Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Ceremony Celebrating 65th Anniversary of 'It's a Wonderful Life' Today in Hollywood

wonderful_life.jpg
Photo by naotakem via the LAist Featured Photos pool

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

It's almost Christmas, and that means presents, trees, (Chinese food for us Jews), and marathon viewings of "It's a Wonderful Life," the 1946 classic starring James Stewart as as building and loan operator George Bailey.

To celebrate the 65th anniversary of this yuletide favorite, a ceremony will be held on the Walk of Fame at 10:30 a.m. Present will be Jimmy Hawkins, who starred as Tommy Bailey and is now 70 years old (!!). Also present will be members of director Frank Capra's family, and City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

We hate to read too much between the lines, but in a statement about the event, it seems like LaBonge may have taken the opportunity to give a subtle nod to none other than the Occupy movement.

"There's no movie like 'It's a Wonderful Life.' With all the challenges we face today, we need more George Baileys and fewer Mr. Potters,'' he said, referring to Stewart's character and his banker nemesis Henry Potter (Lionel Barrymore).

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today