ONE OF THE BEST  MOVIES OF ALL  TIMES -

When It's a Wonderful Life was released in 1946 reviews of the film weren't great. Further dismissal came of Frank Capra's holiday-themed film at the Academy Awards when none of the movie's five Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jimmy Stewart), resulted in a win. That year the movie barely earned back its cost. Movie fans however embraced the heartfelt story and made it a classic that's one of the most popular films seen at Christmas.

The story starts with a dejected George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) who feels a bitter disappointment that the business left him by his deceased father isn't doing so well. George can't see beyond his depression of misplacing a large loan, to realize how good his life is. As he stands at a bridge thinking his life is over Angels are shown discussing George's plight. Just as he's ready to jump, Clarence (Henry Travers), his assigned guardian angel who needs to earn his wings, comes to his rescue.

 Clarence takes George on a tour through the town of Bedford Falls and through a series of flashbacks, reveals to George how he's helped so many of his friends and townsfolk as well. It's quite clear that George has given up a lot to make the town a better place and begins to feel somewhat better. Then he gets around Mary (Donna Reed), the love of his life, and George finds new hope.

George decides to take on the hardnosed and selfish millionaire, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) who'd rather see kids and families without anything than to give George more time to find the missing money. George comes up with a plan, but when the townspeople get scared, they storm Bailey Building and Loan Society and want their money immediately. Finding the faith to believe in himself again, George weathers the storm.

This heartwarming and delightful story, based on the book The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, caught everyone by surprise at how well it adapted to the screen. The actors were incredible in bringing a reality to the story. Although the role of George was rumored to go to Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart made this film jump right off the screen and into fans' hearts worldwide. His ability to show the depths of his despair, then muster genuine strength and stamina to slay Goliath with goodness is absolutely wonderful, and viewers are in his pocket every minute of the film.

Likewise for the role played by Donna Reed, who is a silent life ring, pulling for George all along. And the film would not have worked without a staunch and ornery character that pops up like a Jack 'n ' the Box, for round after round against George. Lionel Barrymore carried out that task superbly.

It's a Wonderful Life could have met a disastrous end as its copyright mysteriously failed to be renewed in 1974, and the film fell into public domain. NBC ended the sloppy copying frenzy that ensued when they acquired exclusive rights in 1994. Since then the film has been released and remastered in several video and DVD releases.

This timeless classic that's enjoyable to watch any time of the year, teaches about second chances and that good deeds do pay off. It has so many wonderful endearing moments. One of my favorites is when George's daughter, ZuZu (Karolyn Grimes), is told by her teacher that the ringing of a bell means another angel got his/her wings.

The American Film Institute named It's a Wonderful Life one of the best films ever made and it ranked #1 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers, a list of the most inspirational American movies of all time. It placed #11 on AFI's list of 100 greatest American films. Watch it with your family anytime of the year.

Director: Frank Capra  

Writers: Screenplay - Frank Capra, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling; book - Philip Van Doren Stern

Cast Members:  James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Ward Bond,  H.B. Warner, Frank Faylen, Todd Karns, Gloria Grahame  

Rating:   PG

Run Time: 124 minutes

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 5 our of 5 stars

Studio: Origional - RKO Pictures; DVD - 2oth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Format: Black & White