Henry Travers was as James Stewart's somewhat befuddled but kind-hearted guardian angel Clarence Odbody in Frank Capra's 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life". Traver's character saves Stewart's from committing suicide, and shows him how wonderful his life really is. Though the film was a financial flop, it later became a Christmas classic and one of the most beloved films in American cinema. However, despite his long life, Travers would never know that his performance as Clarence would become his most celebrated, as the film only became a Christmas television perennial in the 1970s and 1980s, long after the actor's death. Travers retired
Nocturne (film) by RKO to produce the film in October. Joseph Pevney was brought out from Broadway to play a supporting role. Jane Greer was up for the female lead but George Raft went for the better known Lynn Bari. Bari was borrowed from 20th Century Fox. Filming started in May 1946. Raft reportedly did some rewriting of the script to make his character more sympathetic. The film was popular on release and recorded a profit of $568,000. When the film was released, the staff at "Variety" magazine wrote, ""Nocturne" is a detective thriller with action and suspense plentiful and hard-bitten mood