"To my big brother George...the richest man in town". Favorite line in almost any movie.

"To my big brother George, the RICHEST man in town." I choke up every time.

"you're worth more dead than alive" is one of the most evil lines I can recall in a movie.

Years ago on Christmas Eve I was also feeling a failure. I remember, I was unable to sleep and turn on on TV. This movie was starting. I watch it without expectations. It was a medicine for me!!! Change my life for good!! Nice reaction!!

Ironically when this movie came out the critics hated it and it made no money. The studio didn’t even bother to renew its copyright, so it ended up airing on tv for free, causing it to grow in popularity

The older I get, each time I watch this the harder I cry at that ending...OMG!...They just don't make films this good anymore. It's timeless, and has, hands down, the happiest ending to any film I've ever seen. James Stewart may just be the greatest actor America ever produced.

Marion was crying! 😂 It’s OK, I do every time I watch this movie.

The line that always floors me is: “Those men died. Harry wasn’t there to save them because you weren’t there to save Harry.” Every soul touches so many others in unfathomable ways. This is my first video with you, but not my last. Subbed. Also… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

You said it! "This is what I call a masterpiece" as well. I've been calling this movie my all-time favorite movie since I first saw it nearly 30 years ago in the 1990s when I was in my early 20' years old. A timeless story. It touches on nearly every aspect of humanity, life and living: Love, sacrifice, greed, corruption, selflessness, family, doing the right thing, good vs bad.. and on and on... it's so much! A Masterpiece!

Jimmy Stewart gives a tour de force performance in this. When he sees Mr. Gower in the bar his reaction is so full of empathy and concern it's palpable. It gets me every time.

The greatest Xmass movie ever made. Frank Capra was a master movie maker who made some of the most heart felt movies ever !!! Jimmy Stewart was absolutely fabulous in this ,especially in the scene where he tells God "I wanna Live...I wanna Live"...makes me cry every year I watch it !!!

While I enjoy your reactions during the movie, your discussion after the movie is ABSOLUTELY fantastic. It is what sets you apart from other reactors who don't engage with the movie and just react. It is why I support your channel.

Help whoever you can,whenever you can. Make a better world.

You both have more than just a channel. You do more than just react to a movie. You bring your God given personalities and you share words that have more of an impact on your audience than you can imagine. I smile just when I know I am going to watch your reaction. You both are hysterically funny and bring genuine emotion. You both are so talented. I so enjoyed this reaction most of all. Have a joyous holiday season! Thanks.

The scene where both Stewart and Reed listened to the telephone call together was done in one take, Mr. Potter is regarded as one of the greatest villains ever and Lionel Barrymore was Drew Barrymore's great uncle, There was an alternate ending that wasn’t filmed where Mr. Potter died of a heart attack, When Uncle Billy yells "I'm alright" he improvised that as he accidentally ran into a cart of film equipment and the sound was like running into trash cans so it was left in, When Jimmy is in the bar praying and crying those were real tears as he was thinking of all of the military men he served with during world war 2. See Jimmy Stewart took a break from acting when the U.S. became involved with the war and he was a bomber pilot in what wluld later become the Air Force and this was the first film he did after returning home, The reason Uncle Billy has strings tied around his fingers is that was a trick used back then to help remember things, The film wasn't a big hit when it first came out as it was released in the summer, but thanks to repeat airings on television over many years it developed it's audience, The film received a special oscar for it's snow effects, Now I first saw this film I think in either 2016 or 2017 and by the ending I was bawling tears.

This movie shows you that we all still need personal human interaction. You never know how many lives you affect with your presence. That fact was recently brought hone to me by my best friend (also my ex-sister-in-law) when she told me that if she didn't have me in her life to keep her grounded that she would have done what George was thinking about doing a long time ago. She said her psychiatrist told her that he was glad she had someone positive like me on her life. It was the best present I could have ever gotten in my life next to my children and grandchildren. To know I have that kind of effect on someone's life just by being me.

Please don't feel discouraged, Marian! I know it often seems like decent communities no longer exist in these times, but I was recently lucky enough to move to a town that's very much like Bedford Falls. People here are helpful, kind and inclusive. I couldn't believe it at first; the town I moved from wasn't like this at all. But it's really true! I have great neighbors, and when I go downtown, even total strangers are friendly and comfortable to be with. So if this town exists, there must be others like it, scattered throughout America and the world. They just don't make it into the news very often, because nothing horrible goes on there. Thank you for posting this movie. It's one of my favorites. I hope that one day your own family will get to live in one of these wonderful towns!

I’m 57 years old, I’ve seen this movie at least 20 times. It never fails to touch me and realize what is really important in life. I’m glad to see how it touched you too !! People will still be watching it a hundred years from now.

I'm always blown away by this movie and I was very touched by your reaction. The movie is even more amazing when you realize Jimmy Stewart, who played George, had just returned from combat flying 20 bombing missions as a commander pilot. He saw many of his men die. As a Hollywood star, he could have served in entertainment or public relations. He insisted that he serve in combat. This was his first role after the war. He was suffering from post traumatic stress and was considering quitting. The actor who played POTTER, Lionel Barrymore, convinced him to continue to act. So, the emotions of despair and brokenness of George Bailey, were also Jimmy Stewart's in his own life!

My favorite movie all time. I always love your comments at the end of your reaction. They are sincere and thought provoking.

Virginia Patton played Ruth Dakin-Bailey. She retired from films in 1949. She died in 2022 at the age of 97 and was the last of the adult members of the cast.

This is my favorite movie of all time. I love the line at the end that George is the richest man in town. It always reminds me of my daddy. We didn’t have much growing up and there were times money was a struggle, but my daddy always made a point of telling me how rich we were because we had food on the table, a roof over our heads, a loving family, wonderful friends, and lived in a country were we could worship God freely. He always said because of those things we were some of the richest people in the world and we oughta be grateful for it.

Thanks for the JP quote. A preacher once said to me when I was young, "If you live a life of faithfulnessand there is no God, you will still have lived the healthiest, most fulfilling life possible. You have nothing to lose but the trouble of sin." All my best to y'all.

Loved your reactions. I am 73 and my whole family watches every year and are renewed in spirit each time.

There is a God, because without Him life would be a Pottersville everywhere! God bless you and your family and Merry Christmas!!!

When George shakes hands with Potter and then realizes what he did, I took that as George felt like he was making a deal with the devil. So, then George turned Potter down and didn't take the job. Anyway, you guys seem like such good people and the kind of people I would be friends and hang out with if we lived close by each other. MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS. ❤ PS I always cry in this movie no matter how many times I've seen it. Such a beautiful movie.

Thank you, for NOT showing the colorized version of this classic. Too many people don't understand that colorizing it is a travesty. So, I respect you for your wise and respectful decision.

I love Marian's passionate comments during the discussion at the end, you can see how both of them were really moved by this movie. I totally agree with you Marian, and I think George Bailey would as well.

Lionel Barrymore - one of the greatest actors of his time - played a great Potter. It takes a great talent to play evil so realistically.

The reason I watch reactions to movies I love is I get to relive my first reactions again through you. Your comments on the film were so heart felt and wonderful. This film is timeless and illustrates the power for good movies can have on generations to follow. It is a shame that so many in Hollywood squander the good they could do in this world for throw away junk.

The message is, even if there is no Angels or heaven. The caring people can have for one another. All those people standing up and helping him were his own angels as he was for them.

This movie taught me that everything we do makes a difference

Beautiful reaction! Don't care how many times I watch this movie, the ending gets me emotional every time.

Marion is probably the most sane man on the planet and is lucky to have such an adorable wife. In fact you resemble the Baileys.

Thank u for a fantastic reaction! The perfect Christmas movie! Fun fact......the Muppets, Bert and Ernie, were named after the characters in this movie because it was Jim Henson's, the Muppets creator, favorite movie

The very heavens the moon and stars declare the glory of GOD!!!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! AND GOD BLESS ALL HERE!!!!!

Even though I still feel like a failure from time to time, when I look in the eyes of my little boy who was born this year, it really makes me think. That little baby boy reminds me every day that I am important to someone.

Hee-Haw! George Bailey, the richest man in town! This movie has made me cry watching it more than once

Thank you for reviewing this great old movie! Your wife is so sharp she doesn't miss a thing. I've been amazed at how she picks up every detail in most of these reviews while other reviewers are so oblivious. You have a keeper there Mario for sure! Merry Christmas!

When George asks to be alive. It wasn't until he said Please God that the snow started again

I love you two. ❤ You comprehend this film totally, and your after-discussion dove deeply into its spiritual meaning. Happy holidays!

This film,the best. It touches your heart.

Such a great reminder not to take the little things for granted and the value of human relationships. The smallest action can make the biggest impact in ways we may never even realize. Merry Christmas you guys 🎄

I think this is the most beautiful movie ever made it touches all the heartstrings just the way it should, and leaves a life lesson for everyone to remember.

You two constantly remind me of my faith in humanity 💜 So glad you watched this classic, it's one of my favorite movies of all times. Merry Christmas to you both 💜🎄🎁🕯☃️❄

So happy to see you both discovering this classic. I can't tell you how many times I've watched it, and it still brings a tear to my eye. Great reactions, and Merry Christmas!

We have watched this movie on Christmas Eve for over 40 years. It is a masterpiece.

This couple is one I hope to meet someday and have a great conversation with. These are amazing paoople

This is one of the best reactions to this movie! Everything you said is so true! The line that Clarence wrote in the book “No man is a failure who has friends” is so true and is my favorite takeaway from the movie. I’ll never stop using that as an inspiration to be a better human being and give love to those around me…

This was a great reaction, and the post discussion was one of the best that I've ever seen. 👏 👏👏

Good reaction and edit. Marian, I have probably seen a dozen reactions to this movie and you are the only person to pick up on the Spanish Flu reference. Grats on your history knowledge.

People back then were good-hearted they also had morals your neighbors helped each other. And looked out for each other you never had to lock your doors or anything now it's every man for themselves.

When George was asking to live again. The snow didn't start until he said the word God. Before that he was yelling to Clarence. But at Please, God it came back to his father.

I think the voice that was with Joseph and Clarence is just another angel. Just based on how we talks and what he says

It's so life affirming and reminds us all that we touch more lives than we realize.

I only just thought, when listening to your commentary at the end, that George was happy to have his life back again, even when he didn't know yet how good things would be by the end of the story. He was still being a selfless person, because he could be happy to see how much better everyone else's life would be, even if he himself had to go to jail and be financially ruined. In spite of all that, the town and all its people would be better off, and that was enough for him.

It is the masterpiece - the greatest feel good film of all time :)

This is a movie we watch every Christmas Eve. And every year the ending makes my mom cry.

"The simplicity of life", in THOSE, times. I get WHAT Marion is saying.💯👍🏾👌🏾💯🎯

This is my favorite reaction video for this movie! Thanks so much.

Yep the old black and white version , this is an American Christmas classic watch it every year

During the depression many banks failed do to bad investments wiping out peoples savings. That was before the government insured people protecting their savings. The "run" on the bank happened as word got out that their bank was failing & they rushed in trying to withdraw what they could before the bank ran out of cash. I've watched this movie every Christmas since the 80's when I first discovered it, such a beautiful story. Merry Christmas to you & yours.

I love you guys! You're so perceptive and obviously very decent people. I was touched by Marion's reaction, it's how I react every time I watch it (and I'm 60 and probably have watched this 50 times). Really enjoyed the reaction. And Marion, Jordan Peterson is great and has done a lot of good for young men who don't feel like they have a purpose these days. I appreciated your reference to him. Best of luck!

Guys, it's not that Potter's hand was cold, it was sweating, which is how George knew he was trying to put one over on him. Very sharp screenwriting though maybe too subtle because most people don't seem to get it.

Potter was Lionel Barrymore, from the famed Barrymore family. His Brother was John Barrymore, and sister Ethyl Barrymore..Very famous family of actors..Lionel's Grand-niece is Drew Barrymore, who you may know from the movie E.T...She was the little girl..She's all grown, and has done many movies since then..I believe she has her own Talk show these days.

Wonderful comments on this movie. This one gets me every time 😢

I'm so glad the 2 of you really felt the emotion that this movie emits -- especially at the end. It has such a terrific message and I love that you both realized how 1 simple action can branch out and impact so many things that you wouldn't realize at first. This has some amazing acting and dialogue and really tugs on the heartstrings. There are many, many, many great Christmas movies, but for me this is not only *the* best/most important Christmas movie, but also one of the best movies ever made. It's a beautiful movie with a beautiful message and I will never grow tired of it.

Best Xmas movie EVER - “we all leave footprints” ❤

Marian, there’s more people like Harry than you think in the world, and remember you can find happiness in a town of any size. Merry Christmas

5:43 "Game over." Damn straight. She's gorgeous.

Excellent reaction. The ultimate Christmas film. We watch it every year. Makes me cry every time. Masterpiece. There is a German saying "The last shirt has no pocket". You cannot take it with you and no matter how much you love your things, they will never love you back.

Sentimental Hogwash! :D A masterpiece is an understatement, Marion. This is my favorite film of all-time. Period. James Stewart is my fave actor of all-time as well. Stewart, who suffered w/PTSD after his service in WWII, was skittish about coming back to Hollywood and Frank Capra (who had wanted Cary Grant - who proved to be booked solid and had to cancel) came calling and he accepted. You can see his trauma thru out the performance. His chemistry w/Donna Reed is magical (this was her break thru role) and originally Capra wanted Jean Arthur (who collab'd w/Stewart on 2 other Capra classics YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU & MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON) but she passed. The phone scene was one of the 1st scenes shot and you can see the magic between the 2 actors - in fact after Capra yelled cut/print the script girl on set informed him that they had skipped pages of dialogue (he said forget it; this is perfect). Lionel Barrymore proved to be an anti-Potter IRL by also persuading the reluctant Stewart to do the film. Fun facts: the loud crash of the drunken Uncle Billy offscreen was in fact a stage hand who accidentally knocked over some props on a table and Stewart's reactions were so genuine and remaining in character that Capra kept it; Barrymore bet Reed couldn't milk a cow for $100 - the crew rustled up one for her and she did so with no problem since she had been raised on a farm (she later said it was the easiest money she ever earned). I met Reed's daughter Mary Owen years ago at a screening where she hosted and did a Q&A regaling the audience w/facts/trivia and memories of her mom and the film's history. I give her a Christmas card every year. So glad you got to see this and enjoy it - you really loved the film and it showed. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I love this movie, and I loved your commentary! Did you notice at the beginning of the movie the narration and Joseph was spoken by Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) - a friendly, kind voice.

Bro, you gave me a big laugh when you spoke about people not eating at the dinner table. It reminds me of the upbringing I had. LOL.

think about it, the old grumpy dude is the grandfather of the little girl who taught E.T. to talk...

This was my husband favorite Christmas movie and he always cried too. My husband passed 7 years ago and I couldnt watch this movie for 4 years. But watching it with yall made it easier. Y'all need to watch a Christmas Carol from 1951 with Alastair Sims. Best one

Another Frank Capra "Christmas" Movie you might want to consider reacting to is "Meet John Doe"(1941), which has some very similar themes to "It's A Wonderful Life", including a main character(Gary Cooper), and the final scenes take place on Christmas Eve.

I really loved that you had a very meaningful discussion with each other after the film was over! There are not many reactors who will take the time to do that.

Beautiful reaction 💕 All the best in all your decisions for the future of your family with inspiration and ❤.

This is One of the Greatest Movies ever. It's a Christmas Classic. So glad you two enjoyed it.

This movie fills one's heart to overflowing and we take that feeling with us, out into the world. 🥰🎄🥰🎄🥰

George and Mary got married on the day of the “Crash,” which started the Great Depression. People were actually starving to death in America because not only the economy was terrible but farmers didn’t know about rotating crops to keep the soil from emptying of all nutrients for the plants. This turned the soil to powder and instead of lots of food being grown everywhere, all the seedlings died. People inhaled the powder and it collapsed their lungs and killed them. All the destroyed fields became known as the “Dust Bowl” and the poverty and death was horrible. My Charlie’s family lost their farm and they became tenant farmers, making $200 a YEAR average. If George hadn’t taken all of his money out of the bank for their honeymoon, he would have lost every penny and the Bailey Building and Loan would have been lost. Banks didn’t have FDIC yet, which is kind of like insurance for your money, so banks failed across the whole country because of the Crash and they lost everything. Jimmy Stewart joined the army before Pearl Harbor happened (a sneak attack on our base by the Japanese) because he was worried about England and all the Nazi bombings. He was so skinny, the recruiting sergeant told him to eat a bunch of bananas and weigh again. After World War ll was over (George was “4F” because of his ear, which means unfit to serve. 1A means they can serve. So when you see Potter saying, “1A, 1A, 1A” that means he’s sending them all to fight), Jimmy Stewart wanted to do something more meaningful than acting but Frank Capra, the director, begged him to take the role of George Bailey. He said Stewart was the only one who could play George; he wouldn’t make the movie otherwise. So Stewart took the role and decades later, he said hundreds of war veterans, who came home shattered and depressed, said that this movie saved them from committing suicide. The scene where he’s praying and crying at the bar was real; Stewart used his own terrible memories of the war to do the scene. Same with when he hugs his little son with tinsel on his head. He hadn’t screen kissed in years so in the phone scene where he and Mary first kiss, he was so nervous, he forgot pages of dialogue he was supposed to say and just grabbed her. Donna Reed, who played Mary, just went with it. Frank Capra was stunned and when it was over, he yelled, “Cut! I want armored protection for that film reel! It was GREAT!” On Frank Capra’s death bed, Jimmy Stewart was by his side. They had just started colorizing movies and it looked awful, including colorizing this film. Capra begged Jimmy to fight it. Stewart promised and until he himself died, he fought against colorizing black & white movies.

Thank you for really appreciating the message of this film ❤

This movie really has it all - drama, comedy, romance, fantasy, redemption, self-realization, values, greed, lust, and love. Most of all, love.

awesome sweaters.!!!!!! Merry Christmas, peace and blessings to you two.....

24:33 George said in the beginning" he wanted to travel and do great things"...... but, he didnt have to leave town to accomplish this. George never realized before that he- and he ALONE - kept Potter in check, which prevented the town from turning to vice and misery ... just by taking up his fathers mission,- becoming his successor, he prevented this from happening.Not to mention he saved his brother- a future war hero's life,and prevented a child from dying by a distraught pharmacist.

Great job guys. It’s a beautiful movie, and I love when people see it for the first time. I hope the very best for your family this holiday season. 😌🙏🏼🎄

You have to watch this movie every Christmas season! Jimmy Stewart was fantastic in this movie! Blessed, Merry Christmas to you both, and your family.

Have watched several of your reaction videos, always enjoy your comments & the lovely way you two interact. Subscribing because of this reaction & your thoughts on the "whys" of the film, & how you believe there is something bigger & more important than material things. Great reaction & so happy you enjoyed this great movie! It is something to ponder, just how many lives we touch...the difference we can make. Hope you do more classic films. (& even though Christmas is technically over, consider doing more)

Sam Wainright only got rich from plastics because George told him about it…he also suggested Sam take over an available plant in Bedford Falls because it was available and so were workers…so Sam’s fortune and much of the employment in the area was directly because of George/Sam.

i love the scenes at the very end, when the camera lingers over the town's folk singing and sharing the moment together. so touching to have the camera show so many common, everyday people" sharing a transcendent joy.

Btw, Marion is or was my SMD. Crazy coincidence while feeling reluctant to watch this movie with you guys . . . Been an instant Classic for many . . .

There is a 1 hour radio version of this story available on KZfaq, performed in front of an audience by Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. It's pretty awesome

I love your reactions! You two are so amazing, I love how well you can see many of the deeper meanings. I also love how well you two work together, the similarities and differences in your reactions are a nice contrast. What I love about this movie is the fact that most of the movie is following George through most of his life. This allows the audience to really see the character development, fall in love with the characters, and draw more from the timeline where George does not exist. We saw the significant events that happened, but we do not see the regular events in between. We even forget through the movie some of the events that took place, or can’t draw conclusions from what may have happened to the characters that is not shown. The alternate timeline not only shows the impact of the significant acts like Harry, Mr. Gower, Mr. Martini, Uncle Billy and Mary. But, it also show others that were indirectly affected like Bert, Ernie, Ma Bailey, Violet, and the rest of the town. We could all learn a lot from this movie. I bet many times we see things through George’s eyes where we only see the negative right in front of us at the time. One of the quotes that hits me now is “Strange isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he?”

Thank you for reacting to this! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

How awesome is this movie, huh? I love every minute of it even though I've seen it countless times. I'm so glad you finally watched it and I have to tell you I think yours is my favorite reaction of all the ones I've seen this season because of your discussion afterwards. Well done!

Best Christmas movie ever.... Liked and subscribed.... Loved your reaction!

Thank you for your insightful movie reviews. I truly enjoy that you don't interrupt every 2 seconds while watching. It makes for a better watching experience with you. I've been watching you for months now, and can tell you're good people. Amidst what's going on in the world, you're refreshing to watch. A couple of things you might not know about this movie; Ward Bond, who played the police officer, played the Yankee Captain, in Gone with the wind. A film I highly recommend you watch (1939). The forgetful Uncle played Scarlett O'Hara's dad in Gone With the Wind. Lionel Barrymore who played Mr. Potter is Drew Barrymore's Great- uncle. The jerk, Freddie Othello, who opened the gymnasium to expose the pool in which George and Mary fell while dancing, is none other than Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, from The Little Rascals (Our Gang) in the 1930s. The officer and the taxi driver's names are Bert & Ernie...although many people believe the Muppets Bert & Ernie were named after them, sources from within Sesame Street say it is a coincidence. 😞 Sam Wainwright, George's friend, the one who gives him a money advance of $25,000 at the end of the movie, played the Rich man who came into the office, from who Janet Leigh steals the money in the movie Psycho. Mrs. Davis, played by Ellen Corby, is the lady who only took what she needed (when the savings and loans was in trouble during the great depression), was the Grandma on the TV series The Waltons...a much-beloved TV series in the '70s.

I’ve seen this movie a few time over the years… and the love from his family and friends always brings tears to my eyes. I agree with your sentiment - Even though it was a different era when the movie was made… Maybe we can do a little better… more love, compassion, and help to people around us… even to a stranger we don’t know. The world can be a beautiful place… but it takes all of us to make it so. Happy Holidays, and thanks for your fun reactions! 🙂

It's not what you are, but who you are that matters.