@IronLemon that's a big chip you're carrying on your shoulder over a classic movie. Why don't you simply try watching it? The traditional values that it includes are things like marital fidelity, loyalty (to family, to community), hard work, self sacrifice (for one's children and other family), duty (to family, to community, to country) the value of kindness and friendship, and more horrible things.
@MonkeyNeedsAHug has done a good job pointing out the period-specific things that you might object to, but in spite of those, it's still a great film worth watching.
@Jubal How the hell did you miss the several times where I said I AM NOT WATCHING A DAMN CHRISTMAS MOVIE??!!
Sorry for the yelling, [Removed]
Flagged by a member of the community. Removed part of comment. [CharlieBear]
I love, its a wonderful life!! Its my favorite Christmas movie of all time!!
Also to clarify, my problem is not with the damn movie, it's with people who are incapable of taking "no" for an answer. And with "traditional values" especially when people refuse to explain what they mean by that.
It really is amazing how many people respond to "what does he mean by traditional values" with "but it's a good movie". As if they're deliberately missing the point.
I hope you can find happiness in life
@dennis22554 I have plenty of happiness in life when I'm not being accosted by people who think there's something wrong with how I live my life. Try getting off your high horse and people around you will be happier.
It's also fascinating how you rate happiness on whether or not you like one particular movie.
There's no hope
@dennis22554 I agree, [Removed]. But I tried.
I guess it's not so wonderful a life for you after all.
For those who insist that I don't know what the movie is about, I do. It's about "don't underestimate the impact you have on people's lives". No need to bring "traditional values" into it. And I don't need a movie to tell me that. It's something I already know.
And yes, I also know it's where "whenever a bell rings" (brilliantly parodied by The Hebrew Hammer) comes from.
For much of my life, I've been passively suicidal, due to growing up surrounded by mean, hateful christians. (Over time I did eventually learn that there are christians who aren't mean and hateful, but also a lot who hide it under a thin veneer of pretending to care.) I've often thought that if I could start over, go back and be born and grow up somewhere that my religion didn't automatically make me an outcast, somewhere I could find people like me, I would, no matter the cost.
But I also think about the cost. People whose lives I know I've brightened. People who I know I've helped, and especially people who I've helped out of bad situations. People who I've practically helped raise, provided support and inspiration for. People who have been able to reach out to me, when they've had no one else to reach out to. Even tiny things, like a student whose face lit up when they were talking to me and realized that I'm also trans. Sometimes even just saying "I am here" has a huge impact, especially to marginalized people.
And that includes here. I've received a number of messages of appreciation for being willing to speak up, for saying what they were afraid to say for fear of being targeted. To stop fighting now, to stop calling out bigotry, would be letting them down.
And so here I am, happier with my life than I've ever been. Happy with being able to become my true self. Happy with being able to help those like me. And for those who are insisted that happiness comes only from watching a particular movie, I bid you a long stay in a place reputed for its warmth.
It's a Wonderful Life is a spectacular timeless Christmas classic. Bringing us back to the 1940's, tells a beautiful story about life and appreciating it. Even though I cry at the end every time, the movie brings us nothing but joy and happiness every Christmas season.
@Beach50 Thank you for the correction. I'll remember that "traditional values" means 1940s, not 1950s.
@IronLemon I've no issue with anyone calling out bigotry. I just don't think there is a reason to imagine bigotry where there was none. Several people in this thread have described many traditional values that have nothing to do with bigotry. Beach50 said nothing about bigotry or traditional values, only described an appreciation of the movie, which was the point of this thread.
While I can appreciate that your experiences growing up perhaps have made you hypersensitive, attacking those who have not even been touching on the issues that have negatively impacted you is not helping the overall discourse.
@btc13 When someone repeatedly refuses to answer a simple question, I must draw my own conclusion. And the 1940s and 1950s aren't exactly known for tolerance. When he finally did say a few values, they seemed more like nationalism.
If the point of this thread was appreciation of a movie, why the hell was traditional values even mentioned? That's one of the questions he repeatedly refused to answer. I can only assume malicious intent.
And the fact that "which traditional values" kept getting answers of "just watch the movie" when I repeatedly repeatedly repeatedly said I wasn't going to watch a damn christmas movie. The people who said that are clearly lacking in understanding and tolerance.
And as far as beach50, well, I've had interactions with him in the past.
Maybe people just have their own views about what is traditional and leave it at that.
@dennis22554 I appreciate your posts, you seem to always stay hopeful and positive, though I don’t read every thread. You also seem to be generally happy. “It’s a wonderful life “ is a movie I grew up watching, have to consider it was made during such different times. Many people may not be able to relate to that time period.
Also, I don’t get why some people here have to turn so many peaceful threads into arguments about their own personal agendas. “When you’re a hammer, all you see is nails” And is anyone obligated to explain their opinion or reason to another? Take it however you want.
@g_w_t_w All I did was ask what traditional values he meant, since he went out of his way to call attention to it. After all, there's a lot of very harmful "traditional values". His refusal to answer made it seem like the bad "traditional values" and everything he said only reinforced that. Particularly when he lied about what I was asking.
@IronLemon I understand your point. I think that for me personally, if I make a comment about my belief or opinion, I don’t feel obligated to explain or define it. I’m just stating something that’s personal to me and might not be understood by someone who is in a totally different phase of their life, different background, different perspective, different gender even, with a whole separate brain.
Well, I’m relatively new to forums in general, but I might state my opinion. I will qualify it as that in fact, and it is what it is - agree or not, who cares? I am not offended or bothered when people don’t agree with me. I’ve probably made that pretty clear lol. Basically, if I make a comment here, I have no expectations of anyone understanding it or replying. I’m simply putting in my two cents.
@gwtw...I appreciate your comments..as well as others that I'm me to keep up the positivity...its especially hateful to publically express rude comments to another onnline..or in person..but I try my best to ignore them...and yes..you are right..I don't owe my opinions to anyone especially rude. I think pet photos is the best cc forum of all time and am waiting for the angry comments from that remark from bitter people with a smile on my face. I know you are a regular on the site and always respect your remarks..I have a new what should be harmless topic in my pocket..waiting for things to calm down then let the fireworks begin!
@dennis22554 So trolling makes you happy? Figures.
@dennis22554 I'll also point out that I was in no way rude. I've simply been honest in my impressions of you, especially when you refused to answer a simple question, and when you lied about what I was asking. I'm sorry you've been unable to understand this.
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Flagged by a member of the community and reviewed by a moderator. Removed part of comment. [CharlieBear]
To get back to the OP's topic, another timeless Christmas classic is March of the Wooden solders from almost the same era. A family musical that's heart warming. Who knew that pig-napping was a thing? Watching the claymation movies from the 60's like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and the others were a favorite family tradition that I look back upon fondly. More recently even though a silly comedy, we love A Christmas Story, also goes back to the 50's era. We keep in on all day, so funny..
That's the one with Abbot & Costello, right?
And suddenly another very old movie that really influenced my need for order, logical consequences, etc is Cheaper by the Dozen and the sequel Bells on their Toes @dennis22554 have you ever watched those, maybe on YouTube? I think you and maybe a few others would like those movies.
another timeless Christmas classic is March of the Wooden > solders from almost the same era.
@Beach50 the other big Christmas classic for me is "White Christmas". Every time I watch it, I sniffle a bit when Susan Waverly sees her grandfather in his old Army uniform (ok, I cry).
I do like scrooge with Bill Murray though. If that brightens up anybodys 2025 xmas
@dennis22554 I've been thinking about your comment about how you take pleasure in the imagined suffering of people. You have my pity. What a sad and miserable person you must be. I know that's what you said about me, but people like you are always projecting. And after all, I'm not the one who has to hide what my values are.
I look forward to your next thread where you've promised to cause more of this supposed suffering. I'm sure it will be good for a laugh.
A film about a self-destructive man and his delusions at the moment of his death.
Please, forgive those of us who have been oppressed by “traditional values” for our lifetimes.
And especially those of us who were abused by those who wield phrases like “traditional values” and “it’s for your own good” while [removed].
But, the movie does have one positive core message: Your life impacts the lives around you more than you realize.
Sadly, if you are using “traditional values” as your ethical standards that impact is likely more negative than positive.