‘Wonderful Life’ still beats all of the rest

I’m not sure when or where I first saw “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but from that day forward I make sure I see it at least two times a year. And you know what? No matter how many times I see it, my eyes still well up at the end when I hear and see George Bailey’s (Jimmy Stewart’s) youngest say, “Look Daddy, teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel get his wings.”

Donna Reed plays George’s wife, Mary, and does a masterful job of displaying true love when she, as a newlywed, donates “the kitty” to keep The Bailey Building & Loan Co. afloat in the face of a depression. With her husband working to save the family business, she goes home, and with the help of a taxi driver and a police officer, prepares their home, a broken-down house she’s been dreaming about living in since a reunion for George and her at a high school dance, for their first night as a married couple. Mr. Potter does his best to ruin everything when he steals the $8,000 Uncle Billy has intended to deposit for the family business. Uncle Billy gets too caught up in bragging to Mr. Potter about Harry Bailey, George’s brother, being a war hero. No worries, though, Clarence the Angel is called to save the day with a masterful plan of removing George from the ultimate possibility of throwing away the most precious gift given to human beings. All is well at the end as friend after friend visit to financially rescue George while singing “Auld Lang Syne,” with George receiving an autographed copy of “Tom Sawyer” accompanied with the note from Clarence that says, “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

With apologies to Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Fred Astaire and other wonderful actors in other movies including “White Christmas,” “Holiday Inn,” “It Happened On 5th Avenue,” “Christmas in Connecticut,” “The Grinch,” “Elf,” and “Home Alone,” it just doesn’t get any better for munching on popcorn, sipping soda and building the Christmas spirit than “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Jim Valenzuela, Poway