It’s a Wonderful Life

Movie Details:

Cast & Characters:

• James Stewart as George Bailey
• Donna Reed as Mary Hatch
• Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter
• Thomas Mitchell as Uncle Billy
• Henry Travers as Clarence
• Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Bailey
• Frank Faylen as Ernie
• Ward Bond as Bert
• Gloria Grahame as Violet Bick
• H. B. Warner as Mr. Gower
• Frank Albertson as Sam Wainwright
• Todd Karns as Harry Bailey
• Samuel S. Hinds as Pa Bailey
• Mary Treen as Cousin Tilly
• Virginia Patton as Ruth Dakin
• Charles Williams as Cousin Eustace
• Sara Edwards as Mrs. Hatch
• Bill Edmunds as Mr. Martini
• Lillian Randolph as Annie
• Argentina Brunetti as Mrs. Martini
• Bobbie Anderson as Little George
• Ronnie Ralph as Little Sam
• Jeanne Gail as Little Mary
• Jeanine Ann Roose as Little Violet
• Danny Mummert as Little Marty Hatch
• Georgie Nokes as Little Harry Bailey
• Sheldon Leonard as Nick
• Frank Hagney as Potter’s Bodyguard
• Ray Walker as Joe (Luggage Shop)
• Charlie Lane as Real Estate Salesman
• Edward Kean as Tom (Bldg. & Loan)
• The Bailey Children
• Carol Coomes as Janie
• Karolyn Grimes as Zuzu
• Larry Simms as Pete
• Jimmy Hawkins as Tommy

Storyline:

An angel visits a frustrated businessman to show him what life would look like if he never existed.The classic Christmas film is based on the short story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, which was inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It is helmed by Frank Capra and stars James Stewart.

About Movie:

It’s a Wonderful Life is an American Christmas supernatural drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. Based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story The Greatest Gift, the film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who sacrifices his personal dreams to help others in his community. On Christmas Eve, feeling despondent and contemplating suicide, George is visited by his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, who shows him the impact of his life and what the world would be like if he had never existed.

The narrative unfolds in Bedford Falls, where George has spent his life running a savings and loan business. After a series of selfless acts, including saving his brother Harry and helping the townspeople, George faces financial ruin when his Uncle Billy loses $8,000 of the company’s money. As the pressure mounts and despair sets in, George’s thoughts of suicide prompt Clarence’s intervention.

Clarence reveals pivotal moments from George’s life, highlighting his kindness and the lives he has touched. Through these flashbacks, viewers see how George’s sacrifices have benefited others, reinforcing the film’s themes of community and the value of human connections. Ultimately, George realizes that he is “the richest man in town” due to the love and support of his family and friends.

Upon its release on December 20, 1946, It’s a Wonderful Life received mixed reviews and struggled at the box office, failing to recoup its production costs initially. However, its copyright expired in 1974, allowing it to be broadcast widely without licensing fees. This exposure transformed it into a beloved Christmas classic.

Today, It’s a Wonderful Life is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and is frequently celebrated for its inspirational message. It has received numerous accolades over the years, including recognition from the American Film Institute as one of the top American films ever made. In 1990, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

A modern remake of It’s a Wonderful Life, directed by Kenya Barris, is currently in development at Paramount Pictures as of January 2024.

Budget & Box Office Collection: