IMDb > It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a Wonderful Life
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It's a Wonderful Life (1946) More at IMDbPro »

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It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- MyMovies.Net - Exclusive interview with Karolyn Grimes
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
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Director:
Frank Capra
Writers:
Frances Goodrich (screenplay) and
Albert Hackett (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for It's a Wonderful Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 January 1947 (USA) more
Tagline:
They're making memories tonight! more
Plot:
An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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Awards:
Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 4 wins more
User Comments:
Sheer brilliance! more (503 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (USA) (complete title)
The Greatest Gift (USA) (working title)
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Runtime:
130 min | Spain:118 min (25 fps) (DVD edition)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Sweden:15 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Germany:6 | Spain:T | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #11656)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This film is one of five times Beulah Bondi portrayed James Stewart's mother, The others are: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Of Human Hearts (1938) and Vivacious Lady (1938), and once on his television series, "The Jimmy Stewart Show" (1971). more
Goofs:
Continuity: When George and Clarence are drying off in the bridge keeper's shack the postcard hanging by the thermometer on the wall, next to the door repeatedly disappears and reappears between shots. When Mr. Potter offers George a job, the chain on the the skull and chain on Mr. Potter's desk changes positions repeatedly between shots. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mr. Emil Gower: I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in SIFF 35th Anniversary Tribute (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful) more

FAQ

What are the names of George and Mary's four children?
Are Bert and Ernie from "Sesame Street" named after Bert, the cop, and Ernie, the taxi driver, from "It's a Wonderful Life"?
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90 out of 113 people found the following comment useful.
Sheer brilliance!, 18 April 2000
Author: bradman2000 from Sydney, Australia

After strong performances in films such as "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" and "The Philadelphia Story", James Stewart confirmed his status as one of the greats with his performance as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life". This movie is, without a doubt, the best of all time.

"It's a Wonderful Life" is a movie that you can watch over and over again. It's movie that makes you think, about life in general and how each person makes a difference, and about how great life can be (hence the title "It's a Wonderful Life). Whilst making you think, it also entertains with many light hearted moments, particularly towards the end of the film.

The direction, sound and casting in "It's a Wonderful Life" are second to none. Yet it is the fact that almost any person can watch this movie and come away feeling inspired that makes it easily the best movie of all time!

A 10/10 without a doubt!

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Message Boards

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
It's A Wonderful Life circa 2009 DairyQueen
Jimmy Stewart discusses Frank Capra/IAWL in excellent article... offmynut
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what do you thnk would be different? ashleighnicole
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