DECEMBER 22 - 28, 2019 staradvertiser.com HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY Faced with fi nancial ruin, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) wishes he’d never been born in the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. An angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) grants his wish and shows him what life would be like in Bedford Falls without him. Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore also star. Airing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, on NBC. Governors, First Ladies and a Place of memories. HOLIDAY SPECIAL TODAY, DECEMBER 22 3:00 PM | CHANNEL 53 Celebrate the holidays with four Hawai¶i Governors and their First Ladies as they share their favorite memories of historic olelo.org Washington Place. Hosted by Lyla Berg. ON THE COVER | IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE A holiday classic with class Jimmy Stewart stars in ‘It’s a daughter Zuzu, is one of the film’s few remain- Filming a holiday movie in the California heat ing living cast members. She’s famous for the presented a unique challenge. RKO special Wonderful Life’ memorable line: “Look daddy. Teacher says ev- effects head Russell Shearman (“Portrait of ery time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” In Jennie,” 1948) won an Oscar for developing By Kyla Brewer a 2016 Vanity Fair article commemorating the a new compound consisting of water, soap TV Media film’s 70th anniversary, she shared her take on flakes, foamite and sugar to create fake snow Capra’s classic. for the film. he holiday favorite that never fails to “Capra was trying to make people realize that When the film was released in December warm viewers’ hearts is back just in time life was worth living, and that you can make a 1946, it garnered mixed reviews and failed Tfor Christmas Eve. difference,” she said. “We lose sight of that to break even at the box office. It was nomi- Oscar winner Jimmy Stewart (“Mr. Smith every once in a while. That’s why I think people nated for six Academy Awards, including Best Goes to Washington,” 1939) stars as George love to watch it.” Picture, but only won for Shearman’s special Bailey, a good man facing financial ruin in “It’s Maybe that’s the secret to the film’s enduring effects. While it may not have been a complete a Wonderful Life,” airing Tuesday, Dec. 24, on success. Released a year after the end of World bomb, as some suggest, it did lose the studio NBC. Directed by Frank Capra (“You Can’t Take War II, Capra’s epic holiday film offered audi- about a half a million dollars. It With You,” 1938), the film was released in ences a sincere, heartwarming message, but However, all was not lost for the film. In 1974, 1946 and has since become a Yuletide classic. “It’s a Wonderful Life” was no box-office cash- the rights to “It’s a Wonderful Life” were not George has given up many of his own dreams grab. In fact, many people are surprised to learn renewed due to a clerical error, and since it to help the people in his hometown of that the movie was considered a financial was now free to do so, hundreds of TV stations Bedford Falls, but when his uncle mis- flop at the time of its release. The tale aired the movie repeatedly throughout the places $8,000 from the family build- behind the production is almost as 1980s, and millions of viewers became enam- ing and loan business, the situation interesting as the movie itself. ored with the holiday tale. Although rights have looks bleak. As a distraught George As the story goes, the movie was since been reclaimed, it continues to delight contemplates suicide and wishes he was based on the short story “The fans each Christmas, and is now widely consid- never born, God sends a bumbling guardian Greatest Gift,” by author Philip ered to be one of the greatest films ever made. angel-in-training named Clarence (Henry Van Doren Stern. Capra bought Stewart’s critically acclaimed performance Travers, “Mrs. Miniver,” 1942) to help him the rights for $10,000, and it as Bailey undoubtedly has a lot to do with through. Clarence — who hopes the as- was the director’s first fea- the success of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and signment will finally earn him his wings ture since making propagan- Hollywood legend Lionel Barrymore (“Key — shows George what Bedford Falls da films during the war. It was Largo,” 1948) is fantastic as the movie’s would be like without him, and they also Stewart’s first since antagonist, the mean, rich, old Mr. Potter. visit the many people whose lives he returning from his wartime Barrymore had worked with Capra before, as has touched throughout the years, service in the United States had H.B. Warner (“The King of Kings,” 1927), including his wife, Mary (Donna Reed, Air Force Reserve. who played druggist Mr. Gower. Fans of Capra’s “From Here to Eternity,” 1953). work may also recognize another familiar face, Karolyn Grimes (“The Bishop’s Wife,” Jimmy Stewart in a scene or beak, as it were. The raven in the building and from “It’s a Wonderful Life” 1947), who played George and Mary’s loan scenes was Jimmy the Raven. 2 STAR CHANNELS December 22 - 28, 2019 BEST BETS Sunday Tuesday Thursday Mr. Robot Bob’s Burgers Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many USA 9 p.m. TOON 7 p.m. Colors Four seasons of drama come to an end in this You can’t go wrong with constant Christmas- KHNL 8 p.m. two-part series finale starring Oscar-winner themed laughs on the eve of the day, so tune In 1955, the close-knit Parton family Rami Malek. This season has been rife with in for seven back-to-back holiday specials. struggles to overcome tragedy in this holi- forced therapy, kidnappings and the “Dark Starting with Bob’s mysterious storage unit, day film. A story about the early life of Dolly Army.” Find out how it ends for Darlene (Carly and ending with the hilarious two-part Parton, the movie stars Alyvia Alyn Lind as a Chaikin) and Whiterose (BD Wong). Christmas caper from Season 7. young Dolly, Jennifer Nettles as her mother Monday Wednesday and Ricky Schroder as her father. His Dark Materials How the Grinch Stole Friday HBO 7 p.m. Christmas The first season of this visually Puppy Bowl KHNL 7:30 p.m. ANPL 6 p.m. breathtaking new series comes Jim Carrey brings one of Dr. The 15th “Puppy Bowl” will air on Superbowl to an end in this season fi- Seuss’ most famous characters Sunday, but tonight you get a sneak peek nale. An orphan girl (Dafne to life in Ron Howard’s adap- at some of the 93 adoptable puppies from Keen) uncovers a danger- tation of the holiday tale. The over 50 shelters in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, ous secret, which sets in actor stars as a cantanker- and the U.S. Don’t miss this incredibly ador- motion an epic adventure ous green creature who’s in- able “pre-game” show. for her and her animal com- tent on ruining Christmas for panion, Pantalaimon. the residents of Whoville. Saturday Tuesday Ferris Bueller’s Day Off AMC 10 a.m. KHON 7 p.m. Intent on cutting school one last time A Christmas Story Live! before graduation wise guy Ferris Bueller Andy Walken stars as Ralphie, a 9-year-old who desperately wants to find a Red Ryder (Matthew Broderick) fakes sick. After he Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle under the tree on Christmas morning in picks up his best bud and his girlfriend, he “A Christmas Story Live,” rebroadcast on Tuesday, Dec. 24, on Fox. This musical adap- “borrows” a Ferrari and embarks on a thrilling tation of the classic tale also stars Matthew Broderick, Maya Rudolph and Ken Jeong. adventure through the streets of Chicago. PPagodaagoda IIslandsland BBuffetsuffets Receive a Complimentary BBreakfastreakfast LLunchunch DDinnerinner WWeekendeekend DDinnerinner SSundayunday BBrunchrunch SNOW CRAB LEG & 7:00 - 10:30AM Mon. - Fri. (60+ Yr) $ $ $ $ PRIME RIB PUPU PLATTER $11.95 Seniors 119.959.95 221.951.95 445.955.95 443.953.95 (a $30 value!) (60+ Yr) (60+ Yr) (60+ Yr) (60+ Yr) BREAKFAST $17.00 Seniors $19.00 Seniors $36.00 Seniors $34.00 Seniors with the purchase of a (2 -$50 or 1 -$100). $ $7.95 Keiki (5-10 Yr) $8.95 Keiki (5-10 Yr) $17.95 Keiki (5-10 Yr) $15.95 Keiki (5-10Yr) Pagoda $100 Gift Card 6.99 SPECIALS 10:30AM - 2:00PM 5:00 - 9:00PM 5:00 - 9:30PM 10:00AM - 2:00PM Gift Card to be used on next visit. Platters available in restaurant only. Lunch (Mon.-Sat.), 7:00 - 8:30AM Daily Mon. - Sat. Mon. - Thu. Fri. - Sun. Dinner (Mon. - Thurs.). Other restrictions may apply. Expires 12/31/19. 948-8354 BEST BUFFETS/ COMPLIMENTARY SNOW CRAB LEG & PRIME RIB PUPUS 1525 Rycroft Street www.pagodahawaii.com December 22 - 28, 2019 STAR CHANNELS 3 ON DEMAND ‘Space’ race The Robinsons are back for Season 2 of ‘Lost in Space’ WHAT’S NEW ON as father and former Navy SEAL John and Pamela Adlon (“Californication”) described mother and engineer Maureen, respectively. as a “Molotov cocktail,” this FX dramedy NETFLIX The parents are joined by their three children: has pulled through and is back for a third Judy (Taylor Russell, “Escape Room,” 2019), season, which is available to stream start- “Lost in Space” Season 2 Penny (Mina Sundwall, “Freeheld,” 2015) ing Saturday, Dec.