It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

My Review

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the classic Christmas story about a man despondent about his life until he gets a visit from his guardian angel who shows him how much his family and friends appreciate what he has done for them. Director Frank Capra (“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” 1939) put together a movie with outstanding production values, memorable performances, and excellent writing. He co-wrote the screenplay with Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and Jo Swerling.

The stars include James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, H. B. Warner, Sheldon Leonard, Ellen Corby, Carl Switzer, and Moroni Olsen as the voice of the senior angel. “It’s a Wonderful Life” was a box office bomb for producer Frank Capra, Liberty Films, and RKO Radio Pictures.

This film with a 131 minute running time received five Oscar nods for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Stewart), Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Recording. It was given a Technical Achievement Award for developing a new way to make realistic snow fall on movie sets. Although not well received by critics or the public in 1946, over time “It’s a Wonderful Life” has become a holiday staple and even regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.