Guide Note: It's a Wonderful Life is a beloved classic American film directed by Frank Capra. The film is based on the short story The Greatest Gift by Phillip Van Doren Stern.
Fast Facts:
- Original Release: January 7, 1947
- Director: Frank Capra
- Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore
- Running Time: 130 minutes
- Awards and Recognition: 5 Academy Award nominations (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Film Editing, Sound Recording)
- Considered a box-office flop, only became popular in the mid-1970's (from repeated Christmas showings)
- Both Capra and Stewart considered Life to be their personal favorite of all their feature films