PEL Presents (SUB)TEXT: The Pain of Anonymity in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)

<p>Though sometimes accused of a sentimentality dubbed “Capracorn,” Frank Capra’s films are clear-eyed about the suffering of the everyman. A quintessential director of the Great Depression and World War II eras, Capra expressed better than most the desperation at the heart of a young country’s ambitions. And as a chronicler of his age’s disillusionment and alienation, he joined an American cultural landscape stretching back to Hawthorne, Melville, and Twain. How is George Bailey, a purveyor of the American dream, representative of the anonymyzing terror of 20th century society? And how might Christmas, rather than providing merely the heart-warming scaffolding for Capra’s tale, form an integral part of his message? Wes &amp; Erin discuss the 1946 holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”</p> <p>Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters can learn more about their online courses at <a href="http://tischpro.smashcut.com/subtext">tischpro.smashcut.com/subtext</a>.</p> <p>Subscribe: <a href="https://subtextpodcast.com/">(sub)Text</a> won’t always be in the PEL feed, so please subscribe to us directly: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sub-text-literature-and-film-podcast/id1526882382"> Apple</a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2PQ2gT1DbrsOb7g1Dune1V?si=Omtb29FFTkGj9Oo6yrteKA"> Spotify</a> | <a href="https://subscribeonandroid.com/subtextpodcast.com/feed/podcast/"> Android</a> | <a href="https://subtextpodcast.com/feed/podcast/">RSS</a></p> <p>Bonus content: The conversation continues on our after-show <a href="https://subtextpodcast.com/category/(post)script/">(post)script</a>. Get this and other bonus content at by subscribing at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/subtext">Patreon</a> or directly on the Apple Podcasts app.</p> <p>Follow (sub)Text: <a href="https://twitter.com/enjoysubtext">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/subtextpodcast/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://subtextpodcast.com/">Website</a></p> <p>