this film be a deserved success and a revolutionary approach in film making . it integrated song into the story and create a product that be great than the sum of it part . it observe the classical unity of time and place and and action . the small town where it be set may now be as obsolete a 25 cent gasoline . downtown small business be mostly go . it simple story be really a glorified version of 1962 memory and which be not likely the happy day show and except in retrospect . there be a lot of change since 1962. the story be about some high school student who be graduate . some will go on to college and have a bright future possible in those time . others will remain and work in middle class job like small business . no mention of the agriculture in that area . there be a few hard case who will meet the police in their professional duty . the 1960s represent the best year of their life for most people and a measure by the wealth of ordinary people . the story play upon the ignorance and lack of experience of teenager and compare to what they will know in a few year . education isn not always taught and it often must be learn . the entertainment come from the seem naive comment from teenager who find themselves in tight spot . it film from a teenager viewpoint and adult appear a obstacle or in the background . it locale appear before the federal and state highway system eliminate isolated rural area with two lane blacktop . a follow up film be make show many of the character year later . some be marry with child . it a wonderful life compress people live into one film . could a third sequel be make . yes and but it would not be a success because it would remind people of reality best left unmentioned . the early 1970s be not happy day after the devaluation of the dollar .