Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, when the film was still under public domain status, It's a Wonderful Life was released on VHS by a variety of home video companies. In his autobiography Please Don't Hate Me, he said of the incident, "an all around scissors job".[44]. "Frank Capra: Interviews." 2011, Gammage, Jeff. "I have been through every piece of paper in Frank Capra's diaries, his archives, everything. [82][85] That year, Republic made a deal with Turner Broadcasting System, authorizing only three airings of the movie, all on cable's TNT and TBS. [4] The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams, in order to help others in his community, and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers). Capra's first script had Bailey fall to his knees to recite "The Lord's Prayer" (the script also called for an opening scene with the townspeople in prayer). The number-one grossing movie of 1947, The Best Years of Our Lives, made $11.5 million. You’ll spend countless happy hours enjoying the home’s game room with shuffleboard, foosball, and pool tables. This was the first movie he made after returning from service in World War II, and he wanted it to be special--a celebration of the lives and dreams of America's ordinary citizens, who tried the best they could to do the right thing by themselves and their neighbors. Later, George prevents the town druggist, Mr. Gower, who is distraught from his son's death, from accidentally poisoning a child's prescription. Christmas Classics 3-movie Collection 2020. Before Capra decided on Ward Bond as Bert,[31] he also considered Sam Levene, Barton MacLane, Robert Mitchum, John Alexander and Irving Bacon for the role. However, the studio's attempt to reassert control was widely ignored since there were still some existing distribution deals that Republic had to honor. [76], It's a Wonderful Life received a Golden Globe Award for Capra as Best Motion Picture Director. On November 13, 2007, Paramount released a two-disc "special edition" DVD of the film that contained both the original theatrical black-and-white version, and a new, third colorized version, produced by Legend Films using the latest colorization technology. [32] In the silent era, he had played the role of Jesus Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings (1927). On October 31, 2006, Paramount released a newly remastered "60th Anniversary Edition". Harry returns from college married and with an excellent job offer from his father-in-law. Jones, Ken D., Arthur F. McClure and Alfred E. Twomey. [58], In 1990, It's a Wonderful Life was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in their National Film Registry. It is commonly believed that the characters of Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the cabdriver; however, in a correction for the 1999 "Annual Xmas Quiz" in the San Francisco Chronicle, which made this claim, series writer Jerry Juhl confirmed that, per producer Jon Stone, the shared names were merely a coincidence. A stage-adaptation of the story was presented at The Tower Theatre in Winchester in December 2016 by Blue Apple Theatre with Lawrie Morris in the role of George Bailey. 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. A technician had actually knocked over some equipment; Capra left in Mitchell's impromptu ad lib and rewarded the technician with $10, thanking him for his 'sound improvement'. George finds he is back in his life as it was, but now he is full of gratitude for that life. The Seneca Falls It's A Wonderful Life Museum is located in Western New York. Bundles containing this item. It's A Wonderful Life (1946), originally made for Liberty Films, is one of the most popular and heartwarming films ever made by director Frank Capra. [71], The film's positive reception has continued into the present. It was eventually performed in Washington, DC, by Arena Stage in 1991, and had revivals in the 21st century, including a staged concert version in New York City in 2005 and several productions by regional theatres. "Frank Capra: The Catastrophe of Success." This included key rights to the original television syndication, the original nitrate film elements, the music score, and the film rights to the story on which the film is based, "The Greatest Gift". Almost 50 years prior to the creation of HGTV in the 1990s, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” taught viewers about the magic of a cheap old home, among other things. A musical stage adaptation of the film, titled A Wonderful Life, was written by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo. Overview System Requirements Related. [65][N 5] Wendell Jamieson, in a 2008 article for The New York Times which was generally positive in its analysis of the film, noted that far from being simply a sweetly sentimental tale, it "is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and relinquishing your dreams, of seeing your father driven to the grave before his time, of living among bitter, small-minded people. The film had been announced as being produced by Star Partners and Hummingbird Productions, neither of which are affiliated with Paramount, owners of the original film (Farnsworth claimed that It's a Wonderful Life was in the public domain). It is a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away, of becoming so filled with rage that you verbally abuse your children, their teacher, and your oppressively perfect wife. [5] Although It's a Wonderful Life initially received mixed reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office, it became a classic Christmas film after it was put into the public domain, which allowed it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees.[6]. His superlative acting abilities cause us to identify strongly with him (how many of us have lamented--even to ourselves--that no one seems to notice the sacrifices we've made? Later, a Paramount spokesperson claimed that they were not granting permission to make the film, "To date, these individuals have not obtained any of the necessary rights, and we would take all appropriate steps to protect those rights", the spokesperson said. Ernie! It is also one of two Capra films Paramount owns despite not having originally released it—the other is Broadway Bill (originally from Columbia, remade by Paramount as Riding High in 1950). [97], In 2002, the television film It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie premiered on NBC. George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. [91], Computer Gaming World said in April 1994, "The picture quality still has a way to go before it reaches television standards", but was "a noble effort" that would "please fans of the film".[92]. [98], Philip Grecian's 2006 radio play based on the film It's a Wonderful Life is a faithful adaptation, now in its third incarnation, that has been performed numerous times by local theatres in Canada. [29][30] Both actors had returned from the war with no employment prospects. "[57] Film historian Andrew Sarris points out as "curious" that "the censors never noticed that the villainous Mr. Potter gets away with robbery without being caught or punished in any way". The film was also adapted into a play in two acts by James W. Rodgers. Also on Gower Street was a drugstore that was a favorite for the studio's employees. Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. It's a Wonderful Life Everyone can agree that It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the most famous Christmas movies of all time, nearly on par with Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny, Spunky the Snowman, and Feeders 2: Slay Bells. [85] Artisan Entertainment (under license from Republic) took over home video rights in the mid-1990s. Warner slapped him for real and made his ear bleed, reducing him to tears. It's a day of judgment." We’re interrupting our sermon series on the Book of Acts to focus our attention on Christmas and upon the greatest Christmas verse in … Her husband, Albert Hackett, said, "We told him what we were going to do, and he said 'That sounds fine.' The other board members vote to keep the Building and Loan open if George will run it. I'm proud ... but it's the kid who did the work. Use the HTML below. "The film has a life of its own now, and I can look at it like I had nothing to do with it. So my wife said, 'We're finished right now.' It was also Jimmy Stewart's favorite film. For example, in the opening scene, Clarence just mentions George having saved his brother Harry after the latter had fallen through the ice.[96]. [17] While Capra thought the contemporary critical reviews were either universally negative, or at best dismissive,[52] Time said, "It's a Wonderful Life is a pretty wonderful movie. "[51] It's a Wonderful Life premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York on December 20, 1946, to mixed reviews. [93], On October 29, 2019, the film was released for the first time on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, along with Digital copy featuring a new Dolby Vision transfer. But somehow, they all resemble theatrical attitudes, rather than average realities. "[72] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating to reviews, the film has a score 89 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". The film addresses real and resonant issues of self-worth and failure. Goodrich, Francis, Albert Hackett and Frank Capra. Meet George Bailey, whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. Welles signed on for projects like this in the 1970s so he could fund his own projects, including. "Reclaiming the Real: It's a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)". The play opens with George Bailey contemplating suicide and then goes back through major moments in his life. Stewart also starred in the May 8, 1949 radio adaptation presented on the Screen Directors Playhouse. The film was twice adapted for radio in 1947, first on Lux Radio Theater (March 10) and then on the Screen Guild Theater (December 29), then again on the Screen Guild Theater broadcast of March 15, 1951. In order to power the city, monsters have to scare children so that they scream. Famous or memorable uncredited cast members include Stanley Andrews as Mr. Welch, the teacher's husband; Al Bridge as the Sheriff with the arrest warrant against George; Adriana Caselotti as Singer at Martini's; Ellen Corby as Bailey Brothers Building & Loan customer Miss Davis; Dick Elliott as the bald man on his front porch; Charles Halton as the bank examiner Mr. Carter; Harry Holman as the high school principal Mr. Partridge; Harold Landon as Marty Hatch; J. Farrell MacDonald as the man whose grandfather planted the tree George drives into; Mark Roberts as Mickey, the student with the swimming pool keys and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Freddie Othello, the student who unsuccessfully tries to flirt with Mary. First Baptist Church Henderson, KY (12-23-07) (AM) Open your Bibles to John, chapter 3. ), which is, I think, why the movie bears up under so many repeat viewings. George receives a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as a gift from Clarence, with a note reminding George that no man is a failure who has friends, and thanking him for his wings. Local televisions stations do occasionally replay the movie. In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind. "[68], The film's elevation to the status of a beloved classic came three decades after its initial release, when it became a television staple during Christmas season in 1976. Barker, Martin and Thomas Austin. "[22] The final screenplay, renamed by Capra It's a Wonderful Life,[12][23] was credited to Goodrich, Hackett, and Capra, with "additional scenes" by Jo Swerling. Aahhh...a beach vacation on the ocean with stunning views and a house that's packed full of luxury and amenities - It's A Wonderful Life! "The Name Above the Title." The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put that relationship in jeopardy. And it's easy to see why. Under George's leadership, the company eventually establishes Bailey Park, a modern housing development to rival Potter's overpriced slums. Moving from one medium to another dictates changes. Assuming Harry followed George to the hill. Many of the scenes from the movie are only alluded to or mentioned in the play rather than actually dramatized. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. [59][60][61], In 2002, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom ranked It's a Wonderful Life as the seventh-greatest film ever made in its poll "The 100 Greatest Films". The following is a guest post by Samantha Kosarzycki, legal intern, Office of Public Information and Education. If there is one classic Christmas movie that continues to inspire each holiday season it is It’s a Wonderful Life. (The award for "Best Sound Recording" was won by The Jolson Story.) [50], According to a 2006 book, "A spate of movies appeared just after the ending of the Second World War, including It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Stairway to Heaven (1946), perhaps tapping into so many people's experience of loss of loved ones and offering a kind of consolation. Wasserman said Stewart would gladly play the part without hearing the story. Stewart's father ran a small hardware store where James worked for years. 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