and ben mankiewicz joins us from los angeles. great to have you guys with us again. why has "it's a wonderful life" become the ultimate christmas movie. >> i read not long ago a piece about "it's a wonderful life" that described it as being beyond criticism, and i think that is true. there are things that i suppose you could pick apart that are flawed or manipulative about the movie, it makes no difference. time. >> every time. and also "a christmas story," television has had such an enormous role in making these movies what they are. " now of course everyone will watch it this month, and like "a christmas story," which the sister networks have done, they'll run it for 24 hours, and television has made these move i haves what they are now. >> bill, "it's a wonderful life" one of several great classics, what other ones are you partial too? this >> it really is a classic. such a wonderful movie, and frank is a terrific director, and has a timeless story to it. i like -- i like "holiday inn," which is really nice to see fred astaire doing something besides a ginger roge