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1 Film and Social Resonance Analysis Its a Wonderful Life Jonathan Wright University of Arizona Global Campus ENG225: Introduction to Film Allison Robertson July 25, 2023

2 Frank Capra, director and producer of Its a Wonderful Life , released December 20, 1946. James Stewart (George Bailey), Donna Reed (Mary Bailey), and Henry Travers (Clarence Odbody) are the main characters in this film. Frank Capra is an auteur director known for the rejoicing feeling the audience captures as they watch his movies. Its a Wonderful Life falls into multiple genres, such as fantasy, drama, loyalty, and holidays. In this discussion, the film’s auteur theory will be identified. The impact of this film in our society in the past, present, and future, lastly, how Introduction to Film impacted me as a student. When we mention genres, we can accept that It’s a wondeful life is a collection of many different genres. In this film, Capra fulfills the fantasy genre by showing right from the start, as mentioned by (Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2014) define auteur theory as the director being the "author of the film"(section 9.3, para. 1). In Capra's case, "he is known for his sympathetic portraits of ordinary Americans" (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014, section 9.3, para. 5). He does this by utilizing the story where Clarence is trying to break through to George and making him realize that even when everything seems to be lost, there always ways to make a comeback as long as you do right in your life. Another example of fantasy is when Clarence takes George back in time to show him the effects that he had on everyone's life. He saved his brother's life, changed the outcome of the local pharmacist’s dire mistake, and gave residents a chance to own their homes. Clarences shows George how the townspeople would be if George were never born. Ultimately, he is aware of his blessed life and returns to his family. The drama genre is displayed when George, a dreamer, had many plans, traveling the world and attending college to help with the family business, Bailey Brothers Building Company, and Loan. When, on the morning of Christmas Eve, his uncle loses $8000 on his way to deposit it in the bank, George is worried that his business will go under, the people of the

3 community will lose all their savings, and the stress of facing this issue alone brought the thought of contemplating suicide. Another example of the drama genre is when Capra uses flashback scenes to deliver the opposite of George, his doubts, fears, and uncertainty. If he were never born, his hometown would not be the wholesome town that he knows it to be. It would be flooded and tarnished with bars and clubs, entertaining people of little morality. The city’s blue- collar workers would not own their homes; instead, they would continue to be impoverished with rentals of low-budget housing. As we display the loyalty part of the genre, this is shown by Clarence showing George saving his brother’s life by getting him out of a frozen lake risking his own, and by staying in Bedford Falls when his brother decided to go in a different route instead of the planned one they had and already had another job line up that was not the loan company. Frank Capra produced and directed Its a Wonderful Life and created many other classic films such as It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Capra is an auteur director because he fits into all three circles of the auteur theory: technical competence, distinguishable personality, and interior meaning. His technical competence, also known as a good director, is the first of the circles. Capra became a prominent director during the 1930s and was given much creative freedom. Capra is an auteur director because he fits into all three circles of the auteur theory: technical competence, distinguishable personality, and interior meaning. His technical competence, also known as a good director, is the first of the circles. Capra became a prominent director during the 1930s and was given much creative freedom. As we see in Its a Wonderful Life , Capra demonstrated his ability to use fantasy/science fiction by using different sounds, visuals, and symbols to show the angels discussing how to save George and sending a guardian

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4 angel to keep him from making an irremediable mistake. The second circle is a distinguishable personality, which means the director's films have been seen repeatedly and improve with familiarity (para. 4). It reminds the audience that your life is something to be thankful. Demonstrated by the type of director Capra was, since it shows a distinguishable characteristic of the regular American family going through their everyday struggle and the fight to overcome such struggles. Its a Wonderful Life is about George Bailey, from Bedford Falls, where he lived his whole life. George was a dreamer and had many plans, traveling the world and attending college to help with the family business, Bailey Brothers Building Company, and Loan. When, on the morning of Christmas Eve, his uncle loses $8000 on his way to deposit it in the bank, George is worried that his business will go under, the people of the community will lose all their savings, and the stress of facing this issue alone, George ponders suicide. In this development, Clarence, angel second class, meaning he has not earned wings yet, is sent to save George’s life and show him that his life is meaningful and not to consider suicide. Clarence takes George back in time to show him the effects that he had on everyone's life. He saved his brother's life, changed the outcome of the local pharmacist’s dire mistake, and gave residents a chance to own their homes. Clarences shows George how the townspeople would be if George were never born. Ultimately, he is aware of his blessed life and returns to his family. Upon returning, the whole town is in his living room, raising money to save The Building and Loan. While they are singing, A bell on the Christmas tree rings, and he knows Clarence earned his wings. The cinematography shows how the director Frank Capra reflects our auteur theory by some of his themes of family, friends, and

5 loyalty. Goodykoontz& Jacobs (2014) define it as how we see the film using shots (section 6.2, para. 2). Frank Capra is an auteur director.Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2014) define auteur theory as the director being the "author of the film"(section 9.3, para. 1). In Capra's case, "he is known for his sympathetic portraits of ordinary Americans" (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014, section 9.3, para. 5). He does this by utilizing the story where Clarence is trying to break through to George and making him realize that even when everything seems to be lost, there always ways to make a comeback as long as you do right in your life. Not everyone is always happy, and Capra shows realism when George falls from what is expected. Another example of Capras’ auteur theory is when Capra uses flashback scenes to deliver the opposite of George, his doubts, fears, and uncertainty. If he were never born, his hometown would not be the wholesome town that he knows it to be. It would be flooded and tarnished with bars and clubs, entertaining people of little morality. The city’s blue-collar workers would not own their homes; instead, they would continue to be impoverished with rentals of low-budget housing. Frank Capra produced and directed Its a Wonderful Life and created many other classic films such as It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Capra is an auteur director because he fits into all three circles of the auteur theory: technical competence, distinguishable personality, and interior meaning. His technical competence, also known as a good director, is the first of the circles. Capra became a prominent director during the 1930s and was given much creative freedom. As we see in Its a Wonderful Life , Capra demonstrated his ability to use fantasy/science fiction by using different sounds, visuals, and symbols to show the angels discussing how to save George and sending a guardian angel to keep him from making an irremediable mistake. The second circle is a distinguishable

6 personality, which means the director's films have been seen repeatedly and improve with familiarity (para. 4). It reminds the audience that your life is something to be thankful. Demonstrated by the type of director Capra was, since it shows a distinguishable characteristic of the regular American family going through their everyday struggle and the fight to overcome such struggles. A good part of the movie's beginning introduces the main character George Bailey. It shows how he meets his wife, Mary, and discusses his plans to travel the world and attend college. His plans are changed when his father passes, and he decides to stay home to run the family business. All the shots tell the audience the story of George, his family and friends, and his loyalty to them and his town. He worked the family business so his brother could attend college, war, and get a good job. He created a housing development so the townspeople could own their homes and not live in a low-income rental community as Mr. Potter, an old rich greedy man that is also the antagonist, was planning to build. He worked hard to provide for his family. When George is standing on the bridge, ready to jump, Clarence has a brilliant idea to stop George from jumping by jumping in himself; at the same time, George sees Clarence in the water and decides that instead of jumping to end his life, he jumps to save Clarence. which shows George’s selfless personality. As he gets Clarence out of the cold waters, he explains why he was at the bridge about to kill himself. After that scene, it transitions into the location where Clarence takes George to a world without his presence as an alternate reality

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7 commonly used as a fantasy theme in films. As Fraley (2011) mentions in his writings about the film, "the director shows us only what wants us to see, and the cinematographer has to bring the image into focus, or we have no movie" (section still frames). He explains how the focus pull-in George’s blurry flashback scene and then comes into focus in Clarence's alternate world. The flashback scenes are the ones that make this film a non-linear type of film that does not follow chronological order. Along with cinematography, James Stewart's acting ability establishes the film’s theme, feeling, and realism, making the character seem like he was made for that role. The audience may think that his acting was naturalistic. According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2014), the acting style is realism (section 5.4, para. 5). Stewart shows genuine emotion when he feels life crumbling around him. Its a Wonderful Life, is the typical rags-to-riches type of plot in the point of view as it shows George losing practically everything, then at the end, he realizes that all his friends support him. His uncle losses an $8000 loan payment to the bank, and the antagonist, Mr. Potter, threatens George that it will close the Building and Loan. The townspeople are nervous and want to take their money from the Building and Loan. George goes to a bar, and when he leaves, he crashes his car into a tree. He walked to a bridge, and his guardian angel, Clarence, jumped instead as he was about to jump off. George's theme of loyalty sends him into the river to save Clarence. Stewart's acting in general and in Its a Wonderful Life endears him as a nobleman who prevails against the odds (IMDb, biography). Stewart does precisely that. He wins against the odds and can save himself and his family's business with the help of his friends and family. The last technique that establishes a theme is direction. Frank Capra is an auteur director.Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2014) define auteur theory as the director being the "author of the film"(section 9.3, para. 1). In Capra's case, "he is known for his sympathetic portraits of ordinary Americans" (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014, section 9.3, para. 5). He does this by

8 utilizing the story where Clarence is trying to break through to George and making him realize that even when everything seems to be lost, there always ways to make a comeback as long as you do right in your life. Not everyone is always happy, and Capra shows realism when George falls from what is expected. Capra uses flashback scenes to deliver the opposite of George, his doubts, fears, and uncertainty. If he were never born, his hometown would not be the wholesome town that he knows it to be. It would be flooded and tarnished with bars and clubs, entertaining people of little morality. The city’s blue-collar workers would not own their homes; instead, they would continue to be impoverished with rentals of low-budget housing. Frank Capra produced and directed Its a Wonderful Life and created many other classic films such as It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Capra is an auteur director because he fits into all three circles of the auteur theory: technical competence, distinguishable personality, and interior meaning. His technical competence, also known as a good director, is the first of the circles. Capra became a prominent director during the 1930s and was given much creative freedom. As we see in Its a Wonderful Life , Capra demonstrated his ability to use fantasy/science fiction by using different sounds, visuals, and symbols to show the angels discussing how to save George and sending a guardian angel to keep him from making an irremediable mistake. The second circle is a distinguishable personality, which means the director's films have been seen repeatedly and improve with familiarity (para. 4). It reminds the audience that your life is something to be thankful. Demonstrated by the type of director Capra was, since it shows a distinguishable characteristic of the regular American family going through their everyday struggle and the fight to overcome such struggles. We may not have the most money, the best house, a fast car, or many other materialistic things, but we have the life given. It is a life filled with love and family of some

9 sort. This film has a timeless message. Capra released this film in 1946, and today in 2018, the message remains relevant. While this film emerged after the Great Depression, society still felt its repercussions. Today's culture may not be in a depression, but society is influenced by the emotions of one. ENG225, Introduction to Film, has given me a new perspective when watching and never analyzing a film. As oblivious as any regular viewer, I watched Its a Wonderful Life without asking questions or wondering about its production. Now, with Introduction to Film, the multiple aspects, techniques, and endless work a film contains. This course has broken down the elements that put the puzzle together instead of just enjoying the finished puzzle and appreciating all the pieces. Looking back to the introduction post about the film, it is superficial. It just barely touches the surface of the film and its contents. Rewriting that initial post, it would go into detail. I can discuss shots to back up, incorporate genre, and point out aesthetic choices. This course provided the tools to criticize films and find their meanings effectively. By understanding direction, editing, and acting, distinguishing between different aspects of film, and analyzing them. Not only did I learn about studying film, I learned how film affects society. The film can be viewed as yin and yang; film impacts the community, and society moves through film. Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2014) state that philosophers from ancient Greece debated that art could harm society; Plato felt that poetry and theatre should only inspire. While Aristotle felt that depicting tragedy could be cathartic, allowing the audience to purge their feelings and then go on with life (section 2.4, para. 1). society impacts film by filmmakers giving the audience what they ask. Current society is more open to violence, explicit sex, and foul language. English 225 showed that all films affect or have been affected by culture.

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10 The primary skill learned from this course is analysis. It is taking this skill into future classes by breaking down all the little pieces that make a finished product. Its a Wonderful Life is a must- see film for audiences of all ages. Frank Capra is an auteur director that emulates the American dream through his films; it shows the struggles, obstacles, and pursuit of happiness. Family, friends, and loyalty are the themes that ensure that the audience understands the story's point. Christmastime is the most common time of the year that people watch this film, but Capra did not intend that. The primary genre is fantasy, and Capra takes the audience into another world where George Bailey sees what would happen if he were ever born. The film can make the audience put themselves in the same shoes, question how life would be different without them, and appreciate the life given. Its a Wonderful Life is an iconic film to watch on Christmas Eve. Films by filmmakers give the audience what they ask. Current society is more open to violence, explicit sex, and foul language. English 225 expands the view to be aware that all films affect the community or have been affected by culture. The primary skill learned from this course is analysis. I can take this skill into future classes by breaking down all the little pieces that make a finished product. Its a Wonderful Life is a must-see film for audiences of all ages. Frank Capra is an auteur director that emulates the American dream through his movies. Family, friends, and loyalty are the themes that ensure that the audience understands the story's point. Christmastime is the most common time of the year that people watch this film, but Capra did not intend that. The primary genre is fantasy, and Capra takes the audience into another world where George Bailey sees what would happen if he were ever born. The film can make the audience put themselves in the same shoes, question how life would be different without them, and appreciate the gift of life—recommended to be viewed yearly, preferably on Christmas Eve.

11 References Capra, F. (Producer & Director). (1946). Its a wonderful life [Video Recording]. California: Liberty Films Fraley, J. (2011, December 7). Its a Wonderful Life (1946). The film spectrum. Retrieved fromhttp://thefilmspectrum.com/?p=9240 Ebert, R. (1999, January 1). Great movie: Its a Wonderful Life . Roger Ebert. Retrieved fromhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-its-a-wonderful-life-1946 Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014).Film: From watching to seeing(3rd ed.) [Electronicversion]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/ IMDb. (2018). James Stewart biography.IMDb. Retrieved fromhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000071/bio Magnett, C. (2016, December 24). Why Its a Wonderful Life is a classic in almost every genre .Popculture.com. Retrieved from https://popculture.com/2016/12/19/why-its-a- wonderful-life-is-a-classic-in-almost-every-genre/

12 Saporito, J. (2015, December 16). Q: How did "Its a Wonderful Life" go from a flop to a holiday classic? Screen prism. Retrieved from https://the-take.com/read/how-did-its-a-wonderful- life-go-from-a-flop-to-a-holiday-classic

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