it’s a wonderful life.
Every now and then you get a little gift. Since Christmas time is here and I’m far from the vast majority of my friends and all of my family, I am grateful for the gifts that I get. I got one today.
You remember Pete, right? Well Pete, new friend Zara, and I went to a movie today.
Not just any movie, mind you. We went to The Electric, the oldest cinema in the UK. Someone said that it sounded like a miniature Fox Theatre, which is actually what I was describing to Pete and Zara as we waited for the doors to open. You walk in and you get this little red ticket— the old school kind that you just wouldn’t find at a movie theater anymore. Nothing computer printed here. There are only a couple of screens, maybe 2? Maybe 3? The seats are small by modern standards, classic in look, and only a few. Maybe 60 in total. In the back of each theater you will find a few nice couches that you can pay a little extra for and sip champagne or wine while you enjoy the show and laugh at the proletariats sitting in the peasant seats, I presume.
So what kinds of films will you find here?
“Where the Wild Things Are”. Remember how much I love this movie? But we didn’t go to see that.
“Citizen Kane”. Considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made. Did not see this either.
We saw “It’s A Wonderful Life.” What a wonderful experience it was, too. Pete and I were crying by the end, and I was thinking of how this movie was made in 1946. Long before my mother was born, before I was born, before most of you who are reading this were born. I’m always amazed by how the same emotions, reactions, fears, and dreams permeate every person that lives on this earth, regardless of time or place.
Just try to imagine how thrilled I was to be watching this Christmas classic, on the 23rd of December, in the oldest cinema in the country?
And then try to imagine how positively elated we were when we walked outside and saw that it was snowing.
Pete and I were standing there after Zara left. We were really quiet, because we were thinking about those words of Clarence the angel…
Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?
Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends.
….I told someone tonight that I think I’ll buy that film, just to watch it when I’m feeling blue— because you can’t watch that movie and not thank God for your life.
Pete and I stood in the light outside of the old cinema, our breaths fogging up the air, the snow falling on our shoulders. I looked at Pete and said, “It really is a wonderful life, huh?” And then Pete hugged me. And then we got on the train.
That’s a good day.
