It's a Wonderful Life you two guys? You were here on my wedding night!" Streaming audio It's a Wonderful Life It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy comedy-drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra, based on the short story and booklet "The Greatest Gift", which Philip Van Doren Stern wrote in 1939 and published privately in 1945. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others, and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers). Clarence shows George
It's a Wonderful Life Life" premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York on December 20, 1946, to mixed reviews. While Capra thought the contemporary critical reviews were either universally negative, or at best dismissive, "Time" said, ""It's a Wonderful Life" is a pretty wonderful movie. It has only one formidable rival (Goldwyn's "The Best Years of Our Lives") as Hollywood's best picture of the year. Director Capra's inventiveness, humor, and affection for human beings keep it glowing with life and excitement." Bosley Crowther, writing for "The New York Times", complimented some of the actors, including Stewart and Reed, but concluded that "the weakness