It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life is a classic film starring Jimmy Stewart about a man who attempts suicide on Christmas Eve, forcing his guardian angel to intercede in his life. The story develops through a series of flashbacks which demonstrate the positive impact the man has had on the lives of his neighbors and those in his community.
Fast Facts
- Director: Frank Capra
- Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore
- Release date: January 7, 1947
- Run time: 130 minutes
- Budget: 3.18 million USD
- Tagline: "They're making memories tonight!"
- Awards: Five Academy Award nominations
- Was a box office flop; became popular in the mid-1970s from repeated Christmas showings1
- Personal favorites of both Capra and Stewart1
- Ranked #1 on AFI's "100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time" list2
Background
The film, released in 1947, had an exceptionally high production cost for the time and largely underperformed at the box office. Because it failed to reach its "break even" point, the film was considered a "flop." The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, but did not win any. However, since its initial release, It's a Wonderful Life has become a mainstay of the Christmas season.1
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