It’s a Wonderful Life [1946]
1. George was born in 1907, making him four years older than his brother Harry.
2. At the dinner table scene, George’s father uses the phrase “crawl to Potter.” A few months later, at the Building & Loan board meeting, George uses the same phrase.
3. Pottersville has NO PARKING signs everywhere. Also, KEEP MOVING and KEEP OFF THE GRASS. None of these signs exist in Bedford Falls.
Last night as Andy and I were leaving Trader Vic’s, Linda Yu through the door with a friend to have dinner. The hostess said, "You’re on the news, aren’t you?" Linda smiled, obviously flattered, laughed a little and said, "Yes I am."
We had two delicious hamburgers at Vic’s and then came home and watched the Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special. I always forget that Magic Johnson is in it. Fantastic. Every year I laugh when Miss Renee says, "This is the Hannukah portion of the program."
We have a peapod delivery arriving today, although we just got a call informing us that due to the crummy weather it may be delayed. That’s alright. Apparently, Santa (aka Andy) has one last shopping trip left to make …
Happy Xmas Eve everyone! Wherever you are!
Dead time here in the office. Dead time is bad. Oh sure, I’ve actually done some work as well as some "work" today. But mostly the time is dragging on. And mostly I’ve been bombarded. You see, the table near my desk here at the office is the dumping ground for Xmas Crap to Eat. Today alone there’s been pecan tarts, cookies and chocolate cherry amaretto ice cream.It’s frankly a bit sickening. It’s been easy to restrain myself … at a certain point just the thought of all that sugar has turned off my appetite. And made me hungry for a hamburger.
Remember the Night [1940]
1. While everyone is opening their presents, his mom sits there smiling, gathering the ribbons and paper from the opened packages so they can be reused.
2. Perfect transition: John has just told Lee that she can stay with him and his family over Christmas and she cries, “Gee!” collapses into his arms; dissolve to the painting of John’s cross-eyed grandfather. The dissolve to the wacky painting immediately dilutes the potential for heavy-handed sentimentality. Comedy as tool; and, more interesting, comedy as sobriety.
3. Ice-encrusted Niagra Falls. Do they sleep together that night? Preston Sturges hints at it with his dialog.
Yesterday I went to Specialty Video and rented Remember the Night, which Andy and I really wanted to rewatch again this year. I brought the box up the counter and the clerk said, "You know this is VHS, right?"
"Yes," I said. "It isn’t available on DVD yet."
He retrieved the video and started to ring me up. "Is it any good?" he asked.
"It’s amazing. I don’t know why it isn’t on DVD yet."
"Well, there’s a Barbara Stanwyck box-set coming out next yet, maybe it’ll be on there."
I paid and walked back home, all the while thinking about how earlier in the day I’d stopped by Hollywood Video only to discover that they’d gotten rid of all their VHS inventory and now only have DVDs.
Sleeping Beauty [1959]
1. The square-topped trees is the background during the forest scenes.
2. Maleficent’s glowing eyes in the fireplace.
3. Rabbit-boots.
Andy’s dad had his pacemaker installed on Thursday and yesterday they released him from the hospital. He’s resting at home now. The recovery should be gradual but he’s doing great so far. Andy is tentatively scheduled to come back to Chicago tomorrow. I’ve already told him, no making Xmas dinner. We don’t need the stress of deciding what to make and the work of making it. We’ll go out for dinner Xmas Day, stay home the rest of the weekend, just relax. Exactly what we need. I hope that Art of Pizza delivers on Xmas Eve.
Whoa! I just got a call from my boss …
SNOW DAY!
!!!!!!!!!
That’ll do very nicely, thank you very much.
