I was actually in my 20s. I don't remember it becoming one of the classics until sometime in the '80s. Possibly because most people didn't have a lot of selection in viewing older movies until the rise of video rental.

I think there was also something that chanced with the copyright then, so that it could be played a million times on TV all through December.

I watch it every year, unless it's a year when I'm in a brutal depression downswing -- George's utter ragged raw desperation in the last couple of scenes before he goes to the bridge is too much to take if I'm already heading down myself. That moment when he yanks the finial off as he's bolting up the stairs and turns around to fit it back in place, and you can see him shaking with the effort to stop himself from just smashing it all to shit? I know that moment, so well. When I'm level or on an upswing I love the whole film with my whole heart, but the dark bleak moments are so true that sometimes they overwhelm the rest of it.

But oh, the good parts are so deeply good!

And oh how I wish we could all march into Ginger's living room in person and pour our cash into a big fruitbasket and give her a vintage book and sing to her.

JZ, you sound like Phoebe on Friends - except it was so bleak she turned it off so it never redeemed itself. So, uh, goodonya for soldiering through to GB's happier times (in your happier times).

And oh how I wish we could all march into Ginger's living room in person and pour our cash into a big fruitbasket and give her a vintage book and sing to her.

This is such a fun word picture, in my head we are totally doing this (plus taking care of her dishes & dusting & suchlike, of course).

And before I forget, Happy Birthday, Polter-Cow! Hope you're having a fabulously bovine, spectrally awesome sort of a day!

I am having a hard time dealing with my upcoming party and turning 40. That was entirely unexpected and I'm kind of pissed at myself about it. I'm also feeling anxious, recalcitrant and bleh.

I understand the nervousness now that the event is here. I'm delighted to have the reason to celebrate! We just left a few minutes ago. 12 hour drive! We'll spend the night in N Florida. So I thank you for having a birthday extravaganza to get us out of town.

ETA how cool to post at 4:44:44

And oh how I wish we could all march into Ginger's living room in person and pour our cash into a big fruitbasket and give her a vintage book and sing to her.

My favorite line from the movie is from Annie (Ma Bailey's maid/helper): I been savin' this money for dee-vorce, if ever I got a husband!"

That's the line that breaks up the crying before I go back to openly weeping.

Sending you much prayers and ~ma, Ginger. I hope hope hope that radiation does the trick. And please, feel free to talk about anything here.

Ginger - What everyone has said: we are here to be your safe port, wailing wall, and shoulder to bitch upon. You talk about what you need to talk about. We love you and need to know how you are.

Much love and ~ma to you, Ginger. And, what everyone else said about being more than willing to listen.

Also, I wish I could give to this cause. I talked about pits a while back. Unfortunately really deep in a pit myself,one I don't think the Buffistas can do anything about. Normally I would not mention it, but this particular case is one I feel really bad about being unable to donate to.