Star Pick with William Ragsdale

It is hard to fathom that Frank Capra’s classic feature It’s a Wonderful Life turns 70 this year (on December 20th to be exact). A movie of vital importance to millions of people the world over, it has not only become a Christmas staple, but also a yuletide tradition for many a family, though this was not always the case. Getting off to a more than sluggish start (losing major money at the box office), it was not originally a hit (or believed by most critics that it would ever leave an impactful mark on the spools of film history). In a miracle befitting of the fantasy drama, the tides for the downtrodden film turned around in the 1970s (thanks to a fortunate copyright lapse), finding a more than accepting audience on the television screen. Taking off, it has gained the traction director Capra once had hoped for, for his story – though he never truly expected it to get a second chance. He actually said (to The Wall Street Journal in 1984): "It’s the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen. . .The film has a life of its own now and I can look at it like I had nothing to do with it. I’m like a parent whose kid grows up to be President. I’m proud. . . but it’s the kid who did the work. I didn’t even think of it as a Christmas story when I first ran across it. I just liked the idea."

A little while ago, I was fortunate enough to be able to interview The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, the 19th Prime Minister of Canada (and to date, the only female to land the top job), about her favourite film. Transporting me to ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, she illuminated me as to her Christmas program watching traditions. She explained that, each time December comes around, she makes time to gather round the television with her entire family and watch, back to back, The Muppet Christmas Carol starring Michael Caine, followed by the classic 1951 version of A Christmas Carol, with Alastair Sim taking on the legendary role of Ebenezer Scrooge. She lit up talking about her family custom, clearly cherishing the memories made by gathering the family to watch these two festive films. As I am only able to review one film as part of the Star Picks section, I will be looking at the 1951 incarnation of the Charles Dickens’ tale. Make sure to track down the Muppet version as well to get the full Prime Ministerial experience. Arguably the most iconic version of the miser, Alastair Sim has been etched in the collective psyche as the perfect Scrooge. With his receding hairline, bulbous eyes and curmudgeonly attitude, it is easy to buy him as a true hater of all things Christmas.

Following the special screening of the Canadian independent film Generation Wolf at the historic Port Theatre in Cornwall, Ontario, I sat down with filmmaker Christian de la Cortina – who co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in the entertaining crime flick. Cortina, who works out of Quebec, has had a fruitful start to his career, dabbling in many French language television series and miniseries, including La Marraine, 19-2, Mon Ex à Moi and O’, as well as procuring roles in American productions being filmed in La Belle Province, including last year’s highly touted Academy Award nominee Brooklyn. 2008 was a watershed year for the man, as he released his first feature film – Transit, which he also produced, directed, wrote and starred in. Seeing it as an opportunity to concoct intriguing roles for himself and others (as he did not want to be placed in a position where he may only receive similar roles throughout his career – in other words, typecast), Generation Wolf can be seen as a successful extension of that plan – as it depicts an engaging story that is chock full of richly drawn characters.

Cornwall’s second most famous actor, Tyler Murree, is proud to hold that title, following behind some guy by the name of Ryan Gosling. Recently, he spoke of his childhood dream that one day he would be able to watch one of his films on the big screen at the historic Port Theatre in his hometown of Cornwall, Ontario. An actor of the stage and small screen, Murree has had a solid career in the two realms. The man has graced the stage as part of both large Toronto productions and glorious Broadway ensembles. He took on roles in Les Misérables; The Lord of the Rings: The Musical; Dirty Dancing; The Lion King, and other such productions. Placing him in front of hundreds of thousands of people across North America, the performer has created unique characters in the truest form of acting. Similarly, Murree has dabbled in the world of television. He has had parts on quality BBC productions in Orphan Black and Copper, while also popping in on Canadian productions such as Murdoch Mysteries and Kim’s Convenience, as well as taking on roles in several Nickelodeon series, including Make It Pop and The Other Kingdom, to name but two.

This past Saturday, a wonderful event was held in Cornwall, when television personality Steve Paikin spoke to a packed audience along with author Art Milnes about their respective books, politics in North America and a number of historical topics – all to raise money for the Children’s Treatment Centre. It was both an entertaining and enriching experience that left the crowd wanting more. Paikin is perhaps best known for being the knowledgeable and euphonious host of TVO’s current affairs program The Agenda, in which he entertains experts, covering a whole range of subjects from politics to social issues. Also a well respected author, he just released his seventh book entitled, Bill Davis: Nation Builder, and Not So Bland After All – it takes an in depth look at the long serving Ontario Premier.

What is there to say about a movie like The Wizard of Oz? If I had to compile a list of films that have been seen by the most people worldwide, the Victor Fleming directed musical adventure fantasy would likely land somewhere near the top of my list. I recently chatted with acclaimed comedian Kevin Downey Jr., who has carved out an ever growing niche in the difficult world of stand-up. The funny man, who caught his big break on season eight of the hit television show America’s Got Talent (making it all the way to the quarterfinals and being championed by all of the judges, but especially Howard Stern and Howie Mandel), has never looked back, launching himself to the "A" circuit, playing large clubs across North America, while being a frequenter on the highly entertaining morning radio program "The Bob and Tom Show", as well as also making appearances on Comedy Central, What Not to Wear and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.