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Awards
Released in 1946 the film It's a Wonderful Life, based on the story The Greatest Gift, is today viewed as one of the most popular Christmas time movies. Directed by Frank Capra, and starring Donna Reed, Henry Travers, Lionel Barrymore, and James Stewart the film received nominations for Best picture, Best actor, and Best director but lost due to poor box office earnings. It wasn't until the 1980's the film's popularity skyrocketed. Then in the 1990's was awarded the title of one of cinema's greatest hundred works by the American Film Institute. As a popular film in the 1980's some cable channels would run the film for twenty-four hours but due to copyright issues NBC was the only licensed American television network allowed to broadcast It's a Wonderful Life, and still does show it on Christmas Eve for people to enjoy the nostalgic film during the holidays. Summary
James Stewart stars as George Bailey, a man who dreamed of nothing more than getting out of his hometown, Bedford falls, and traveling the world but gave up his dream to help others in his family and community. George never fulfills his dream, instead starts a family and becomes a community hero. His life is good until a financial mix up occurs and George is threatened by fraud and imprisonment. He considers suicide, but is stopped by the angel Clarence who has been sent by Heaven to show George what would have happened if he had never been born and the effects one man has on many lives. After George is shown this alternate life he misses the poor life he has and immediately regrets his actions. He is sent back to his reality and goes home to his family for one more Christmas and face his charges, but is not arrested because the townspeople donate money to their George who has helped them all in the past and because George has so much money left over he becomes the richest man in town and is extremely grateful for his life. He thanks the people, his family, and Clarence. In the end George lives a happy life, and Clarence earns his wings by helping George realize his life was indeed a wonderful life. Most famous Quotes "...Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." (George's daughter Zuzu comments on the Christmas bells chiming) "Remember George: no man is a failure who has friends" (Clarence to George) |