The 75th Anniversary of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
I've mentioned it many times before, as this is Joy's favorite film and she believes that everyone should be humbled by it at least once a year!
Well this year is an extra special one, since it's the 75th anniversary of the classic holiday motion picture release. So now's as good a time as any if you haven't ever watched it. (I mean, has anyone not watched it?!)
George Bailey is a frustrated businessman who is on the verge of ending his life when an angel shows him what life would be like for the people of Bedford Falls if he had never been born.
This iconic family Christmas movie was based on the short story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, and although we all know and love the movie now, the initial ticket sales when it premiered in 1946 were disappointing.
It's hard to believe that it received mixed reviews, and although it was nominated at the Academy Awards, the film didn't win any Oscars, and financially it bombed, not even coming close to breaking even.
Fast forward several years, and the movie lapsed into the public domain, which meant that the television broadcasters could show the movie for free, rather than having to pay royalties for each showtime. The television audiences loved it, and the movie's popularity grew.
It’s a Wonderful Life is now considered one of the greatest films of all time. It is No. 1 on the American Film Institute’s list of most inspirational movies, and in 1990, the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry.
One of the most beloved men in showbusiness, Jimmy Stewart starred in the hit film It's A Wonderful Life, and Lux Radio Theater recreated the film for radio in 1947 with he and Donna Reed both in their original roles.
Listen to the show on RUSC this Christmas, fall in love, and (like my beloved wife, Joy) continue to be inspired each year by George Bailey's selfless sacrifice, forever.
Happy Holidays!
P.S. If you're still puzzling over gift ideas, a RUSC gift subscription is always well received. It's the gift of effortless and endless entertainment for a loved one - and since there's nothing to mail out, you don't even need to worry about whether it will get there in time - since we take care of everything! Find out more here...
Instead of sending a Christmas card why not share a favorite show on RUSC. Simply click on the "Share this show with a friend" option, fill out the simple form and we'll do the rest. You can send them a message too, so good wishes and something nice to listen to, so much more than a card!