The FBI did not like It’s A Wonderful Life.
Perhaps you are not so much shocked that someone didn’t like the film—after all, opinions differ—but that the FBI had any kind of opinion about the film. I think many of us, especially George Bailey fans, are scratching our heads. How could they not like It’s A Wonderful Life?
The answer: The FBI felt Mr. Potter was not portrayed realistically in the film. After all, they reasoned, 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 they would criticize his loans should he not require adequate collateral. Heaven forbid he should make a loan to a person who was a credit risk! They went to bat, big time, for Mr. P. In fact, they liked almost everything about Henry Potter and almost nothing about George Bailey. They viewed George, in his leadership of the ol’ 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 Henry Potter, and even more of a skinflint, Ebenezer 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. Some cared enough about his immortal soul to go out of their way to try to bring him into the fold. Why, the very first words spoken to him are: “A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!”
No one said “God save you!” to Mr. Potter.
We cheer for George Bailey because we like him, and with good reason. George personifies all that we cherish as good and all we aspire to be. Almost nobody cheers for the villains.
But could we at least pray for them?
No one in It’s A Wonderful Life ever showed any interest in Henry 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 cared enough to go to extraordinary lengths.
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!”
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PHOTO-Mr. Potter sitting at his desk in It’s A Wonderful Life:
PHOTO-Mr. Scrooge sitting at his desk in A Christmas Carol (1951 version):
BONUS MATERIAL
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/
The ending of It’s A Wonderful Life. You'll need to supply your own Kleenex.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQVRxRlGdQ&pp=ygUVV29uZGVyZnVsIGxpZmUgZmluYWxl
In A Wonderful Life, a Bevin Bell rang when Clarence got his wings. Find out how these bells are made at the Bevin Bells website (scroll down):
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We’re taking a break for the holidays. Come and meet with us again on January 9th for DaySpring’s next Lectionary Breakfast.
Blessings,
Steve
READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY, THE SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEARS
There are multiple options for these readings. I am using “Proper I” for the Christmas reading, but you should read whichever of the groups you wish. See the table of readings and links for December 24th through Sunday January 4th:
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