As ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ turns 75, greedy villain Mr. Potter still resonates
Now more than ever, we can all take heart in director Frank Capra’s supremely inspiring 1946 tale, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” featuring Jimmy Stewart’s struggling everyman George Bailey finding life’s meaning with help from a clumsy angel.
But as the holiday classic turns 75 this month, it’s a good time to savor the screen’s deliciously irredeemable villain, Mr. Potter.
You don’t have to root for him, just appreciate him.
Played to ruthless perfection by the great Lionel Barrymore, the crooked businessman owns the No. 6 slot on the American Film Institute’s list of 50 Greatest Villains. That means Darth Vader, No. 3 on the list, should really watch his back. Because Mr. Potter is only gaining more relevance with every business headline.
“He’s power hungry, the only things important to Mr. Potter are owning property, having lots of money and owning people,” says Karolyn Grimes, 81, who played Zuzu Bailey, one of Bailey’s children in the film. “The scary thing is, we see so much of that today.”
Mr. Potter is immediately labeled, by an angel no less, as the “richest and meanest man in town.” The perpetually sneering fiend gleefully runs with the title from there.
The Bailey Building and Loan nemesis purloins the business’ mislaid $8,000, putting George into legal jeopardy and self-crisis. Mr. Potter then completes George’s spiral with the infamous crushing blow, “You’re worth more dead than alive.”
When the angel Clarence (Henry Travers) shows what life, and Bedford Falls, would be like without George and his Building and Loan, the town is literally called Pottersville, featuring jitterbug-friendly bars (which frankly look hopping).
Capra wanted the Academy Awardwinner for the role based on Barrymore’s annual radio performance of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” But Mr. Potter is next-level Scrooge, without the how-life-went wrong sympathetic backstory and definitely lacking the Christmas morning Scrooge redemption.
Movie historian Sal St. George, who will highlight Mr. Potter in his 75th anniversary talk at the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum in Seneca New York, says Mr. Potter’s comeuppance already arrived when Bailey is home surrounded by his children, wife and friends.
“One of the last lines in the movie is a toast to ‘George Bailey, the richest man in town,’ ” says St. George. “George Bailey takes the richest man title from Mr. Potter.” You can catch “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the big screen this month at the Rivoli Theater in Cedarburg (Dec. 13 and 22), select Marcus Theatres (Dec. 10-16) and the Avalon Theater (Dec. 23-25).