Titus Techera, Executive Director American Cinema Foundation and distinguished fellow at Hillsdale College, joined Blake Neff and Andrew Kolvet on the Charlie Kirk Show Monday to discuss his comparison of Charlie Kirk to George Bailey, the protagonist from the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“He has a sense of duty to win,” Techera said of Bailey, a character who, though depressed, ultimately realizes the value of his life and its positive effect those in his sphere. “He can’t abandon the family business or community, and he ends up making his life there in Bedford Falls.”
The film’s theme of “small town over big city” was also emphasized in the comparison to Kirk. “It’s a Wonderful Life” depicts the “challenge of modern America as [director Frank] Capra sees it,” Techera noted.
If this challenged must be faced, men like Kirk and Bailey are needed to face it, Techera also said.
The film’s question of “what if George Bailey existed?” was translated to that of Charlie Kirk, with both leaving a massive impact on their respective communities. A worse alternative would’ve come about had neither existed.
A woman sent an email to the show saying that Charlie Kirk was similar to James Stewart, the actor who portrayed George Bailey who, aside from being “tall and humble,” was a churchgoer at Hollywood Presbyterian, Kolvet noted.
Continuing with the theme of impact, Neff and Kolvet mentioned the “ripple effect” left by Kirk, who, during his life, and in the aftermath of his passing, has inspired Americans to have children, get politically involved, and go to church.
