It was shown on tv for the first time in my area in 1978 on the PBS channel. It was shown marathon style the entire weekend before Christmas, if I remember correctly, & I couldn't get enough of it. It has touched me like no other Christmas movie. Perfect message about what's important in life & the perfect cast to convey it.

Nice post, kimbutgar.

We would.watch it every Christmas. His fiancee grew to love it too. She is Jewish. Christmas 1997 was the last happy Christmas . They got engaged. The next one was his last one. April 1998 he had seizures and 3 days later he was operated on. The doctors found a aggressive fatal brain tumor. He was optimistic and lived each day to the fullest. He WAS George Bailey. EVERYONE loved him. He died October 1999 at 26. Many of our friends said he was really an angel. His fiancee had a hard time going on. She finally found a nice man and married him last year. Her little girl was born 4 months ago. She told me her baby has 3 grandmothers and I will always be part of her life. I Live 6 hours away now but we are still close. We talked last night on the phone. We each watched the movie last night..I Alone and she with her husband who knows about my son and is accepting. His name is the same as my son's.

Cherish each day with those you loved ones. This movie always reminds me of this thought.

Bedford Falls will be nothing more than a wistful memory.