The movie It’s a Wonderful Life was based on a short story called The Greatest Gift, which starts with these sentences:
The little town straggling up the hill was bright with colored Christmas lights. But George Pratt did not see them.
This is the George Pratt I know. My dad. Mom is gone.
Heh, heh, heh … Dad and I both have something in common; shall we say, A BIG EVENT in our lives tied to FRIENDS OR RELATIVES of famous people! In my case, Arnie and Jay Kogen, father and son Emmy-winning comedy producer/writers in Gollywood. Arnie has done everything from “Mad Magazine” to “The Carol Burnett Show.” Jay invented the “Crusty the Clown” character on “The Simpsons” and has left his stamp on “Frasier,” and “Everybody Loves Raymond,” to name a few.
I’m thinking of assembling some Alfalfa video clips, and inviting Dad to make whatever comments he wishes on what he knows of the late Carl Switzer.
One of my favorite moments in “It’s a Wonderful Life” is when George Baily (aka George PRATT) steals Mary away from her “date,” at brother Harry’s graduation party. Mary Hatch’s date is played by none other than Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer. The man in the photo above and Carl were both born in Paris, IL… so … we meet AGAIN at Harry’s party!