IMDb > It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a Wonderful Life
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It's a Wonderful Life (1946) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 65 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
It's a Wonderful Life -- An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed.
It's a Wonderful Life -- Clip: I don't want to get married (colorized)
It's a Wonderful Life -- Clip: You want the moon?
It's a Wonderful Life -- Clip: Warped, frustrated old man (colorized)
It's a Wonderful Life -- Clip: I want to live again

Overview

User Rating:
Top 250: #29  (login to vote)
8.7/10   166,267 votes »
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Director:
Frank Capra
Writers:
Frances Goodrich (screenplay) and
Albert Hackett (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for It's a Wonderful Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 January 1947 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Drama | Family | Fantasy See more »
Tagline:
They're making memories tonight! See more »
Plot:
An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 5 wins See more »
NewsDesk:
(391 articles)
Christina Hendricks: My Dog Has the Same Hair as Me!
 (From PEOPLE.com. 1 May 2013, 4:00 AM, PDT)
'Psych': Shawn learns a lesson, is 'temporarily displaced' in 'Right Turn or Left For Dead,' says Ep Steve Franks
 (From Zap2It - From Inside the Box. 16 April 2013, 1:59 PM, PDT)
Films that changed your life: surely you can do better than this survey?
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 15 April 2013, 9:17 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Best feel good movie ever? Quite possibly. See more (585 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

James Stewart ... George Bailey

Donna Reed ... Mary Hatch

Lionel Barrymore ... Henry F. Potter

Thomas Mitchell ... Uncle Billy Bailey

Henry Travers ... Clarence

Beulah Bondi ... Ma Bailey

Frank Faylen ... Ernie Bishop

Ward Bond ... Bert

Gloria Grahame ... Violet Bick

H.B. Warner ... Mr. Gower

Frank Albertson ... Sam Wainwright
Todd Karns ... Harry Bailey
Samuel S. Hinds ... Peter Bailey
Mary Treen ... Cousin Tilly
Virginia Patton ... Ruth Dakin Bailey
Charles Williams ... Cousin Eustace
Sarah Edwards ... Mrs. Hatch (as Sara Edwards)
William Edmunds ... Giuseppe Martini (as Bill Edmunds)
Lillian Randolph ... Annie

Argentina Brunetti ... Mrs. Martini
Robert J. Anderson ... Little George (as Bobbie Anderson)
Ronnie Ralph ... Little Sam
Jean Gale ... Little Mary
Jeanine Ann Roose ... Little Violet
Danny Mummert ... Little Marty Hatch
Georgie Nokes ... Little Harry Bailey

Sheldon Leonard ... Nick
Frank Hagney ... Potter's Bodyguard
Ray Walker ... Joe - Luggage Shop

Charles Lane ... Real Estate Salesman (as Charlie Lane)
Edward Keane ... Tom - Bldg. & Loan (as Edward Kean)
Carol Coombs ... Bailey Child - Janie (as Carol Coomes)
Karolyn Grimes ... Bailey Child - Zuzu
Larry Simms ... Bailey Child - Pete

Jimmy Hawkins ... Bailey Child - Tommy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jean Acker ... Townswoman (uncredited)
Ernie Adams ... Ed (uncredited)
Monya Andre ... (uncredited)
Stanley Andrews ... Mr. Welch (uncredited)
Sam Ash ... Nervous Banker (uncredited)
Jack Bailey ... One of Vi's Suitors (uncredited)
Mary Bayless ... Townswoman (uncredited)
Beth Belden ... (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict ... Military Officer in Montage (uncredited)
Joseph E. Bernard ... Townsman (uncredited)
Al Bridge ... Sheriff (uncredited)
Buz Buckley ... (uncredited)
Marian Carr ... Jane Wainwright (uncredited)

Adriana Caselotti ... Singer at Martini's (uncredited)
Lane Chandler ... (uncredited)

Michael Chapin ... Young George's Friend (uncredited)
Tom Chatterton ... Townsman (uncredited)
Jack Cheatham ... Cop Arresting Violet (uncredited)
Harry Cheshire ... Dr. Campbell (uncredited)
Edward Clark ... Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)
Tom Coleman ... Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)

Ellen Corby ... Ms. Davis (uncredited)
Jimmy the Crow ... Crow in Bank (uncredited)
Bryn Davis ... (uncredited)
Lew Davis ... High School Teacher at Poolside (uncredited)
Harry Denny ... (uncredited)
Helen Dickson ... Woman at Graduation Dance (uncredited)
Dick Elliott ... Man on Porch (uncredited)
Tom Fadden ... Tollhouse Keeper (uncredited)
Frank Fenton ... Violet's Boyfriend (uncredited)
Eddie Fetherston ... Horace (uncredited)
Sam Flint ... Relieved Banker in Potter's Office (uncredited)
Lee Frederick ... (uncredited)
Dick Gordon ... Photographer with Sheriff (uncredited)
Jack Gordon ... Bar Patron (uncredited)
Herschel Graham ... (uncredited)
Joseph Granby ... (voice) (uncredited)
Charles Halton ... Carter (uncredited)
Carl Eric Hansen ... (uncredited)
Herbert Heywood ... Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited)
Harry Holman ... Mr. Partridge (uncredited)
Art Howard ... Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)
Bert Howard ... Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)
Arthur Stuart Hull ... Mr. Randall (uncredited)
John Indrisano ... Man in Fantasy (uncredited)
Eddie Kane ... Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited)
Carl Kent ... (uncredited)
Milton Kibbee ... Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)
Effie Laird ... Townswoman (uncredited)
Mike Lally ... Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)
Harold Landon ... Marty Hatch (uncredited)
Meade 'Lux' Lewis ... Pianist in Nick's Place (uncredited)
Jack Lomas ... Bar Patron (uncredited)
J. Farrell MacDonald ... Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree (uncredited)
Irene Mack ... (uncredited)
Wilbur Mack ... Building and Loan Customer (uncredited)
Charles Meakin ... (uncredited)
Priscilla Montgomery ... Student in Gym (uncredited)
Bert Moorhouse ... Man with Sheriff (uncredited)
Philip Morris ... Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)
George Noisom ... School Dancer (uncredited)
Bob O'Connor ... Bar Patron (uncredited)
Frank O'Connor ... Military Officer in Montage (uncredited)
Moroni Olsen ... Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited)
Garry Owen ... Bill-Poster (uncredited)
Netta Packer ... (uncredited)
Franklin Parker ... Photographer / Reporter (uncredited)
Suzanne Ridgeway ... Nick's Waitress (uncredited)
Mark Roberts ... Mickey (uncredited)
Constantine Romanoff ... Bar Patron (uncredited)
Cy Schindell ... Nick's Bouncer (uncredited)
Almira Sessions ... Potter's Secretary (uncredited)
Cedric Stevens ... (uncredited)
Brick Sullivan ... Man in Fantasy (uncredited)
Charles Sullivan ... Nick's Bartender (uncredited)

Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer ... Freddie Othello (uncredited)
Max Wagner ... Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited)
Larry Wheat ... Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)
Charles C. Wilson ... Charlie (uncredited)
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Directed by
Frank Capra 
 
Writing credits
Frances Goodrich (screenplay) and
Albert Hackett (screenplay) and
Frank Capra (screenplay)

Jo Swerling (additional scenes)

Philip Van Doren Stern (story)

Michael Wilson  contributor to screenplay (uncredited)

Produced by
Frank Capra .... producer
 
Original Music by
Dimitri Tiomkin 
 
Cinematography by
Joseph F. Biroc (director of photography) (as Joseph Biroc)
Joseph Walker (director of photography)
Victor Milner (director of photography) (uncredited)
 
Film Editing by
William Hornbeck 
 
Art Direction by
Jack Okey 
 
Set Decoration by
Emile Kuri 
 
Costume Design by
Edward Stevenson (costumes)
 
Makeup Department
Gordon Bau .... makeup supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Arthur S. Black Jr. .... assistant director (as Arthur S. Black)
 
Sound Department
Clem Portman .... sound
Richard Van Hessen .... sound
John Aalberg .... sound (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Russell A. Cully .... special photographic effects
Daniel Hays .... special effects (uncredited)
Russell Shearman .... special effects supervisor (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Lila Finn .... stunt double: Donna Reed (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Joseph F. Biroc .... camera operator (uncredited)
Homer Plannette .... gaffer (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Eugene Joseff .... costume jeweller (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Dimitri Tiomkin .... director: musical score
Herschel Burke Gilbert .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Leigh Harline .... composer: stock music (uncredited)
Paul Marquardt .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Alfred Newman .... composer: stock music (uncredited)
Nathan Scott .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Leith Stevens .... composer: stock music (uncredited)
David Tamkin .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Dave Torbett .... composer: stock music (uncredited)
Edward Ward .... composer: stock music (uncredited)
Roy Webb .... composer: stock music (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life" - USA (complete title)
See more »
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements, smoking and some violence (re-rating) (2012)
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
130 min | Spain:118 min (25 fps) (DVD edition)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color | Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Germany:6 | Spain:T | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #11656) | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Sweden:15 | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | USA:PG (re-rating) (2012)
Filming Locations:
California, USASee more »
Company:
Liberty Films (II)See more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Donna Reed's first starring role.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: During the run inside the Building & Loan, the hat changes position on the coat stand outside George's office.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mr. Emil Gower:I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.
Giuseppe Martini:Joseph, Jesus and Mary. Help my friend, Mr. Bailey.
Ma Bailey:Help my son, George, tonight.
Bert:He never thinks about himself, God, that's why he's in trouble.
Ernie Bishop:George is a good guy. Give him a break, God.
Mary:I love him, dear Lord. Watch over him tonight.
Janie Bailey:Please, God, something's the matter with Daddy.
Zuzu Bailey:Please bring Daddy back.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: 'Manos' the Hands of Fate (#5.24)" (1993)See more »
Soundtrack:
My Wild Irish RoseSee more »

FAQ

How exactly did George's non-existence cause Mary's eyesight to worsen?
How many kids do Mary and George have?
Can plastic really be made from soybeans?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
86 out of 106 people found the following review useful.
Best feel good movie ever? Quite possibly., 11 February 2002
Author: Aidan McGuinness from Dublin, Ireland

Here's a new definition of cold-hearted: a man or woman who remains completely untouched by the 1946 Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life". You can't not be moved by this wonderful little gem.

The acting is all great. One of the film's greatest strengths for me is making George Bailey - the star of the movie played by James Stewart - a nice normal man. He's not perfect and that's pretty much essential to the film's success because Bailey could be *any* man. The lesson of the movie is fairly simple - we all have our role to play in the world and we are all important. Most movies would make this into a schmaltzy affair but Capra delivered a touching, heart warming tale. Bailey consistently denies himself to allow others to live as he sacrifices his life to make sure people can have enough money to avoid having to sell-their-soul in debt to the evil H. Potter (alas not a Harry Potter...). His complete and utter humility is great - he doesn't see how much he accomplished until his guardian angel Clarence shows him. Again Clarence isn't played in the usual clichéd manner but more as a believable character who honestly loves Bailey for his strengths.

The movie is a success because you can't but want Bailey to succeed. The manner in which he does could be classified as corny but, because it's so deserved, that doesn't matter. The music, the set pieces, all the touches add to a wonderful movie and give you hope that life can indeed also be wonderful. A lovely mood-lifter. 8.8/10.

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See more (585 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Let's recast it!!! jamesob5-265-908024
climbing the TOP 250 wintwins
I just saw this movie for the first time.... TwiZone
Mary or Violet? twopercent_like_el_milk
If movies were food, what would be on your grocery list? jessicahjoy87
This script has quite an interesting history. jschillig
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