Dolly the Sheep: The Clone That Changed Science
On February 23, 1997, the world learned scientists in Scotland secretly cloned the first mammal from an adult cell. Dolly changed biology forever.
Read More
December 20, 1946: It's a Wonderful Life Premiered in New York
Frank Capra's timeless Christmas classic debuts in theaters
On December 20, 1946, Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York City, introducing audiences to George Bailey's inspiring story of hope, redemption, and community that became the ultimate Christmas classic.
Key Facts
Premiere Date
December 20, 1946
Premiere Location
Globe Theatre, New York City
Director
Frank Capra
Lead Actor
James Stewart
Lead Actress
Donna Reed
Runtime
130 minutes
Production Company
Liberty Films
Original Budget
$3.18 million
Oscar Nominations
5 nominations including Best Picture
Based On
The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern
Current Status
Most beloved Christmas film
Annual Airings
Thousands during holiday season
About December 20, 1946: It's a Wonderful Life Premiered in New York
On December 20, 1946, It's a Wonderful Life premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York City, marking the debut of what would become America's most cherished Christmas film. Directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart as George Bailey, the movie tells the story of a man who learns the value of his life through divine intervention.
Production and Cast
Capra assembled writers Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett to develop the screenplay. The production required constructing an entire four acre town set on the RKO lot, creating the detailed fictional Bedford Falls. Donna Reed portrayed Mary Bailey with warmth and strength, creating one of cinema's most beloved couples.
Initial Failure and Forgotten Years
Released in January 1947, the film faced stiff competition from The Best Years of Our Lives, which dominated the 1947 Oscars. The film earned only $3.3 million against its $3.18 million budget, making it a financial failure. It received five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor for Stewart, but won none.
Television Resurrection
In 1974, the copyright holder failed to renew the copyright, allowing the film to enter the public domain. Baby boomers growing up in the 1970s and 1980s discovered the film as annual holiday viewing. By the 1980s, It's a Wonderful Life had transformed from forgotten flop to cultural phenomenon, airing hundreds of times each Christmas season.
Cultural Impact and Enduring Legacy
The American Film Institute ranked it the most inspirational American film and 20th greatest film overall. In 1990, it was among the first 25 films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. The film's message resonates perhaps more strongly now than in 1946.
📊
Historical Analysis
⚡Historical Significance
- •
It's a Wonderful Life demonstrates how films can be rediscovered and reappraised by later generations.
- •
The film captures postwar American optimism while acknowledging genuine darkness and despair.
- •
Its resurrection through television broadcasts created the model for classic film revival.
📝Critical Reception
- •
Initial reviews were positive but the film was considered merely good, not great.
- •
Competition from The Best Years of Our Lives overshadowed it at the 1947 Oscars.
- •
Modern critics recognize it as one of the greatest American films ever made.
🌍Cultural Impact
- •
George Bailey became a symbol of everyday heroism and the value of ordinary lives.
- •
The film's message that individual lives matter has comforted millions during difficult times.
- •
It's a Wonderful Life became synonymous with Christmas itself in American culture.
Before & After
📅Before
Before its television rediscovery, It's a Wonderful Life was largely forgotten. It appeared on late night schedules but had no special cultural status among Christmas films.
🚀After
After free television airings in the 1970s and 1980s, the film became the definitive American Christmas movie. It now represents an essential tradition for millions of families.
💡
Did You Know?
•
The film was initially a box office flop, earning barely more than its $3.18 million budget
•
A copyright lapse in 1974 allowed free TV broadcasts that transformed it into a beloved classic
•
James Stewart considered it his finest performance and people mentioned it more than any other of his films
•
The artificial snow was made from foamite, soap, and water instead of cornflakes so actors could speak clearly
•
Frank Capra considered It's a Wonderful Life his personal favorite among all the films he directed
•
The film was among the first 25 selected for the National Film Registry in 1990 for cultural significance
⭐
Why It Still Matters Today
•
The American Film Institute ranks it among the most inspirational American films ever made
•
Annual television broadcasts make it one of the most watched films during the holiday season
•
The film's exploration of suicide and despair remains relevant for mental health discussions
•
Its message about the value of community over wealth resonates in modern debates
🧠
Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!
1. When did It's a Wonderful Life premiere?
2. Why did the film become popular decades after release?
💎
Original Insights
•
The film was a box office disappointment, barely earning back its $3.18 million budget
•
James Stewart considered George Bailey his finest role and said fans mentioned it more than any other film
•
The artificial snow was made from foamite, soap, and water so actors could speak clearly
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a Wonderful Life premiered on December 20, 1946, at the Globe Theatre in New York City. The film received wide release in January 1947. Despite its later status as a beloved classic, it initially disappointed at the box office and was largely forgotten for decades before television broadcasts revived it.
📚
Sources & References
This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.
Editorial Approach:
This article examines how a box office flop was forgotten for decades before a legal technicality transformed it into America's most beloved Christmas film.
More from Today In History
Explore more fascinating facts in this category
Toy Story's Special Oscar: How Pixar Changed Cinema
On February 22, 1996, Toy Story won a Special Achievement Oscar as the first fully computer animated feature film, changing how movies are made forever.
Read More
Alan Rickman's Birthday: The Actor Who Started at 41
Alan Rickman was born February 21, 1946, in London. He came to acting at 26, broke through at 41 in Die Hard, and kept a Harry Potter secret for a decade.
Read More