History of It's a Wonderful Life in Timeline
It's a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, a selfless man who has always put others before himself in the small town of Bedford Falls. Facing financial ruin due to the machinations of the greedy Mr. Potter, George contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve. Clarence Odbody, an angel trying to earn his wings, is sent to show George what life would have been like if he had never been born. George witnesses the devastating impact his absence would have on his family and the town, realizing the profound positive influence he has had. Ultimately, he returns to his life with renewed appreciation and is saved by the love and support of his community.
1927: H.B. Warner Played Jesus Christ in "The King of Kings"
In 1927, H.B. Warner, who played Mr. Gower, portrayed Jesus Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's film "The King of Kings".
1928: George Postpones Travel Plans
In 1928, George Bailey plans a world tour, is reintroduced to Mary Hatch, and postpones his travel plans after his father's death to settle the family business.
1931: Sets Adapted from Cimarron
In 1931, sets from the film Cimarron were adapted for It's a Wonderful Life
1938: Stewart and Capra Collaborate on You Can't Take It with You
In 1938, James Stewart and Frank Capra collaborated on the film You Can't Take It with You.
1938: Barrymore Worked with Capra and Stewart on Capra's Best Picture Oscar Winner
In 1938, Lionel Barrymore worked with Capra and Stewart on Capra's Best Picture Oscar winner, You Can't Take It with You.
November 1939: Philip Van Doren Stern Writes "The Greatest Gift"
In November 1939, Philip Van Doren Stern wrote the original story, "The Greatest Gift", which would later inspire "It's a Wonderful Life".
1939: Stewart and Capra Collaborate on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
In 1939, James Stewart and Frank Capra collaborated on the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
1943: Stern Sends out "The Greatest Gift"
In 1943, Philip Van Doren Stern had his story printed as a 24-page pamphlet and mailed to family and friends.
1943: Publication of "The Greatest Gift"
In 1943, Philip Van Doren Stern self-published the short story and booklet "The Greatest Gift", which became the basis for It's a Wonderful Life.
April 1944: RKO Pictures Buys Rights to "The Greatest Gift"
In April 1944, RKO Pictures purchased the rights to Philip Van Doren Stern's story "The Greatest Gift" for $10,000, with plans to create a film for Cary Grant.
1945: Capra Visits Seneca Falls
In 1945, some believe Frank Capra visited Seneca Falls, New York, inspiring him to model Bedford Falls after the town.
1945: George Bailey's Suicidal Thoughts
On Christmas Eve in 1945, in Bedford Falls, New York, George Bailey contemplates suicide, prompting divine intervention.
April 15, 1946: Filming Begins
On April 15, 1946, filming of It's a Wonderful Life commenced at RKO Radio Pictures Studios.
July 27, 1946: Filming Wraps
On July 27, 1946, principal photography for It's a Wonderful Life concluded, meeting the 90-day deadline.
December 1946: Release Date Moved Up
In December 1946, the film was moved up to make it eligible for the 19th Academy Awards held in March 1947.
December 20, 1946: It's a Wonderful Life Premieres
On December 20, 1946, "It's a Wonderful Life" premiered at the Globe Theatre in New York City to mixed reviews.
1946: Henry Fonda Cast in My Darling Clementine
In 1946, Henry Fonda, who was considered for a role in It's a Wonderful Life, was cast in John Ford's My Darling Clementine, filmed concurrently.
1946: Release of It's a Wonderful Life
In 1946, It's a Wonderful Life, an American Christmas fantasy drama film, was produced and directed by Frank Capra.
1946: Capra discusses film's themes
In a 1946 interview, Capra described the film's theme as "the individual's belief in himself" and stated that he made the film "to combat a modern trend toward atheism".
1946: Califon Inspiration for Bedford Falls
In a 1946 interview, Philip Van Doren Stern said that Califon, N.J., was the town he had in mind for Bedford Falls.
January 7, 1947: General Release of It's a Wonderful Life
On January 7, 1947, It's a Wonderful Life was released generally, placing 26th in box-office revenues for the year.
January 1947: Intended Release Date
In January 1947, the film was intended to be released.
March 1947: Academy Awards Ceremony
In March 1947, the 19th Academy Awards were held.
May 26, 1947: FBI Memo on It's a Wonderful Life
On May 26, 1947, the FBI issued a memo stating that It's a Wonderful Life represented attempts to discredit bankers and maligned the upper class, a common trick used by Communists according to sources.
1947: Radio adaptations
In 1947, It's a Wonderful Life was adapted for radio twice, first on Lux Radio Theater (March 10) and then on the Screen Guild Theater (December 29), with James Stewart and Donna Reed reprising their roles.
1947: Manny Farber's Review in The New Republic
In 1947, Manny Farber wrote a review for The New Republic stating Capra always takes an easy, simple-minded path that doesn't give much credit to the intelligence of the audience.
1947: Lux Radio Theatre script
The original script for Lux Radio Theatre was written in 1947.
May 8, 1949: Radio adaptation on Screen Directors Playhouse
On May 8, 1949, James Stewart starred in a radio adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life presented on the Screen Directors Playhouse.
March 15, 1951: Radio adaptation on Screen Guild Theater
On March 15, 1951, It's a Wonderful Life was adapted for radio again on the Screen Guild Theater with James Stewart and Donna Reed reprising their roles.
1951: Liberty Films becomes a Paramount subsidiary
In 1951, Liberty Films remained a subsidiary after being purchased by Paramount Pictures.
1954: RKO Movie Ranch Razed
In 1954, RKO's movie ranch in Encino, where Bedford Falls was created, was razed.
1955: M. & A. Alexander purchases the movie
In 1955, M. & A. Alexander purchased the movie, acquiring key rights, including television syndication, nitrate film elements, music score, and film rights to "The Greatest Gift."
1955: Paramount loses distribution rights
In 1955, Paramount loses distribution rights for the first time. M. & A. Alexander purchased the movie.
1971: "The Greatest Gift" copyright renewed
In 1971, Philip Van Doren Stern renewed the copyright of "The Greatest Gift", the story on which the film is based.
1974: Copyright renewal error
In 1974, a clerical error at NTA caused the copyright for It's a Wonderful Life to lapse.
1974: Copyright Expired and Film Entered Public Domain
In 1974, the copyright for It's a Wonderful Life expired in the U.S., and the film entered the public domain. This allowed it to be broadcast without licensing fees, leading to its rise as a Christmas classic.
1976: Film becomes a television staple
In 1976, three decades after its initial release, It's a Wonderful Life became a television staple during the Christmas season, which was a welcome surprise to Frank Capra.
1977: It Happened One Christmas airs
In 1977, It Happened One Christmas, a television movie remake with gender-reversal starring Marlo Thomas, Wayne Rogers, and Cloris Leachman, was released.
1978: Rebroadcast of "It Happened One Christmas"
In 1978, "It Happened One Christmas" was rebroadcast.
1979: Rebroadcast of "It Happened One Christmas"
In 1979, "It Happened One Christmas" was rebroadcast.
1984: Capra discusses the film's impact
In 1984, Frank Capra told The Wall Street Journal about the unexpected and independent life the film had taken on, comparing himself to a parent of a successful child.
1986: Saturday Night Live skit
In 1986, a Saturday Night Live skit featured a "lost ending" of It's a Wonderful Life where the citizens of Bedford Falls attack Mr. Potter.
1986: First colorized version released
In 1986, the first colorized version of It's a Wonderful Life was released by Hal Roach Studios.
1986: A Wonderful Life stage adaptation premiere
In 1986, the musical stage adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life, titled A Wonderful Life, by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo, was first performed at the University of Michigan.
1989: Second colorized version released, critical stand against colorization
In 1989, Republic Pictures authorized and produced a second colorized version of It's a Wonderful Life, while both Capra and Stewart publicly criticized the colorized editions. The Hal Roach color version was re-released to VHS via Video Treasures.
1990: It's a Wonderful Life Selected for National Film Registry
In 1990, It's a Wonderful Life was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
1990: Selection for National Film Registry
In 1990, It's a Wonderful Life was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
1990: Clarence made-for-TV movie
In 1990, a made-for-television movie titled Clarence, starring Robert Carradine, presented a new story featuring the helpful angel Clarence Odbody.
1990: U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Stewart v. Abend
In 1990, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Stewart v. Abend was made which was later used to enforce Republic Pictures' copyright claim on It's a Wonderful Life in 1993.
1991: A Wonderful Life stage adaptation performed in Washington, D.C.
In 1991, the musical stage adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life, titled A Wonderful Life, was performed in Washington, D.C., by Arena Stage.
1992: Tiny Toon Adventures parody
In 1992, the final episode of Tiny Toon Adventures parodied It's A Wonderful Life entitled "It's A Wonderful Tiny Toon Christmas".
1993: Film released on CD-ROM
In 1993, Kinesoft Development, with Republic Pictures' support, released It's a Wonderful Life as one of the first feature-length films on CD-ROM for Windows PC.
1993: Republic Pictures Enforces Copyright Claim
In 1993, Republic Pictures used the Stewart v. Abend ruling to enforce its copyright claim on It's a Wonderful Life and made a deal with Turner Broadcasting System for limited airings. Republic made a deal with Turner Broadcasting System, authorizing only three airings of the movie, all on cable's TNT and TBS.
April 1994: Computer Gaming World review
In April 1994, Computer Gaming World reviewed the CD-ROM version of It's a Wonderful Life, noting the picture quality was not up to television standards but praising it as a "noble effort".
1994: Jimmy Hawkins wins Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1994, Jimmy Hawkins received a "Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Young Artist Awards, recognizing his role as Tommy Bailey and the subsequent career it ignited.
1994: NBC acquires exclusive television rights
In 1994, NBC acquired exclusive television rights to It's a Wonderful Life and planned to broadcast the original director's cut in black and white.
1995: Vatican includes film in list of important films
In 1995, the Vatican included It's a Wonderful Life in a list of important films under the category of "Values".
1996: Elmo Saves Christmas references Bert and Ernie rumour
In the 1996 holiday special Elmo Saves Christmas references the rumour, during a scene where Bert and Ernie walk by a TV set, which is playing the movie.
1997: Merry Christmas, George Bailey airs
In 1997, Merry Christmas, George Bailey, a PBS television movie adaptation starring Bill Pullman, Penelope Ann Miller, Nathan Lane, and Martin Landau, was released.
1998: Mentioned during Copyright Term Extension Act
In 1998, It's a Wonderful Life was mentioned during deliberations on the Copyright Term Extension Act.
1998: AFI's 100 Greatest Movies List
In 1998, It's a Wonderful Life was ranked no. 11 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest American movies.
1998: Viacom acquires Republic, regaining distribution rights
In 1998, Viacom acquired Republic's parent company, Spelling Entertainment, thus Paramount once again has distribution rights for the first time since 1955.
1999: San Francisco Chronicle correction
In 1999, The San Francisco Chronicle issued a correction to its "Annual Xmas Quiz", confirming that the names Bert and Ernie were merely a coincidence.
2002: Channel 4 Ranks It's a Wonderful Life
In 2002, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom ranked It's a Wonderful Life as the seventh-greatest film ever made.
2002: DVD Release in Australia
It's a Wonderful Life saw a DVD release in Australia in 2002 by Magna Pacific and MRA Entertainment.
2004: Republic issues the film twice
In 2004, Republic issued the film twice, once in August, and again with different packaging in September of that same year.
2005: A Wonderful Life staged concert version in New York City
In 2005, there was a staged concert version of the musical stage adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life performed in New York City.
2005: Home video rights revert to Paramount
In late 2005, US home video rights for It's a Wonderful Life reverted to Paramount after Lions Gate Entertainment was sold, who had previously held the rights under license from Republic.
October 31, 2006: "60th Anniversary Edition" released
On October 31, 2006, Paramount released a newly remastered "60th Anniversary Edition" of It's a Wonderful Life.
2006: Book Discusses Movies After World War II
In 2006, a book noted that movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) and "Stairway to Heaven" (1946) tapped into people's experiences of loss after the Second World War.
November 13, 2007: Two-disc "special edition" DVD released
On November 13, 2007, Paramount released a two-disc "special edition" DVD containing the original black-and-white version and a new colorized version.
2007: AFI's 100 Greatest Movies List
In 2007, It's a Wonderful Life was ranked no. 20 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest American movies.
2007: Third computer-colorized version released
In 2007, Legend Films produced a third, computer-colorized version of It's a Wonderful Life, releasing it on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming services.
June 2008: AFI Acknowledges It's a Wonderful Life
In June 2008, the American Film Institute acknowledged It's a Wonderful Life as the third-best film in the fantasy genre.
2008: Wendell Jamieson's Article in The New York Times
In 2008, Wendell Jamieson wrote an article for The New York Times observing that It's a Wonderful Life is a terrifying story.
November 3, 2009: "Collector's Edition" and Blu-ray released
On November 3, 2009, Paramount re-released the previous DVD set as a "Collector's Edition" and debuted a Blu-ray edition of It's a Wonderful Life, containing both the black-and-white and colorized versions.
December 10, 2010: "It's a Wonderful Life" Museum Opens
On December 10, 2010, the "It's a Wonderful Life" Museum opened in Seneca Falls, New York, with Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu) cutting the ribbon.
2010: Richard Cohen's Essay in Salon
In 2010, Richard Cohen described It's a Wonderful Life as "the most terrifying Hollywood film ever made" in an essay for Salon.
2011: The Last Temptation of Clarence Odbody novel released
In 2011, John Pierson's novel, The Last Temptation of Clarence Odbody, was released, imagining the future lives of characters if George had not survived his jump into the river.
2011: "The Greatest Gift" episode of Warehouse 13
In 2011, the Warehouse 13 season 3 Christmas episode, "The Greatest Gift", told a similar story to It's a Wonderful Life after agent Pete Lattimer touches Stern's brush.
2012: Sight & Sound Poll Ranking
In 2012, It's a Wonderful Life ranked 283rd among critics and 107th among directors in the Sight & Sound polls of the greatest films ever made.
December 1, 2013: The Christmas Spirit airs on Hallmark Channel
On December 1, 2013, The Christmas Spirit, starring Nicollette Sheridan, aired on the Hallmark Channel, serving as a modern retelling of It's a Wonderful Life.
2014: Sequel pre-production
Early in 2014, producers were considering directors and hoping to shoot the film with a $25–$35 million budget in Louisiana.
2015: Purported sequel release
A sequel titled It's a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story was in development for a 2015 release, written by Bob Farnsworth and Martha Bolton.
2017: Film Restored in 4K
In 2017, It's a Wonderful Life was restored in 4K resolution, available via streaming services and DCP.
July 2019: Paul McCartney musical in development
In July 2019, it was revealed that another stage musical adaptation was in development with music and lyrics by Paul McCartney.
October 29, 2019: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release
On October 29, 2019, It's a Wonderful Life was released for the first time on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, featuring a new Dolby Vision transfer.
December 2019: "Cinematic audio" adaptation by David Ossman
In December 2019, David Ossman and Judith Walcutt of Otherworld Media produced and directed a new "cinematic audio" adaptation at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.
2020: Scheduled Debut of McCartney Musical
In 2020, the McCartney It's a Wonderful Life musical was set to debut late 2020, but is still yet to premiere.
2021: Value of Reward in 2021
In 2021, the $10 reward given to a technician for a "sound improvement" was equal to $141.84.
December 2023: Swimming Pool Still in Use
As of December 2023, the swimming pool from the high-school dance scene is still in use at Beverly Hills High School.
January 2024: Remake in Development
As of January 2024, a modern remake of It's a Wonderful Life, written and directed by Kenya Barris, is in development at Paramount Pictures.
January 19, 2024: Remake announcement
On January 19, 2024, it was announced that Kenya Barris will write and direct a modern remake of the film for Paramount, with the intention to cast a person of color in the role of George Bailey.
2024: Value of Missing Money in 2024
In 2024, the $8,000 that Billy loses is equivalent to $139,726.
