The Bells of St. Mary’s and It’s a Wonderful Life are two of the great classic films to watch around Christmastime. Released in back-to-back years, The Bells of St. Mary’s in 1945 and It’s a Wonderful Life in 1946, these films have the power to evoke the hopeful outlook on life that the birth of Jesus Christ should inspire in us all.

The actor Henry Travers features prominently in both films. In The Bells of St. Mary’s, Travers plays Mr. Bogardus, a wealthy man told by his doctor that doing good deeds can improve his health. This sends him on a spree of generosity that results in his donation of a new building for a school run by Sister Benedict, played by Ingrid Bergman, and overseen by Father O’Malley, played by Bing Crosby.

In It’s a Wonderful Life, Travers plays the guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, who rescues George Bailey, played by James Stewart, from jumping to his death from a bridge into a frigid stream while in a state of despair. Of course, Clarence does this by jumping into the stream himself, prompting the good-hearted George to abandon his own concerns and jump in to save him.