It's A Wonderful Life

Sure, you’ve probably caught director Frank Capra’s Christmas classic on the boob tube, first as a battered public domain print in the 1970s and 1980s when it fell out of copyright, then as an annual holiday telecast on NBC for the last two decades after the copyright issue was resolved. Yet savoring It’s a Wonderful Life on the big screen in a 35mm print naturally maximizes the emotional and comedic elements, and if you’ve never ever seen it, then we envy any novice who has yet to embrace the intricate plot threads that include Zusu’s petals, the deaf ear, the “Buffalo Gals” theme song, the swimming pool and Sheldon Leonard as a mean barkeep bashing his cash register and braying “Look at me, I’m givin’ out wings!” So witness the heavenly intervention of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart, pictured with Donna Reed) at Rome’s Capitol Theatre, 220 W. Dominick St., on Friday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 18, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $1.50 for children. For information, call 337-6453.