I never thought it a Christmas movie, but that was because the first time I saw it, it was in August.

My feeling about it are mixed. First of all, I may be the only living person who read the story before I ever saw the movie. The message in the story was more interesting. The movie undercuts its theme because it’s abundantly clear that George has no real reason for suicide. He’s quite successful and has obviously made a difference in the town.

In the story, he’s just a lowly bank clerk who thinks his life accomplished nothing. But it turns out just showing up makes a difference.

Second, after reading the script for American Madness, it’s clear that It’s a Wonderful Life is just a remake of that. Both have a bank president who cares for the people he lends money to even if they would traditionally be called bad risks. Both have a run on the bank as a plot point. And in Both, the banker is saved when all his friends donate money to him.

I also find George being too much of a doormat.

Still, I can’t deny it’s an effective movie and some of the scenes are classic.

As for Christmas movie, George is saved by friend giving him gifts, an important element of Christmas. That, and the season (and the Christmas tree at the end) move is into Christmas movie territory.