Cross That Bridge Mr. Bailey

"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."

Last night, the newly remodeled Palace Theater, circa 1931, debuted a mawkish classic that hasn't been seen since 1946 - Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart and Donna Reed. What a treasure! Oh sure, MST3K fans and SNL can make fun of it all they want but who doesn't weep when Clarence the second-class angel pens "Dear George: Remember- No Man is a Failure who has Friends"? I profess that some things about the movie really bug me - like Sam Wainwright's "Hee Haw", the name ZuZu, George's oldest daughter playing piano and society's definition of "old maid". But for all it's saccharine sentimentality, this film demonstrates the existence of everything that is both wonderful and not so in the world and for that, it's identifiable, especially Pottersville. Pottersville is what the Great White Way used to be like before Giuliani cleaned it up. Contrary to what you might think that's not what makes life wonderful for George though. If it's been awhile since you've caught it on PBS try renting it at your local Hollywood Video. Don't worry if it's out - it can be enjoyed anytime of the year.