Two of my favorites at this time of year, It’s a Wonderful Life and It Happened on Fifth Avenue, both have money and love messages. Both of these are black and white films, made in the 40s, with heartwarming messages and business tips that speak to me today.
As the last line of It’s a Wonderful Life states, George Bailey, the savings and loan owner, who has no money, but who is rich with friends, is the richest man in town. When the angel, Clarence, shows him how much of a difference he made in the lives of the people in the town, the difference he made by truly helping people, not just entertaining them, but truly helping them, he realizes how wonderful his life is, and then so do his friends, helping him out of a jam, when he needed it most.
It Happened on Fifth Avenue juxtaposes the life of a homeless man with extravagant taste and impeccable manners, with that of the wealthy industrialist in whose home he is living. The generosity of one is compared with the avariciousness of the other, while one is held in esteem for his generous nature and willingness to problem solve and help others the other alienates his family and potential friends. When the industrialist changes his nature and helps the struggling World War II vets with their business deal, he learns that a man with friends is indeed wealthier than one with all the money in the world.
Enjoy both of these holiday classics and have a very Happy Holiday Season!
As the last line of It’s a Wonderful Life states, George Bailey, the savings and loan owner, who has no money, but who is rich with friends, is the richest man in town. When the angel, Clarence, shows him how much of a difference he made in the lives of the people in the town, the difference he made by truly helping people, not just entertaining them, but truly helping them, he realizes how wonderful his life is, and then so do his friends, helping him out of a jam, when he needed it most.
It Happened on Fifth Avenue juxtaposes the life of a homeless man with extravagant taste and impeccable manners, with that of the wealthy industrialist in whose home he is living. The generosity of one is compared with the avariciousness of the other, while one is held in esteem for his generous nature and willingness to problem solve and help others the other alienates his family and potential friends. When the industrialist changes his nature and helps the struggling World War II vets with their business deal, he learns that a man with friends is indeed wealthier than one with all the money in the world.
Enjoy both of these holiday classics and have a very Happy Holiday Season!