Mary Hatch Bailey

Mary Hatch is the younger sister of Marty Hatch, a friend of George Bailey, whom she has loved since childhood.{{cite book |last1=Rothenberg |first1=Tamar Y. |year=2007 |title=Presenting America's World: Strategies of Innocence in National Geographic Magazine, 1888-1945 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EYtCuqAb_boC&pg=PA6 |language=en |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |page=6 |isbn=9780754645108 }}{{cite journal |last1=Riccomini |first1=Donald R. |date=April 2009 |title=Christian Signature and Archetype in Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life Wonderful Life |url=https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1529&context=jrf |journal=Journal of Religion and Film |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=10–11 |doi= |access-date=September 8, 2021}} Her first appearance is when she is a little girl in a pharmacy ordering malts with her schoolmate Violet Bick and being waited on by a young George working the soda fountain. George reveals his plans to leave Bedford Falls and be an explorer, inspired by National Geographic. Knowing George's disability from the rescue of his brother, she whispers her love for him in his deaf ear. They become reacquainted as young adults at a high school dance in 1928, where they discuss their respective plans for the future.{{cite web|last=Jamieson|first=Wendell|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/movies/19wond.html|title=Wonderful? Sorry, George, It's a Pitiful, Dreadful Life|website=New York Times|date=December 19, 2008|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817112032/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/movies/19wond.html|archive-date=August 17, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Lingan|first=John|url=https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2012/12/14/water-and-wonder/|title=Water and Wonder|website=The Paris Review|date=December 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207171642/https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2012/12/14/water-and-wonder/|archive-date=December 7, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2021|url-status=live}} They are interrupted by news that George's father has suffered a stroke. Mary goes away to college, and works for a time in New York before returning to Bedford Falls.{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79566/its-a-wonderful-life#synopsis|title=It's a Wonderful Life - Synopsis|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113160934/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79566/its-a-wonderful-life|archive-date=January 13, 2021|url-status=live}}

In 1932, when George's brother Harry returns from college with a new wife, and a job offer from his father-in-law, George realizes he will not be able to leave the Building and Loan, at least in the foreseeable future. George, despite knowing that his friend, Sam Wainwright, is courting Mary, goes to her house at the urging of his mother. George insists that he has no intention of getting married, but realizes that he loves Mary.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/its-a-wonderful-life-best-important-life-lessons/|title=It's A Wonderful Life: 10 Great Life Lessons Learned From This Classic Christmas Movie|website=Screen Rant|date=December 20, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908222704/https://screenrant.com/its-a-wonderful-life-best-important-life-lessons/|archive-date=September 8, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Pronechen|first=Joseph|url=https://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-stewart-it-s-a-wonderful-life-and-psalm-91-1d8mal4b|title=Jimmy Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life, and Psalm 91|website=National Catholic Register|date=December 16, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924084842/https://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-stewart-it-s-a-wonderful-life-and-psalm-91-1d8mal4b|archive-date=September 24, 2020|url-status=live}} It is very clear that George's mother is right that Mary loves him and not Sam.{{cite web|last=Liebenson|first=Donald|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/12/its-a-wonderful-life-christmas-movie-70th-anniversary|title=It's a Wonderful Life at 70: A Toast to the Richest Film in Town|website=Vanity Fair|date=December 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305104806/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/12/its-a-wonderful-life-christmas-movie-70th-anniversary|archive-date=March 5, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=September 8, 2021}} Mary herself hints at this by preparing for George's visit by playing their favorite song Buffalo Gals, as well as hanging up a caricature of George lassoing the Moon, reflecting their walk home from the dance.

George and Mary are married, but their planned honeymoon is interrupted by a run on the banks, which affects the Building and Loan.{{cite web|last=Loftus|first=Geoff|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffloftus/2014/12/18/george-baileys-leadership-lessons/?sh=3b99b36513c3|title=George Bailey's Leadership Lessons|website=Forbes|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210908220951/https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffloftus/2014/12/18/george-baileys-leadership-lessons/?sh=1ab5eb0213c3|archive-date=September 8, 2021|url-status=live}} Potter's newly acquired bank has called in its loan, and depositors are clamoring to withdraw their funds. Potter, a stockholder in the Building and Loan, threatens to shut it down if it closes early. Mary offers the money saved for their honeymoon to keep the Building and Loan solvent.

That evening, George's friends Bert the cop and the cab driver Ernie escort him to his "new" home: the Old Granville house, a derelict mansion Mary had wished for years before. Over time they work on repairing the house. During World War II George is exempt from the draft because of partial deafness, but serves as an Air-Raid Warden. Mary becomes a volunteer for the war effort, such as running the local branch of the USO, while raising their four children (Pete, Janie, Tommy, and Zuzu).{{cite web|last=Larsen|first=Peter|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/03/this-its-a-wonderful-life-child-actor-talks-filming-the-christmas-classic/|title= This 'It's a Wonderful Life' child actor talks about filming the Christmas classic|website=OC Register|date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125140554/https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/03/this-its-a-wonderful-life-child-actor-talks-filming-the-christmas-classic/|archive-date=January 25, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Grimes|first=Kathryn|url=https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a40882/zuzu-bailey-karolyn-grimes-tragedy/|title=The Real-Life Tragedy and Triumph of 'Zuzu Bailey' From 'It's a Wonderful Life'|website=Country Living|date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729015636/https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a40882/zuzu-bailey-karolyn-grimes-tragedy/|archive-date=July 29, 2021|access-date=September 8, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Sansone|first=Arricca Elin|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g24274828/popular-child-star-year-you-were-born/|title=The Most Popular Child Star the Year You Were Born|website=Good Housekeeping|date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306120547/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g24274828/popular-child-star-year-you-were-born/|archive-date=March 6, 2021|url-status=live}}

In 1945, when George's uncle misplaces an $8,000 deposit, George faces bankruptcy and a charge of embezzlement, leaving his family behind.{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Emily|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/it-s-a-wonderful-life/the-12-grimmest-moments-in-its-a-wonderful/|title=The 12 Grimmest Moments in It's a Wonderful Life|website=Paste Magazine|date=December 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121000257/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/it-s-a-wonderful-life/the-12-grimmest-moments-in-its-a-wonderful/|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live}} Angry and depressed, George contemplates suicide. His guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, then shows George what life would have been like had he never been born.{{cite web|last=Sepulveda|first=Victoria|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Its-a-Wonderful-Life-2020-Christmas-15811337.php|title=I never wanted to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' again. Then 2020 happened.|website=SFGate|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907192038/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Its-a-Wonderful-Life-2020-Christmas-15811337.php|archive-date=September 7, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite journal |last1=Sullivan |first1=Daniel J. |date=2005 |title=Sentimental Hogwash? On Capra's It's a Wonderful Life|url=https://css.cua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sentimental-hogwash.pdf |journal=Humanitas |volume=18 |issue=1–2 |pages=121–122 |doi= 10.5840/humanitas2005181/26|access-date=September 8, 2021}} Among other changes in this alternate existence, Mary is a spinster librarian.{{cite journal|last1=Walker|first1=Stephen|last2=Lawson|first2=V. Lonnie|date=Spring 1993|title=The librarian stereotype and the movies|url=http://wings.buffalo.edu/publications/mcjrnl/v1n1/image.html|url-status=dead|journal=MC Journal|volume=1|issue=1|pages=17–28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525000657/http://wings.buffalo.edu/publications/mcjrnl/v1n1/image.html|archive-date=May 25, 2011|accessdate=August 2, 2009}}{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Luke|url=https://screenrant.com/its-wonderful-life-movie-george-bailey-not-born-changes/|title=It's A Wonderful Life: Everything That Changed When George Bailey Wasn't Born|website=Screen Rant|date=January 6, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107144004/https://screenrant.com/its-wonderful-life-movie-george-bailey-not-born-changes/|archive-date=January 7, 2020|url-status=live}}

George returns home to find that Mary has rallied their friends and family to raise the missing money.{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/10top10View.aspx?bhcp=1&Movie=27682|website=American Film Institute|title=It's a Wonderful Life|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415160118/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/10top10View.aspx?bhcp=1&Movie=27682|archive-date=April 15, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=September 8, 2021}}

Donna Reed would later state that It's a Wonderful Life was her favorite film of her career.{{cite web|url=http://www.donnareed.org/html/templates/dr_detail.php?dr_detail=f20_iawl|title=It's A Wonderful Life|website=The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213143541/http://www.donnareed.org/html/templates/dr_detail.php?dr_detail=f20_iawl|archive-date=December 13, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=September 8, 2021}} She also said it was "the most difficult film I ever did. No director ever demanded as much of me."{{cite news|title=The All American Girl; Despite an Academy Award-winning performance as a prostitute in 'From Here to Eternity,' Donna Reed maintained an image of wholesomeness throughout her career|author=Michele Ingrassia|work=Newsday|date=Jan 15, 1986|page=04}} Before Reed got the role, it was offered to Olivia de Havilland, Ginger Rogers, Jean Arthur, and Ann Dvorak.{{cite web|last=Locker|first=Melissa|title=12 Things You Didn't Know About 'It's a Wonderful Life'|url=https://www.southernliving.com/christmas/its-a-wonderful-life-movie-facts|website=Southern Living|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227072505/https://www.southernliving.com/christmas/its-a-wonderful-life-movie-facts|archive-date=February 27, 2021|url-status=live}}

In the "wishing" scene outside the old Granville house, Capra was surprised to see Reed accurately throw a stone to break a window, a skill she acquired playing baseball with her brothers on their Iowa farm. Capra, according to Jimmy Hawkins, later opined that making Mary a librarian was a mistake.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Bruce|url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/entertainment/movies/jimmy-hawkins-recalls-denison-native-donna-reed-wonderful-life/article_69d13cb4-f82f-5a64-94b7-cc644fe39bfe.html|title=Jimmy Hawkins recalls Denison native Donna Reed, 'Wonderful Life'|website=Sioux City Journal|date=November 12, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209145257/https://siouxcityjournal.com/entertainment/movies/jimmy-hawkins-recalls-denison-native-donna-reed-wonderful-life/article_69d13cb4-f82f-5a64-94b7-cc644fe39bfe.html|archive-date=December 9, 2020|url-status=live}}

Mary's character also appeared in a live radio play based on the film, and was played by Ariel Woodiwiss.{{cite web|last=Gates|first=Anita|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/nyregion/its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play-review.html|title='It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' — Review|website=New York Times|date=December 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218185010/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/nyregion/its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play-review.html|archive-date=December 18, 2017|url-status=live}}

Some fans of the film have cosplayed as Mary, including those in Seneca Falls, New York, which the film's fictional town of Bedford Falls is reportedly based on.{{cite web|last=DiVeronica|first=Jeff|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/12/09/its-a-wonderful-life-seneca-falls-george-bailey-frank-capra/94825632/|title=Fans revel in 'Wonderful Life' in Seneca Falls|website=Democrat and Chronicle|date=December 9, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114000827/https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/12/09/its-a-wonderful-life-seneca-falls-george-bailey-frank-capra/94825632/|archive-date=January 14, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Maria|url=https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/a40958/the-real-bedford-falls-its-a-wonderful-life/|title=The Untold Story of the Town That Inspired 'It's a Wonderful Life'|website=Country Living|date=December 20, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729020055/https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/a40958/the-real-bedford-falls-its-a-wonderful-life/|archive-date=July 29, 2021|url-status=live}}

• It Happened One Christmas, 1977 film

{{reflist}}

• Rhys, Morgan (2012). "The Internet Movie Database," [https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0004663/bio Mary Hatch Biography]

{{It's a Wonderful Life}}

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Category:Drama film characters

Category:Film characters introduced in 1946

Category:Fictional librarians

Category:Christmas characters