It's a Wonderful Life It's a Wonderful Life, motion picture about a man who believes he is a failure because he never left the small town where he grew up, based on the story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern.

It's a Wonderful Life It's a Wonderful Life, motion picture about a man who believes he is a failure because he never left the small town where he grew up, based on the story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern. Released in 1946, this popular, award-winning film was directed by Frank Capra and stars James Stewart as George Bailey, who runs the town savings and loan after his father dies, a job he swore as a child he'd never do. Bailey struggles to make ends meet at the job he does not love, and becomes resentful of his wife (played by Donna Reed) and children. When disaster strikes and the savings and loan funds are lost, Bailey decides to commit suicide. In a Christmas Carol-like twist of fate, an angel helps George see what life would have been like in the town if he had never been born. It's a Wonderful Life is reported to be both actor Stewart and director Capra's favorite film. Director Frank Capra Cast James Stewart (George Bailey) Donna Reed (Mary Hatch) Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter) Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) Henry Travers (Clarence) Beulah Bondi (Mrs. Bailey) Frank Faylen (Ernie) Ward Bond (Bert) Gloria Grahame (Violet Bick) H.B. Warner (Mr. Gower) Frank Albertson (Sam Wainwright) Samuel S. Hinds (Pa Bailey) Todd Karns (Harry Bailey) Mary Treen (Cousin Tilly) Virginia Patton (Ruth Dakin) Charles Williams (Cousin Eustace) Sarah Edwards (Mrs. Hatch) William Edmunds (Mr. Martini) Lillian Randolph (Annie) Argentina Brunetti (Mrs. Martini) Robert Anderson (Little George) Ronnie Ralph (Little Sam) Jean Gale (Little Mary) Jeanine Anne Roose (Little Violet) Danny Mummert (Little Marty Hatch) George Nokes (Little Harry Bailey) Sheldon Leonard (Nick) Frank Hagney (Potter's bodyguard) Ray Walker (Joe at luggage shop) Charles Lane (Real estate salesman) Edward Keane (Tom) Carol Coombs (Janie Bailey) Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey) Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey) Larry Simms (Pete Bailey) Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer (Freddie) Harold Landon (Marty Hatch) Harry Holman (High school principal) Bob Scott (Mickey) Harry Cheshire (Dr. Campbell) Charles Halton (Bank examiner) Eddie Featherston (Bank teller) Stanley Andrews (Mr. Welch) J. Farrell MacDonald (House owner) Marian Carr (Mrs. Wainwright) Garry Owen (Bill Poster) Awards Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Director (1947): Frank Capra Selected for Registry by the National Film Preservation Board (1990) Trivia Despite its later popularity, this film lost money at the box-office. It enjoyed a revival when it reverted to the public domain and was frequently broadcast on television. The outdoor scenes featuring falling snow have no dialogue in this film. Bleached corn flakes were used for the snow, and the sound they made falling was very loud. When Uncle Billy leaves George's house drunk he stumbles over what sounds like trash cans, and says "I'm all right, I'm all right..." In fact, actor Thomas Mitchell was stumbling over some equipment left by the film crew and he was assuring the crew member he was not hurt. Director Capra left the scene as it was. Quotes Man on Porch: "Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death." Bailey: "You want me to kiss her, huh?" Man on Porch: "Ah, youth is wasted on the wrong people!" Bailey: (regarding his return to life): "My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleed--(he looks in his pocket, which was empty when he was "dead") Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's...There they are! Bert! What do you know about that! Merry Christmas!" Clarence: "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends..." Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.