By Brian M. Boyce
TERRE HAUTE — Christmas fans of all ages filled the seats of the Indiana Theater on Sunday afternoon, hoping to ensure “It’s a Wonderful Life” for others.
DeBaun Funeral Home and Callahan-DeBaun Funeral Home partnered with the historic theater at 683 Ohio St. for a big-screen viewing of the holiday classic, marking the price of admission at a toy or food donation.
“There’s only a handful of Christmas classics you can think of,” Curtis DeBaun IV said just before the 2 p.m. show time Sunday. DeBaun said his family’s funeral homes have partnered with the theater on movies past, and this year they wanted a little charity in the mix.
Two tables full of food and toys stood at the lobby’s entrance and DeBaun said they will be distributed locally through The Salvation Army and Light House Mission.
The theater was filling up with young and old as the line for popcorn neared 18 people deep. Crystal Reynolds and her 10-year-old daughter, Yzabel, waited for a snack before the show.
“It’s a wonderful movie,” Reynolds said, recalling how she first saw the film when she was a 10-year-old then living in New Orleans. Her daughter, a student at Community Christian School, said she was excited for her first time of seeing one of her mother’s favorite movies.
Nominated for five Oscars and listed as one of America’s top 100 films, the 1946 movie features Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, and his guardian angel, played by Henry Travers. Set in the fictional town of Bedford Falls shortly after World War II, Bailey’s planned suicide on Christmas Eve draws the attention of his guardian angel who takes him on a journey of what life in the town would have been like without him.
Dave Logsdon came with his “whole family” and a gang of friends for the big screen viewing.
“My wife loves this movie,” he said while standing in line for popcorn. In addition to his wife, Lisa, the couple brought their friends, mothers, and grandmothers along with eight children. “This theater, this venue, wow,” he said, noting the decision to attend was made as soon as they heard about it.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
