It's a Pokenberry Christmas (1997)

 I haven't written about a radio show before, but I wanted to write about the Adventures in Odyssey radio show remake of It's a Wonderful Life for the It's a Wonderful Life Blogathon hosted by The Classic Movie Muse.


 The people who created the characters and shows for Adventures in Odyssey must of really liked It's a Wonderful Life; 'cause they named the Barclay family after Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed and the characters they played in It's a Wonderful Life. 

 George and Mary Barclay, and their kids Donna, Jimmy, and Stewart Reed.

 On December 13 and 20, 1997 a two-part episode of Adventures in Odyssey, called "It's a Pokenberry Christmas" aired. 

 

 George Barclay (Chuck Bolte) is a pastor in Pokenberry Falls.

 When George discovers that Ellis Birch (Howard Morris), the church treasurer, lost the $800 dollar deposit slip, they needed to pay the church bills; George goes to Barry Lionel (Tom Williams), the sole financial supporter of the church, and asks for the money, and Lionel refuses saying it's best to let the church die.

 Discouraged George goes for a walk and pauses at a bridge, Eugene (Will Ryan) sees him at the bridge and amusing that George is about to throw himself in the icy river, Eugen runs to stop him, and slips on the icy bridge and falls into the river, and George jumps in to save him.

 After they are rescued, while drying off George tells Eugene, that he wishes he never became a pastor in Pokenberry Falls.

 When they go to look for a friend they discover that nobody in Pokenberry Falls knows them, and Eugene suggests that maybe George's wish came true.

 George goes back to the bridge and pleads for his life back. He wakes up being pulled out of the river, and realizes it was just a dream; overjoyed George runs through town wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

 "It's a Pokenberry Christmas" is a very fun radio show remake of It's a Wonderful Life.

  You can listen to it for free on Focus on the Family's website.

 "It's a Pokenberry Christmas" part 1 of 2

 "It's a Pokenberry Christmas" part 2 of 2 



 

 


Comments

  1. The Classic Movie MuseDecember 18, 2021 at 9:14 AM

    Johanna, like you, I got a kick out of the names that the creators of this radio adaptation used for their characters. I think my favorite being Barry Lionel for the "Mr. Potter" of this version ;)

    I was not aware of this adaptation, but it does sound like an entertaining one to throw into the mix for the holiday season.

    Thank you for joining the celebration by contributing this fun post to my blogathon! Merry Christmas! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hamlette (Rachel)December 26, 2021 at 4:57 PM

    What a fun post! I listened to AIO once in a while as a kid, and it was always enjoyable :-)

    ReplyDelete

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