COVER STORY: The enduring message of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Is civility still alive in Seneca Falls, the Central New York town that fancies itself the inspiration of Bedford Falls, setting of the 1946 Jimmy Stewart film, “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Senior contributor Ted Koppel visits Seneca Falls, which holds an annual festival devoted to a Hollywood classic’s storybook vision of community; and talks with residents, visitors, and two of the film’s surviving actors, who explain why a 79-year-old movie that celebrates smalltown virtues and happy endings still has such a hold on our imagination – while holding a mirror up to our own times.
STAGE: The Rockettes: Kicking up their heels for 100 years
Since their beginnings in Missouri a century ago, the troupe known as The Rockettes has been celebrated for their deftly-coordinated, high-precision dance moves. Since 1933, they’ve performed in the annual Christmas Spectacular at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Jane Pauley goes backstage with some of the dancers who have not only carried on the traditions of the Rockettes, but also have helped shape a new, diverse chorus line.
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MUSIC: Sean Ono Lennon on producing an album of his parents’ music: “Feels like a gift”
The music of The Beatles, and of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, is timeless. And yet, musician, songwriter and producer Sean Ono Lennon says he feels a responsibility to promote his parents’ legacy, by reminding the world of its power. He talks with Anthony Mason about the Oscar-winning animated short inspired by their anti-war anthem “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”; the new HBO Max documentary “One to One: John & Yoko”; and about the “gift” of producing a new album of John & Yoko’s music.
To watch a trailer for “One to One,” click on the video player below:
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MOVIES: Remembering the treasured films of Rob Reiner
Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz looks back at the work of actor and director Rob Reiner, whose films became part of our shared cinematic language because of their humor, drama, and aching belief in humanity.
Watch three stories from the “Sunday Morning” archives featuring actor, writer and director Rob Reiner, including a 2010 profile in which he discusses his career, from star of the classic sitcom “All in the Family,” to director of such hits as “Stand By Me,” “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally”; a 2023 feature in which Rob and his siblings, Annie and Lucas, talk about the legacy of their dad, comedian Carl Reiner; and a 2023 profile in which Reiner and his old high school classmate Albert Brooks reminisce about growing up in Beverly Hills, and how each became a major figure in comedy.
HARTMAN: Secret Santa
MUSIC: Pentatonix: Friendships and harmonies
The a cappella quintet Pentatonix has won three Grammy Awards and sold 10 million albums, while their YouTube videos have been streamed two billion times. David Pogue talks with group members Kirstin Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee about bringing their heavenly voices to the sounds of Christmas – and about introducing musical instruments to the mix.
To hear Pentatonix perform “O Holy Night” click on the video player below:
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U.S.: A New Mexico monastery where the silence calls
The Monastery of Christ in the Desert, in Northern New Mexico, is home to 15 Benedictine monks, some livestock, and a guesthouse for people looking for a little quiet in this turbulent world. Faith Salie pays a visit.
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‘TIS THE SEASON: “Deck the Halls”
“Sunday Morning” viewers get an annual Christmas present: a performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York.
EXTENDED INTERVIEW:Kate Hudson & Hugh Jackman (Video)
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, stars of the new film “Song Sung Blue,” talk with Tracy Smith about playing Mike and Claire Sardina – real, not-very-famous musicians who performed a tribute act pretending to be very-famous musicians Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline. They also discuss singing, Neil Diamond’s songs, and the Oscars (including, as Jackman was, being nominated opposite Daniel Day-Lewis).
MARATHON: A cheese wheel of stories (YouTube Video)
Sit back and enjoy a bite of this marathon on everything with cheese:
- The story of macaroni and cheese
- Recipe for Halls Chophouse lobster mac & cheese
- Grilled cheese mania sweeps the nation
- Creating the perfect mozzarella
- The story behind cacio e pepe
- Beauty of charcuterie
- Mother Noella, the “Cheese Nun”
- Mother Noella on the science and spirituality of cheesemaking
- Jim Gaffigan on why cheeseburgers are in “grave danger”
- Wisconsin’s World Championship Cheese Contest
- A Sunday Drive: Say “Cheese”
- Almanac: Processed cheese
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