Did you know?
My favorite movie is…. “It’s A Wonderful Life”
It really is. It’s favorite movie, AND this is a wonderful life. “No man is a failure who has friends” is the famous quote at the end of the film. I have so many friends, so many fabulous friends, and I am so grateful. Of course, nowadays, the writers would say “No one is a failure who has friends.” But you get the idea. And hey, not for nothing, but it really is a wonderful movie! If you have never watched it from beginning to end, I highly recommend it (but then, I am biased). It’s not only my favorite holiday movie, it’s my favorite movie. Period.
The child actors who played the two youngest children of George and Mary Bailey are still alive. Jimmy Hawkins played “Tommy” the youngest boy who keeps saying “Excuse me, excuse me!” to his dad, George, when George is beyond stressed out. After several “excuse mes” George says, “Excuse you for WHAT!?” and Tommy goes, “I burped.” LOL! Well, Jimmy/Tommy is 82 years old now and he was interviewed a couple of years ago for the film’s 75th anniversary. That interview is re-circulating at the moment, and you can read it here.
Karolyn Grimes played Zuzu Bailey in the film (“Zuzus petals” — if you don’t know what that is, you have been under a rock for 77 years). Karolyn is 83 now, and still active at this time of year promoting the movie after all this time. An interview with Grimes is also circulating which you can read here.
But wait, there’s more! Collider.com claims there were several alternate endings to the film. I consider myself somewhat of an aficionado of IAWL, and I have never heard about that before. Nothing beats the tail end of the pic where Harry Bailey toasts “to my big brother George, the richest man in town!” Open the floodgates. It never gets old. I cry every single time, and then when I see that note from Clarence — pass me the tissues, please. If you’re interested in the supposed alternate endings, have a look at this article. I haven’t looked yet. I’m a-scared. It may just be too much to bear. An alternate ending? Are you kidding me right now?
For those who are either fans of alternate endings, or simply are sick of the movie altogether, how ‘bout this new take on the story? Jane Widdop of Yellowjackets fame (hey, I heard they used some Tori Amos music in that show! ANOTHER one of my obsessions — Tori, not Yellowjackets) stars in a Christmas horror flick called “It’s A Wonderful Knife”. I know. I know. You can catch the horror movie streaming on Shudder!
The streak is over, twice
After a lifetime of being passed over so often it’s made her famous (infamous?) for rarely receiving any kudos, my favorite soap queen and yours, Susan Lucci, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys. Say what? It’s true! The award was presented to Lucci during the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy show earlier this month. And at 76 (almost the same age as It’s A Wonderful Life!) she still looks ah-mazing! The legend, the one, the only…. “Erica Kane”!
Shemar “The Streak Is Over!” Moore had the honor of presenting her with the award, of course. For those who didn’t catch that reference, you can see what it means in the video below.
I watched All My Children from the day it began until the very last episode. I was a completely obsessed fan, and I actually grieved when the show ended. No, I’m not even kidding.