It Happened One Christmas: Difference between revisions
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Despite the film not being favorably compared to the original, the story remains entertaining and touching, and this version has some merits of its own. The revisions in the script include fleshing out and exploring some of the characters who are citizens of Bedford Falls, to a greater extent than in the original. |
Despite the film not being favorably compared to the original, the story remains entertaining and touching, and this version has some merits of its own. The revisions in the script include fleshing out and exploring some of the characters who are citizens of Bedford Falls, to a greater extent than in the original. |
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Even though the gender reversal made Mary Bailey Hatch rather anachronistic to the time setting, the general consensus was that Thomas's performance was sincere, and that her transformation from a bitter, despondent woman to a joyful spirit miraculously saved by a guardian angel was convincing and moving. Leachman also came in for her share of criticism as Clara, the Cockney Angel, who instead of reading ''[[Mark Twain]]'', is a great fan of ''[[Charles Dickens]]''. Leachman's performance provided the film with the right touch of delightful holiday whimsy so integral to the story. As the avaricious Henry F. Potter, Welles was perfection personified, and Wayne Rogers gave a fine performance, giving his George Hatch warmth, likability, as well as sensitivity, compassion, and integrity. One of the interesting additions to the film is when George, Harry (Mary's brother), and the Hatchs' friends, Bert and Ernie, go off to fight in the Second World War and each one of them sends letters to Mary describing their experiences. All four characters are shown in uniform interspersed with actual war footage. Another brief scene depicts George attempting to readjust to civilian life after the war has ended. The musical score by ''[[Stephen Lawrence ]]'' is beautifully sentimental without being mawkish, and the rich and luscious cinematography by ''[[Conrad L. Hall]]'' nicely evokes the sense of period in the film. |
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''It Happened One Christmas'' is rarely shown today, and has not, as of 2009, been issued on DVD. It can be viewed at ''[[The Paley Center For Media]]'' (formerly ''[[The Museum Of Television & Radio]]'') in both New York City and Beverly Hills, California. |
''It Happened One Christmas'' is rarely shown today, and has not, as of 2009, been issued on DVD. It can be viewed at ''[[The Paley Center For Media]]'' (formerly ''[[The Museum Of Television & Radio]]'') in both New York City and Beverly Hills, California. |
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Revision as of 20:48, 27 November 2010
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 | This article is written like a review. |
It Happened One Christmas is a 1977 made-for-television movie starring Marlo Thomas and Wayne Rogers.
The film, a gender-reversal remake of the classic It's a Wonderful Life, centers on Mary Bailey Hatch, a young woman who dreams of seeing the world but is forced by circumstances to remain in her small hometown as head of the family's Building & Loan business. In a moment of financial crisis, a severely depressed Mary contemplates suicide but is rescued by her guardian angel, Clara Oddbody, who shows her the positive effect she's had on everyone she's met throughout her life.
Lionel Chetwynd's teleplay, directed by Donald Wrye, varies little from the original screenplay, even using most of the original dialogue. The supporting cast includes Orson Welles, Cloris Leachman, Doris Roberts, Christopher Guest, C. Thomas Howell, and Barney Martin, Richard Dysart, and Archie Hahn.
Leachman received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special.
Thomas served as executive producer for the project. The remake was broadcast at a time when the original film rarely was aired on television, and many viewers were unfamiliar with its source. Once the James Stewart-Donna Reed version returned to the airwaves on an annual basis, the remake slipped into obscurity.
The film had its premiere on Sunday, December 11, 1977, and was one of the very rare instances when the ABC Sunday Night Movie showcased a made-for-television film rather than one that had been shown in theatres. The reviews were mixed at best and even Frank Capra, the director of It's A Wonderful Life denounced the remake as "plagiaristic." The ratings, however were very good - so good, in fact, that the telefilm was re-broadcast on ABC twice in 1978 and 1979, but by that time, the original It's A Wonderful Life had begun its "resurgence" on television, and eventually displaced It Happened One Christmas.
Despite the film not being favorably compared to the original, the story remains entertaining and touching, and this version has some merits of its own. The revisions in the script include fleshing out and exploring some of the characters who are citizens of Bedford Falls, to a greater extent than in the original.
Even though the gender reversal made Mary Bailey Hatch rather anachronistic to the time setting, the general consensus was that Thomas's performance was sincere, and that her transformation from a bitter, despondent woman to a joyful spirit miraculously saved by a guardian angel was convincing and moving. Leachman also came in for her share of criticism as Clara, the Cockney Angel, who instead of reading Mark Twain, is a great fan of Charles Dickens. Leachman's performance provided the film with the right touch of delightful holiday whimsy so integral to the story. As the avaricious Henry F. Potter, Welles was perfection personified, and Wayne Rogers gave a fine performance, giving his George Hatch warmth, likability, as well as sensitivity, compassion, and integrity. One of the interesting additions to the film is when George, Harry (Mary's brother), and the Hatchs' friends, Bert and Ernie, go off to fight in the Second World War and each one of them sends letters to Mary describing their experiences. All four characters are shown in uniform interspersed with actual war footage. Another brief scene depicts George attempting to readjust to civilian life after the war has ended. The musical score by Stephen Lawrence is beautifully sentimental without being mawkish, and the rich and luscious cinematography by Conrad L. Hall nicely evokes the sense of period in the film.
It Happened One Christmas is rarely shown today, and has not, as of 2009, been issued on DVD. It can be viewed at The Paley Center For Media (formerly The Museum Of Television & Radio) in both New York City and Beverly Hills, California.