Welcoming new homeowners with bread, salt, and wine, just before Mary’s Big News. Image: IMDb
On the face of it, the 1946 holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life doesn’t seem like a Food Movie.
The film is, on the whole, an examination of a man’s thwarted attempts to leave his hometown and Be Somebody, as well as his slide into a suicidal depression.
We watch this film every year, and we just noticed Something: The use of food in the film. It seems to us that scenes with food are signposts; they signal a change in the direction of the story.
Perhaps we’re reading too much into it. But consider the following:
Young George Bailey makes a sundae before learning a hard truth about Life. Image: TwitterCollege-age George dines with dad before an ill-timed heart attack. Image: IMDbWinner, Winner, Chicken Dinner to kickstart a marriage. Image: IMDb
Mary prepares dinner during George’s manic rage. Image: Hooked on Houses
Perhaps we’ve made the movie sound like a bit of a Downer, which it is, in places, but it also celebrates love, family, and friendship. It asks, How do you find your way when the world has forgotten you?
For us, It’s a Wonderful Life is a comfort movie, much like a cup of hot cocoa or a bowl of homemade Mac ‘n’ Cheese. Really, there ought to be a cookbook dedicated to this film.
Some of the recipes are an homage to scenes in the film (e.g. Mulled Wine, pg. 107), while others are inspired by popular dishes from the 1930s and 1940s (e.g. Welsh Rarebit with Roasted Tomato, pg. 49).
Naturally, the first recipe we tried was the hot cocoa (pg. 108 – don’t forget the marshmallows), because it pairs nicely with recipe-perusing.
Just look at the fabulous vintage-style photography. (Click on image to open gallery.)
You need this book. Not only does it have a surprisingly eclectic collection of recipes, it also includes holiday crafts and a dinner guide entitled – what else? – “How to Throw the Perfect Vintage Christmas Dinner”.
This is no cheesy, halfhearted tribute to a beloved classic. The recipes are thoughtfully chosen and researched, and they almost make you feel like you’re a part of the gang in good ol’ Bedford Falls.
Treat yourself to The Official Bailey Family Cookbook, and have a wonderful holiday season with loved ones and, of course, good food.
Notes
Disclosure: Insight Editions sent us a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Click HERE to purchase your copy of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Official Bailey Family Cookbook.
As someone from the Crystal Allen school of cooking (“If you throw a lambchop into a hot oven, what’s gonna keep it from gettin’ done?”) I believe I need this book. Thanks.
Huh. A cookbook? “Well, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised.” 😉 I love this movie and, even though I don’t cook large meals, I’ve got to check it out. I’m with you on the food. I watch it each year, too, and have noticed this. The type of food is brilliant, too. (Maybe I’m reading too much into it, too.)
Seems like I know what to ask to Santa this year! I also watch this movie very often but had never considered food to be so important in it, you are illuminating! Thank you, this book is gold! I’m sure there’s a muffin recipe somewhere in it 😉
Wow, I didn’t know there was a cookbook dedicated to this holiday classic movie and it sounds like a really nice one! I always learn interesting things reading your posts, thank you for sharing this Ruth!
This cookbook is done in a wonderful retro style that’s a nod to the magazines of the 1940s. I know this sounds strange, but it’s a book with a lot of joy.
Oh yeah, some fab recipes in this book. I’ll be using it (again) during the upcoming holiday season…and hopefully I won’t spill any more gravy on it (haha).
Silver Screenings 
As someone from the Crystal Allen school of cooking (“If you throw a lambchop into a hot oven, what’s gonna keep it from gettin’ done?”) I believe I need this book. Thanks.
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Haha! This cookbook is a real treat. The photos and recipes seem like they’re straight out of Bedford Falls.
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Hi Ruth. A cookbook based on a movie! Who’d have thunk it? Another movie with a lot of food in it is Babette’s Feast.
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Oh yes, I LOVE Babette’s Feast. Time to see it again.
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Huh. A cookbook? “Well, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised.” 😉 I love this movie and, even though I don’t cook large meals, I’ve got to check it out. I’m with you on the food. I watch it each year, too, and have noticed this. The type of food is brilliant, too. (Maybe I’m reading too much into it, too.)
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The cookbook is filled with delish comfort foods. (Not a book for Salad-Only people, but there is an interesting Wedge Salad recipe.)
And nah, neither one of us is reading too much into things. 😉
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Ruth, this looks like THE perfect holiday cookbook! I gotta ask, how was the hot cocoa? 😉 Angel food cake is genius too. Love it!
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The hot cocoa is really deelish. The recipe calls for vanilla, and now I can’t have it any other way.
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I’ve never actually seen the movie but the cookbook looks great!
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The cookbook is utterly fab. Vintage-style recipes and photos, plus some neat craft-y stuff like desiging your own wrapping paper.
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I never noticed the importance of food in It’s a Wonderful Life…but, after reading about it, I have a sudden craving for a snack!
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Me too! I think I gained 10 lbs just going through the cookbook.
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Seems like I know what to ask to Santa this year! I also watch this movie very often but had never considered food to be so important in it, you are illuminating! Thank you, this book is gold! I’m sure there’s a muffin recipe somewhere in it 😉
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Oh yes, there’s a fab Corn Muffin recipe, made with butter and buttermilk. Who needs to worry about calories, right?
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Wow, I didn’t know there was a cookbook dedicated to this holiday classic movie and it sounds like a really nice one! I always learn interesting things reading your posts, thank you for sharing this Ruth!
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This cookbook is done in a wonderful retro style that’s a nod to the magazines of the 1940s. I know this sounds strange, but it’s a book with a lot of joy.
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I so shouldn’t have read this before I went to sleep! This looks a great book.. seriously hungry now.
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Oh yeah, some fab recipes in this book. I’ll be using it (again) during the upcoming holiday season…and hopefully I won’t spill any more gravy on it (haha).
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It’s proof you are a domestic goddess no worries!
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