Watching Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life has been a holiday tradition for millions of households for decades. Despite only a small portion of the film taking place at Christmas time, it is considered by many to be the greatest Christmas movie of all time. Personally, not only is it my favorite Christmas movie of all time, but my favorite movie of all time. Period. Additionally, Jimmy Stewart is my favorite actor, Clarence is my favorite movie angel, and the final scene is my favorite scene in cinematic history.

Due to the fact that I’m usually hyperventilating for the last ten minutes of the film, each time I watch it I learn something new about the characters that make the movie so classic. I am not saying that I was not crying hysterically during my last re-watch, because I was, but I did manage to maintain my focus on the individual characters and determine what it is about them that make them so damn lovable.

 

Ranking the Cast of “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Before I begin the countdown of the characters, I would be remiss if I did not mention some notable omissions. The countdown is based on who I would want to be friends with the most. It is safe to say that I would not accept the Facebook friend requests from the following people.

Ma Bailey

 

Now hear me out, while Ma Bailey was super sweet for most of the movie, when I think back on her, the thing that stands out the most is how unbelievably awful she was at the end of the movie when George went to see her when he was still in his “Clarence trance.”

Just to know that Ma Bailey has that cruel side to her, however deep down it may be, makes me think poorly of her, and thus excludes her from the countdown.

Plus, Ma Bailey went and did the most “Ma” thing of all time and called Mary’s house to tell her that George was going to stop by. That is pretty messed up, Ma Bailey.

Mary’s Mom

 

The absolute worst character in the movie. ZERO redeeming qualities. She would hate me, and I would hate her.

ZuZu’s Teacher

It was nice that she gave ZuZu a flower and all, but George is right, what kind of teacher would let her students walk home in the cold with their coats unbuttoned? That is pretty messed up, Mrs. Welch. Also, your husband needs to take a chill pill. Talk about anger issues.

 

To the countdown….

15. Sam Wainwright

 

While Sam Wainwright is far and away the most annoying character in the film, he makes up for his non-stop “Hee-Haw” and cockiness at the end by wiring George Bailey $25,000, which itself more than triples the $8,000 George needed. It does, however, go to show that Sam is such a show-boater that he needs to send that much money. Just so everyone knows how successful he is.

Bottom line: I would accept Sam Wainwright’s Facebook friend request, but I would block his annoying photos of him “Hee-Haw-ing” his friends, and his posts about his vacations and new cars, and only send him a private message should I ever find myself in a pickle.

 

14. Uncle Billy

 

Sure Uncle Billy would be a blast to hang out with at the bar, but his uncanny ability to be so forgetful is unbelievably annoying. Uncle Billy is the main reason why everything started to unravel so quickly for George. He got distracted while making an $8,000 deposit and accidentally handed the money to his nemesis, Mr. Potter.

$8,000 back then is probably close to $100,000 today, and anyone that can be THAT irresponsible, is not anyone that I would need to be friends with. I don’t need any extra help with being an irresponsible adult, especially not from 60 year old Uncle Billy.

Bottom line: I would do a few shots with Uncle Billy when I saw him out at a bar, or at family functions, but steer clear of him otherwise. And I certainly would not trust him with running errands for me.

13. Martini

 

Martini owns what is seemingly the only bar in town, Martini’s, so clearly he is someone that you would want to be in cahoots with. Right before George decided to attempt suicide, old man Martini even goes as far as to say that George is his best friend, and kicks Mr. Welch, (ZuZu’s teacher’s husband) out for hitting George. No questions asked.

Friends don’t care why someone punches you in the face. Even if you yell at their wives and threaten them over the phone, you’re still in the right. Martini is a good friend through and through.

Bottom line: Not only would I be Facebook friends with Martini, but I would be one of his most loyal customers and without question be invited to his customer appreciation Christmas party at Martinis.

 

12. Annie

 

Annie, the long time maid of the Bailey family, is funny, sarcastic, and completely lovable. And her reason why she has money to spare and help out George is by far the best. “I’ve been savin’ this money for a divorce, if I ever got a husband” exclaims Annie as she throws down some cash onto the table. Classic, Annie.

Annie, however, does not understand why people drink as she told Pa Bailey and George, “Boys and girls and music. Why do they need gin?” Major strike. Mind your business, Annie.

Bottom line: Not only would I enjoy being Facebook friends with Annie for her humorous posts, but I think she would be a great follow on Twitter. I bet she could live tweet the shit out of The Bachelor.

 

11. Violet

Violet has been boy-hungry her entire life. Little Mary calls out little Violet for “liking every boy,” to which Violet responds, “what’s wrong with that?” Fast forward about 15 years, and Violet is still prancing the streets looking for her next piece of meat.

While Violet would be a ton of fun to hang out with, she seems to be a bit of a user and would not bring much in the way of a friendship. Sure, she comes to the Bailey house at the end and gives George his money back, but let’s be real here: she very likely just came back to try and scoop up Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Harry.

Bottom line: I would definitely follow Violet on Instagram, if for no other reason than to judge her, and feel better about myself for having my shit more together than she does.

10. Harry

Let’s face it, Harry Bailey is pretty damn near perfect. He got college educated, met a beautiful girl while there and married her. He got offered a solid job as a researcher, and then went on to save the lives of hundreds of soldiers and won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Plus, he can give one hell of a speech that could make even Old Man Potter tear up. All that and he has the looks of a movie star.

With all that being said, who the hell wants to be friends with someone so perfect? Anyone that is friends with him must have to constantly remind him how much better they are at sledding and swimming in ice water than he is, just to make themselves feel superior in at least two things.

Bottom line: We would be Facebook friends, but I would be overcome with jealousy over how perfect his life is every time he posted anything. Therefore, I would end up resenting him.

9. Mr. Gower

Mr. Gower was awfully mean to young George Bailey one day. But, once you learn Mr. Gower was in such a bad mood because his son just died of influenza, you cut the guy some slack.

To show his gratitude to George for all his years of service, Mr. Gower buys George the biggest suitcase in town for the adventures that he never ends up taking. Mr. Gower may be grouchy sometimes, but he is quite funny when he is pissed (with the exception of the whole child abuse thing, of course.)

The following is footage of Mr Bower being pissed at young George. But it could also double as footage of me yelling at a student if they come into my classroom on a Monday morning whistling a happy

tune.

Bottom line: I doubt Mr. Gower would participate in any sort of social media, but he could get me some good pain killers when I needed them, and therefore, I would visit his shop for an ice cream and small talk everyday like clockwork.

 

 

For Part 2 Click Here.