Clarence Odbody facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clarence Odbody |
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Henry Travers portrayed guardian angel Clarence Odbody in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's A Wonderful Life
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| Occupation | Clockmaker Guardian Angel |
Clarence Odbody (born May 1653) is a special guardian angel character. He first appeared in Frank Capra's 1946 movie It's a Wonderful Life. In this famous film, actor Henry Travers played Clarence.
Clarence also appeared in a 1990 sequel movie called Clarence. There, he was played by Robert Carradine. His character was inspired by "a stranger" from a 1943 short story. This story was called The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern.
In a 1977 remake of the 1946 film, a female version of Clarence appeared. She was named Clara Oddbody and played by Cloris Leachman. Clarence also appeared in a 1986 musical called A Wonderful Life.
Clarence's Story
In It's a Wonderful Life
In the movie It's a Wonderful Life, Clarence is an Angel Second Class (AS2). This means he hasn't earned his wings yet. To earn them, he needs to help someone on Earth.
His big chance comes on Christmas Eve in 1945. A man named George Bailey is feeling very sad. George is a banker in a town called Bedford Falls. He is facing big money problems. He feels like his life is not worth living.
Clarence is sent to Earth to help George. He learns about George's life and all the good things George has done. Clarence finds George standing on a bridge, ready to jump into an icy river. To stop George, Clarence jumps into the water first. George quickly dives in to save him.
As they dry off, George wishes he had never been born. Clarence decides to grant this wish. He wants to show George what the world would be like without him.
George soon sees a very different world. His brother, Harry, who was a war hero, died as a child. George wasn't there to save him from drowning. Because of this, many soldiers Harry would have saved also died.
George also finds that his old boss, the druggist, went to prison. George wasn't there to stop him from making a terrible mistake. George's wife, Mary Hatch, is unmarried and has no children.
The town of Bedford Falls has changed too. It's now called "Pottersville." This is named after a rich but mean man, Henry F. Potter. The town has become an unhappy place. People there seem to live sad and meaningless lives.
George realizes how much he has helped others. He sees the terrible things that would happen without him. He desperately wants his old life back. Even if it means facing his problems, he wants to live.
Clarence then brings George back to his original life. George is so happy to be home. His family and friends gather to help him with his money troubles. They give him enough money to solve everything.
Clarence gives George a special book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Then, a bell on the family Christmas tree rings. This means Clarence has finally earned his wings!
In Clarence (1990 Film)
In the 1990 movie Clarence, Clarence returns to Earth. This time, he helps a woman named Rachel Logan. Rachel is sad after losing her husband. Clarence helps her find joy in life again and appreciate her children.
Famous Sayings
- "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
- "You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"
- In the 1946 film, Clarence tells a bartender his age. He says he is "two hundred and ninety three, uhh, next May." In the 1990 film, he shares that he was born in Boston.
See also
- List of films about angels
