With one simple social media post over the Christmas holidays, I stirred up a hornets nest that at last count resulted in 4 friends lost due to blocking, 5 veiled and not-so-veiled threats of bodily harm, and more than a dozen wishes for various amounts of coal to be placed in my stocking and other various orifices.
And a dead partridge in a pear tree. But, I digress.
I merely stated that I had never once sat thru an entire screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I know, I know. Heresy. But, the truth. While having caught pieces of it over the years, often when completely bored and finding nothing else waxing across the vaunted tube, I stopped and tucked away a few cinematic morsels until time was right to move on to something more entertaining. Or, at the very least, when finally exhausted at the never-ending commercial interruptions.
So, I had caught most of the movie, and it wasn’t until this year that I filled in the few remaining gaps and put it all together.
Which is when I opened up the typing software and stated this, among other things.
“Sure, it's a good film. Legendary? Not so much. The writing and acting doesn't hold up to the modern era. Too hackneyed and predictable. On yesterday's scale, a likely 9 out of 10. On today's meter, about a 6 out of 10, maybe a 7. “
Oh, my stars and garters, the tumult that ensued.
As I obviously failed to learn from my mistakes, and this poking of the bear was just too good to pass up, I decided more depth was needed in the discussion.
Beginning with a few caveats.
Cinema is full of films that have, over time, ascended to the status of "classics" or even "national treasures." However, when you take a closer look, (and here’s where I’ve got the stick out again tempting fate), many of these films were not critical or box office successes in their time. Instead, they’ve ridden the wave of nostalgia, relentless marketing, and repeated exposure through television and other outlets to cement their place in the cultural canon.
But are these movies truly timeless masterpieces, or have they simply benefited from being in the right place at the right time?
The Underdogs of Yesteryear: From Box Office Failures to Beloved Classics
Let’s start with our prime example: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).
Directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, this film is now synonymous with holiday cheer and the spirit of giving. But when it premiered, it was a financial flop. Critics were lukewarm, and audiences seemed indifferent. The movie didn’t gain its “classic” status until decades later when television networks began airing it repeatedly during the holiday season, thanks to its lapsed copyright. Suddenly, a film that was once a mediocre performer became a cherished holiday tradition, proving that sometimes, ubiquity is the key to greatness.
Another example is A Christmas Story (1983). Upon its release, the film received decent reviews but was far from a blockbuster. It was a modest success at best, appealing to a niche audience. But thanks to cable networks like TBS running 24-hour marathons of the film during the holiday season, it’s now considered one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. Nostalgia and repetitive exposure transformed what was once a quirky little film into a phenomenon. Now, it's the cinematic equivalent of fruitcake: unavoidable during the holidays, and you feel obligated to like it even though you’d rather not.
That, and it did return the phrase, “I double dog dare you” to the modern lexicon.
The Role of Time, Morality, and Changing Social Norms
Let’s be honest, shall we? These films gained traction as “classics" for two reasons. The passage of time, and the evolution of societal values. A movie that was merely adequate in its era can later be viewed through a lens of sentimentality, historical importance, or cultural relevance. For instance, Casablanca (1942) wasn’t initially celebrated as the monumental work it’s now considered to be. While successful at the box office and well-reviewed, it became iconic only after repeated airings on television and its association with a romanticized version of World War II.
And the fact no one in the movie ever uttered the words, “Play it again, Sam”. Go ahead and check. We’ll wait.
Similarly, Citizen Kane (1941), hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, was a critical darling but not a commercial success. Its groundbreaking techniques and Orson Welles' innovative storytelling were under-appreciated at the time. It was only decades later, as film scholars and critics reevaluated it, that the movie gained its monumental reputation. Still, many modern viewers find the film slow and its appeal difficult to grasp, questioning whether it’s truly a masterpiece or simply an artifact of its time.
Technically, a landmark of the era. As a captivating film, it often makes for a wonderful nap.
Marketing and Repetition: The Modern-Day Myth Makers
Cable television, VHS, DVDs, and now streaming services have played a significant role in turning average films into so-called classics. Networks like AMC, TCM, and even streaming giants like Netflix have introduced these films to new generations. For instance, The Shawshank Redemption (1994) was not a box office hit, but became wildly popular after repeated airings on TNT. Today, it’s ranked among the best movies of all time, but its slow rise to prominence begs the question: would it be as revered without endless reruns?
Personally, give me another telling of times at Shawshank prison than watching as Donna Reed tries to keep hubby George from berating the children again on Christmas Eve.
I’m certain I will pay for that comment, as well.
Films like The Wizard of Oz (1939) owe much of their staying power to consistent re-releases and TV broadcasts. While it was successful in its day, it didn’t become the cultural behemoth it is now until television brought it into living rooms across America in the 1950s, and someone found out the correlation with Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”. (Yes, it really works). While undeniably groundbreaking for its time, the over-the-top Technicolor fantasy now feels more like a fever dream. The flying monkeys are terrifying, Dorothy’s incessant whining is exhausting, and the plot? Basically a lesson in how to be nice to strangers who want something from you.
The same can be said for The Sound of Music (1965), which continues to gain fans through annual airings on network TV and sing-along events, despite being dismissed by many critics as overly saccharine when it was first released. Sure, Julie Andrews sings like an angel, but three hours of wholesome nuns and singing children trying to escape Hollywood Nazis feels like a lot to endure for a few memorable tunes. It’s the cinematic equivalent of eating way too much cake—delicious at first, nauseating by the end.
The "Classic" Label: A Double-Edged Sword
The idea of a “classic” is inherently subjective, yet it’s often treated as an absolute. Films like Gone with the Wind (1939), once considered the pinnacle of cinematic achievement, are now scrutinized for their romanticized portrayal of slavery and the Antebellum South. Its legacy as a "classic" is being reconsidered in light of changing social norms. It’s an exhausting four-hour soap opera that romanticizes an era best left in the dustbin of history. Scarlett O’Hara is insufferable, Rhett Butler is a gaslighting narcissist, and the film’s racial undertones are, to put it mildly, horrifying. The opening scenes of the original trailer are dreadfully insulting as they note the "celebration" of the Civil War centennial, where close to 650,000 people died.
Similarly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) continues to be celebrated for Audrey Hepburn’s iconic performance, yet its racial stereotypes make it increasingly difficult to defend as a true masterpiece. Between the offensive portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi and the shallow romance, you’re left wondering if the movie is remembered only because Hepburn looked stunning holding a croissant. But hey, if fashion is more important than plot, this one’s a masterpiece.
The elevation of these films often overlooks their flaws. Take Forrest Gump (1994), for example—a film that won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. While beloved by many, critics have pointed out its simplistic moralizing and problematic handling of historical events thru CGI and special effects generated cameos. Yet nostalgia and its heartwarming tone have kept it firmly in the "classic" category.
Are These Films Truly “Great,” or Just Familiar?
Ultimately, the distinction between a true classic and an over-hyped relic of its time boils down to whether a film’s themes, artistry, and storytelling genuinely resonate across generations. Films like Pulp Fiction (1994) or The Godfather (1972) are often hailed as true classics because they pushed boundaries and redefined genres in ways that still feel relevant today. Meanwhile, others ride the wave of nostalgia and repetition, with their status more a product of marketing than merit.
A Cautionary Tale of Overhype
While some films undoubtedly deserve their place in the pantheon of great cinema, others owe their “classic” status to relentless marketing, changing cultural norms, and sheer familiarity. Movies like "It’s a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story" are beloved today, but their rise to prominence serves as a reminder of how time and repetition can reshape public perception. As audiences, we should celebrate the films we love while remaining critical of how and why certain movies achieve legendary status. After all, not every beloved movie is a masterpiece—sometimes, it’s just a decent film with a really good PR team.
Or with a legion of social media fans who will stand for nothing less than gushing obedience to a well-placed marketing memory.
Wait until next year when I do “The Bells of St. Mary’s”.
This commentary was first released under the "Poking the Bear" segment of the email newsletter, "Shakedown Street". Read the entire issue it was featured in by clicking here. and then SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter than fears no issue, takes no sides, and flies in the face of those who say poking the bear is not a good thing.
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