It's a Wonderful Life on NBC
 

The Christmas classic with James Stewart and Donna Reed airs tonight on NBC.

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets her wings."

"Remember, George ... no man is a failure who has friends."

Over the years, there's been a sizeable backlash against this film, but it still remains one of my all-time favorites. It's not just a Christmas classic, but an American classic.

I haven't seen any ads for a special presentation worth tuning in for, so I'll probably just watch the DVD a little closer to Christmas Day.

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Awesome. I will definitely try to catch that movie.

That's because it was played too much in the 80's and early 90's.

The copyright ran out and it was public domain. Any TV station was able to play it as much as they wanted without any costs. It was free programming. So there was overkill and on any Christmas Eve, you could find it on multiple stations, all at the same time. Cable stations and local stations were the biggest abusers.

But ever since NBC got exclusive rights back in the mid 90s, it's only on 2x a year max. Usually early in the season and again on Christmas Eve.

The overkill is gone and I think the respect is coming back.


Side note: I'm seeing a free screening of it at an old movie theater tomorrow :D

Brings a tear to my eye every time. In my all-time top 10.

This is a great movie. Maybe overplayed for a while, but still a GREAT movie.

The most romantic movie scene ever for me is when he is at Mary's house and they are sharing the phone, then he starts to smell her hair... gets me every time

re: It's a Wonderful Life on NBC
 

You're right, it is a real classic, thank god they put an end to the back to back runs they used to show.

I prefer the Jack Handey quote better though:
"Every time a mousetrap snaps an angel gets set on fire"

Missed the first hour of the NBC broadcast, but popped in the DVD... I watch this at least 2-3 times during Christmas.

:thumbsup:

I think it airs again on Christrmas Eve 8pm

BTW, this was a FANTASTIC experience. The theater was fully packed and the crowd was great; laughing together at the funny stuff, etc.

Back in my hometown (Richmond, VA), there's an old theater called the Byrd. They have an organ player on Fridays and Saturdays and show second run movies. Anyway, my family went to see It's a Wonderful Life there on Christmas night and we had the best time - despite the painfully uncomfortable seats. We're going to go see it again there this year and make it sort of a tradition.

BTW, the scene where George is at Martini's and is at the end of his rope and praying to God gets me every time.

Funny how this movie didn't get much of a reception when it was first released.

interesting. didnt know that. who did nbc get the rights from?

I think they got it from Turner Broadcasting. They were airing it nonstop at one point.

...and in color! :down:

"Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's petals!" Now that I have kids, I love that line. Great movie

Love the movie. Here are some true facts to back that up.

1) Named my cat Zuzu

2) Whenever I see a bell in a store, I ring it and ask my wife, "What am I doing?", to which she replies, "Giving out wings." and then pretends not to know me.

3) Throughout the month of December when I drive by a theater, I always shout, "Merry Christmas, movie house!"

4) Bought all of the official IaWL lighted houses and have them on display.

5) Often can be heard to say, "Hot dog!" and "Hee haw!"

6) Agree with the old fart that youth is wasted on the wrong people.

http://charliegoose.homestead.com/files/goose.jpg Hot dog!

While the film itself was in the public domain, somebody did a little checking. It turned out that some of the music was still under copyright. They quietly bought the rights to the music, and got full control of the film.

how can a movie be public domain? does that mean i own part of it?

Saw this at a local revival theater two weeks ago. Believe it or not it was my first time ever seeing this parenial favorite!

I loved it, and I'm not a big Capra fan.

Oh and Charlie Goose, you are nuts.

Not anymore. Not after NBC bought you.

re: It's a Wonderful Life on NBC
 

Hey everyone. Apple just bought the exclusive rights to this and will have it on their platform now. Christmas is ruined.




Just kidding.

Do any of you who watch It’s A Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve still watch it on NBC at the scheduled time and sit through commercials or do you pop in the beautiful Blu or 4K disc and watch at your leisure? I certainly don’t waste my time with the NBC broadcast.

Re: It's a Wonderful Life on NBC
 

I usually work on Christmas Eve night and I watch it on my break in the break room.

Re: It's a Wonderful Life on NBC
 

I've got a blu-ray, so that's my go to now...