It’s A Wonderful Life (1946/1947)
B&W / Colorized – 130m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, The Greatest Gift
Dir.: Frank Capra. Screenplay by: Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett.
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, H.B. Warner, Frank Albertson, Todd Karns, Samuel S. Hinds, Virginia Patton, Sheldon Leonard, Ray Walker, Charles Lane, Edward Keane and Carl “Alfalga” Switzer.
A suicidal George Bailey has a visit with an Angel to be and realizes how wonderful his life really is. Amazing film is as powerful now as it was when it was released. This was James Stewart’s return to film after serving in WWII, and what an entrance back into the business! Not a flaw to be found story or acting wise. As a historical note, this was the film that had FBI file created on James Stewart, Frank Capra and everyone else in it, due to J. Edgar Hoover’s belief that it promoted Communism. An annual favorite!
Rated: [PG] – Thematic Elements, Smoking & Some Violence.
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
B&W – 109m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
Starring: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester and Sara Haden.
A Bishop, whose marriage is fractured as he tries to get the funds to build a cathedral, gets a helping hand from a sage stranger. Dated to be sure but a splendid film non–the–less. Everything here is perfect. Woolley is great as an aged professor who wants nothing more than happiness for his old friends the Bishop and his wife and to be able to write a book using his knowledge. Another annual MUST!
Trivia: Originally Cary Grant was set to play the bishop and David Niven was set to play Grant’s part when the film had a different director, William A. Seiter. When the man credited as director of the film, Henry Koster, assumed the position (no Animal House (1978) reference intended) he realized the casting of the men was wrong and switched their roles around, to what they are in the film, as we know it. William A. Seiter was the original director, but producer Samuel Goldwyn didn't like what he had shot and brought in Henry Koster to shoot a completely new film. The preview audience didn't like the new version, so Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett had to rewrite a couple of scenes without screen credit. Samuel Goldwyn's decision to start the film over again was a costly one, as $1 million had already been spent.
The harp playing, in the film, for Cary Grant was done by Mr. Gail Laughton. Laughton's hands are seen in the film during close-ups of Grant's character playing the harp. When Dudley (Grant) is asked if he is receiving a letter, he alludes to his character’s true nature by saying that "if I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving." In Cary Grant's later picture Charade (1963), his character is seeking a large fortune that is later revealed to have been used to purchase three rare stamps for safe keeping.
The radio adaptions of the film (which were popular at the time) are as follows: The Screen Guild Theater broadcast a 30 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 1, 1948 with Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven reprising their film roles. Lux Radio Theater broadcast a 60 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 19, 1949 with David Niven reprising his film role. Lux Radio Theater then broadcast another 60 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 1, 1954 with Cary Grant again reprising his film role. And finally the Lux Radio Theater broadcast a yet another 60 – minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 11, 1953 with Cary Grant reprising his film role for the 3rd and final time.
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
C. – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: Penny Marshall
Starring: Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine, Lionel Richie and Paul Bates.
A Reverend struggles to keep things afloat both in his marriage and at his church. Another fun fluff film from the Marshall family is actually a remake of The Bishop’s Wife (1947). As remakes go, it is not all that bad. However, it does appear a tad too padded in comparison to the original classic. The cast and director are in fine form though.
Rated: [PG] – Brief Mild Language.
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.