Its a wonderful life, initially greeted with meager enthusiasm by the movie. The christmas classic was not always a crowd favorite, with even the federal bureau of investigation thinking the film was potential communist propaganda. James stewart and donna reed in a scene from the film photo by herbert. Its a wonderful life 1947 34 never been born duration. How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas. When we think of christmas movies its hard not to conjure up in our minds eye the classics. Dec 25, 2018 it s a wonderful life film secrets you probably didnt know. So then tell me how it s a wonderful life is a christmas movie. Its not christmas until george baileys mouth is bleeding, he finds zuzus petals in his pocket, and he becomes the richest man in bedford falls.
The movie had an unexpected turn in the 1970s thanks to a messup, helping the film become the classic we know today. How its a wonderful life went from box office dud to accidental. To the surprise of many, its a wonderful life was filmed in the heat of summer. Most importantly, though, its a wonderful life is not about christmas. Its a wonderful life teaches that everyone can make a difference by living a responsible, caring life. Its a wonderful life tv showtimes 2017 how to watch it.
How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas classic. 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. The advertising did not stress the christmas element very much, said arnold. Dec 21, 2008 why i watch it s a wonderful life every christmas. The largest holiday stunt in the networks history, its a wonderful lifetime runs from november through december, during which lifetime telecasts more than 50 holidaythemed films that capture everything about the holiday spirit. Apparently seneca falls, a town in upstate new york, holds an its a wonderful life festival every year. From elf to its a wonderful life, read and share these memorable moments from the best christmas films. 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. Famed director frank capra told the wall street journal in the 1980s that he. When youre sad, think about the message this movie delivers, because you will get a smile on your face.
George baileys life is not, in worldly terms, wonderful. Stewart portrays george bailey, a man from a small town named. Its a wonderful lifes fluky path to holiday classic. Its a wonderful life, elf, charlie brown christmas quotes. It s a wonderful life is still wisconsin s favorite christmas movie. Dec 12, 2016 its a wonderful life is much more than just a movie. It may be an iconic christmas movie, but its a wonderful life was actually shot in the summer of 1946in the midst of a heat wave, no less. Ironically, despite its current reputation, its a wonderful life was not initially intended to be a christmas movie. Dec 09, 2017 for the latest installment of our movies you missed series, two firsttime viewers of it s a wonderful life admit wondering for a long time why it s regarded as a christmas movie. Its a noir portrait with holly stuck in the frame, a sanity hearing in the form of a greeting card. The christmas classic its a wonderful life premiered in new york.
Its a wonderful life has become a staple of christmas television programming the world over. 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. So what the heck is its a wonderful life gizmodo uk. 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. The fbi had its eye on its a wonderful life, your favorite. So then tell me how its a wonderful life is a christmas movie. More than seven decades after its release in us cinemas, frank capras story of a suicidal man james. And yes, this means its a wonderful life is out too. Its a wonderful story structure january 2016 issue a newsletter by michael w.
Of course, george baileys kindnesses arent the only way its a wonderful life can help us get through this trying time. The anniversary edition of the movie is also available to buy on amazon. 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. I have never enjoyed the christmas movie, its a wonderful life. Culture film features how its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas classic. So are elf, the polar express, the santa clause, prancer and how the grinch stole christmas. Dec 11, 2017 it s not christmas until george bailey s mouth is bleeding, he finds zuzu s petals in his pocket, and he becomes the richest man in bedford falls. Why its a wonderful life is not a real christmas movie. It claims to have been the inspiration for bedford falls, capra having visited there in 1945. Classic christmas collection its a wonderful life white.
Okay, for a movie to be a christmas movie, then the plot has to revolve around christmas, right. Holiday movies are as pivotal as tinsel, trees and turkey trimmings. Instead, it portrayed the film more as a purely warm romance. But so does finding nemo and no one calls that a christmas movie. Dec 25, 2018 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 film secrets you probably didnt know. It was given an extra boost due to the fact that through inattention, the ran out. No matter how many times i view its a wonderful life, i still get a little choked up at the end. Frank capras christmas classic, its a wonderful life, starring james stewart is one of the most iconic films ever made. Its a wonderful life starred james stewart as george bailey, a. Its about the resiliency of the human spirit, about how people come together to help one another during a crisis.
Remember no man is a failure who has friends clarence the angel. Everything wrong with its a wonderful life in merry christmas. Its a wonderful life is the perfect christmas movie decider. Once you understand that george baileys life is full and rich, even if it never followed the course he himself had imagined for it, you understand that the movie isnt depressing at all. Dec 31, 2007 the ending to one of the best movies of all time. We dont have to wait until christmas to appreciate this remarkable film. Its a wonderful life, the 1946 movie directed by frank capra and starring james jimmy stewart, is a christmastime favorite. Its a wonderful life movie tv listings and schedule tv guide. Why its a wonderful life is not a real christmas movie forbes. One of the most beautiful things about this movie is that it s not really just about him. This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
Its a wonderful life most popular christmas movie in america. Dec 21, 2016 and, though not every critic agreed, times critic knew right away that it had the potential to become an enduring piece of cinema history. Frank capra and james stewarts tale of a man on the verge of suicide failed to do well in. No matter how many times i view it s a wonderful life, i still get a little choked up at the end.
It s about the resiliency of the human spirit, about how people come together to help one another during a crisis. Banned from tv and will be from mine for not airing it at least once a day in december, just another sign this country has gone to the dogs, wake up idiots. Find out when and where you can watch its a wonderful life on tv with the full listings schedule at. Mar 27, 2020 of course, george bailey s kindnesses arent the only way it s a wonderful life can help us get through this trying time. When you see jimmy stewarts character on the bridge sweating, it was. Several things worked against its a wonderful life when it made its lukewarm premiere in theaters. The majority of its a wonderful life isnt even set during christmas. This year, its a wonderful life will air on sunday, december 24th at 8 p. Almost all of the movie happens on a day that is not christmas, and then only the last few scenes happen then.
Dec 02, 2016 it s a wonderful life was a wonderful fluke. Its a wonderful life has dark backstory that no one really mentions. Nov 21, 2017 this year, it s a wonderful life will air on sunday, december 24th at 8 p. I was disappointed that this was not being shown at christmas so i bought my.
Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings its a. Once you understand that george bailey s life is full and rich, even if it never followed the course he himself had imagined for it, you understand that the movie isnt depressing at all. Why i watch its a wonderful life every christmas the guardian. Its the perfect christmas movie and a towering masterpiece of american cinema. Dec 22, 2014 apparently seneca falls, a town in upstate new york, holds an its a wonderful life festival every year. A tradition for many families is watching the classic movie its a wonderful life while curled up next to the christmas tree during the holiday season.
This would be a great movie, even if it were not in a christmas setting. Im speaking, of course, of its a wonderful life, the muchloved 1946 frank capra feature that also. Its a wonderful life tv showtimes 2017 how to watch. The procapitalist message of the classic movie its a. Its a wonderful life full christmas movies classic christmas movies christmas movie. His contract with mgm had run out, his agent had left the movie business. Its a wonderful life has become arguably the top christmas classic, in part due to its heavy exposure on tv, and in part because the film is so good it. In addition, it presents the counterargument to the contention that young people should follow their own star, leave the community in which they grew up, and go out into the world.
The tale of george bailey, who had planned to commit suicide on christmas eve before his guardian angel intervenes and shows him all the lives hes touched, is a classic of american cinema. The christmas classic its a wonderful life premiered in new york citys globe theatre on dec. 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 frank capra, based on the short story and booklet the greatest. If the movie does not fall within these criteria, how could anyone say it is a christmas movie. Its a wonderful life is now regarded as one of the greatest and most beloved christmas season movies of all time.
This movie doesnt just have to be a christmas movie. Its not as quotable as a christmas story 1983 or as lyrical as. Its a wonderful life lux radio theater drama youtube. One of the most beautiful things about this movie is that its not really just about him. A page put together by fans of the beloved and timeless story of george bailey in its a wonderful life. Today, its a wonderful life only appears on broadcast tv and streaming around christmas even though most of the events in the film do not take place at christmas. The best 20 holiday films of alltime, ranked indiewire. Do me a favor and watch this movie as soon as possible. Dec, 2016 it s a tale not many fans of the 1946 christmas classic it s a wonderful life know, but after filming, the actress who played little zuzu bailey experienced a personal tragedy that took her far away from hollywood, and sidetracked her acting career for decades. Now perhaps the most beloved american film, its a wonderful life was largely forgotten for years, due to a quirk.
Its a wonderful life is still wisconsins favorite christmas movie. Director frank capras 1946 classic its a wonderful life is sacred in the holiday movie pantheon. Its a wonderful movie in a political year by gary demar. Dec 24, 2019 culture film features how its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas classic. Its a tale not many fans of the 1946 christmas classic its a wonderful life know, but after filming, the actress who played little zuzu bailey experienced a personal tragedy that took her far away from hollywood, and sidetracked her acting career for decades.
Most of the film has nothing to do with christmas at all, in fact. Dec 29, 2019 its a wonderful life, the 1946 movie directed by frank capra and starring james jimmy stewart, is a christmastime favorite. 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. Its always on in the background at family christmas parties, and most of us can. Every original tv show and movie coming to the new warnermedia streaming service. Christmas movies showing on the lifetime channel in 2020. More than seven decades after its release in us cinemas, frank. Donna reed is wonderful as well as all the characters of the town. Miracle on 34th street and a christmas story are about christmas. Its a wonderful life movie tv listings and schedule tv. Feb 12, 2005 george baileys life is not, in worldly terms, wonderful.
Feb, 2018 ironically, despite its current reputation, its a wonderful life was not initially intended to be a christmas movie. My entire family is in love with the film its a wonderful life. This twopack includes two of christmass alltime classics its a wonderful life 60th anniversary edition and white christmas. Its a wonderful life most popular christmas movie in. Reallife tragedy of zuzu bailey actress karolyn grimes. And, though not every critic agreed, times critic knew right away that it had the potential to become an enduring piece of cinema history.
Her life made such a drastic turn, in fact, that nearly 35 years after the films debut, when her costar jimmy stewart finally. For the latest installment of our movies you missed series, two firsttime viewers of its a wonderful life admit wondering for a long time why its regarded as a christmas movie. Its a wonderful life is the greatest movie ever made, there is nothing that compares and nbc should be. Its a wonderful life 1946 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only. Its a wonderful life film secrets you probably havent. Conversely, if the movie is set in any other day and it does not change the story in anyway, it is not a christmas movie. Most of the film has nothing to do with christmas at all. Frank capra s christmas classic, it s a wonderful life, starring james stewart is one of the most iconic films ever made. For many families, christmas isnt christmas until the annual viewing of its a wonderful life. How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to. Dec 16, 2019 its a wonderful life has become a staple of christmas television programming the world over.
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