'It's a Wonderful Life'

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
“Of all actors’ roles I believe the most difficult is the role of a Good Sam who doesn’t know that he is a Good Sam,” Frank Capra said of Jimmy Stewart in the role of George Bailey. But Capra never had a doubt the role was cast perfectly for the 1946 American film classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” 
RKO Studios originally envisioned the lead role as a vehicle for actor Cary Grant, who reportedly brought the project to the studio. However, once Capra had been chosen as the director, he had only one star in mind to play the lead. Stewart had only recently returned from World War II. This was his first role upon coming home. Capra realized that this was a role that would propel Stewart into one of the top movie stars in the business, because of the extreme range of emotion required to pull it off. Capra got that one right, and it has become the role Stewart is best known for. Both Capra and Stewart considered the film their favorite work.
Unfortunately, the film did poorly at the box office when it initially came out, due to very stiff competition. The initial run didn’t even make Hollywood’s break-even mark. However in the 1950s and even more so in the 1960s, it gained a following of epic proportions. Today it is in the top 100 films of all time by several movie lists and most critics, and has been considered by many as the No. 1 most inspirational film ever made.
Part of the reason for this is due to story. Based on “The Greatest Gift,” written by Philip Van Doren Stern in November 1939, and privately published in 1943, Capra and his writers turned it into a screenplay that touches the heart and lifts the spirit as few other films have done. When released, it came under critically mixed reviews, however, because the film broke all the rules. In 1946, there was a code in Hollywood. You had to do certain things and couldn’t do other things. It was a time when censorship ruled the storytelling, and if you were a movie maker, you were to stick to that code. But Capra pushed back on those rules. For instance, the villain must be brought to justice. In this film, that character is Mr. Potter, played by the esteemed Lionel Barrymore, and is as villainous as they come. About the only thing the character doesn’t do is commit murder. But Potter gets away with all his theft and chicanery, and even keeps the $8,000 he stole from Bailey. Not only that, but he almost ruins Baily’s life, swears out a warrant for Bailey’s arrest due to the theft Potter committed and causes such emotional turmoil in Bailey that Bailey considers committing suicide. But in the end, Bailey is restored and the town rejoices. Potter, however, never once suffers for the injustice he carried out, escaping the punishment he so richly deserves. This type of storytelling, up until this movie, was not done in Hollywood.
Nonetheless, the movie has inspired plenty of stage plays and radio plays. Now it is the Weston County Arts Council stepping in to bring an adaptation, written by Tony Palermo for stage and radio, to Newcastle. The sets, actors and production create the behind-the-scenes action of what it takes to bring a radio play to the community.
“It’s a new spin on a family holiday classic,” said Kara Fladstol, who plays Mary Hatch/Bailey in the play. There are still plenty of laughs and high drama afforded to the audience as the story is narrated and acted out bringing holiday cheer and an uplifting message of virtue and hope to Newcastle.
“It’s a great play and a great message,” said Tom Voss, who plays Mr. Potter with a dark humor and wicked glee. “Nobody should miss it.” While the play presents the story in a new and unique fashion, Voss said that it still promises to be faithful to the original in spirit and message.
Admission is free to all, but donations will be taken at the door. A punch table will be set up for refreshments. The play will be presented Dec. 12, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. at the Weston County Fairgrounds Event Center.