The happy ending, in which George sees how things would have been if he had never existed and realises the true value of his life, proved to have universal appeal. This quite literal free-for-all was only ended in 1993 when Republic Pictures slyly mounted a successful legal case to show that they owned the rights to the movie because they owned the rights to the short story on which the film was based, Phillip Van Doren Stern’s "The Greatest Gift".īy that stage, however, It’s a Wonderful Life had firmly established itself as a Christmas classic. Over the next two decades, it ended up being broadcast repeatedly into American homes, especially at Christmas time, cementing a place in the public consciousness as a film which promoted good old-fashioned values in an increasingly capitalist society.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE ON TV TV
In 1974, an administrative error meant that the film’s copyright was not properly renewed, meaning TV stations could effectively screen it for free. It seemed as if It’s a Wonderful Life would have to settle for an unremarkable existence while other films went on to greater things.īut then a curious thing happened.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE ON TV PROFESSIONAL
All these elements contributed to the financial failure of the film, leaving Capra deep in debt and with a badly damaged professional reputation. Moreover, Mr Potter ( Lionel Barrymore), the villainous banker in question, actually avoids punishment in the film, leaving it in breach of Hollywood’s Hays Code, which demanded onscreen baddies receive their comeuppance. Further damage was done by an FBI investigation which concluded the film contained subversive Communist propaganda, particularly in what they considered the demonization of bankers. Mixed reviews and an unenthusiastic public reception resulted in disappointing box-office returns. Things didn’t get any better when It’s a Wonderful Life was eventually released. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. We need your consent to load this YouTube content We use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Meanwhile, behind the camera, Capra fell out with his writers and composer, the shoot fell behind schedule and the budget rose alarmingly. With few other offers forthcoming, he took the role of George Bailey and his fragile mental state would lend his performance real authenticity as he, like George, struggled with his inner demons. Stewart had flown several missions as a fighter pilot in Europe, returning to acting disillusioned and suffering badly from post-traumatic stress disorder. Capra had worked as a propaganda documentarian for the US War Department and had seen much evidence of the horrors of war. It’s a Wonderful Life was the first film that Capra and Stewart made upon their return to Hollywood after the war, an experience which had profoundly affected both men. "I didn't even think of it as a Christmas story," he admitted years later. Then again, Capra never intended to make a Christmas classic. It certainly didn’t sound like the basis for a future Christmas classic. But there’s a lot of darkness before the light so it wasn’t something audiences wanted to see in the wake of the second world war. Only the intervention of his bumbling guardian angel Clarence shifts it towards a more comic, feel-good ending. After all, for most of its running time, it is quite a serious story about how the hard-working George Bailey ( James Stewart) becomes so filled with despair at his constantly thwarted ambitions that he is driven to contemplate suicide. Perhaps it is not surprising that It’s a Wonderful Life was not particularly popular at first.
But if it hadn’t been for a fortunate quirk of fate, we might be living in an alternate reality where one of the most popular films of all time had never been loved at all.
Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece is as much a part of festive season as tinsel and turkey. When you sit down with your RTE Guide this Christmas, it won’t take long before you spot It’s a Wonderful Life in the TV schedule. You can subscribe to the Brainstorm podcast via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. This article is now available above as a Brainstorm podcast. Opinion: Frank Capra's masterpiece remains a Christmas classic because the film still speaks to many to us at this time of year
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