Happy Birthday America ... and Zuzu!

Every time a bell rings. Stock photoLook, Daddy! Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings! 

~Zuzu Bailey~

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If you say the name quickly, it sounds like you're stuttering about a place where lots of animals live.

Zuzu!

Those two syllables bring a smile to the face of most people. They conjure an image of a joyously exclamatory James Stewart as George Bailey, just having returned from being worse than dead. 

Thanks to wingless angel Clarence Oddbody, our hero has gotten a glimpse of what it would have been like if he'd never even lived.

He's not sure if he's had a nightmare or fallen through a tiny crack in the time-space continuum, of which undoubtedly he'd never even heard.

Capra At His Most Capraesque

But then he touches his lip and finds that it's once more a bit smashy, from his run-in with the irate husband of his daughter Zuzu's teacher before the bad dream began. And then he reaches into his pocket, and there they are.

Zuzu's petals!

And it's then that he knows he's really back from that cold, strange, bitter, never-been-born place. He knows the Building and Loan is still eight thousand dollars in arrears and the bank examiner is waiting to have him arrested and Mr. Potter is lurking in the shadows ready to seize all the property in Bedford Falls.

But none of those things matter because Mary waits anxiously at home with Pete and Janie and Tommy ...

And Zuzu.

Of course I speak of the classic film It's A Wonderful Life, released in 1946 and starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Gloria Grahame, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi … 

And Karolyn Grimes.

Better known to most as Zuzu.

As Enduring As She Is Endearing

In 2007 I learned that Karolyn Grimes -- or Zuzu -- was alive and well and living in the Pacific Northwest. At that time she was 67 years old. In a radio interview she once provided her email address and invited anyone who wished to, to write to her.

Off on her next adventure. Photo courtesy Karolyn GrimesAnd so I did. In the email I told Karolyn/Zuzu how much I loved It's A Wonderful Life, which I do -- dearly.

(We watch it several times every December, and throughout the year we often quote lines from the screenplay. Lines from IAWL are like code in our family. "I-I want a big one!" and "This is a very interesting situation," are frequently used expressions.)

I also told Karolyn/Zuzu that my "other favorite" Christmas movie is The Bishop's Wife (1947), starring Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young, in which Karolyn played only child Debby Brougham.

A Charming Correspondence

And Karolyn promptly wrote me back the kindest message:

Hello Jennifer,

Thank you for writing. I always enjoy hearing from folks who love these films as I do. Family is the true backbone of this country and this movie gives us a chance to remember and renew in our hearts how important that it really is. May you always have the ability to find the good in every path that you choose. Life is not always wonderful but we have been given the great gift of making our own choices. Always keep the magic of these films in your heart and remember that each of us has our own Clarence watching over us.

God Bless,

Karolyn Grimes/Zuzu Bailey @>----

Unforgettable characters, unforgettable film. Stock photoDuring Christmastime of 2008 I intended to write to Karolyn again, but, consumed with the season's busyness, I forgot.

Zuzu Gives Me My Wings

In 2009 I remembered to write and wish Karolyn a Merry Christmas. She wrote back a few weeks after the new year, gracious as ever:

Hello Jennifer,

Thank you for writing and sharing how you watch the film each year. I took a look at your web site....wow! You are good!!!

I do feel that it was a great honor to work with some of the great actors of all time...I travel most of the year for the film and I speak about the many messages that are forever applicable in our lives. The movie is timeless.…

If you would like to learn more about me you can check out my web site www.zuzu.net.

You have one wonderful sense of humor and a darling critical wit! I love it!

Thanks again for writing and God Bless,

Karolyn @>---- 

In the meantime I'd discovered that on July 4, 2010, Karolyn would turn 70 years old. I began planning this post, which at present isn't going as well as I'd hoped.

Shadows Lengthen Early In The Day

See, I'd planned to write more about Karolyn's life since the time, as an adorable five-year-old, she played the immortal Zuzu.

It hasn't been a path strewn with petals.

The child star. Stock photoAccording to her on-line biography, Karolyn's mother died of early-onset Alzheimer's disease when Karolyn was a young teenager. Shortly after, her father died in an automobile accident. Karolyn was sent by the court to live in Missouri, spelling an end to her film career.

In due time Karolyn married and became the mother of two daughters, but she and her husband eventually divorced. Two years later, the father of her children was killed in a hunting accident. Karolyn remarried a man with three children, and together they had two more.

If you've been counting, that means Karolyn raised seven children!

Unspeakable tragedy enveloped Karolyn once again when her youngest child committed suicide at the age of eighteen. Shortly after, Karolyn's husband of twenty-five years died of lung cancer.

What I like about Karolyn Grimes is that she did not allow any one of these events -- not to mention the sum of them -- to turn her into a bitter or angry person. At age 70, her smile is as radiant as ever. Far from perceiving herself as a victim, Karolyn radiates hope.

It Really Is A Wonderful Life

Happily for Karolyn, the public's interest in It's A Wonderful Life has never waned. If anything, it has burgeoned. She has traveled the world as an unofficial ambassador for the film and spends her days bringing smiles to the faces of people everywhere.

Life is a precious gift. Photo courtesy Karolyn GrimesA few days ago I wrote to Karolyn to tell her that I would be writing a post in honor of her birthday. I asked for the use of a few pictures, which she promptly supplied.

I wish I could put into words what it means to me that Karolyn -- Zuzu! -- is such a nice lady that she would write to me, allowing me to share even the tiniest bit in her trials and triumphs.

The fact that this sweet, unassuming woman was once held in the arms of the likes of James Stewart, and had the Christmas story told to her by Cary Grant … and yet she is open and willing and generous and much kinder than she would have to be, just amazes me.

So happy birthday, dear Karolyn … you will always be Zuzu and she will always be you, and we'll watch every year (in fact, I think I'll watch today!) and cherish the story and cry a sentimental tear when you deliver the next-to-last line of the film.

The one to which James Stewart/George Bailey replies: "That's right! That's right ..." and gives a conspiratorial wink heavenward.

Please take a moment to send Zuzu a happy birthday message of your own! I believe she'll be thrilled to hear from you.

Her email address is zuzu at zuzu dot net.

Comments

[Donna (Texas)]

Ahhhhh!! How Wonderful! This has Always been my favorite movie for Christmas. In fact, we have movie night and it's Always the first to be watched...When Zuzu says the piece about the 'Angel gets his wings', we All say it with her!Hahaaa....LOUD!! How fun!
Happy Birthday to our "Zuzu"....and thank you for all the wonderful memories!

Thanks Jennifer! This was truly, wonderful!
hughugs

[irene]

What a great tribute to a great lady. Happy Birthday ZuZu.

[Mari]

She is a special lady! We own a copy of this movie and it's a tradition at our home too. Thanks for the tribute to her!

[Debbie]

It is a great movie and watched by untold numbers every year.

Wow, how great that your correspond with her. She sounds like a wonderful woman, mother, wife and person.

Have a great July 4th

[Donna M.]

With a heat wave going on outside my window, I sure didn't expect to read about a post about an actress in a Christmas classic movie! What a charming and informative post! That is one of my all-time favorite movies - EVER! And I always cry at the end with tears of joy. Life IS truly wonderful and a gift from God. Thank you so much, Miz Zuzu, for your inspirations and special part in such a special movie. Happy birthday!!!

[irene]

Hi Jennifer, yes our dog brought a soup tureen, she didn't bring the lid. I don't serve soup like that so it's been used for soups, or candles or pot pouri but yes it's still around. I think she must have been a homemaker in another life. We loved that dog, Queenie (how original is that). thank you for posting about Zuzu, I too love that movie, I've been looking around for a copy for the senior home, I'm sure I'll find one. But it's never out of season to get your wings.

[Cheryl]

What a gracious lady that Zuzu! Happy birthday to someone who has brought us many wonderful memories especially at Christmas time.

[Sue O]

Oh dear, every time I start to think I am a true blue American, I am reminded of the great big holes in my education. I've never actually watched the movie all of the way through, even though I adore Jimmy Stewart. I shall repent this Christmas.