Tell me other great James Stewart movies please!!! 🥰 If you want to support me here's how: Patreon (full length & polls): www.patreon.com/ Subscribe to the channel: ua-cam.com/users/verowakreacts Follow me on Twitter for stuff and selfies: twitter.com/verowak Become a channel member: ua-cam.com/users/verowakreactsjoin
James Stewart Movies...... - Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - Destry Rides Again (1939) - Winchester 73 (1950) - Harvey (1950) He also did a TV Movie remake version in 1972 (In High School I played Orderly Wilson in a Play), - The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) - Rear Window (1954) - The Man From Laramie (1955) - The Man who shot Liberty Valance (1962) - The Shootist (1976)
At the time this movie was made, Jimmy Stewart had just returned from Europe after leading the 703rd Bomber Group. He was also suffering from PTSD as a result of all his combat missions. He retired from Military Service in 1968 after serving in the Vietnam War. He was a hero, a great actor, a gentleman, a devoted husband and father. I and many others miss him.❤
@@LukeLovesRose So maybe you think the germans and japanese were heroes when they slaughtered and bombed their way across Europe and Asia? Shut up, fool. Whoever Rose is, I feel sorry for her.
Donna Reed really made that shot, breaking the window. 8:54. She played some baseball when she was younger. Director was going to have someone actually throw the rock, but Donna had this.
She also took $50 off Lionel Barrymore when that cow in the Bailey park scene needed to be milked and nobody was there to do it He put the money up saying she couldn’t do it and the Nebraska farm girl could
@@shawnmiller4781 I was just going to say that. But from what I read, it wasn't because the cow needed milking. Lionel Barrymore bet Donna Reed $50 that she couldn't milk the cow because he didn't believe her claim about growing up on a farm in Iowa. She won the bet and said it was the easiest $50 she ever made. She was born Donna Belle Mullenger January 27, 1921, in Denison, Iowa, and died January 14, 1986, in Beverly Hills. California from pancreatic cancer at age 64.
I could have watched this one on mute. The slight tears in your eyes most of the time said everything that needed to be said. Classic movie, classic reaction. Merry Christmas Miss Verowak.
The scene at Mary's house on the phone is in all seriousness the most well written and emotionally raw romantic scene in any movie ever. Their whole lives are decided right there and they know it. And the dialogue is fantastic.
Vertigo and Rear Window with Grace Kelly are 2Alfred Hitchcock movies that Jimmy Stewart was great in. Mr Smith Goes To Washington. The list goes on. Jimmy was a great actor and a most humble man. ❤
An explanation about the cuts: sometime in the mid-to-late 70s this film accidentally fell into public domain. Which is how it became a beloved Christmas classic because local and regional TV stations could broadcast it without having to pay royalties. They also made cuts to the actual film so that it would fit whatever broadcast time they allocated. Various DVD and streaming sources are not using the original film. Almost all of them come from the butchered copies from the 1970s broadcasters.
Criticizing the GOAT Frank Capra re the cuts was kinda funny. There's an interesting bit of footage on YT of a 1970 interview with Canadian director Don Shebib (Goin' Down the Road). In it he says he was greatly influenced by a little known Frank Capra movie "It's a Wonderful Life" What people don't remember is that in 1970 it was little known. After it's initial run it would have likely fallen by the wayside. Its copyright expired in 1974 following a lack of renewal and it entered the public domain, allowing it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees, at which point it became a Christmas classic.
Mr. Potter was played by Lionel Barrymore and he is an older relative of Drew Barrymore. The gymnasium was not a set but an actual school gymnasium with a pool under the wood floor. Located at Beverly Hills still in use. The actor who was jilted at the dance Carl Schweitzer (Alfalfa from the Little Rascals/Our Gang RIP)
One of my favorite movies, and a solid Christmas tradition. An eloquent reminder that family, friends and community are a gift. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
Jimmy Stewart was an amazing actor and person. This was his first movie after his return from WWII and said he used the atrocities he saw in the war to help cry in these scenes. He was a bomber pilot and even flew in Vietnam and ended up a Major General (2-star). He is a great actor, here are some more of his moves to check out. "Vertigo" (1958) "Rear Window" (1954) "Anatomy of a Murder" (1959) "The Philadelphia Story" (1940) "Harvey" (1950) "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939) "Rope" (1948) "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1956)
I have seen quite a few reactions to this film. Many of the younger reactors start by laughing at the old language and film techniques, then make sarky comments all the way through. Invariably, though, they end in tears. The message of the film transcends the years and affects everyone. Thank you for your reaction.
Most women who went to college in the 1920s through the 50s got a liberal arts education, but the were primarily studying homemaking. Home economics classes were not just cooking but managing the household budget, child care, even things like home repairs. In those days a housewife was literally in charge of the home and most men, with some exceptions, didn't interfere with their wife's job. When I was a kid, my mom took care out the inside of the house, and my dad took care of the outside.
IAWL is my favorite movie of all time. Every time I watch it, even your reaction, I always get misty eyed. Great reaction. Hee haw and Merry Christmas.
Mary's job was making a home...both creating a household for herself and her husband, managing finances, and actually rebuilding the home she had likely purchased with _her_ money coming into the marriage. She was fulfilled but also busy, day-to-day.
Hi Verowak, during my high school years back in the 70’s I had classmates who could use a shave, some had kids and a job on the side. At the time I thought this was normal until I reached college where most were my age. I saw this film while I was in High School. Never occurred to me they were too old for High School.😜 James Stewart, me and mom’s hero. The mini series ‘Masters of the Air’ would give you an idea of what James Stewart went through during the war. I have many regrets, often wishing I could change the past and correct mistakes. Then I was told, you would just make NEW mistakes! Whenever I see my little boy’s eyes I remind myself I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Merry Christmas, Verowak.
I used to hate it when it was playing on TV as a kid, but now 36 years of age, I've learned to appreciate this movie and has become my favorite Christmas Movie. This is basically a different take on, A Christmas Carol.
RE censors and ratings, prior to the Hays Code in the mid 30s, movies were often considered shocking for their innuendo and surprisingly more. I highly recommend pre-code She Done Him Wrong starring Mae West. She's a legend and an icon.
I adore this movie. It really makes you think about how every single action, no matter how big or small, has an impact on future events. This movie has so much heart and soul. Watching George constantly have his dream crushed is heartbreaking; he could just be selfish and not care, but he can't help himself. He's all about self-sacrifice until he reaches his breaking point. This is such a great movie and an absolute *must* watch around Christmas time. It's all about self-reflection. So glad you wound up reacting to this masterpiece.
This is possibly his most famous movie but "Harvey" was his favorite character. He did a lot of westerns, try "Cheyene Social Club" co-staring Henry Fonda. For more Christmas themed vintage movies try "The Bishops Wife" and less vintage "Serendipity". Glad you liked this one. It didn't do all that well on the initial release but became a Christmas staple once it entered public domain status. Good job. When you have 3+ hours try the epic "How the West was Won. He and every other big name star of the time are in that one.
Every time my father flips to this movie on TV he says, "hey, I should watch this one of these days." And then he watches it again. And then the next time it's on he says, "hey, I should watch this one of these days," and then he watches it again...
This movie was nominated for Oscars in the same categories as The Best Years of Our Life but lost in each case. It did win an award for its innovative method of making snow.
Remember when they bring the basket of money in. The first person to come and individually give money was the man that wanted $242 when the bank failed. When George was praying in Martini's, before Mr. Welch punched him, George was in prayer and crying. Some of that was real. He was suffering PTSD from his action in WW2. He has said this film really helped him recover. He was a B-17 bomber pilot. I'm really glad this touched you. Your remarks were fantastic. Have great holiday. As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
One of the best Christmas-themed movies around, even almost 80 years on! Couple of quick notes on the setting/timeline, as I noticed your puzzled look when Harry was talking to his father about gin around 5 minutes in: The scene where George saves Harry from the water is set in 1919, and narration says George was 12, making his birth year most likely 1907. The scene where he plans to travel before college, around the time Harry is graduating, is set in 1928, making George 21 at that time. But what this film forgets is that 1928 is during Prohibition (1920-1933), when the USA prohibited production, import, transport and sale of alcohol - not that some people didn't find a way around that, though they'd likely not be discussing it openly! Bedford Falls, George's hometown, is said to be in upstate New York; New York's legal drinking age was 18 up to Prohibition, then 21 when that first ended in December 1933, but went back down to 18 four months later. It then got raised to 19 in December 1982, and 21 in December 1985. So, Harry (being younger than George) wouldn't have been allowed to drink at all, regardless of his age, during Prohibition; I think Harry's birth year is shown as 1911 when George, having never been born, finds his grave. In 1928 he'd have been 17, and still not old enough to drink in New York even if not for Prohibition, though buying it and being given it by your parents at home are two different things! The main part of the story takes place on Christmas Eve 1945, by which time both branches of World War II were over (May 1945 in Europe, August 1945 with Japan). So I'm not sure why it took Harry so long to get back home...
Clarence: "Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and was drowned at the age of nine." George Bailey: "That's a lie! Harry Bailey went to war! He got the Congressional Medal of Honor! He saved the lives of every man on that transport!" Clarence: "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them, because you weren't there to save Harry.” I get a lump in my throat every time I see that scene.
Best Christmas movie ever. Capra has a talent of moral uplifting themes tempered by a gritty realism (for the time). They play this movie here every year in an historic 1928 theater with a live organ performance. Went many times when the kids were young.
This is one of my top 5 of all time favorites and I have seen it 1,000 times. This is the first time I thought, if George had never been born, the poisoned pills still wouldn't have been delivered.
It doesn’t matter how many times I have seen this movie over the past 40 years and even all these reaction videos, I still cry at the end. Every single time. I can’t explain it but I hits something very deep inside me unlike any other movie. It reigns as my most favorite movie of all time.
12:12 'Oh boy, Oh boy!' Seeing how wholesome and clean the language is in this movie has got me thinking of what a remake would look like. Could you imagine Quentin Tarantino doing a remake of this? Or even the Coen brothers or Wes Anderson? 🤔
Few people notice or comment on the fact that, when Clarence says "You get your wish. You've never been born." the snow (asbestos) falling outside stops. When George is back on the bridge praying "Let me live again. I wanna live again." the snow starts falling again. Also when George is on the bed with Mary he asks "Why did you marry someone like me?" Mary answers "Because I love you George. I wasn't interested in anybody else in this town. I didn't want to die an old maid." When George asks Clarence where she is he is told "She never married. Shes an old maid. Shes at the library." I have never seen anybody tweak to Mary's 'old maid' statement and only one reactor ever caught the snow starting back up but failed to connect it with the snowfall stopping and why.
Mr. Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's grandfather. A great movie with he and Spencer Tracy is Captain's Courageous. I keep waiting for some reviewer to take it up. It is a great coming of age story based on the Rudyard Kipling novel.
There is a great movie called Sergeant York staring Gary Cooper, its a true story that no one has ever reacted to. Papillon staring Steve McQueen AND Duston Hoffman has also never been reacted to. Cool Hand Luke, The Great Escape, Patton, The Bridge Over The River Kwai, and John Wayne in the Green Berets, and the three Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns along with The Outlaw Josey Wales, are all great movies before the 70s.
This is a yearly watch at my Mom's house since I was a little fellow. Very cool reaction Lady V, it is rare to see you get a tear. Everyone gets a little emotional during this film.
A few exceptional films with James Stewart include (a Christmasy movie) The Shop Around the Corner, The Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and You Can’t Take It With You (including the same actor as Mr Potter in an almost completely opposite role.) Yes, many of Stewart’s pre-war films were comedies or dramas where he played a character of a noble nature. A few of his exceptional performances in his later career include Rear Window, Vertigo (both with Hitchcock), Anatomy of a Murder, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and The Flight of the Phoenix. Whatever films you choose will be a fascinating experience.
The absolute best Christmas film ever. Hands down. I've watched it countless times, the final message gets me through each year. Did you notice it NEVER snows in Pottersville ? Yes you can see it on the ground but look when George is begging to Clarence that he wants to live again - the moment it starts to snow is when you know he's back in good old Bedford Falls. The snow was a new development for the film too. Capra wanted to use live sound for the close up scenes so the usual Hollywood method - cornflakes bleached or painted in white was out as clearly any walking nearby would create unwanted sound so the special effects team came up with a brand new method. There was actually a record heatwave going on whilst the film was being made ! The Raven that Uncle Billy owns is called 'Jimmy'. He starred in 1000+ films and was quite the star - insured for the equivalent of thousands of dollars today. He's actually the 'crow' that lands on the Scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Capra found a part for him in every film he made after 1938. Speaking of Uncle Billy, in the scene where he leaves the frame and there's a crash, a set hand dropped some equipment accidentally and the look of concern from Jimmy Stewart was genuine. Some say 'Uncle Billy' improvised the cry that he was alright, others say it was dubbed on in post. But the crash is genuine and unscripted. Yeah Jimmy Stewart was definitely still suffering with PTSD from his WW2 service as part of a Bomber Crew hence why he knew his actions would have inevitably killed civilians. He credited this movie experience as being therapeutic. In particular, in the prayer scene it wasn't scripted for him to cry and they weren't really setup for a close up to really capture the emotion. Capra knew he couldn't replicate the emotion in a reshoot so he decided to go with the original footage and zoomed in on the negative for the final cut of the film. If you look, it looks grainier because of that but Capra thought it worked in bringing more emotion and it was certainly better than asking Jimmy to go again. Stewart is one of my favourite actors and even more so when you see this performance. So glad new generations are still enjoying this classic - and in black and white as it should be ! I will watch again- on Christmas Eve as is my tradition along with 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and I will cry like a baby just like I always do. Being a 53 year old guy doesn't change that such is the power of this movie. Jimmy Stewart said it was his favorite and who are we to argue.
Frank Capra is one of the greatest Directors in cinema history. You may personally disagree with some of the cuts, but believe me when I say they were purposefully done that way for a reason, Capra’s reason ✅
Another great reaction to a wonderful classic movie, Verowak! James Stewart is one of my favorite actors from the Silver Screen and he also did a lot of Western films. One of my favorites I would like to recommend is 'The Far Country', starring JS & Walter Brennan during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896. Always looking forward to your next film reaction! 🎥 🍿😊
In my opinion, the greatest movie of all time! since you're enjoying black and white movies, try another Frank Capra masterpiece ... "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and "It Happened One Night." All of his films are heart-warming and fun, so much so that they used to call them "Capra-corn" for being corny. I ALWAYS enjoy sharing a movie with you, you are so expressive in what tickles you.
I love seeing so many amazing movies that I probably never would have if I hadn't started this channel. I'll be doing some black and white movie polls next year since there seems to be so many amazing ones! I'm so glad you enjoy my expressions, sometimes a look says a thousand words 😁🥰
@@VerowakReacts If you really want to enjoy something different, try some silent films, they're brilliant. You can see the roots of just about everything that followed in them. I highly recommend Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin (the Big Three). Laurel & Hardy silents are brilliant as well.). You, seriously, have the best expressions I've ever seen, they tell as much of a story as the film. Just stay happy, and we'll see each other in future reactions! I'll be there.
James Stewart has so many different type of movies, great actor. Bell, Book and Candle - supernatural Who Shot Liberty Valance - eastern The Shop Around the Corner - Romance Vitigo, Rear Window, Rope, The Man Who New Too Much - Suspense Alfred Hitchcock.
"In the cupboard under the stairs'? That's a little dark... Anyway, now you get to watch this brilliant film every year for the rest of your life. And cry every time. For more Jimmy Stewart, start with "Harvey", "Philadelphia Story", and "Mr. Smith goes to Washington". You'll enjoy all three and there's plenty more.
A nice tip of the hat to Donna Reed's iconic Beauty was in Little Shop of Horrors where Audrey, dreaming of what life would be like if she and Seymour could flee the slums, and she sings: He rakes and trims the grass / He loves to mow and weed / I cook like Betty Crocker / And I look like Donna Reed.
The comment about Frank Capra brought to mind similarities between George Bailey and my father. Near the same age, 4F for service during WWII and he was an electrical Engineer who never worked as one after the war. My uncle was a Civil Engineer and I've worked in Civil design for nearly forty years.
Hard to believe this movie flopped in theaters when released. When it was "free" on tv as a special, it became so popular. It shows how 1 person can impact so many.
Wasn't quite a "flop", when it was originally released. Only when it became so popular & was compared with how it did when originally released, did it seem like it flopped. People in 1946 were more into gritty war & it's aftermath pictures, like "The Best Years of our Lives" then. "It's a Wonderful Life" was more in the late '30's Frank Capra style which had cycled a bit out of style by 1946, but it wasn't a failure. I can't quite remember, but I think, that it was released in the middle of Summer instead of Christmas, or something like that, which also affected ticket sales. I read an article debunking that it was originally a flop in the last 20 or so years ago, but I can't remember the details. It wasn't a blockbuster but wasn't a flop either.
Even though it doesn't take away from the movie's power, the idea that George's brother would still fall through the ice, even though he had had a completely different life up to then without a brother, is doubtful :)
This is my father's favorite Christmas film. When the most stressful week in the life of a pastor is the very last week of December, as he's waiting to see if the church subscribed to the budget, seeing everyone come together and give more than enough is a dream come true. There are those who are unhappy that we don't see Mr. Potter get his comeuppance and I have never had to think about it because Charles Dickens did it for us. Mr. Potter is the unredeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, therefore that vision of Christmas Yet to Come that scared Scrooge into repentance is Mr. Potter's fate - to die alone without friends or family present, to be buried in the local cemetery, and then forgotten by time. Furthermore, the film's central thesis is that the universe is governed by a just and loving God, one Mr. Potter will face on Judgement Day.
As far as women’s hairstyles, in so many films now, the women mostly have the same hairstyles- flat or close to the head on the top, parted in the middle, shoulder length long, mostly straight sometimes a few waves added with a curling iron. Styles in the 40’s or 50’s tended to be curly or wavy, full, creating height on the top and then during the war, pinned back, like in the shot of Mary in IAWL when she is serving the soldiers on the train. After WW1 and in the 1920’s, new styles were short, straight or with “finger waves”, and often with bangs.
No. This is Stewarts greatest role and performance. He did a fine job in Philadelphia Story. But compared to George Bailey, that character and performance was... eh
@@LukeLovesRose Yeah absolutely no one with any kimnd of acting experience would sgree with you bro. Playing off two heavies like Hepburn and Grant in The Philadelphia Story is 100 times more impressive than this cheesy schmaltz.
I very much appreciate your reaction as it encapsulates my own experience and sentiments towards this film. James Stewart's performance is incredible, providing such a nuanced performance. That moment where he clutches his younger son in desperation gets me every time.. Donna Reed is an accomplished actor in her own right. You seized on details that took me multiple viewings to notice. If you really want more James Stewart, please watch the short clip of his appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where he reads a poem about his recently departed dog, Beau. Have tissues at hand. My eyes are misting up just thinking about it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours, V.
I first watched this amazing film 56 years ago. It caught me the first time. I've watched it at least once every year since then. My children watch it every year, as do my grandchildren. It contains so many excellent life lessons. Saw it again in November, and I know we'll be watching it this weekend. The end always gets me.
Nice reaction. You're right about James Stewart. More Stewart recommendations: His other great Christmas movie (in my opinion even better than this one) is "The Shop Around the Corner." I also recommend Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and "Vertigo" (which are very different from each other) and the musical-comedy Western "Destry Rides Again" with Marlene Dietrich. Stewart had a huge range and was arguably the best actor of his era to become a movie star. He had become a superstar less than a decade earlier in an earlier movie directed by the same filmmaker, Frank Capra, "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," which is also great. To answer your question, most women did not go to college in those days, but those who did -- well, most of them gave up whatever their careers were to raise their husband's families. Including my grandmother, who was in college in the 19-teens. Which explains the dated reference to a woman being an "old maid" as a bad fate. #VerowakReacts @VerowakReacts
My favorite movie 😊. The tears at the end of the movie are inevitable 😢. James Stewart was an amazing actor as well as an amazing human and ww2 veteran. I hope you check out more movies from the 40s on up. Merry Christmas Verowack 🎄 🎅
Thank you, Verowak! 🔔 This is brilliant and timeless. I've even seen it on the big screen in Chicago a few years ago. People wore jingle bells around their neck and rang them at opportune moments.
I am sooo whipped. First I had to watch _The Texas Chainsaw Massacre_ when Whimsory reacted to it a while back, and now I'm going to have to watch _It's a Wonderful Life_ because Verowak has reacted to it. The horror! I've got to start looking for a couple different women to crush on.
Great film, and reaction. A couple of my James Stewart films that are my favorites is "Harvey" (1950), and "Rear Window" (1954), an Alfred Hitchcock film.
Tell me other great James Stewart movies please!!! 🥰
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Rear Window (1954)
Vertigo (1958)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
The Man From Laramie (1955)
Shenandoah (1965)
“The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance”. You’ll love it. One of John Ford’s greatest movies. Stewart is phenomenal and…just trust me. It’s a must see.
James Stewart Movies......
- Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
- Destry Rides Again (1939)
- Winchester 73 (1950)
- Harvey (1950) He also did a TV Movie remake version in 1972 (In High School I played Orderly Wilson in a Play),
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- Rear Window (1954)
- The Man From Laramie (1955)
- The Man who shot Liberty Valance (1962)
- The Shootist (1976)
I've never seen it, but my mother is a James Stewart fan, and her favorite is Bell Book and Candle.
@@JM63movies This list and Harvey.
Donna Reed didn’t need a glamour filter! She was gorgeous!
She didn't need a "stunt arm" either - she broke the window on her first try.
@@curtismartin2866 Yep, she was on her high school softball team in Denison, Iowa.
At the time this movie was made, Jimmy Stewart had just returned from Europe after leading the 703rd Bomber Group. He was also suffering from PTSD as a result of all his combat missions. He retired from Military Service in 1968 after serving in the Vietnam War. He was a hero, a great actor, a gentleman, a devoted husband and father. I and many others miss him.❤
Bomber groups? I'm sorry but they were not heroes. Watch Europa The Last Battle
@@LukeLovesRose So maybe you think the germans and japanese were heroes when they slaughtered and bombed their way across Europe and Asia? Shut up, fool. Whoever Rose is, I feel sorry for her.
@@LukeLovesRose the guys were not aware.. Blame the leaders not the men ...... Numbnuts
No matter how much time goes by or how many times I see it, this movie still holds up.
It will forever hold up! Such a wonderful life lesson
I watch it every year. I cry at the end every time
“To my big brother, George. The richest man in town.”
That line always breaks me 😭
And the look on Jimmy Stewart's face when Harry says it is priceless.
Donna Reed really made that shot, breaking the window. 8:54. She played some baseball when she was younger. Director was going to have someone actually throw the rock, but Donna had this.
They had a grip on standby with a BB gun.
She also took $50 off Lionel Barrymore when that cow in the Bailey park scene needed to be milked and nobody was there to do it
He put the money up saying she couldn’t do it and the Nebraska farm girl could
@@shawnmiller4781 I was just going to say that. But from what I read, it wasn't because the cow needed milking. Lionel Barrymore bet Donna Reed $50 that she couldn't milk the cow because he didn't believe her claim about growing up on a farm in Iowa. She won the bet and said it was the easiest $50 she ever made. She was born Donna Belle Mullenger January 27, 1921, in Denison, Iowa, and died January 14, 1986, in Beverly Hills. California from pancreatic cancer at age 64.
I could have watched this one on mute. The slight tears in your eyes most of the time said everything that needed to be said. Classic movie, classic reaction. Merry Christmas Miss Verowak.
The scene at Mary's house on the phone is in all seriousness the most well written and emotionally raw romantic scene in any movie ever. Their whole lives are decided right there and they know it. And the dialogue is fantastic.
It's so raw and intense!
Clarence has the IQ of a rabbit... Even angels trash talk each other.
and that rabbits name was HARVEY
Love to see it! For more James Stewart: 'Vertigo', 'The Flight of The Phoenix' 'Anatomy Of A Murder'.
It seems like James Stewart poll is happening next year! 😁
@@VerowakReacts Looking forward to it!
Vertigo and Rear Window with Grace Kelly are 2Alfred Hitchcock movies that Jimmy Stewart was great in. Mr Smith Goes To Washington. The list goes on. Jimmy was a great actor and a most humble man. ❤
Those are good ones. I would add "Shenandoah" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".
Rear Window a must see.
An explanation about the cuts: sometime in the mid-to-late 70s this film accidentally fell into public domain. Which is how it became a beloved Christmas classic because local and regional TV stations could broadcast it without having to pay royalties. They also made cuts to the actual film so that it would fit whatever broadcast time they allocated. Various DVD and streaming sources are not using the original film. Almost all of them come from the butchered copies from the 1970s broadcasters.
Criticizing the GOAT Frank Capra re the cuts was kinda funny. There's an interesting bit of footage on YT of a 1970 interview with Canadian director Don Shebib (Goin' Down the Road). In it he says he was greatly influenced by a little known Frank Capra movie "It's a Wonderful Life" What people don't remember is that in 1970 it was little known. After it's initial run it would have likely fallen by the wayside. Its copyright expired in 1974 following a lack of renewal and it entered the public domain, allowing it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees, at which point it became a Christmas classic.
19:12 The man talking to Mr. Potter is Charles Lane, who was the oldest ever active member of SAG/AFTRA at 100 years old. He died in 2007 at age 102.
Mr. Potter was played by Lionel Barrymore and he is an older relative of Drew Barrymore. The gymnasium was not a set but an actual school gymnasium with a pool under the wood floor. Located at Beverly Hills still in use. The actor who was jilted at the dance Carl Schweitzer (Alfalfa from the Little Rascals/Our Gang RIP)
@5:51 This is the most genuine and adorable laugh...
I wish you nothing but the happiness and comfort your reactions have given me.
❤
One of my favorite movies, and a solid Christmas tradition. An eloquent reminder that family, friends and community are a gift. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
Happy Holidays to you!! The movie has such a great message, I think everyone should see it at least once
@@VerowakReacts
Jimmy Stewart was an amazing actor and person. This was his first movie after his return from WWII and said he used the atrocities he saw in the war to help cry in these scenes. He was a bomber pilot and even flew in Vietnam and ended up a Major General (2-star). He is a great actor, here are some more of his moves to check out. "Vertigo" (1958)
"Rear Window" (1954)
"Anatomy of a Murder" (1959)
"The Philadelphia Story" (1940)
"Harvey" (1950)
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939)
"Rope" (1948)
"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962)
"The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1956)
Great reaction! So good to see genuine emotions, joy and sadness
Another Christmas classic that was made a year later stars Cary Grant and is called A Bishop's Wife. The girl that plays Zuzu is in it as well.
Donna Reed was simply gorgeous and not the typical Hollywood starlet. Enough said.
This reaction always reveals the heart of anyone seeing it. I'm not surprised you have a sweet heart. Merry Christmas.
I have seen quite a few reactions to this film. Many of the younger reactors start by laughing at the old language and film techniques, then make sarky comments all the way through. Invariably, though, they end in tears. The message of the film transcends the years and affects everyone. Thank you for your reaction.
Frank Capra & Jimmy Stewart were a magical combo.
Most women who went to college in the 1920s through the 50s got a liberal arts education, but the were primarily studying homemaking. Home economics classes were not just cooking but managing the household budget, child care, even things like home repairs. In those days a housewife was literally in charge of the home and most men, with some exceptions, didn't interfere with their wife's job. When I was a kid, my mom took care out the inside of the house, and my dad took care of the outside.
The guy who is upset with George and opens the floor over the pool is Alfalfa from the Little Rascals.
My favorite movie of all time. A life lesson in every scene
IAWL is my favorite movie of all time. Every time I watch it, even your reaction, I always get misty eyed. Great reaction. Hee haw and Merry Christmas.
Haha Hee haw!!! Happy Holidays!! It's a wonderful movie that deserves so many rewatches!
Mary's job was making a home...both creating a household for herself and her husband, managing finances, and actually rebuilding the home she had likely purchased with _her_ money coming into the marriage. She was fulfilled but also busy, day-to-day.
Hi Verowak, during my high school years back in the 70’s I had classmates who could use a shave, some had kids and a job on the side. At the time I thought this was normal until I reached college where most were my age. I saw this film while I was in High School. Never occurred to me they were too old for High School.😜 James Stewart, me and mom’s hero. The mini series ‘Masters of the Air’ would give you an idea of what James Stewart went through during the war. I have many regrets, often wishing I could change the past and correct mistakes. Then I was told, you would just make NEW mistakes! Whenever I see my little boy’s eyes I remind myself I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Merry Christmas, Verowak.
I used to hate it when it was playing on TV as a kid, but now 36 years of age, I've learned to appreciate this movie and has become my favorite Christmas Movie. This is basically a different take on, A Christmas Carol.
Another James Steward movie worth watching and what he considered one of his favorite is called “HARVEY”.
Have a Vero Merry Christmas!
🤣🤣 Vero nice! 😂 You too!! 🎅🎄🎄
RE censors and ratings, prior to the Hays Code in the mid 30s, movies were often considered shocking for their innuendo and surprisingly more. I highly recommend pre-code She Done Him Wrong starring Mae West. She's a legend and an icon.
I adore this movie. It really makes you think about how every single action, no matter how big or small, has an impact on future events. This movie has so much heart and soul. Watching George constantly have his dream crushed is heartbreaking; he could just be selfish and not care, but he can't help himself. He's all about self-sacrifice until he reaches his breaking point. This is such a great movie and an absolute *must* watch around Christmas time. It's all about self-reflection. So glad you wound up reacting to this masterpiece.
You dropped sweet tears. Thank you.
This is possibly his most famous movie but "Harvey" was his favorite character. He did a lot of westerns, try "Cheyene Social Club" co-staring Henry Fonda. For more Christmas themed vintage movies try "The Bishops Wife" and less vintage "Serendipity". Glad you liked this one. It didn't do all that well on the initial release but became a Christmas staple once it entered public domain status. Good job. When you have 3+ hours try the epic "How the West was Won. He and every other big name star of the time are in that one.
Every time my father flips to this movie on TV he says, "hey, I should watch this one of these days." And then he watches it again. And then the next time it's on he says, "hey, I should watch this one of these days," and then he watches it again...
I see no flaw in that 😁🥰
This movie is so relatable bc we’ve all been there one way or another. Merry Christmas to everyone 💚❤️🎅🏻 🎁
This movie was nominated for Oscars in the same categories as The Best Years of Our Life but lost in each case. It did win an award for its innovative method of making snow.
Bad timing for the two movies to release in the same year. They're both such amazing movies
@@VerowakReacts The irony is that William Wyler and Frank Capra were partners in Liberty Pictures.
Which only involved using war surplus fire fighting foam
You know the stuff that are putting PFAS chemicals in our water
@@shawnmiller4781 Until a few years ago, it was also used in non-stick cookware.
Remember when they bring the basket of money in. The first person to come and individually give money was the man that wanted $242 when the bank failed. When George was praying in Martini's, before Mr. Welch punched him, George was in prayer and crying. Some of that was real. He was suffering PTSD from his action in WW2. He has said this film really helped him recover. He was a B-17 bomber pilot.
I'm really glad this touched you. Your remarks were fantastic.
Have great holiday.
As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
One of the best Christmas-themed movies around, even almost 80 years on!
Couple of quick notes on the setting/timeline, as I noticed your puzzled look when Harry was talking to his father about gin around 5 minutes in:
The scene where George saves Harry from the water is set in 1919, and narration says George was 12, making his birth year most likely 1907.
The scene where he plans to travel before college, around the time Harry is graduating, is set in 1928, making George 21 at that time. But what this film forgets is that 1928 is during Prohibition (1920-1933), when the USA prohibited production, import, transport and sale of alcohol - not that some people didn't find a way around that, though they'd likely not be discussing it openly!
Bedford Falls, George's hometown, is said to be in upstate New York; New York's legal drinking age was 18 up to Prohibition, then 21 when that first ended in December 1933, but went back down to 18 four months later. It then got raised to 19 in December 1982, and 21 in December 1985.
So, Harry (being younger than George) wouldn't have been allowed to drink at all, regardless of his age, during Prohibition; I think Harry's birth year is shown as 1911 when George, having never been born, finds his grave. In 1928 he'd have been 17, and still not old enough to drink in New York even if not for Prohibition, though buying it and being given it by your parents at home are two different things!
The main part of the story takes place on Christmas Eve 1945, by which time both branches of World War II were over (May 1945 in Europe, August 1945 with Japan). So I'm not sure why it took Harry so long to get back home...
Clarence: "Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and was drowned at the age of nine."
George Bailey: "That's a lie! Harry Bailey went to war! He got the Congressional Medal of Honor! He saved the lives of every man on that transport!"
Clarence: "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them, because you weren't there to save Harry.”
I get a lump in my throat every time I see that scene.
A line I like is, "Isn't it? Each man's life touches so many others. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
I hadn’t seen that you watched the beat years. Wonderful movie. So many wonderful movies. You were on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Rumor has it that George made Zuzu's teacher a rhubarb pie and gave her a foot massage.
A true Christmas classic
Best Christmas movie ever. Capra has a talent of moral uplifting themes tempered by a gritty realism (for the time). They play this movie here every year in an historic 1928 theater with a live organ performance. Went many times when the kids were young.
This is one of my top 5 of all time favorites and I have seen it 1,000 times. This is the first time I thought, if George had never been born, the poisoned pills still wouldn't have been delivered.
One mustn't forget George did get to explore and build things. He explored an alternate life where he was never born and built Bailey Park.
great reaction. could tell you loved it, your eyes were watering up through most of the movie. this is by far my fav christmas movie
It doesn’t matter how many times I have seen this movie over the past 40 years and even all these reaction videos, I still cry at the end. Every single time. I can’t explain it but I hits something very deep inside me unlike any other movie. It reigns as my most favorite movie of all time.
Completely understandable, it instantly became one of my favourite movies ever!
12:12 'Oh boy, Oh boy!' Seeing how wholesome and clean the language is in this movie has got me thinking of what a remake would look like.
Could you imagine Quentin Tarantino doing a remake of this? Or even the Coen brothers or Wes Anderson? 🤔
"Bringing Up Baby," with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, is delightfully fun.
Prepare for tears. 😢
Few people notice or comment on the fact that, when Clarence says "You get your wish. You've never been born." the snow (asbestos) falling outside stops. When George is back on the bridge praying "Let me live again. I wanna live again." the snow starts falling again.
Also when George is on the bed with Mary he asks "Why did you marry someone like me?" Mary answers "Because I love you George. I wasn't interested in anybody else in this town. I didn't want to die an old maid." When George asks Clarence where she is he is told "She never married. Shes an old maid. Shes at the library."
I have never seen anybody tweak to Mary's 'old maid' statement and only one reactor ever caught the snow starting back up but failed to connect it with the snowfall stopping and why.
You had me at, "Is this Mary's doing?"
Don't mind me, just always looking for multiple villains in every story 🤣
Burt and Ernie were up to something.
Mr. Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's grandfather. A great movie with he and Spencer Tracy is Captain's Courageous. I keep waiting for some reviewer to take it up. It is a great coming of age story based on the Rudyard Kipling novel.
Slight correction: Lionel is Drew's great-uncle; Lionel's brother John was her grandfather.
I like it when you like a movie this much because you have such a wonderful smile that lights up your whole face.
This is a Christmas classic!🎅🎄🎁
There is a great movie called Sergeant York staring Gary Cooper, its a true story that no one has ever reacted to. Papillon staring Steve McQueen AND Duston Hoffman has also never been reacted to. Cool Hand Luke, The Great Escape, Patton, The Bridge Over The River Kwai, and John Wayne in the Green Berets, and the three Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns along with The Outlaw Josey Wales, are all great movies before the 70s.
This is a yearly watch at my Mom's house since I was a little fellow. Very cool reaction Lady V, it is rare to see you get a tear. Everyone gets a little emotional during this film.
A few exceptional films with James Stewart include (a Christmasy movie) The Shop Around the Corner, The Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and You Can’t Take It With You (including the same actor as Mr Potter in an almost completely opposite role.) Yes, many of Stewart’s pre-war films were comedies or dramas where he played a character of a noble nature. A few of his exceptional performances in his later career include Rear Window,
Vertigo (both with Hitchcock), Anatomy of a Murder, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and The Flight of the Phoenix. Whatever films you choose will be a fascinating experience.
The absolute best Christmas film ever. Hands down. I've watched it countless times, the final message gets me through each year. Did you notice it NEVER snows in Pottersville ? Yes you can see it on the ground but look when George is begging to Clarence that he wants to live again - the moment it starts to snow is when you know he's back in good old Bedford Falls. The snow was a new development for the film too. Capra wanted to use live sound for the close up scenes so the usual Hollywood method - cornflakes bleached or painted in white was out as clearly any walking nearby would create unwanted sound so the special effects team came up with a brand new method. There was actually a record heatwave going on whilst the film was being made !
The Raven that Uncle Billy owns is called 'Jimmy'. He starred in 1000+ films and was quite the star - insured for the equivalent of thousands of dollars today. He's actually the 'crow' that lands on the Scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Capra found a part for him in every film he made after 1938. Speaking of Uncle Billy, in the scene where he leaves the frame and there's a crash, a set hand dropped some equipment accidentally and the look of concern from Jimmy Stewart was genuine. Some say 'Uncle Billy' improvised the cry that he was alright, others say it was dubbed on in post. But the crash is genuine and unscripted.
Yeah Jimmy Stewart was definitely still suffering with PTSD from his WW2 service as part of a Bomber Crew hence why he knew his actions would have inevitably killed civilians. He credited this movie experience as being therapeutic. In particular, in the prayer scene it wasn't scripted for him to cry and they weren't really setup for a close up to really capture the emotion. Capra knew he couldn't replicate the emotion in a reshoot so he decided to go with the original footage and zoomed in on the negative for the final cut of the film. If you look, it looks grainier because of that but Capra thought it worked in bringing more emotion and it was certainly better than asking Jimmy to go again. Stewart is one of my favourite actors and even more so when you see this performance.
So glad new generations are still enjoying this classic - and in black and white as it should be ! I will watch again- on Christmas Eve as is my tradition along with 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and I will cry like a baby just like I always do. Being a 53 year old guy doesn't change that such is the power of this movie. Jimmy Stewart said it was his favorite and who are we to argue.
A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim is also one of the best.
Frank Capra is one of the greatest Directors in cinema history. You may personally disagree with some of the cuts, but believe me when I say they were purposefully done that way for a reason, Capra’s reason ✅
The actor who played Mr. Potter is Drew Barrymore's Great Uncle.
This is my favorite movie. I've watched it on Christmas Eve every year for the past 45 years. Hee Haw and Merry Christmas!
Another great reaction to a wonderful classic movie, Verowak! James Stewart is one of my favorite actors from the Silver Screen and he also did a lot of Western films. One of my favorites I would like to recommend is 'The Far Country', starring JS & Walter Brennan during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896. Always looking forward to your next film reaction! 🎥 🍿😊
I'm betting on tears
In my opinion, the greatest movie of all time! since you're enjoying black and white movies, try another Frank Capra masterpiece ... "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and "It Happened One Night." All of his films are heart-warming and fun, so much so that they used to call them "Capra-corn" for being corny. I ALWAYS enjoy sharing a movie with you, you are so expressive in what tickles you.
I love seeing so many amazing movies that I probably never would have if I hadn't started this channel. I'll be doing some black and white movie polls next year since there seems to be so many amazing ones!
I'm so glad you enjoy my expressions, sometimes a look says a thousand words 😁🥰
@@VerowakReacts If you really want to enjoy something different, try some silent films, they're brilliant. You can see the roots of just about everything that followed in them. I highly recommend Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin (the Big Three). Laurel & Hardy silents are brilliant as well.). You, seriously, have the best expressions I've ever seen, they tell as much of a story as the film. Just stay happy, and we'll see each other in future reactions! I'll be there.
James Stewart has so many different type of movies, great actor.
Bell, Book and Candle - supernatural
Who Shot Liberty Valance - eastern
The Shop Around the Corner - Romance
Vitigo, Rear Window, Rope, The Man Who New Too Much - Suspense Alfred Hitchcock.
I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
Lovely Reaction to a classic. This movie reminds me of my sister's tuxedo cat, who was named ZuZu's Petals.😽
Thank you! I love how Zuzu's petals has been used a lot it seems!
This movie is a tradition in our family. We watch it every Christmas season !!!!
I recommend a UA-cam search for "SNL Lost Ending It's a Wonderful Life"
"In the cupboard under the stairs'? That's a little dark... Anyway, now you get to watch this brilliant film every year for the rest of your life. And cry every time. For more Jimmy Stewart, start with "Harvey", "Philadelphia Story", and "Mr. Smith goes to Washington". You'll enjoy all three and there's plenty more.
A nice tip of the hat to Donna Reed's iconic Beauty was in Little Shop of Horrors where Audrey, dreaming of what life would be like if she and Seymour could flee the slums, and she sings:
He rakes and trims the grass / He loves to mow and weed / I cook like Betty Crocker / And I look like Donna Reed.
The comment about Frank Capra brought to mind similarities between George Bailey and my father. Near the same age, 4F for service during WWII and he was an electrical Engineer who never worked as one after the war.
My uncle was a Civil Engineer and I've worked in Civil design for nearly forty years.
There were no movie ratings but there was the Hays Code, which was very strict. Thankfully it didn't last forever.
Now I need to look into it and see what it didn't allow :D Thank you for the name, it makes looking things up easier lol
Donna Reed was extremely beautiful even on TV.
Hard to believe this movie flopped in theaters when released. When it was "free" on tv as a special, it became so popular. It shows how 1 person can impact so many.
Wasn't quite a "flop", when it was originally released. Only when it became so popular & was compared with how it did when originally released, did it seem like it flopped. People in 1946 were more into gritty war & it's aftermath pictures, like "The Best Years of our Lives" then. "It's a Wonderful Life" was more in the late '30's Frank Capra style which had cycled a bit out of style by 1946, but it wasn't a failure. I can't quite remember, but I think, that it was released in the middle of Summer instead of Christmas, or something like that, which also affected ticket sales.
I read an article debunking that it was originally a flop in the last 20 or so years ago, but I can't remember the details. It wasn't a blockbuster but wasn't a flop either.
Today, it is hard to believe that this film was a box office failure when it was first released. It only gained popularity, slowly, over the years.
18:30 People didn't need glamour filters when they're already glamorous.
Awesome movie. I love your commentary.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad to have seen this movie 🤩
32:56 there it is….happens to me still. Every. Time. ❤😊🎄
Even though it doesn't take away from the movie's power, the idea that George's brother would still fall through the ice, even though he had had a completely different life up to then without a brother, is doubtful :)
Love your beauty, your smile and reactions. A beautiful heartwarming reaction to this classic.
Ironically Jimmy Stewart left Hollywood and joined the Air Force during WW 2 and was a highly decorated bomber pilot.
This is my father's favorite Christmas film. When the most stressful week in the life of a pastor is the very last week of December, as he's waiting to see if the church subscribed to the budget, seeing everyone come together and give more than enough is a dream come true.
There are those who are unhappy that we don't see Mr. Potter get his comeuppance and I have never had to think about it because Charles Dickens did it for us. Mr. Potter is the unredeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, therefore that vision of Christmas Yet to Come that scared Scrooge into repentance is Mr. Potter's fate - to die alone without friends or family present, to be buried in the local cemetery, and then forgotten by time. Furthermore, the film's central thesis is that the universe is governed by a just and loving God, one Mr. Potter will face on Judgement Day.
As far as women’s hairstyles, in so many films now, the women mostly have the same hairstyles- flat or close to the head on the top, parted in the middle, shoulder length long, mostly straight sometimes a few waves added with a curling iron. Styles in the 40’s or 50’s tended to be curly or wavy, full, creating height on the top and then during the war, pinned back, like in the shot of Mary in IAWL when she is serving the soldiers on the train. After WW1 and in the 1920’s, new styles were short, straight or with “finger waves”, and often with bangs.
Stewart's greatest role is in The Philadelphia Story,where he won the Oscar for Best Actor, but its too sophisticated a film for You Tube. 😮😮
No. This is Stewarts greatest role and performance. He did a fine job in Philadelphia Story. But compared to George Bailey, that character and performance was... eh
@@LukeLovesRose Yeah absolutely no one with any kimnd of acting experience would sgree with you bro. Playing off two heavies like Hepburn and Grant in The Philadelphia Story is 100 times more impressive than this cheesy schmaltz.
Not a Christmas movie, but if you are indeed an afficianado of old-time classics an absolute must-do reaction is "Casablanca". (1942)
It's on my list!
I very much appreciate your reaction as it encapsulates my own experience and sentiments towards this film. James Stewart's performance is incredible, providing such a nuanced performance. That moment where he clutches his younger son in desperation gets me every time.. Donna Reed is an accomplished actor in her own right. You seized on details that took me multiple viewings to notice. If you really want more James Stewart, please watch the short clip of his appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where he reads a poem about his recently departed dog, Beau. Have tissues at hand. My eyes are misting up just thinking about it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours, V.
"You're a Wizard, Harry Potter" but also "You're a warped, frustrated old man, Henry Potter!!"
James (Jimmy) Stewart is the GOAT!
Rear Window -GREAT Jimmy Stewart movie
Thank you. Great reaction
I first watched this amazing film 56 years ago. It caught me the first time. I've watched it at least once every year since then. My children watch it every year, as do my grandchildren. It contains so many excellent life lessons. Saw it again in November, and I know we'll be watching it this weekend. The end always gets me.
Nice reaction. You're right about James Stewart. More Stewart recommendations: His other great Christmas movie (in my opinion even better than this one) is "The Shop Around the Corner." I also recommend Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and "Vertigo" (which are very different from each other) and the musical-comedy Western "Destry Rides Again" with Marlene Dietrich. Stewart had a huge range and was arguably the best actor of his era to become a movie star. He had become a superstar less than a decade earlier in an earlier movie directed by the same filmmaker, Frank Capra, "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," which is also great.
To answer your question, most women did not go to college in those days, but those who did -- well, most of them gave up whatever their careers were to raise their husband's families. Including my grandmother, who was in college in the 19-teens. Which explains the dated reference to a woman being an "old maid" as a bad fate. #VerowakReacts @VerowakReacts
My favorite movie 😊. The tears at the end of the movie are inevitable 😢. James Stewart was an amazing actor as well as an amazing human and ww2 veteran. I hope you check out more movies from the 40s on up. Merry Christmas Verowack 🎄 🎅
Thank you, Verowak! 🔔 This is brilliant and timeless. I've even seen it on the big screen in Chicago a few years ago. People wore jingle bells around their neck and rang them at opportune moments.
Ellen Corby the $17.50 lady portrayed Grandma in The Walton's television show
I am sooo whipped. First I had to watch _The Texas Chainsaw Massacre_ when Whimsory reacted to it a while back, and now I'm going to have to watch _It's a Wonderful Life_ because Verowak has reacted to it. The horror! I've got to start looking for a couple different women to crush on.
Great film, and reaction. A couple of my James Stewart films that are my favorites is "Harvey" (1950), and "Rear Window" (1954), an Alfred Hitchcock film.