It is a co-operative that lends out money for the many struggling working families in the town to build a roof over their heads with very little much in return. When his father dies suddenly, George is asked to take over the family business, the Bailey Building and Loan Association. However, unfortunate circumstances and fate intervened, leaving him stuck in the small picturesque town of Bedford Falls for the rest of his life. Growing up, George had big dreams of traveling around the world and he had his life for the next few years all planned out. To get Clarence up to speed on what led to this moment of crisis, one of the angels shows him flashbacks of George's life, starting with his childhood. In order to help George, they summon an angel-in-training, Clarence (Henry Travers), who has yet to earn his wings.
Prayers for George begin to flood into heaven and they catch the attention of two senior angels. It is presently Christmas Eve and George is in serious trouble serious enough for him to even contemplate suicide.
This classic story revolves around the life of one George Bailey (James Stewart), told from beginning to end through a series of flashbacks and narrated by conversations between two angels. However, when It's a Wonderful Life did not turn a profit for the RKO Radio Pictures studio, Capra was considered by some to be past his prime, even though the film was eventually nominated for five Academy Awards, including one for Best Director. Smith Goes to Washington, which catapulted actor James Stewart into Hollywood stardom. Its director Frank Capra, had enjoyed great success in the 1930's, starting with the historic Oscar sweep for his film It Happened One Night (it won all five top awards) and winning three Best Director awards in a span of five years.
In fact, when the film was first released back in 1946, it was generally considered a box-office flop.
While last year's DVD version was special because of the movie's 60th anniversary, this year's 2-disc release is even much better for the fact that a brand-new colorized version of the movie is included together with the restored original black and white version from the previous 60th Anniversary edition.īased on the short story "The Greatest Gift," by author Philip Van Doren Stern, It's a Wonderful Life was never intended to be the Christmastime staple that it is now. For the third year in a row, Paramount Pictures is releasing yet another version of the inspirational Frank Capra classic, It's a Wonderful Life. You also know that the year-end holidays are near when movie studios start re-releasing your favorite Christmas-themed movies. R2 United Kingdom- Universal Pictures - No cuts (130:13 NTSC->PAL).You know the holiday season is upon us when malls start piping in Christmas carols and rows of Christmas trees start sprouting out like mushrooms at your local Wal-Mart. R2 Special Edition Germany- Al!ve - No cuts - Includes the original black and white version (125:13 PAL) and the colourised version (125:33 PAL)
R2 2 Disc Special Edition Germany- Arthaus - No cuts - Includes the original black and white version (125:13 PAL) and the colourised version (125:33 PAL) R2 Germany- Kinowelt Home Entertainment - No cuts (124:38 PAL) R1 Silver Screen Classics America- Republic Pictures - No cuts (130:20 NTSC). R1 Original Uncut Version America- Artisan Entertainment - No cuts (130:20 NTSC). R1 60th Anniversary Edition America- Paramount Home Entertainment - No cuts (130:20 NTSC). R1 2 Disc Collector's Set America- Paramount Home Entertainment - No cuts (130:20 NTSC).