It's so wonderful
A Christmas classic gets a free screening tonight at the Orpheum
By Earl Horlykehorlyk@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Saturday, November 29, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- With the Thanksgiving turkey reduced to sandwich filling, we're on to the next holiday tradition.
SIOUX CITY -- With the Thanksgiving turkey reduced to sandwich filling, we're on to the next holiday tradition.
That would be a screening of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." And you can see it at no charge tonight at the Orpheum Theatre, courtesy of Great Plains Associates - Thrivent Financial.
The film, which tells the story of George Bailey, whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve captures the attention of guardian angel Clarence Oddbody, continues to be a holiday "must-see" 62 years after its initial release.
As Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, sees how life would be if he were not in it, many find comfort in the story of a decent man whose family and friends come to his aid when he's in need.
Here are few things you might not know about this "evergreen" Christmas classic.
Rejection: The movie was based on "The Greatest Gift," a 1939 original story by Civil War historian Philip Van Doren Stern. Unable to get it published, Stern mailed 200 copies of the story as a Christmas card, and it reached the desk of an RKO studio executive who snatched up the rights for $10,000.
Panned? In his autobiography, "The Name Above the Title," Capra wrote that "It's a Wonderful Life" received a drubbing from the critics, who were tired of the director's signature "Capra Corn," when the movie was released in 1946, although contemporary reviews indicate otherwise.
Loser: Although "It's a Wonderful Life" picked up five Academy Award nominations, it didn't win an Oscar.
No. 3: Jimmy Stewart often called George Bailey his favorite role, but according to film historian Stephen Cox, the movie was originally supposed to be a vehicle for Cary Grant. Stewart's friend Henry Fonda was also considered for the role.
No. 4: Denison, Iowa, native Donna Reed was considered a long shot for the role of Stewart's wife, Mary. Actresses Jean Arthur, Olivia de Havilland and Ann Dvorak all turned the role down before the then-25-year-old Reed got the nod.
Coincidence: The characters of Ernie the cabdriver, played by Frank Faylen, and Bert the cop, played by Ward Bond, were called to mind years later when Jim Henson was naming two of his legendary Muppets for "Sesame Street," although Henson denied a connection.
Sources: imdb.com, filmsite.org
If you go
What: "It's a Wonderful Life"
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 420 Pierce St., Sioux City
When: 7 p.m. today. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
SIOUX CITY -- With the Thanksgiving turkey reduced to sandwich filling, we're on to the next holiday tradition.
That would be a screening of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." And you can see it at no charge tonight at the Orpheum Theatre, courtesy of Great Plains Associates - Thrivent Financial.
The film, which tells the story of George Bailey, whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve captures the attention of guardian angel Clarence Oddbody, continues to be a holiday "must-see" 62 years after its initial release.
As Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, sees how life would be if he were not in it, many find comfort in the story of a decent man whose family and friends come to his aid when he's in need.
Here are few things you might not know about this "evergreen" Christmas classic.
Rejection: The movie was based on "The Greatest Gift," a 1939 original story by Civil War historian Philip Van Doren Stern. Unable to get it published, Stern mailed 200 copies of the story as a Christmas card, and it reached the desk of an RKO studio executive who snatched up the rights for $10,000.
Panned? In his autobiography, "The Name Above the Title," Capra wrote that "It's a Wonderful Life" received a drubbing from the critics, who were tired of the director's signature "Capra Corn," when the movie was released in 1946, although contemporary reviews indicate otherwise.
Loser: Although "It's a Wonderful Life" picked up five Academy Award nominations, it didn't win an Oscar.
No. 3: Jimmy Stewart often called George Bailey his favorite role, but according to film historian Stephen Cox, the movie was originally supposed to be a vehicle for Cary Grant. Stewart's friend Henry Fonda was also considered for the role.
No. 4: Denison, Iowa, native Donna Reed was considered a long shot for the role of Stewart's wife, Mary. Actresses Jean Arthur, Olivia de Havilland and Ann Dvorak all turned the role down before the then-25-year-old Reed got the nod.
Coincidence: The characters of Ernie the cabdriver, played by Frank Faylen, and Bert the cop, played by Ward Bond, were called to mind years later when Jim Henson was naming two of his legendary Muppets for "Sesame Street," although Henson denied a connection.
Sources: imdb.com, filmsite.org
If you go
What: "It's a Wonderful Life"
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 420 Pierce St., Sioux City
When: 7 p.m. today. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
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