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AgoraiosBum t1_iy9dzzb wrote

We serve hard drinks here for men who want to get drunk fast, and we don't need any characters around giving the place atmosphere

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ClassicExit t1_iy9a3tm wrote

So "It's a Wonderful Life" gave us Sheldon & Leonard and Bert & Ernie

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KidNeuro t1_iybkc7y wrote

Alas, this website refutes what I, too, always thought about the origin of Bert and Ernie https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Are_Bert_and_Ernie_named_after_characters_from_It%27s_a_Wonderful_Life%3F

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piddydb t1_iydj8qp wrote

Ah, I’ve always questioned that retort. I think technically, if they did it without permission AND admitted it was a direct inspiration, the producers of It’s a Wonderful Life could sue Sesame Street for it. By publicly saying “no, there’s no inspiration there, just a funny coincidence”, they covered their butts from legal liability. The idea that there’s two independent set of characters in broad American media named Bert and Ernie that interact with each other when those nicknames are pretty uncommon seems highly unlikely to me.

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ExiledToTerminus t1_iy9cs0k wrote

"Get me! I'm giving out wings!"

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zed857 t1_iy9fjf4 wrote

I think he was one of the few characters that was actually doing better in the world where Jimmy Stewart hadn't been born.

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iamjack t1_iy9pa3m wrote

Maybe financially, but he was a more callous person and his bar was more seedy gin joint than neighborhood pub.

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ultrapoo t1_iy9sncg wrote

Selling alcohol is easier when people are miserable

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David_Umstattd t1_iya4q3p wrote

Financially speaking in a world of depression and depravity a bar tender would be doing better than in one of wholesomeness and quiet.

Though notice while Nick is better off financially he is absolutely not happier in the alternate dimension.

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RadomirPutnik t1_iya6sa7 wrote

Proud owner of a thriving bar, versus stuck working for some garlic-eater who gives away half the bar at the drop of a hat and can't stop refusing customers. What's more, he knew it from a vision he had as a a child. That's why he cut a hole in the icy pond and switched Mr. Gower's pills. Anything to screw up the timeline. He was also tapping Violet Bick.

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David_Umstattd t1_iya4r5q wrote

Financially speaking in a world of depression and depravity a bar tender would be doing better than in one of wholesomeness and quiet.

Though notice while Nick is better off financially he is absolutely not happier in the alternate dimension.

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AgoraiosBum t1_iye3rr8 wrote

Potterville slaps and looks like a great place to visit for a good time

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David_Umstattd t1_iya4f38 wrote

One of the more important performances in the film.

Nick is the first character who we see a personality change in the alternate dimension. Plus Nick, (unlike most of the townsfolk) is only in one scene before the dimensional shift, so the actor has one scene to establish his character and become likable, so that when the dimensional shift happens we notice the change and are revulsed by it.

Really a good performance.

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Choppergold t1_iy9vvbf wrote

One of the funniest moments in that movie is when Clarence has to decide what drink to order and Nick watches

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SweatyTax4669 t1_iy9t8ay wrote

Love Sheldon Leonard. One of the great hollywood heavies.

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vadermaybelater t1_iy9qow7 wrote

I wonder if his influence helped Ron Howard (Opie/ Richard Cunningham) follow in his footsteps some.

I know Rons dad was very kind to him when it came to Hollywood and even Andy who could be mean still supported his work.

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Aoshie t1_iyagl0r wrote

Andy could be mean??? Heresy

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vadermaybelater t1_iyanjfq wrote

Andy Griffith could be extremely mean, its why he wore a cast in the first season cause he broke his hand hitting a wall. Some things I agree with him on, like not letting Mt. Airy claim to be the real Mayberry. Other parts like talking down to returning Vets, I cant follow.

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rbhindepmo t1_iyc84ei wrote

Ron Howard released a book co-authored with his brother last year (“The Boys”) which is a really good book but I don’t remember if he mentioned Sheldon in that regard.

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brock_lee t1_iy9aa6v wrote

I often remember his line "We serve hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast..." Back when no one made any bones about what a bar is for. None of this "we don't serve you if you appear intoxicated" crap. People GO there to get drunk.

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critch t1_iyb3pm3 wrote

...You understand why bars don't want to serve people if they're intoxicated in 2022 versus the 30's, right? Liability? Drunk people driving?

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Halvus_I t1_iyerlmn wrote

I walk to my local pub...So do most of its patrons.

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[deleted] t1_iy9d8sg wrote

[deleted]

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brock_lee t1_iy9dxtl wrote

No, no one says you must drive after drinking. Everyone knows not to do it. Grow up.

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BearOnDrums t1_iy9erty wrote

That's why no one ever drives drunk right?

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brock_lee t1_iy9g1ry wrote

I can't control what anyone does. Like why you feel the need to argue, for instance.

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Badass_Bunny t1_iy9g3kl wrote

What is your opinion on gun laws?

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brock_lee t1_iy9gary wrote

Start a new post, I'll be happy to have that discussion.

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Halvus_I t1_iyertc1 wrote

Simple. Has the second amendment been repealed? No? Then there is nothing to say. Your opinion on it doesnt matter.

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built_internet_tough t1_iy9msy0 wrote

The main character had severe ptsd from ww2 and apparently influenced his character acting very heavily. A lot of the scenes the emotion is very real

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billyjack669 t1_iy9r3d8 wrote

Are you talking about Jimmy Stewart?

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coldfarm t1_iybhhb4 wrote

The famous scene where he is essentially having a nervous breakdown was not acting. Some of his angry outbursts were also a lot more intense than anticipated (when he yells at the kids, for example). Watch the other actors’ faces in some of those scenes and you can tell they're picking up on it.

Tangential bit of trivia; the actor who played Mr. Gower was really drunk and hit young George so hard he really made his ear bleed.

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Inlerah t1_iycso9m wrote

You would never guess from its reputation as a feel good Christmas movie that it has one of the most uncomfortable to watch breakdowns I've ever seen on film: as someone who deals with anxiety I've had that panic attack.

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993targa t1_iy9apxm wrote

I think I heard a bell ringing when OP posted this…

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crumumbooty t1_iy9din3 wrote

At least he died before the show was created, what an embarrassment having your two names associated with that show would be.

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Double_Distribution8 t1_iybkxer wrote

See now THIS is a quality TIL.

There are at least 3 levels of TIL here in this one post.

Can't wait to watch IAWL soon so I can see that guy tending bar around Christmas time, knowing he's the guy that produced the Dick Van Dyke show.

Or as Mary Tyler Moore called it, the Penis Van Lesbian show.

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TheStabbingHobo t1_iy9cowa wrote

Too bad Big Bang Theory is fucking terrible

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ElfMage83 t1_iyain1c wrote

TIL that Sheldon Leonard played Nick in It's A Wonderful Life.

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hxgmmgxh t1_iybx5cd wrote

Loved him in Guys & Dolls as well. Great post-Thanksgiving watch with my 80 yr old dad.

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David_Umstattd t1_iya4e21 wrote

One of the more important performances in the film.

Nick is the first character who we see a personality change in the alternate dimension. Plus Nick, (unlike most of the townsfolk) is only in one scene before the dimensional shift, so the actor has one scene to establish his character and become likable, so that when the dimensional shift happens we notice the change and are revulsed by it.

Really a good performance.

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Lamb_clothing_94 t1_iya5itl wrote

What’s the actual job of a producer, that’s different from a writer or director?

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RadomirPutnik t1_iya74kk wrote

He hires those other people. It's basically "CEO of the movie". They get funding and decide to start the process of making a film.

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kahmos t1_iybqx1h wrote

I actually spent a wonderful evening with James Sheldon, nice man, loved classical music.

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Tankeverket t1_iyc8xc4 wrote

Imagine being one of the most successful TV producers in history but then have your tribute be in the big bang theory

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dokuromark t1_iydmig0 wrote

Love Sheldon Leonard as the racetrack tout on the Jack Benny program. I didn't start listening to Benny until I was like 30 or so, and when Leonard showed up, I realised he was the inspiration for one of my favourite characters on Sesame Street. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c8iU8pHZrQ

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Neb_Djed t1_iycnitz wrote

Not much of a tribute

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Dungus973598 t1_iyb9bci wrote

What a horrible tribute, big bang theory is absolute garbage

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PopeHonkersVII t1_iy9kp2i wrote

Two characters on a terrible TV show were named after him? What an honor....

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billyjack669 t1_iy9qx3a wrote

Bro. Sesame Street is not a terrible TV show..

Oh, you meant Big Bang Theory? My apologies.

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adamcoe t1_iyavssy wrote

Wow I wonder how his family feels, having two of the least funny characters on one of the least funny TV shows in the history of the medium named after their relative. I mean why not just name a fleet of garbage trucks after the guy

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bowedacious22 t1_iyajh8e wrote

Jesus Christ. What a terrible way to pay tribute. I'm sure he'd rather be forgotten than mentioned in the same breath as bbt

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joculator t1_iy9e3su wrote

Jewish guy playing an Italian, I'm highly offended! Might just cry: https://allthatsinteresting.com/iron-eyes-cody

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latchkey_adult OP t1_iy9et2p wrote

How is he playing an Italian? That's his real, heavy duty New York accent.

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joculator t1_iy9f8qn wrote

His character was Martini. I'm joking, btw.

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latchkey_adult OP t1_iy9fcyk wrote

I think martini was the owner. I thought your joke was stupid.

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joculator t1_iy9m9hh wrote

It's hilarious that an Italian guy played an Indian upset about pollution and everyone bought it. It's beyond funny.

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latchkey_adult OP t1_iy9ucrl wrote

It was an anti-littering PSA, not a documentary, and played by a guy that was familiar to audiences at the time. Btw, Smokey the bear was also a fraud.

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