Thomas Mitchell News

Why has the film It's A Wonderful Life overtaken every other Christmas fable--including A Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown and the Grinch --as the story of the season? As a tale of redemption, it is no better than so-so; the revelation that George Bailey's world was better off with him in it has none of the social message or the moral urgency of ...

It's an article of faith that 1939 was the pinnacle of American movies and it has all been downhill ever since.

This island community will not likely hold Thomas Mitchell once he finishes his education.

Nineteen thirty-nine was the golden year of Hollywood as many box office hits and classics were made.

It was politically incorrect, racially retrograde, offensive to so many. It had five directors, more than 15 writers and an unwieldy budget.

Perhaps it was kismet. In 1939 the stars aligned in the heavens -- and Hollywood -- to create what many consider to be the greatest single year in cinema history.