It's a Wonderful Life

Is it?

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Every year, the TV station bosses feel that they HAVE to show it. Every year. I just saw that it is tonight on NBC. What's so great about this movie that we need to see it again and again every 12 months?? It was half peculiar to see it the first time because it is so old. But every freaking year???

Do you love it? Hate it? Vote.

Signed,
Grinch

Like the Wizard of OZ, I avoid it like the plague because it was almost a ritual. As a kid, it was hard because I didn't control channel selection (and there were only four or five channels back then). Now, with hundreds of channels, multiple TVs in the house, DVRs, and streaming, who cares?

You've left out the choice "never seen it"

Originally Posted by cwsqbm

Like the Wizard of OZ, I avoid it like the plague because it was almost a ritual. As a kid, it was hard because I didn't control channel selection (and there were only four or five channels back then). Now, with hundreds of channels, multiple TVs in the house, DVRs, and streaming, who cares?

So vote.

Surely, you are not one of the two who voted "love it".

Originally Posted by ard

You've left out the choice "never seen it"

I don't consider this a possibility, and I don't believe you.

Always hated this movie. As a kid it struck me as ridiculous. I've not come near it in probably 20 years but the entire premise irks me.

Originally Posted by MatWiz

I don't consider this a possibility, and I don't believe you.

Well, what can I say... Never.

It gets played so Ive read because the company that produced it never got around to copyrighting it or something along those lines so every network can show it as often as they want for free.

I cant remember where I read that though.

Sent from my thumb to your eyes

Originally Posted by rooster1986

It gets played so Ive read because the company that produced it never got around to copyrighting it or something along those lines so every network can show it as often as they want for free.

I cant remember where I read that though.

Sent from my thumb to your eyes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_...l_Life#Release

Ownership and copyright issues
Ancillary rights

Liberty Films was purchased by Paramount Pictures, and remained a subsidiary until 1951. In 1955, M. & A. Alexander purchased the movie. This included key rights to the original television syndication, the original nitrate film elements, the music score, and the film rights to the story on which the film is based, "The Greatest Gift".[N 10] National Telefilm Associates (NTA) took over the rights to the film soon thereafter.

A clerical error at NTA prevented the copyright from being renewed properly in 1974. Despite the lapsed copyright, television stations that aired it still were required to pay royalties. Although the film's images had entered the public domain, the film's story was still protected by virtue of it being a derivative work of the published story "The Greatest Gift", whose copyright was properly renewed by Philip Van Doren Stern in 1971.[N 11] The film became a perennial holiday favorite in the 1980s, possibly due to its repeated showings each holiday season on hundreds of local television stations. It was mentioned during the deliberations on the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998.

In 1993, Republic Pictures, which was the successor to NTA, relied on the 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Stewart v. Abend (which involved another Stewart film, Rear Window) to enforce its claim to the copyright. While the film's copyright had not been renewed, Republic still owned the original film elements, the music score, and the film rights to "The Greatest Gift"; thus the plaintiffs were able to argue its status as a derivative work of a work still under copyright. It's a Wonderful Life is no longer shown as often on television as it was before enforcement of that derivative copyright. NBC is licensed to show the film on U.S. network television, and traditionally shows it twice during the holidays, with one showing on Christmas Eve. Paramount (via parent company Viacom's 1998 acquisition of Republic's then-parent, Spelling Entertainment) once again has distribution rights for the first time since 1955.

Due to all the above actions, this is one of the few RKO films not controlled by Turner Entertainment/Warner Bros. in the USA. It is also one of two Capra films which Paramount owns despite not having originally released it — the other is Broadway Bill (originally from Columbia, remade by Paramount as Riding High in 1950)

Thanks, I couldn't remember if I read that Cracked (live at that site) or somewhere a little more legit.

Sent from my thumb to your eyes

NBC is licensed to show the film on U.S. network television,

Reading that wiki, it is still not completely clear, and they are not outright saying, if NBC needs to pay someone for airing it.

So NBC is airing it twice a year or more accurately twice in one month. No wonder I'm fed up seeing this on the schedule.

What does it cost to air a movie on TV anyway?

Originally Posted by ard

Well, what can I say... Never.

It was more a a joking way to say that it is "impossible", given the number of times they have shown it.

Originally Posted by MatWiz

What does it cost to air a movie on TV anyway?

I think it varies based on a large number of factors. My sister had a bit part in Enchanted. She gets checks four times a year for about $500 each. The more it airs on TV, is downloaded, rented, etc, the more is in her check.

Originally Posted by brkf

Always hated this movie. As a kid it struck me as ridiculous. I've not come near it in probably 20 years but the entire premise irks me.

The premise? What, is the Savings and Loan thing too sappy, too near socialism? The Barrymore 'Potter' figure was a tad much on the caricature of evil scale but I submit that evil capitalism has been a reality here and there for a long time. Feudal landlordism is not far away from capitalism in some ways. The Lords clearly owned the main capital, the land.

It strikes me that there are different ways of being individually prosperous and/or wealthy, some better for the greater community than others.

I don't watch the film that much anymore but I'm still fond of it. They play it every year because enough people are watching it for the first and second (or third) time to make it pay. I was moved by it when I first saw it, I'm not ashamed to admit.

Relax Matt, it's a classic american film that, like Miracle on 34th st, the Wizard Of Oz and Mr Smith Goes To Washington ... (and many others), get introduced to new generations of viewers every year.

I dont have a problem with it. My advice, if it bothers you so, is watch something else on the 499 plus channels and multiple internet streams available these days

No. Wish it would die. Yes a bit grumpy-cat but honestly.

I wish all hip-hop would die a merciful death. I'm likely to be frustrated in that.

I like Donna Reed:

My wife loves Christmas movies - I like most of the Christmas movies she puts on (Who doesn't love Home Alone and National Lampoons?) Plus I have actually finally convinced her that Lethal Weapon I and Die Hard I and II are Christmas movies.

One time I walked in and "it's a wonderful life" was playing......I felt sick to my stomach after 10 minutes, the dialogue was so idiotic and far fetched from this world I frankly couldn't stand it. I've banned the movie in our house and since I like all my wifes other christmas movies she doesn't care, she has just eliminated it from the library.

I Love this movie - and also Jimmy Stewart!!!

A classic Movie - how could you hate it??

I'm a traditionalist, I like seeing it during the holidays just for the tradition. Would I go watch it for fun? No, but it's part of Christmas for me, just like Christmas Carol and the cartoon Grinch movie. It also doesn't feel like thanksgiving to me if I don't watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

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Never seen the movie either.

No question it was a great movie of its time. But it's not something I want to watch every year of my life.

^ I'm sorry citizen, you have no choice in the matter. We have the technology to make you watch. There will be a test afterward.

It's not something to throw on for a Saturday movie night, but perfect with some eggnog and tree decorating.