It may seem cliche today, yet its undeniable that the celebratory ending of its a wonderful life gave the movie its christmas classic status. Instead, when you think of its a wonderful life, you think of a. People just watched it because it was a christmas movie that had been around forever. Its a wonderful life has dark backstory that no one really mentions. Its a wonderful life is a 1946 american christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by frank capra, based on the short story and booklet the greatest. Its the holiday season, so thats a good enough reason to bring you everyones favorite christmas time movie. The angel then shows him what his hometown of bedford falls and the people in it including his wife played by donna more. Surprisingly, there was a point in time when capra didnt intend for the population of bedford falls to come to georges rescue. From elf to its a wonderful life, read and share these memorable moments from the best christmas films. There are certain films that will forever be associated with the christmas holiday, films that will be aired and reaired innumerable times between.
The angel shows him bedford falls not as it would be if he had never been born, but if he had gone into business instead of politics. Add its a wonderful life to your watchlist to find out when its coming back. With that plea, the alternate universe suddenly ends. We collect some most famous quotes from the its a wonderful life movie. There are no tv airings of its a wonderful life in the next 14 days. Its a wonderful life edges out the leg lamp and bb gun crowd that adores a christmas story, primarily due to its popularity with everyone over 35. Its a wonderful life may be considered a classic, but it certainly isnt a christmas film. When we think of christmas movies its hard not to conjure up in our minds eye the classics.
The thing you remember most is years after the movie, how when you run into jimmy stewart, or i had the pleasure of working with donna reed years later, too, and how nice they were, hawkins said. Stewart portrays george bailey, a man from a small town named. Why its a wonderful life is not a real christmas movie. Its a wonderful life, the 1946 movie directed by frank capra and starring james jimmy stewart, is a christmastime favorite. Frank capras movie has managed to cement itself as part of the christmas. Its a wonderful life movie tv listings and schedule tv. Explanation its a wonderful life is a 1946 frank capra film. How its a wonderful life failed its way to a christmas. But munby posits that the subject matter may have just been too dark for a holidayseason audience in 1946.
How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas classic. Its a wonderful life most popular christmas movie in. Along the way, it also caught the attention of the federal bureau of investigation. Now perhaps the most beloved american film, its a wonderful life was largely forgotten for years, due to a quirk.
Miracle on 34th street and a christmas story are about christmas. Its a wonderful life is getting restored in time for. Its a wonderful life film secrets you probably didnt know. More than half of it is spent not talking about christmas at all, but rather going over the life of george bailey and looking at what made him suicidal on one particular christmas in the 1940s, as well as all of the ways that he changed the lives of those around him, and why his own life was important. When we were pretty far along in the script but not done, our agent. Its a wonderful life originated as a christmas card all this month, ill be doing christmasrelated movie and tv legends. Its a wonderful life colorized version vhs james stewart, donna reed. Its a wonderful life is currently available for subscribers of amazon prime but the title wont be found on netflix, hulu, or other major streaming platforms. You dont need me to sell you on its a wonderful life. How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas.
Several years ago nbc obtained s on the film, and ruins it every year by. Sure, a major turning point in the films plot takes place on christmas eve, but the entire story takes place over decades of the main characters life. Its a wonderful life has become a staple of christmas television programming the world over. The best movie quotes, movie lines and film phrases by movie quotes. Aside from the films lack of initial box office success, the movie was initially considered communist propaganda by the fbi for a decade after its release in 1946 and continues to be a major talking point among fans.
Christmas classic its a wonderful life, a scififantasy film. Its a wonderful life quotes, movie quotes movie quotes. Its a wonderful life decider where to stream movies. Why its a wonderful life is not a real christmas movie forbes. The weird story of the fbi and its a wonderful life. However, i actually enjoy this one so much that i make an effort to find out when it is on and watch it every year. Grant went on to make another christmas movie staple, the bishops wife. Almost all of the movie happens on a day that is not christmas, and then only the last few scenes happen then. Those who enjoy all the benefits from primes full membership will have access to the movie, as will the users signed up for the cheaper prime video option. Watching iawl has become a tonic, a pickmeup when i really need onewhether its the christmas season or not. Its a wonderful life, initially greeted with meager enthusiasm by the movie going public, who thought it too depressing for a christmas film, finally came into its own when the days of tv syndication came along. Frank capras iconic holiday film is simply the perfect christmas movie. Is its a wonderful life on netflix, prime, or hulu.
All that prevents him from doing so is georges modest building and loan company. Its always on in the background at family christmas parties, and most of us can. And even for those few scenes, its not essential to the story that its christmas. It was released in 1946 and follows george bailey, played by james stewart, as he is saved by an angel after a suicide attempt. Its a wonderful life is a seasonal reminder that the. Its a wonderful life, elf, charlie brown christmas quotes. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint mr. It may not be christmas, but its always the right time to see this cherished frank capra. His contract with mgm had run out, his agent had left the movie business. On the christmas eve of bedford falls, the guardian angel clarence is assigned to convince the desperate george bailey not to commit suicide. Every time i see a clip of its a wonderful life, all i can think of is the audience for whom it. Its a wonderful life is still wisconsins favorite christmas movie. For many families, christmas isnt christmas until the annual viewing of its a wonderful life.
Its a wonderful life child stars recall their favorite. Its a wonderful life film secrets you probably havent. That movie is its a wonderful life, and out of all the 80 films ive made, its my favorite. When we were pretty far along in the script but not done, our agent called. Its a wonderful life theyre making memories tonight. Merry christmas, you wonderful old building and loan.
My entire family is in love with the film its a wonderful life. How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to. James stewart and donna reed in its a wonderful life 1946 james stewart. More than seven decades after its release in us cinemas, frank capras story of a suicidal man james. Its a wonderful life bombed at the box office before becoming a christmas classic. The making of its a wonderful life by james stewart guideposts magazine, 1977 a friend told me recently that seeing a movie i made in 1946 is a holiday tradition in his family, like putting up the christmas tree. So are elf, the polar express, the santa clause, prancer and how the grinch stole christmas.
For years, nbc has shown the beloved movie on christmas eve. Only in the late 1970s did it find its audience through repeated tv showings. Its a wonderful life was once considered controversial. Why its a wonderful life is not a christmas movie fandango. Its a wonderful life is a 1946 american christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by. Most importantly, though, its a wonderful life is not about christmas. The famous speech from george bailey jimmy stewart to potter lionel barrymore and the loan board from frank capras movie its a wonderful life. This twopack includes two of christmass alltime classics its a wonderful life 60th anniversary edition and white christmas. Remember no man is a failure who has friends clarence the angel. The frank capra film, its a wonderful life, is one of the most beloved christmas films of alltime although, at the time of its release, the fbi actually investigated the film to determine whether it was secretly intended as communist. Theres a lot to be learned from the christmas classic its a wonderful life, but one of its most valuable lessons isnt actually in the movie its found in the story of how the movie.
This year marks its a wonderful lifes 70th anniversary, a momentous occasion for a film whose life hasnt always been so wonderful. You can also read and share these quotes with your friends and love ones. Fourteen percent of people 3564 love seeing how an angel earns his wings, with a whopping 25 percent of the 65plus crowd endorsing the decision. Of all the experiences on set, the most special part of filming its a wonderful life was the friendships forged, the two stars agreed. One could use its a wonderful life to teach their children values. George bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of bedford falls. Its a wonderful life is not, in fact, a real christmas movie. Here is a christmas movie bible study for frank capras its a wonderful life. With its a wonderful life airing tonight on nbc, the beloved holiday classic was not always revered by fans and critics the way it is today. And yes, i will admit that its a wonderful life has a lifeaffirming, feelgood ending and the same kind of message about love and selfsacrifice that many holiday films share. George bailey and his guardian angel, clarence the film stars james stewart as george bailey, a. And, though not every critic agreed, time s critic knew right away that it had the potential to become an enduring piece of cinema history.
So then tell me how its a wonderful life is a christmas movie. On christmas eve, georges old uncle loses eight thousand dollars of the company, exposing it at risk of bankruptcy. Frank capras 1946 classic tells the story of a suicidal man james stewart saved by divine intervention in the form of an angel named clarence who has not yet earned his wings. Explore some most popular its a wonderful life movie quotes and sayings. Frank capras christmas classic, its a wonderful life, starring james stewart is one of the most iconic films ever made. Movies can have a large impact on the way we think, and are a great starting point for discussion.
Okay, but there are talking celestial beings throughout the movie that may or may not be gods. Its messagethat each one of us is important and has something to contribute to the greater goodis one about which the world could use some reminding from time to time. Did its a wonderful life originate as a christmas card. Its a wonderful life full christmas movies classic. Jimmy stewart as george bailey with his guardian angel, clarence, in the 1946 classic, its a wonderful life. Culture film features how its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas classic. Every year in december i look forward to watching the 1946 black and white movie its a wonderful life i normally am not a fan of most old movies. Its a wonderful life trivia board game pressman classic. But so does finding nemo and no one calls that a christmas movie. In my 30 years on the planet, no one had said, oh my god, you have to see it. Its a wonderful life starred james stewart as george bailey.
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