It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American film directed by Frank Capra, starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a small-town building and loan officer who, facing financial ruin and contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, is shown by a guardian angel what his community would have become had he never been born. The film performed only modestly at the box office on its original release and did not become a major cultural fixture until decades later, when a lapse in its copyright renewal led American television stations to broadcast it frequently and without licensing fees each holiday season. It's a Wonderful Life is now widely regarded as one of the most beloved American films and a defining work of Capra's career.
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Original Language Release Year FAQs
Why did It's a Wonderful Life become a Christmas television tradition if it did poorly at first?
It fell out of copyright for a time and was then broadcast routinely on television at Christmastime.
Britannica describes the 1946 film as a critical success that was nonetheless a box-office disappointment, at a time when postwar moviegoers were in the mood for joviality. Its large following came later: Britannica says it was only after the film temporarily fell out of copyright and was broadcast routinely on television at Christmastime that it built a widespread following. The lapse in copyright is the reason it became so familiar from repeated holiday broadcasts.
When did It's a Wonderful Life enter the National Film Registry?
It was inducted in 1990.
The Library of Congress National Film Registry listing records It's a Wonderful Life, released in 1946, as inducted in 1990. The listing is published by the Library of Congress National Film Preservation Board.
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Source It's a Wonderful Life (Wikipedia)
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Source It's a Wonderful Life (Wikipedia)
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Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
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Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.opening paragraph, Britannica topic page for Its a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life, American dramatic film, released in 1946, that is widely considered one of the most inspirational and beloved movies in American cinema. The film, which was produced and directed by Frank Capra, has become synonymous with Christmas, when it is frequently televised.
It's a Wonderful Life, Description, original language
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American film directed by Frank Capra, starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a small-town building and loan officer who, facing financial ruin and contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, is shown by a guardian angel what his community would have become had he never been born.
View the Source 2. Library of Congress, National Film Preservation Board: Complete National Film Registry Listing
Library of Congress, National Film Preservation BoardNational Film Registry listing row: film released 1946, inducted 1990Quote, National Film Registry listing row: film released 1946, inducted 1990
It's a Wonderful Life 1946 1990
It's a Wonderful Life (Wikidata)
Wikidata P166: National Board of Review: Top Ten FilmsQuote, Wikidata P166: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Wikidata P166 (award received): National Board of Review: Top Ten Films.
It's a Wonderful Life (Wikipedia)
In Medium: Film, Article lead sentence
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film directed and produced by Frank Capra.
Created By: Frank Capra, Article lead sentence
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film directed and produced by Frank Capra.
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