One of our family traditions at Christmas is to see Frank Capra’s brilliant 1946 film “It’s A Wonderful Life” starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Over the years we have seen the film at various cinemas, the Odeon, the Plaza, the Philharmonic, at FACT but by far the best place to see “It’s A Wonderful Life” is the absolute gem of a cinema that is The Woolton Picture House tucked away in Mason Street close to St. Peters Church and Woolton village, this is the cinema that John Lennon frequented before world fame took him away.
Showing films since the 1920s this is, in my opinion, the best cinema in Liverpool and really adds to the cinema going experience due to the lush Pullman seats and the Art Deco interior. Occasionally there is even an interval were the old style usherettes sell ice cream. A truly entertaining experience and one I recommend all cinemagoers try, so much better than the multiplexes.
This Christmas "It's a Wonderful Life" in the original Black and White, a colourised version has not been a success, will be showing at The Woolton Picture House, it is meant to be seen on a big screen, DVDs are fine, but nothing is like the real thing, the big screen.
"It's a Wonderful Life" is one of the most popular and heartwarming films made by director Frank Capra. Who regarded this film as his own personal favorite, it was also James Stewart's favorite film and Stewart made over 100 films.
Surprisingly it was a flop at the time of its release, despite being nominated for 5 Oscars, winning none. “It's a Wonderful Life” only became the Christmas movie classic in the 1970s due to repeated television showings when its copyright protection was lost due to a legal technicality and it fell into the public domain. Television companies could show it for free. Republic Pictures restored its copyright claim to the film in 1993, with exclusive video rights to it.
The film tells the story of George Bailey, played by James Stewart; whose life has been a disappointment. On Christmas Eve, George considers suicide and wishes he had never been born. George has been driven to this action by Mr. Potter, a greedy banker, played with evil relish by Lionel Barrymore, but an angel called Clarence shows George what life would have been like for his loved ones if George had never been born. Not the best premise for a film you may say but it is, “It's a Wonderful Life” is an absolute classic and will get your Christmas off to a great start. Charles Dickens gave us “A Christmas Carol” but Frank Capra gave us “It's a Wonderful Life” and it is.
“It's a Wonderful Life” will be showing a The Woolton Picture House at 7.30 p.m on the 23rd of December and the following afternoon December 24th at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available from the cinema box-office.
Be warned “It's a Wonderful Life” sells out every year, so get your tickets now.
Film Info: 0151 428 1919
Cinema Office: 0151 428 3737
Woolton Picture House, it's about experience.
3 Mason Street
Woolton
L25 5JH
www.wooltonpicturehouse.co.uk/
"It's a Wonderful Life" will also be showing at the Philharmonic Hall on December 24th at 2.30 p.m.
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