It's Really Jimmy Stewart Simple

[maxrandb]

Every year around Chirstmas, we are able to watch the classic movie "it's a Wonderful Life". As I listened to the pResident last night, I just could not get George Bailey (Jimmy Stewarts chracter), out of my head.

One of my favorite scenes in that movie is there is a run on the Building and Loan. Because of the Depression, people are hurrying to withdraw all of their money from the bank.

George Bailey in 1946 put this better than I think I ever could. He helped explain to the people that they are all in this together. He tells folks that "your money's not here, it's in the crops in Henry's field", "it's in the Mitchell's house", etc. Here's a great description of that scene.

"The worried townspeople race toward the town's bank and to the Building and Loan to withdraw all their funds - in a bank run that will threaten the town's financial security.

George cannot leave his townspeople in a time of crisis. In the rain, he hurries to the Building and Loan. He finds the iron gate on the doors has been locked, creating a mob scene outside on the street. George unlocks the gate, unleashing the torrent of citizens into the association's lobby, where he finds Uncle Billy calming his nerves with a swig of alcohol. Billy proclaims in an agitated manner: "This is a pickle, George. This is a pickle." They have very little cash left on hand to distribute to all the townspeople who demand to withdraw their money immediately.

Meanwhile, Potter (Bush) has already seized control of the bank during the crisis, and calls George to disingenuously help him during the crisis. Potter (Bush) suggests that George tell the people to bring their shares to him and he will pay 50 cents on the dollar. Faced with tremendous pressure and confusion, George looks at the portrait of his father and a motto on the wall for courage: "All you can take with you is that which you've given away." He realizes he must appeal to the crowd to allay their fears. George appeals to the townspeople to understand that things aren't as black as they appear, just as sirens scream by outside. He explains to his depositors that they are all in this together - that their money is tied up in their neighbors' houses, businesses, kids braces, etc., as an investment. Without the Building and Loan, they would all be at the mercy of Potter (Bush), who cares little for them, and would offer cash for their shares at half-price during the panic."

Call me sentimental, but imagine that, a "liberal" wishing for a return to those types of values.

[ewagner]

1. "Us" vs "Me"

That's the difference between our world and George W. Bush's world.

[Voltaire]

2. I used to get tired of that movie every year

But the older I get and the worse things get I find myself thinking about that particular scene more and more. It's now one of my must do things during Christmas. The best of what we are is LIBERAL. Jesus AND George Bailey. Mr. Potter is BFEE personified. Humans, sadly, are the same as they ever were, ignorant of history and current events and doomed to the same manipulation from the Mr. Potters the world over and over and over again.

[The Witch]

3. You've just given me another reason this is my favorite movie.

:sigh: I adore It's a Wonderful Life. Thanks for reminding me how much.

[hfojvt]

4. except that the B & L had no cash, not a dime

and they still owed the bank money. Until the new Mrs. Bailey offered the money that they were going to spend on their honeymoon, and never once was shown complaining about the missing honeymoon, or the fact that George did not listen to her when she said "let's not stop", or that her husband made less than $2500 a year and they lived in a dilapidated house.

I do love that movie and have been calling Republicans the "party of Potter" for years.

[WolverineDG]

6. but they had enough to tide over until the bank reopened

Most importantly, George Bailey was able to persuade the folks that it was socially responsible to only take what THEY needed to tide them over until then & not demand all of their money on the spot.

And they still had enough left over for the "momma dollar" & "poppa dollar" to spend the night in the vault to have baby dollars. :)

dg

[hfojvt]

7. they were saved by the woman who asked for only $17.50

instead of the $20 that became the standard.
According to one account, Stewart's reaction to that (in the film) was ad-libbed, not part of the script.
George Bailey (and wife) set the example of sharing by putting their own $2000 into an otherwise empty kitty and showing the faith that he said they needed to have.

[lucca]

5. Yes, call me sentimental too!

So true:
He explains to his depositors that they are all in this together - that their money is tied up in their neighbors' houses, businesses, kids braces, etc., as an investment. Without the Building and Loan, they would all be at the mercy of Potter (Bush), who cares little for them, and would offer cash for their shares at half-price during the panic."

Thanks for posting!

[Abelman]

8. Too true, too true

I love It's a Wonderful Life. Always tears me up.

[hfojvt]

9. SNL did a couple of spoofs of that movie

One was of that scene except that it is about Congress, and George says "the money's not here, senator, it's in your pool, it's in his trip to Europe" and then Potter (Senator Alan Cranston) rolls in snarls that he wants his money and George is going to jail and "live from NY ..."

In the other one Uncle Billy remembers where the money went to - Potter has it, and somebody says "what are we waiting for, let's get him". As George grabs Potter (Jon Lovitz) to go mano-a-mano, Potter stands up and George says "you big phony, you can walk". I cannot remember then end, if George thrashes him or says "what do you have to say for yourself" followed by the inevitable "live from NY ..."

[yorgatron]

10. we need to use two other movies to cure what's wrong.

first we take all the politicians and strap them into chairs ala "clockwork orange" and then force them to watch "it's a wonderful life" and "mr.smith goes to washington" over and over and over...

[hfojvt]

11. politicians are only a symptom of the corporate thieves

and voter rage, ignorance, and laziness. If he had a media which spent half as much time telling the truth as it does spreading lies and vitriol.
Of course, Mr. Smith went around punching reporters, but the nerve of one man to be so "obstructionist" and block an "up or down (party line) vote".