Bedford Falls is the fictional, idyllic town where the beloved Christmas movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” is set. The film was produced, directed and co-written by Francesco Rosario Capra—a name probably not familiar to many people. As a young child from Italy, Francesco and his family settled in Los Angeles, California. And soon after Francesco became Frank—Frank Russell Capra.
In the opening scenes of the movie, actor, James Stewart, portrays a young character named George Bailey, a “poor” everyman, constantly being challenged by life’s unforeseen circumstances and the resulting disappointments that occur. We see his hopes and dreams dissolve before his very eyes, and ours.
As the story continues, George, now married and a family man, is still struggling and in despair. In financial debt, without hope and “wishing” he was never born, he contemplates suicide while standing on a bridge. “Fate” now enters the story, in the guise of an elderly wingless angel, Clarence Odbody, whose mission is to guide poor George through his current challenges. Seeing Clarence “drowning in the waters,” George dives in to save his guardian angel (and himself). And thus the hero’s journey begins—as he will now learn the lessons of what it really means to have his wish granted.
As we see George converse with the townspeople—family and friends, he has known his entire life—he is now a stranger to them. Why? Because, he was never born, right? The past events he took as personal history also have now never occurred either. Finally, through Clarence’s wisdom and words, George awakens and embraces the positive impact he has had on others and is able to acknowledge—he actually has had and still has a wonderful life!
We, in our nation, like George Bailey, have faced much adversity over the past number of years, “Life’s slings and arrows” have wounded and scarred us. Environmental disasters, fires and floods, political divides, violence against young and old, against religious, racial, cultural and different gender groups, resulting in injury and death, continue. These traumatic events have often left us bewildered, numb, contracted and fearful.
The nation in 1946, one year after the conclusion of World War II, people were able to sit in theaters across the country—in community—to experience Frank Capra draw down and channel an artistic, cinematic vision—a vision that defined what a wonderful life was and the importance of faith in one another and what coming together as a community could achieve.
So how do we respond to what life throws at us—as individuals and as a community? Yes, we surely must grieve our losses and come to terms with our disappointments and resentments. But can we also rejoice and look around with gratitude at what we still have—and know that this too shall pass? Can we awaken, take a breath and realize that we can be those residents of the Bedford Falls Community—within our own communities? It is within reach for all of us…it is a state of mind.
And perhaps with a little more kindness shown and a little more compassion extended all around—we may all hear that bell toll—notifying us that are our own personal pair of angel wings are ready and waiting—the wings Clarence Odbody so desperately wanted and finally received in the end for his mission accomplished.
Amen!
Coda: Years later, “It’s A Wonderful Life” went on to be hailed as one of the best 100 movies ever made—and number #1, as the most inspirational movie of all time. And purportedly it was both Frank Capra’s and James Stewart’s favorite film, in which they collaborated.