Christmas for me without the 24 hours of "A Christmas Story" on every year too...LOVE that movie as well!
Merry Christmas to you!
~Amy
The Pink Camellia
http://www.thepinkcamellia.etsy.com
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