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DramaFamilyFantasy

It's a Wonderful Life

- It's a wonderful laugh! It's a wonderful love!

A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.

Release Date : 1946-12-20

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Liberty Films

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life

Cast

James Stewart

Character Name : George Bailey

Original Name : James Stewart

Gender : Male

Donna Reed

Character Name : Mary Hatch

Original Name : Donna Reed

Gender : Female

Lionel Barrymore

Character Name : Mr. Potter

Original Name : Lionel Barrymore

Gender : Male

Thomas Mitchell

Character Name : Uncle Billy

Original Name : Thomas Mitchell

Gender : Male

Henry Travers

Character Name : Clarence

Original Name : Henry Travers

Gender : Male

Beulah Bondi

Character Name : Mrs. Bailey

Original Name : Beulah Bondi

Gender : Female

Frank Faylen

Character Name : Ernie

Original Name : Frank Faylen

Gender : Male

Ward Bond

Character Name : Bert

Original Name : Ward Bond

Gender : Male

Gloria Grahame

Character Name : Violet

Original Name : Gloria Grahame

Gender : Female

H.B. Warner

Character Name : Mr. Gower

Original Name : H.B. Warner

Gender : Male

Frank Albertson

Character Name : Sam Wainwright

Original Name : Frank Albertson

Gender : Male

Todd Karns

Character Name : Harry Bailey

Original Name : Todd Karns

Gender : Male

Samuel S. Hinds

Character Name : Pa Bailey

Original Name : Samuel S. Hinds

Gender : Male

Mary Treen

Character Name : Cousin Tilly

Original Name : Mary Treen

Gender : Female

Virginia Patton

Character Name : Ruth Dakin

Original Name : Virginia Patton

Gender : Female

Charles Williams

Character Name : Cousin Eustace

Original Name : Charles Williams

Gender : Male

Sarah Edwards

Character Name : Mrs. Hatch

Original Name : Sarah Edwards

Gender : Female

William Edmunds

Character Name : Mr. Martini

Original Name : William Edmunds

Gender : Male

Lillian Randolph

Character Name : Annie

Original Name : Lillian Randolph

Gender : Female

Argentina Brunetti

Character Name : Mrs. Martini

Original Name : Argentina Brunetti

Gender : Female

Robert J. Anderson

Character Name : Little George

Original Name : Robert J. Anderson

Gender : Male

Ronnie Ralph

Character Name : Little Sam

Original Name : Ronnie Ralph

Gender : Male

Jeanne Gail

Character Name : Little Mary

Original Name : Jeanne Gail

Gender : Male

Jeanine Ann Roose

Character Name : Little Violet

Original Name : Jeanine Ann Roose

Gender : Female

Danny Mummert

Character Name : Little Marty Hatch

Original Name : Danny Mummert

Gender : Male

Georgie Nokes

Character Name : Little Harry Bailey

Original Name : Georgie Nokes

Gender : Male

Sheldon Leonard

Character Name : Nick

Original Name : Sheldon Leonard

Gender : Male

Frank Hagney

Character Name : Potter's Bodyguard

Original Name : Frank Hagney

Gender : Male

Ray Walker

Character Name : Joe (Luggage Shop)

Original Name : Ray Walker

Gender : Male

Charles Lane

Character Name : Real Estate Salesman

Original Name : Charles Lane

Gender : Male

Edward Keane

Character Name : Tom (Bldg. & Loan)

Original Name : Edward Keane

Gender : Male

Carol Coombs

Character Name : The Bailey Child - Janie

Original Name : Carol Coombs

Gender : Female

Karolyn Grimes

Character Name : The Bailey Child - Zuzu

Original Name : Karolyn Grimes

Gender : Female

Larry Simms

Character Name : The Bailey Child - Pete

Original Name : Larry Simms

Gender : Male

Jimmy Hawkins

Character Name : The Bailey Child - Tommy

Original Name : Jimmy Hawkins

Gender : Male

Jean Acker

Character Name : Townswoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Jean Acker

Gender : Female

Ernie Adams

Character Name : Ed (uncredited)

Original Name : Ernie Adams

Gender : Male

Monya Andre

Character Name : Elderly Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Monya Andre

Gender : Male

Stanley Andrews

Character Name : Mr. Welch (uncredited)

Original Name : Stanley Andrews

Gender : Male

Sam Ash

Character Name : Nervous Banker (uncredited)

Original Name : Sam Ash

Gender : Male

Jack Bailey

Character Name : One of Vi's Suitors (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Bailey

Gender : Male

Louise Bates

Character Name : Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited)

Original Name : Louise Bates

Gender : Female

Mary Bayless

Character Name : Townswoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Mary Bayless

Gender : Female

Beth Belden

Character Name : Young Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Beth Belden

Gender : Female

Brooks Benedict

Character Name : Military Officer in Montage (uncredited)

Original Name : Brooks Benedict

Gender : Male

Joseph E. Bernard

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Joseph E. Bernard

Gender : Male

Al Bridge

Character Name : Sheriff (uncredited)

Original Name : Al Bridge

Gender : Male

Buz Buckley

Character Name : Young Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Buz Buckley

Gender : Male

Marian Carr

Character Name : Jane Wainwright (uncredited)

Original Name : Marian Carr

Gender : Female

Adriana Caselotti

Character Name : Singer at Martini's (uncredited)

Original Name : Adriana Caselotti

Gender : Female

Lane Chandler

Character Name : Policeman (uncredited)

Original Name : Lane Chandler

Gender : Male

Michael Chapin

Character Name : Young George's Friend (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Chapin

Gender : Male

Tom Chatterton

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Tom Chatterton

Gender : Male

Jack Cheatham

Character Name : Cop Arresting Violet (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Cheatham

Gender : Male

Harry Cheshire

Character Name : Dr. Campbell (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Cheshire

Gender : Male

Edward Clark

Character Name : Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Clark

Gender : Male

Tom Coleman

Character Name : Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Tom Coleman

Gender : Male

Ellen Corby

Character Name : Ms. Davis (uncredited)

Original Name : Ellen Corby

Gender : Female

Bryn Davis

Character Name : Elderly Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Bryn Davis

Gender : Female

Lew Davis

Character Name : High School Teacher at Poolside (uncredited)

Original Name : Lew Davis

Gender : Male

Harry Denny

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Denny

Gender : Male

Helen Dickson

Character Name : Woman at Graduation Dance (uncredited)

Original Name : Helen Dickson

Gender : Female

Dick Elliott

Character Name : Man on Porch (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Elliott

Gender : Male

Tom Fadden

Character Name : Tollhouse Keeper (uncredited)

Original Name : Tom Fadden

Gender : Male

Frank Fenton

Character Name : Violet's Boyfriend (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Fenton

Gender : Male

Eddie Fetherston

Character Name : Horace (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddie Fetherston

Gender : Male

Sam Flint

Character Name : Relieved Banker in Potter's Office (uncredited)

Original Name : Sam Flint

Gender : Male

Lee Frederick

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Lee Frederick

Gender : Male

Dick Gordon

Character Name : Photographer with Sheriff (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Gordon

Gender : Male

Jack Gordon

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Gordon

Gender : Male

Herschel Graham

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Herschel Graham

Gender : Male

Joseph Granby

Character Name : Elderly Man (voice) (uncredited)

Original Name : Joseph Granby

Gender : Male

Charles Halton

Character Name : Carter (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Halton

Gender : Male

Carl Eric Hansen

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Carl Eric Hansen

Gender : Male

Herbert Heywood

Character Name : Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited)

Original Name : Herbert Heywood

Gender : Male

Harry Holman

Character Name : Mr. Partridge (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Holman

Gender : Male

Art Howard

Character Name : Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Art Howard

Gender : Male

Bert Howard

Character Name : Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Bert Howard

Gender : Male

Arthur Stuart Hull

Character Name : Mr. Randall (uncredited)

Original Name : Arthur Stuart Hull

Gender : Male

John Indrisano

Character Name : Man in Fantasy (uncredited)

Original Name : John Indrisano

Gender : Male

Eddie Kane

Character Name : Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddie Kane

Gender : Male

Carl Kent

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Carl Kent

Gender : Male

Milton Kibbee

Character Name : Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Milton Kibbee

Gender : Male

Effie Laird

Character Name : Townswoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Effie Laird

Gender : Female

Mike Lally

Character Name : Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Mike Lally

Gender : Male

Harold Landon

Character Name : Marty Hatch (uncredited)

Original Name : Harold Landon

Gender : Male

Meade 'Lux' Lewis

Character Name : Pianist in Nick's Place (uncredited)

Original Name : Meade 'Lux' Lewis

Gender : Male

Jack Lomas

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Lomas

Gender : Male

J. Farrell MacDonald

Character Name : Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree (uncredited)

Original Name : J. Farrell MacDonald

Gender : Male

Irene Mack

Character Name : Townswoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Irene Mack

Gender : Male

Wilbur Mack

Character Name : Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Wilbur Mack

Gender : Male

Charles Meakin

Character Name : Elderly Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Meakin

Gender : Male

Priscilla Montgomery

Character Name : Student in Gym (uncredited)

Original Name : Priscilla Montgomery

Gender : Female

Bert Moorhouse

Character Name : Man with Sheriff (uncredited)

Original Name : Bert Moorhouse

Gender : Male

Evelyn Moriarty

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Evelyn Moriarty

Gender : Female

Philip Morris

Character Name : Building & Loan Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Philip Morris

Gender : Male

George Noisom

Character Name : School Dancer (uncredited)

Original Name : George Noisom

Gender : Male

Bob O'Connor

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Bob O'Connor

Gender : Male

Frank O'Connor

Character Name : Military Officer in Montage (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank O'Connor

Gender : Male

Lynn O'Leary-Jameson

Character Name : Infant Janie Bailey (uncredited)

Original Name : Lynn O'Leary-Jameson

Gender : Female

Moroni Olsen

Character Name : Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited)

Original Name : Moroni Olsen

Gender : Male

Garry Owen

Character Name : Bill-Poster (uncredited)

Original Name : Garry Owen

Gender : Male

Netta Packer

Character Name : Elderly Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Netta Packer

Gender : Female

Franklin Parker

Character Name : Photographer / Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Franklin Parker

Gender : Male

Suzanne Ridgway

Character Name : Nick's Waitress (uncredited)

Original Name : Suzanne Ridgway

Gender : Female

Mark Roberts

Character Name : Mickey (uncredited)

Original Name : Mark Roberts

Gender : Male

Constantine Romanoff

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Constantine Romanoff

Gender : Male

Cy Schindell

Character Name : Nick's Bouncer (uncredited)

Original Name : Cy Schindell

Gender : Male

Almira Sessions

Character Name : Potter's Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : Almira Sessions

Gender : Female

Cedric Stevens

Character Name : Townsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Cedric Stevens

Gender : Male

Brick Sullivan

Character Name : Man in Fantasy (uncredited)

Original Name : Brick Sullivan

Gender : Male

Charles Sullivan

Character Name : Nick's Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Sullivan

Gender : Male

Carl Switzer

Character Name : Freddie Othello

Original Name : Carl Switzer

Gender : Male

Max Wagner

Character Name : Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited)

Original Name : Max Wagner

Gender : Male

Larry Wheat

Character Name : Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Larry Wheat

Gender : Male

Charles C. Wilson

Character Name : Charlie (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles C. Wilson

Gender : Male

Finn Zirzow

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Finn Zirzow

Gender : Male

Reviews

B

barrymost

@barrymost

2021-06-23

It's practically an American tradition to watch this film with family at Christmas time each year. I just saw it for the first time myself a couple weeks before last Christmas, and I loved it. It's an uplifting, inspiring, dramatic, and at times laugh-out-loud funny story, with a cast that probably couldn't be improved upon if you tried. And, of course, it's directed by the superb Frank Capra, whose work I greatly admire. James Stewart gives a raw, totally honest performance, as the unforgettable George Bailey, who on Christmas Eve is shown exactly why the world, or at least Bedford Falls, can't do without him. And, there is my favorite line in the whole movie, out of so many memorable quotes, delivered perfectly by Lionel Barrymore, as the evil Mr. Potter: "And a happy new year to you. In jail!"

P

Peter McGinn

@narrator56

2021-06-23

Oh my goodness, I am not going to spend much time describing this gold standard of Christmas movies. If you have seen it, you know what it is. If you haven’t seen it, stop reading this and watch it now. It is funny, tense, sentimental, romantic and downright Capra-esque. I have liked Jimmy Stewart in everything I have seen him in. Was he that good, or did the camera just plain love him, like I heard said once about Steve McQueen. But it doesn’t stop there. If you notice the ensemble cast, you see represented some of the finest character actors out there. Between them it’s seems like we have seen one of them in every great classic movie. I don’t watch this every year any more - there is just too much to see out there this time of year. But I watch it every two or three years and besides, if I have some time to spare, I can practically review every scene in order in my mind. It is part of my Christmas consciousness. Wait, are you still reading this?

R

r96sk

@r96sk

2021-06-23

Lovely film. 'It’s a Wonderful Life' is enjoyable, hearty and well crafted. It takes longer than I would've predicted to get to 'the event', but it's very much worth seeing the journey that comes before - as we see the arc of James Stewart's George. It all crescendos with an ending that you can't help but smile at. Stewart is excellent in the lead role, you really do see every single emotion that his character goes through. He is, by far, the standout performer, but there are of course good performances from the likes of Donna Reed (Mary), Lionel Barrymore (Henry) and Henry Travers (Clarence). I did notice a few weird cuts in there, not that I hold that against it or did it affect my enjoyment - it's just noticeable. I see, via other reviewers, that there's a colour version - Channel 4 showed the black-and-white version over here in the UK. I can't say I felt the need for colour, which is always a good sign. Wholesome. Not that it, evidently given the average rating, needs to be said by someone like me, but: I'd certainly recommend this.

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-07-07

Every now and again you come across a film that just makes you think.... This is one of those. Recently upconverted to 4K and back on a big screen, it's quite simply a joy to watch. Jimmy Stewart is "George" - a man who has spent his adult life tirelessly trying to help those less fortunate to make their own way in life - and his savings and loan enterprise is the lifeline for many of them. When that all goes pear-shaped though, he feels a degree of despair that leads him to wish he had never been born. Enter the wonderful Henry Travers as "Clarence" - the visiting angel who grants his wish and demonstrates just how life would have looked had he, indeed, never been around. Lionel Barrymore is superb as his domineering competitor "Mr. Potter" who wants his name on everything in "Pottertown" that he doesn't already own. Donna Reed also shines as his wife, especially towards the end of this Capra masterpiece that uses shadow and the wintry weather to elicit a lovely sense of Christmas, but also of our innate need for warmth and security. It is sentimental, but not in a cloying fashion and the star works his magic, with a wonderful accompaniment from Dimitri Tiomkin, for over two hours that simply flies by. Well worth the restoration - not just of the film, but of our own faith in the human spirit - and watch, too!

G

GenerationofSwine

@GenerationofSwine

2023-12-25

I am not one of those snobs that thinks Black and White is always better... but don't watch the colored version of it, there is something about it that just doesn't look right. Maybe it's because the colors are off, maybe because I'm not as used to it, but something doesn't sit right with it. Anyway, still the best Christmas movie ever made. It's still about redemption. It's still heartwarming and family friendly and... perfect... ... perfect save some of the hard cuts. I don't know why people don't mention those. They are pretty glaring, they are pretty horrible. But... it's still just about the best Christmas movie ever made.

A

aochin

@aochin

2024-06-17

It's a timeless and great film for everyone, straightforwardly telling us that life is worth living and a good deed is never lost. Frank Capra's films always remind me the world is not so bad. He shows us there is no need to beat or convince evil people to change. You will still have people helping you not from a sense of obligation but from a genuine willingness as long as you are kind and honest with them. In such a beautiful world, someone will impress you with their kindness and bring out yours, and vice versa. That's enough, isn't it?