Capra, A Wonderful Life, A New Beginning
Seventy five years ago today in New York City, the film It’s A Wonderful Life was released. Most people at least know something about the film, but not as much about the filmmaker, Frank Capra. They also may not be aware that it was somewhat of a welcome messenger to the actor Jimmy Stewart as well.
Frank Russel Capra, born in Italy, traveled to America as a child. He was reared in Los Angeles from the age of five, and his story has been called the personified American Dream. Capra would go on to win three Oscars for Best Director, along with three other wins in different categories, as well as multiple nominations.
While he is known for many things, most of his fame today is connected with the actor Jimmy Stewart. Frank Capra directed him in both Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and It’s A Wonderful Life, as well as another film, but it’s what Jimmy Stewart said of Capra that I’d like to focus on.
The actor credited Frank Capra for giving the legendary actor something that his character George Bailey could very much appreciate, a new beginning. It’s hard to believe now, but Jimmy Stewart returned from the war a hero, and without any offers for roles. The man who had left an Oscar winner to fight for freedom, considered returning to Pennsylvania and running the family store.
Capra knew that Jimmy Stewart could play George Bailey, and asked his agent to read the story to him. When Jimmy Stewart heard the name Frank Capra, he agreed to play the part without reading the story. Capra’s name was enough for him, and history was made. I find it ironic that this movie gave a new lease on life to an actor I never expected to be lacking in options.
Christmas has it’s way of doing this, giving hope not only to the obvious needs, but the hidden ones. To the prayers that can’t be seen with the naked eye, or is it that we’re so busy we sometimes fail to look. Aren’t you glad that The One Who came to Bethlehem, knows that all of us have needs whether our name is Capra, the Stewart, or Bailey?
The message of It’s A Wonderful Life goes far beyond the magic of Hollywood. It even goes farther back than the story of A Christmas Carol, which it’s loosely based on. It goes back to The One Who didn’t just send an angel to George Bailey, but went to Bethlehem Himself, for all of us.
