"Wizard Of Oz," "Casablanca," "Citizen Kane," "Gone With The Wind," "The Godfather." The exclusive list goes on with timeless classic films that have touched the hearts of generations of movie fans around the globe. And as "It's A Wonderful Life" turns 74 on Jan. 7, I am looking back to an incredible lunch I had about 15 years ago with Frank Capra Jr., the son of the film's famed director, Frank Capra Sr.

I was in Washington, D.C., for a consortium on "Legacies of Legends," featuring sons and daughters of some iconic Italian American figures. At the time, I was managing Lena Prima, daughter of New Orleans' own trumpeteer-showman, Louis Prima; and Deana Martin, daughter of the "King of Cool," Dean Martin, who were both invited to participate in this panel discussion.