Read The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas: The Story Behind the Nativity, Candy Canes, Caroling, and All Things Christmas for Free Online Page B
Authors: David McLaughlan
e-mail.
Why?
In previous centuries the majority of the population lived and died in the same small area. Christmas cards and the postal system came along at a time when industrialization, political activism, and better transport were changing all that. Perhaps more than any other time in human history, people were separated from family and friends by vast distances, and those distances probably never seemed greater than at Christmastime.
A Christmas card, despite only being thick, decorated paper, was an affordable way of conveying a lot of love across continents and over oceans. No wonder they are traditionally displayed prominently throughout the festive season and often saved for years!
19
It’s a Wonderful Life
Who?
Philip Van Doren Stern, a writer, editor, and Civil War historian, wrote the story that
It’s a Wonderful Life
was based on. Frank Capra bought the rights from RKO for the same amount they paid for it. RKO must have thought they were doing well by breaking even.
Director Frank Capra claims James Stewart was always his first choice for the role of George Bailey.
Donna Reed took the role of Mary Bailey, which Ginger Rogers had been offered but considered too bland.
Henry Travers, who played Clarence the angel, had been an architect in England before taking to the stage.
Lionel Barrymore was George Bailey’s nemesis, Henry F. Potter.
What?
It’s a Wonderful Life
started off as a short story called “The Greatest Gift.” Philip Van Doren Stern could not get a publisher for it, so he self-published a few copies. In less than a year the story caught the attention of the film industry.
The film version tells of George Bailey, a small-town boy who yearns for travel and adventure but, through one circumstance after another, is kept home in Bedford Falls, NY. Convinced his life has been a waste, he decides to end it all. But before he can do that, a trainee angel named Clarence turns up to show him what the world would have been like without him.
Where?
It’s a Wonderful Life
shows two sides of America. The fictional small town of Bedford Falls is a charming place; though not without its problems, it’s a place where decent people do the right thing and kindness generally makes everything right.
Potterville is what Bedford Falls would have become if George Bailey had never lived. It is a neon-lit, noisy, harsh place, where people look out for number one and money rules.
Critics argued over which version of the town was the least realistic. But, in truth, both existed in America at the time and probably still do.
Potterville might be easier to find, but Bedford Falls is still out there!
When?
The idea for “The Greatest Gift” came to Philip Van Doren Stern in a dream in the late 1930s. He sent it to friends as a Christmas present in 1943. RKO bought the rights in 1944, and Capra bought it from them in 1945.
It’s a Wonderful Life
was due to be released in 1947 but was released in December 1946, which meant that it didn’t go up against
Miracle on 34th Street
in the Oscars. The film was nominated for five Oscars but, amazingly, won none.
In 1990,
It’s a Wonderful Life
was deemed culturally significant enough by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Film Registry.
Why?
Some stories just need to be told! Philip Van Doren Stern didn’t claim to have created the story. It came to him in a dream. Frank Capra, who made the film, eventually said it didn’t seem like something he had created but more like something with a life of its own. He once compared himself to a father whose son had gone on to become president. “It’s the kid who did the work,” he said, referring to his film as “the kid.”
Perhaps, at a time when the world had just been to war, humanity needed reminding that, as Clarence the angel said, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives.”
20
“Jingle
Why?
In previous centuries the majority of the population lived and died in the same small area. Christmas cards and the postal system came along at a time when industrialization, political activism, and better transport were changing all that. Perhaps more than any other time in human history, people were separated from family and friends by vast distances, and those distances probably never seemed greater than at Christmastime.
A Christmas card, despite only being thick, decorated paper, was an affordable way of conveying a lot of love across continents and over oceans. No wonder they are traditionally displayed prominently throughout the festive season and often saved for years!
19
It’s a Wonderful Life
Who?
Philip Van Doren Stern, a writer, editor, and Civil War historian, wrote the story that
It’s a Wonderful Life
was based on. Frank Capra bought the rights from RKO for the same amount they paid for it. RKO must have thought they were doing well by breaking even.
Director Frank Capra claims James Stewart was always his first choice for the role of George Bailey.
Donna Reed took the role of Mary Bailey, which Ginger Rogers had been offered but considered too bland.
Henry Travers, who played Clarence the angel, had been an architect in England before taking to the stage.
Lionel Barrymore was George Bailey’s nemesis, Henry F. Potter.
What?
It’s a Wonderful Life
started off as a short story called “The Greatest Gift.” Philip Van Doren Stern could not get a publisher for it, so he self-published a few copies. In less than a year the story caught the attention of the film industry.
The film version tells of George Bailey, a small-town boy who yearns for travel and adventure but, through one circumstance after another, is kept home in Bedford Falls, NY. Convinced his life has been a waste, he decides to end it all. But before he can do that, a trainee angel named Clarence turns up to show him what the world would have been like without him.
Where?
It’s a Wonderful Life
shows two sides of America. The fictional small town of Bedford Falls is a charming place; though not without its problems, it’s a place where decent people do the right thing and kindness generally makes everything right.
Potterville is what Bedford Falls would have become if George Bailey had never lived. It is a neon-lit, noisy, harsh place, where people look out for number one and money rules.
Critics argued over which version of the town was the least realistic. But, in truth, both existed in America at the time and probably still do.
Potterville might be easier to find, but Bedford Falls is still out there!
When?
The idea for “The Greatest Gift” came to Philip Van Doren Stern in a dream in the late 1930s. He sent it to friends as a Christmas present in 1943. RKO bought the rights in 1944, and Capra bought it from them in 1945.
It’s a Wonderful Life
was due to be released in 1947 but was released in December 1946, which meant that it didn’t go up against
Miracle on 34th Street
in the Oscars. The film was nominated for five Oscars but, amazingly, won none.
In 1990,
It’s a Wonderful Life
was deemed culturally significant enough by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Film Registry.
Why?
Some stories just need to be told! Philip Van Doren Stern didn’t claim to have created the story. It came to him in a dream. Frank Capra, who made the film, eventually said it didn’t seem like something he had created but more like something with a life of its own. He once compared himself to a father whose son had gone on to become president. “It’s the kid who did the work,” he said, referring to his film as “the kid.”
Perhaps, at a time when the world had just been to war, humanity needed reminding that, as Clarence the angel said, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives.”
20
“Jingle
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