How They Wrecked A Holiday Classic: ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

It is happening more and more. But you have to know how they wrecked the classic Christmas movie, "It's A Wonderful Life"! The Mike & Carla Morning Show is back to kick off the New Year of 2025, and they found out through a phone call this morning.

Kathleen, who is a regular caller into the show, let Mike O'Brian & Carla Rea know that she unwittingly watched the "abridged" version of the holiday classic. As she watched, she noticed that certain parts of the movie were omitted!

These were important parts of the entire plot of the movie. And as Carla said, you can't just take these parts out, "...there is a lesson to be learned here!"

Even Fox News covered this story to expose what had been done. Fans of the classic were outraged by what was thought to be done by Amazon.

How do you do this and then sleep at night? It was quite amazing to everyone that they did this to such an iconic movie!

Is it the first time this has been done? Come to find out it's NOT! Listeners were calling in with the titles of movies that had also gotten the "abridged" label. Clearly done to get more advertising dollars out of showing it.

Some say this process has been done to the "DIE HARD," franchise featuring Bruce Willis. Now is it an abridged version or just edited for television? That would be our next question.

One listener mentioned that if you see the movie "BLAZING SADDLES" on regular television, it's only like 15 minutes long! That is because of the editing they need to do for TV.

But getting back to the point of all this...why would you do it to an iconic Christmas classic? Truly it's a reflection of the times we're living in right? And who is the person that decides what gets edited out?

Sorry to say this is a total shame, and we profusely ask you to watch the original version!

When it comes to St. Nick, I've been a fan ever since I was a kid. He's a holiday superhero! That's why I love watching a good Santa movie at Christmas time. Santa movies have given us everything from heartwarming tales and even raunchy comedies. Some of these movies hit just right and become holiday classics, while others, wouldn't even make it on the Hallmark channel. So let's stick to the good stuff here. The ones that make you laugh, and hit you right in the feels.

First up, there’s just something hilarious about watching a regular guy get roped into being Santa and having absolutely no idea what he’s doing. Add in some elves and reindeer who are way too serious about their jobs, and boom, instant holiday movie gold. If you’ve ever wanted to see your dad bumble around trying to do something he’s not prepared for, there’s a movie for that, and it’s The Santa Clause.

Then, you’ve got the Christmas magic of Buddy the Elf. He’s not Santa himself, but he’s basically the spirit of Christmas in oversized tights. You can't talk about Santa without mentioning how Buddy practically forces Christmas spirit onto everyone, even a grumpy Santa who acts more like he needs a nap than a sleigh ride. He kind of reminds me of my Buddy Booger. He drives you nuts, but you can't help but love the guy.

Okay so let’s not forget about the classics, though. If you’re tired of the latest CGI movies, an old-school black-and-white movie might just hit the spot. Miracle on 34th Street is it. I used to watch this every year with my mom. She loves it. It's that Christmas film that reminds you there’s still magic in the world, even if it’s hiding in a courtroom.

And I cant forget about Arthur Christmas! Oh the memories! I must of watched this movie EVERY day when my daughter was little. It's a movie where Santa’s youngest kid, who looks like he couldn’t organize a sock drawer, goes full hero to deliver a single gift. He brings the kind of dedication we should all bring to holiday shopping.

Of course, not every holiday movie plays by the rules. Sometimes you need a Saint Nick who’s more grumpy than jolly, someone who’s better at downing drinks than handing out gifts. A movie like Bad Santa is perfect for those days when you need a laugh after the kids goes to bed.

Tim Allen going from a regular dad to Kris Kringle? Pure gold. This flick has heart, laughs, and the right amount of Christmas magic. Watching Allen stumble through Santa training is like seeing your dad try to set up a trampoline without directions. It’s the perfect mix of slapstick and holiday spirit.

Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf isn’t technically Santa, but it’s got the jolly man as the backbone of the plot. Ed Asner plays a grumpy but lovable Santa who teams up with Buddy to save Christmas. It’s ridiculous, warm, and full of maple syrup-level sweetness.

This is the O.G. Santa movie. Kris Kringle gets caught up in a wild trial to prove he’s the real deal. It’s all black-and-white, but the charm is timeless, and you’ll find yourself believing in the magic by the end.

Santa’s son Arthur takes on a race against time to deliver a missed gift. The animation and humor make it fun, while the story brings heart. It’s a family favorite with a modern twist.

A conman plays Santa to pull off a heist but finds unexpected redemption. Dark, funny, and not your typical Santa story. Perfect for when you need some adult holiday humor.

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