It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Frances Goodrich (screenplay), Albert Hackett (screenplay)

Stars:

James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

Top Rated Movies #24 | Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Stewart	...	George Bailey
Donna Reed	...	Mary Hatch
Lionel Barrymore	...	Mr. Potter
Thomas Mitchell	...	Uncle Billy
Henry Travers	...	Clarence
Beulah Bondi	...	Mrs. Bailey
Frank Faylen	...	Ernie
Ward Bond	...	Bert
Gloria Grahame	...	Violet
H.B. Warner	...	Mr. Gower
Frank Albertson	...	Sam Wainwright
Todd Karns	...	Harry Bailey
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Pa Bailey
Mary Treen	...	Cousin Tilly
Virginia Patton	...	Ruth Dakin

Storyline

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his ...

---

Plot Keywords:

guardian angel | christmas | small town life | alternate history | second chance | 

---

Taglines:

Original & colour versions.

---

Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, smoking and some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 January 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,180,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,270,000, 31 December 1947

Company Credits

Production Co:

Liberty Films (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min 118 min (DVD edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (colorized) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Adriana Caselotti's final role. She has a cameo as Singer At Martini's.

---

Goofs

The characters of cousins Tilly and Eustace DO NOT pose a problem. They are both Baileys being their last names are on their desk plates. These two, as well as George and Harry, all call Billy "Uncle Billy" throughout the film. It is further established that Peter Bailey is the father of George and Harry, with no mention of Billy having children of his own. However, it is never established that Peter and Billy were the only brothers in that generation of the family, nor the only brothers involved in the Building and Loan. (Presumably Tilly's and Eustace's father (or fathers) is/are deceased by the start of the story.)

---

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.

---

Crazy Credits

A ringing facsimile of the Liberty Bell (without the crack) forms the backdrop for the studio logo, which is Liberty Films, and the opening credits are in a scrapbook with Christmas decorations. The bell reappears before the end credits, and the end credits have a Christmas card picture as a backdrop.

---

Connections

Referenced in Free Enterprise (1998)

---

Soundtracks

I Love You Truly
(1906) (uncredited)
Written by Carrie Jacobs Bond
Performed by Ward Bond and Frank Faylen

User Reviews

Sheer brilliance!

After strong performances in films such as "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" and "The Philadelphia Story", James Stewart confirmed his status as one of the greats with his performance as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life". This movie is, without a doubt, the best of all time.

"It's a Wonderful Life" is a movie that you can watch over and over again. It's movie that makes you think, about life in general and how each person makes a difference, and about how great life can be (hence the title "It's a Wonderful Life). Whilst making you think, it also entertains with many light hearted moments, particularly towards the end of the film.

The direction, sound and casting in "It's a Wonderful Life" are second to none. Yet it is the fact that almost any person can watch this movie and come away feeling inspired that makes it easily the best movie of all time!

A 10/10 without a doubt!