The FBI didn’t like It’s A Wonderful Life.
Perhaps, like me, you are not so much shocked that someone didn’t like the film—opinions differ—but that the FBI had any kind of opinion about the film. I think many of us, especially those of us who are fans of George Bailey, are scratching our heads. How could they not like It’s A Wonderful Life? And how could they ever champion someone like Mr. Potter?
It turns out the FBI felt Mr. Potter should have been portrayed more realistically. They went to bat, big time, for Mr. P. After all, the thinking went, he was just a local banker doing what he thought best under the laws and regulations of the State of New York. Face facts, they argued: He had bank examiners to consider, and he knew his loans would be criticized by those worthies should he not require adequate collateral. Heaven forbid he should make a loan to a person who was a credit risk! In fact, the FBI liked almost everything about Mr. Potter and almost nothing about George Bailey. They viewed George, in his leadership of the old Bailey Building & Loan, as the very opposite of a cautious banker.
Still, whether you agree with the FBI or not, there is something on which I hope we can all agree. Though just as mean and hard-hearted as Mr. Potter, and even more of a skinflint, Mr. Scrooge got a better deal.
From almost the very beginning of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, people are reaching out to Mr. Scrooge, pleading, cajoling, inviting him to join them in all that is Christmas. There were those who cared enough about his immortal soul to go out of their way to try to bring Mr. Scrooge into the fold. Why, the very first words spoken to him are: “A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!”
No one said anything even close to that to Mr. Potter.
We cheered for George Bailey because we liked him, and with good reason. George Bailey personified all that we cherish as good and all we aspire to be. Almost nobody cheers for the villains—also with good reason.
But could we at least pray for them?
No one in It’s A Wonderful Life ever showed any interest in Mr. Potter’s soul. They, and we, were too caught up in saving George. The vast spiritual need of the other man just never registered with us. Yes, Mr. Potter was the villain, but so was Mr. Scrooge. The most significant difference between the two men? Others cared enough about Mr. Scrooge to reach out to him. Some even cared enough to go to extraordinary lengths to bring him into the fold.
So, in this season that celebrates a love so great it left heaven for our benefit, let’s pause to pray for the Potters in our lives. Wouldn’t it be great if, someday, we could greet them with the same joy as Mr. Scrooge’s nephew?
“A merry Christmas, Mr. Potter! God save you!”
_________________________
PHOTO-Mr. Scrooge sitting at his desk in A Christmas Carol (1951 version):
PHOTO-Mr. Potter sitting at his desk in It’s A Wonderful Life:
Read all about the FBI reaction to It’s A Wonderful Life, here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/weird-story-fbi-and-its-wonderful-life-180967587/
___\\\___
We’re taking a break for the holidays. Join us January 6, 2023 for DaySpring’s next Lectionary Breakfast. Then, we will resume meeting in person at Our Breakfast Place and on Zoom.
Blessings,
Steve
READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY
See the reading links at:
Nativity of the Lord - Proper I
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
Nativity of the Lord - Proper II
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20
Nativity of the Lord - Proper III
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
John 1:1-14
No comments:
Post a Comment