Arrogant banker Anthony P. Kirby is a businessman on a mission. Determined to get rich and put his competitor out of business, there is just one thing standing in his way: the Sycamore family. Owners of the last property Kirby must purchase in order to make his monopoly a reality, these eccentric yet sincere everyday Americans aren’t interested in the exorbitant sums offered, content with life as it is as long as they have friends and each other. Matters aren’t helped any when the Kirby’s son, Tony, falls in love with the Sycamore’s daughter Alice who, naturally, Mrs. Kirby believes is below their class. But in the end, after a few mishaps and misunderstandings, Alice’s Grandpa Vanderhof is able to help the Kirbys realize that there are some things in life that matter more than money. The recipient of two Academy Awards, this old-fashioned comedy is sure to become a family favorite!

George Bailey dreams of traveling the world some day, but he is forced to put those ambitions aside when he must take over his father’s business. Determined not to sell out to the town’s rich and heartless bank owner, George strives to keep the faith of the townspeople, a seemingly impossible endeavor when money from the business is misplaced. He begins to believe that everything would have been better off had he not been born, until George’s guardian angel, sent down from heaven on a mission to earn his wings, is able to convince him otherwise. When George sees the difference he has made in people’s lives, he realizes the beauty of the life he has been given, and that truly the richest people in the world are not those who have money, but those with faithful friends. It’s a Wonderful Life is a charming Hollywood classic to enjoy during the holiday season.

We’re the Seabees of the Navy
We can build and we can fight
We’ll pave the way to victory
And guard it day and night

So begins the anthem of the U.S. Navy Seabees, who supported the World War II effort by bulldozing foreign islands and constructing airfields, even using their equipment to fend off the enemy when necessary. Originally formed as a civilian construction corps, however, they were not always a part of the military; in fact, many of the men in the “CBs” (Construction Battalions) were much older than their Armed Forces counterparts. The Fighting Seabees tells the fictionalized story of how Wedge Donnovan (played by John Wayne), a strong-willed construction boss concerned about his men’s safety, was instrumental in integrating the Construction Battalion into America’s fighting forces. Produced in 1944 during the war, this movie is an inspiring depiction of all that the Seabees did to “pave the way to victory”.

*Seabees enlistment poster (source); song lyrics by Sam M. Lewis (source)

A timeless account of good versus evil, in which the hero rescues the fair maiden, the usurper is overthrown, and the kingdom is restored to its rightful ruler. Starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, this classic from 1938 is sure to delight audiences of all ages.