You will be answering these questions at the end of the movie and the answers you provide will be the basis of a grade. Key Guiding Questions along with the historical reference of the movie appear below:
It’s A Wonderful Life
1. Does this movie have a basic message? What is it?
2. What are some of the economic and business issues addressed in this movie that are still around today?
3. Were you surprised when George became so angry after Uncle Billy lost the $8,000?
4. Do you think the world of business still has people that are like both George and Potter?
5. If you had been in George’s position, would you have considered working for Potter?
6. Has this movie dated well? What did you like or dislike about it?
Vocabulary:
In order to get you ready to look at this movie we will be looking at some vocabulary words so that you can unsertand everything that is going on between the characters. The words and Expressions that You May not Know appear below and we will review them befor watching the film.
Clarence the angel learns about George Bailey’s childhood,
and how he saved everyone from his brother to his boss.
Give him a break, God.
“To give a person a break” is to help them, usually by giving
them an opportunity to help themselves get out of trouble.
I love him, dear Lord.
Another word for God.
Yes, tonight’s his crucial night.
A good word for extremely important.
You know, he’s got an IQ of a rabbit.
“IQ” stands for “intelligence quotient,” which is a measure of how smart a person is (It is based on a widely used but controversial test).
But he’s got the faith of a child. Joseph, send for Clarence.
Another word for belief or trust, often used in a religious context.
A man on earth needs our help. :: Splendid, is he sick?
An old-fashioned word for excellent, often used
when hearing good news.
Look, I’ll help you out. Now concentrate.
“To concentrate” is to think about something with great seriousness.
This is amazing.
An alternative to unbelievable, often used when
something causes great wonder or surprise.
Hee-Haw!
The sound made by a donkey, and a dated expression which shows that the speaker is joking. Never used now, but common in this film.
Here comes the scare baby, my kid brother, Harry.
“A scare baby” is a child’s way of describing a person who is afraid to
do something. In this context, a “kid” brother is a younger one.
Come on, Harry, go faster!
The greatest and most versatile phrasal verb in English, often taking on the meaning of the words that follow. In this case, “go faster!”
He caught a bad cold which infected his left ear.
“To infect” is to put a virus or disease into a part of the body.
It was weeks before he could go back to his
after school job at old-man Gower’s drugstore.
Note that many older children worked (and still work) at part
time jobs after school is over. Also note that Mr. Gower was in
fact an old man, but you wouldn’t refer to him as that today.
That’s Harry F. Potter, the richest and meanest man in the county.
A person who is “mean” is cruel or unkind. A “county” is a political
division of a state, which is usually much bigger than a city.
Wish I had a million dollars! Hot dog!
“Hot dog” is an expression that is much loved in this film, but no longer used today. It means something like “Let’s hope for the best.”
Two cents worth of shoelaces.
The strings that hold shoes on your feet.
Made up your mind yet? :: I’ll take chocolate.
“To make up one’s mind” is to decide between two or more choices.
Say brainless, don’t you know where coconuts come from?
“Brainless” is a cute little insult, but probably never used today.
Only us explorers can get it; I’ve been nominated
for membership in the National Geographic Society.
To be “nominated” for something is to be officially accepted or appointed. The National Geographic Society is still a well known organization devoted to the exploration of countries and cultures throughout the world.
Is this the ear you can’t hear on? George, I’ll love you to the day I die.
Today, you would ask if this is the ear you can’t hear out of, not on.
I’m going exploring some day, and I’ll have
a couple of harems and maybe 3 or 4 wives.
A “harem” is a house in which women live, often in order to serve the sexual desires of a rich or powerful man. This is a funny thing for a 12 year old boy to be saying!
You’re not paid to be a canary.
A type of bird known for talking and whistling.
[Written]-----Your son Robert died of influenza. Stop.
“Influenza” is a dangerous form of the flu. Note that in wire
communications, the word stop was often used to end a sentence.
Take those capsules over to Mrs. Blaine.
A “capsule” is a small pill-sized container for medicine.
They have diphtheria, haven’t they?
Another deadly disease which makes it difficult to breathe.
Baily Brothers Building and Loan Association.
This is the Baily family business, that loans working people money so that they can buy and build houses. Although much romanticized in the film as an alternative to the uncaring and powerful banks, it looks a little like a modern Savings and Loan, which today are very similar to banks.
Captain Cook, where are you heading?
“To head” someplace is simply to go in that direction
(Captain Cook was a famous 18th century British explorer).
I got to see pop.
“Pop” is a common slang word for dad. Note that in rapid speech,
the “have” is dropped from “have got to” (meaning “must”).
Bank Examiner.
A bank examiner is an official of the government that makes sure that the bank’s records are in order, and that they don’t lend out more
money than they can do so safely.
Just 30 short days, Mr. Potter. I’ll dig up that $5000 somehow.
“To dig up” money is to find it by looking for it in any possible place.
Have you put any pressure on these people of yours to pay their mortgages?
An important word in business, and for all people trying to buy a house! A “mortgage” is the loan one gets from a bank in order to buy the house, with the understanding that the bank can take it back if the buyer can not make his mortgage payments.
A lot of these people are out of work! :: Then foreclose!
When a bank “forecloses” on a house, it forces the owner to leave if he can no longer make their loan payments. A powerful and hated verb!
Are you running a business or a charity ward?
An organization to help poor people feed and shelter themselves.
What makes you so hard-skulled?
An old expression for a person who is stubborn or mean.
I suppose I should give it to miserable failures
like you and that idiot brother of yours.
In this context, “miserable” means pathetic, or somebody who is pitiful,
though it usually means somebody who is very unhappy. An “idiot”
is a common insult meaning stupid, and is both a noun and adjective.
Where’s Mrs. Blaine’s box of capsules? What kind of tricks are you playing?
In this context, “tricks” refers to actions that
involve lies, cheating or types of manipulation.
Why didn’t you deliver them right away?
The most common way of saying immediately.
You’re hurting my sore ear.
If a body part is “sore,” it hurts because
it has been injured or overworked.
I won’t tell a soul or hope to die, I won’t!
A “soul” is the spiritual or non-physical part of a person, though here it just means a single individual. This is George’s way of promising
Mr. Gower that he won’t tell anyone that he (Gower) accidentally gave his patients poison.
George grows into a young man and prepares to see the world.
An overnight bag, genuine English cowhide…fitted up with brushes, combs…
“Genuine English cowhide” is what we would probably call today real
(English) leather. If a bag is “fitted up” with brushes, it includes them.
George Baily? You mean the kid who had his ear slapped by the druggist?
“To slap” someone is to hit them with an open hand (not a fist).
I see, a flying carpet.
A magical form of transportation, popular in
Arabic culture and American TV cartoons!
I don’t suppose you’d like this old second hand job.
“Second hand” is another way of saying used, or pre-owned.
Now you’re talking! Gee whiz, I could use that as a raft in case the boat sunk.
The first sentence is still a used way of showing approval or agreement. “Gee Whiz” is a way of showing surprise, concern or other emotion. A “raft” is a tiny boat, often made of rubber.
That’s my trick ear; It sounded like you said “no charge.”
In this case, George’s “trick ear” is the one in which he can’t hear.
“No charge,” two truly glorious words, is a common way of saying free.
A little present from old man Gower; He picked it out himself.
“To pick out” a gift is to select it from many possibilities.
A cattle boat?! OK, I like cows.
“Cattle” is a way to refer to a group of cows.
George, don’t take any plug nickels.
A dated expression warning people not to be cheated or tricked, especially when travelling. A “plug nickel” is a fake nickel (5 cents).
I’m a rich tourist today. How about driving me home in style?
To do something “in style” is to do it with elegance or grace.
Hop in, your highness.
“Hop in” is another way to tell someone to get in a car or vehicle.
“Your highness” is the ridiculous way that people are supposed to address kings and queens.
Hello, Violet. That’s some dress you got on there.
Note that the use of “some” before a noun can imply that the noun
is very attractive or worthy of notice (“That’s quite a pretty dress”).
Well, if they were all girls, there wouldn’t be any…Oh, never mind.
A common way of saying you’ve just decided that you don’t
want to continue talking about what you were just saying.
Aren’t you going to finish dressing for your
graduation party? :: I don’t care, it’s George’s tux.
In this case, the “graduation party” refers to a party to celebrate
the completion of High School. A “tux” is a way of referring to tuxedos,
the very formal and expensive jackets men often wear to weddings.
If you lay a hand on me, I’ll hit you with this broom.
“To lay a hand on” someone is simply to touch them.
A “broom” is an everyday tool used for sweeping floors.
My last meal in the old Baily boarding house.
A “boarding house” is a community house where
people pay rent for a room and basic meals.
You look tired. :: Oh, I just had another tussle with Potter.
A “tussle” is a fight, or in this case, a heated argument.
I thought that when I put him on the Board of Directors, he’d ease up a bit.
The “Board of Directors” are the people who meet every few months to help guide a company’s general direction and policies. “To ease up” is
to relax or reduce pressure. “A bit” is a common way of saying a little.
What’s eating that old money grubbing buzzard, anyway?
In this context, if something is “eating” a person, it is bothering them.
A person who is “money grubbing” is constantly thinking of ways
to make as much money as possible. A “buzzard” is a big bird that eats the dead bodies of other animals (and an old-fashioned insult!).
No gin tonight son, not one drop.
A type of very strong liquor.
I acted like that when I graduated from high school? :: Pretty much.
A good alternative to “more or less.”
We have that all figured out. Harry will take
my job, work for four years, and then he’ll go.
“To figure out” a problem is to think about it, and then solve it.
You were born older, George.
This is George’s dad’s way of saying that George is
more emotionally mature than his brother Harry.
I want to build things, design buildings, plan modern cities.
These are the kind of things that an architect would want to do,
though George never says that he actually wants to be an architect.
You’re still after that first million before
you’re 30? :: I’d settle for half that in cash.
“To settle for” something is to accept it, even though you would prefer something better. In this context, “in cash” means money in the bank, as opposed to assets like stocks and real estate (houses).
I couldn’t face being cooped up for the rest of my life in a shabby little office.
To be “cooped up” is to be stuck in a small and uncomfortable place, just likes chickens in a chicken coop. “Shabby” is an excellent adjective that means poor and old, or in need of replacement.
It’s this business of nickels and dimes and spending all
your life figuring out how to save three cents on pipe.
Put here to remind you of US coins: Penny, nickel, dime, quarter.
We’re doing something important; We’re satisfying a fundamental urge.
A “fundamental urge” is another way of saying a basic desire or goal.
It’s deep in the race for a man to want his own roof and walls and fireplace.
Peter’s way of saying that every person wants to own their own house.
I’ve been hoarding pennies like a miser here.
“To hoard” something is to collect it, in fear that it may soon be hard
to get. A “miser” is a very cheap person who saves every penny.
I just feel like if I didn’t get away, I’d burst.
“To burst” is to explode or break open, in this case, emotionally.
This town is no place for any man, unless he’s willing to crawl to Potter.
“To crawl” is to move on hands and knees, like a baby. This is Peter’s
way of saying that it’s hard to be independent from Potter’s power.
It’s about time one of you lunkheads said it.
An old-fashioned, silly and never used insult word for a stupid person.
The Bailey brothers celebrate at Harry’s High School
graduation party, and George meets Marry for the first time.
I’m going to put him through college.
“To put a person through college” is to pay their expenses
so they can study and eventually graduate, rather then work.
Well freshman, it looks like you’re going to make it after all.
The “freshman” year of college is the first year,
followed by sophomore, junior and senior years.
I got to make some dough, first.
An old-fashioned but occasionally still used slang word for money.
We need great ends like you, not broken down old guys like this one.
This is Sam’s way of saying the school needs great athletes.
An “end” is a player in football, and if someone is “broken down,”
they are too physically weak or out of shape to play sports.
Putting a pool under the floor was a great idea; Saved us a building.
In this case, a way of saying “we didn’t have to build another building.”
Hello Violet; What am I bid?
The words used in an auction, when the auctioneer wants
to know what people are willing to pay for a product.
Come on, be a sport. Just dance with her one time,
and you’ll give her the thrill of her life.
If you tell someone to “be a sport,” you’re telling them to be nice and
cooperate. A “thrill” is a sudden feeling of great excitement or pleasure.
Some guy trapped me, and if not for that, the race would’ve been a cinch.
A curious and still used word for an easy victory or accomplishment.
Hey, this is my dance! :: Oh, why don’t you stop annoying people?!
“To annoy” someone is to bother or irritate them.
The Big Charleston Contest.
The Charleston was a very popular type of dancing in the 1920s.
Those not tapped by the judges will remain on the floor.
“To tap” someone is to touch them gently.
Did you know that the button behind you causes this floor to open up, and did you further know that George Baily is dancing right over that crack?
In this context, further is another way of saying “in addition.”
I told Harry I though I’d be bored to death; You should
have seen the commotion in that locker room.
“Commotion” is great and noisy excitement or confusion. The “locker room” is where players go to shower after a high school football game.
I guess I’m not quite the football type.
Note this grammatical construction, which refers to the type of person who plays football, or whatever the noun happens to be
Too young or too old? :: Just right, your age fits you.
If something “fits” a person, it is just right for them (Note that
this can apply to a person’s clothes, age or almost anything else).
You make a wish and break some glass.
You gotta be a pretty good shot, nowadays.
A person who can shoot a gun accurately, or in this case,
throw rocks accurately and hit what they’re aiming at.
I’m shaking the dust of this crummy little town
off of my feet, and I’m going to see the world!
“Crummy” is a sad adjective meaning poor, dirty, or even miserable.
Then I’m going home, back to college to see
what they know, and then I’m going to build things.
This is one of the funnier lines about the value of higher education.
I’ll build airfields and skyscrapers that are 100 stories high.
The word for very tall office buildings.
What did you wish? Do you want the moon? Just say
the word, and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.
A “lasso” is a rope tied in a large circle at the end that
can be used for pulling cows (or in theory, the moon).
Then you could swallow it and it would all dissolve, and
the moonbeams would shoot out your fingers and toes.
This is George’s way of being poetic. “To dissolve” is to melt into liquid, or break up completely. A “moonbeam” is a ray of moonlight.
Why don’t you kiss her instead of talking her to death?
“To talk a person to death” is to talk so much that they get bored.
Youth is wasted on the wrong people.
A classic line, and probably one that many old people agree with!
Oh, I give up. Where are you?
“To give up” is a key phrasal verb meaning to surrender or stop trying.
Gazunteit!
A German word that means “bless you,” used
by some in English after a person sneezes.
I’ll call the police. :: They’re way downtown, and they’d be on my side, too.
“To be on someone’s side” is to support them against someone else.
I’ll make a deal with you, Mary.
“To make a deal” is a common way of saying to come to an agreement.
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