In their first bonus episode, Alex and Steven explore the psychological, political and moral dimensions of an iconic movie from the classic Hollywood period called 'It's a Wonderful Life' starring the peerless Jimmy Stewart. Topics they examine include: what has made this movie a family Xmas classic?; how much is George Bailey's character a result of his innate character and how much is it to do with the culture of Bedford Falls?; in psychological terms, how could we explain the malice and miserliness of Mr Potter?; what does Potter suggest about Capra's vision of the good American life?; to what extent should we see George Bailey as a role model of how to be a good person?; what does the ending of the movie say about Capra's moral vision and should we have any reservations about that?

Additional Resources:

• A DVD copy of the movie can be bought from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Wonderful-LIfe-Lionel-Barrymore/dp/B00H37J7GG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V3BRXZ4IILVM&keywords=its+a+wonderful+life&qid=1640895475&sprefix=its+a+wonderful+life+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1
• This biography of the director Frank Capra shows that his life was more complicated and tragic than a straightforward American success story: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frank-Capra-Catastrophe-Joseph-McBride/dp/1604738383/ref=sr_1_1?Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0&__mk_en_GB=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1640895534&refinements=p_28%3Afrank+capra&s=books&sr=1-1&unfiltered=1   
• Although out-of-print, Barbara Deming's examination of 1940's cinema is well worth reading: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-away-Myself-Barbara-Deming/dp/0670610895/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LF7TYLMC1GR5&keywords=barbara+deming+running+away+from+myself&qid=1640895626&s=books&sprefix=barbara+deming+runnung+away+from+myself%2Cstripbooks%2C86&sr=1-1
• Here is a candid interview with Jimmy Stewart about his life as an actor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970nWlbT1Bc