Review: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)

Edward Stevenson handled costumes. Mary Hatch wears what appears to be a chiffon dress when George comes calling, and a nice dress for Christmas, though I can’t determine colors or exact materials from the black-and-white format.

While not primarily a romance, George and Mary do have a love story that follows the formula. He’s about four years older, and Mary was just a “stupid girl” to him… until he sees her at her high school graduation dance. She’s all grown up, and he likes what he sees.

Their eyes meet across the crowded dance floor at that graduation dance, and they’re drawn together — a timeless romantic moment.

After his father’s death and her time away at college separates them, they reunite. He acts uninterested, but Mary manages to change his mind.

Yet another timeless romantic moment.

Multiple kisses as he showers her face before actually kissing her lips. It’s charming and perfectly captures the overwhelming emotion of that moment.

Everyone knows this classic is A-OK for family viewing.

Some subject matter will go over kids’ heads (it certainly went over mine when little), but it contains timeless lessons children simply don’t get anywhere these days.

Plus, God is honored reverently — unlike His treatment in too many shows today.

But if you’re looking for sound doctrine, this isn’t your movie. Because humans aren’t fitted with angel wings.

Still, the one-time belief does make for comedy as well as give us the well-known final line by Zuzu: “Look, Daddy. Teacher says, ‘Every time a bell rings, and angel gets his wings.’ ”

This movie never fails to deliver. I watch it every year (though I missed the last couple), and it never fails to make me cry good tears and leave me with a happy, hopeful feeling by the credits.

In Palo Alto, the Stanford Theater plays this movie on Christmas Eve — multiple showings, a tradition my mom and I loved. You’d find your seat (maybe grab old-fashioned popcorn), wait for the curtain to pull back, and experience magic.

The theater would buzz with chatter and laughter until the lights dimmed — then a hush fell over the crowd. The very notion that the movie was starting spellbound the entire theater!

But the absolute best part?

The camaraderie every time Potter appeared. Everyone would hiss and boo him!

The first time Mom and I went, we didn’t know to expect it. We were shocked, then utterly amused. Modern audiences so into this timeless classic that they jeered the villain as if he were real!

Man, I miss those days. I haven’t been back since Mom passed, but if Palo Alto still plays it, maybe I’ll make it back next year and join in booing the villain we all love to hate.

Also, I own this DVD with options for original black-and-white or colorized versions. I’m old-school about classics — you can’t watch this in color; it loses something in translation.

The message is what’s important with this movie, and black-and-white preserves its timeless soul.