A heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting fantasy drama that explores the profound impact of a single life, painting a poignant cinematic portrait of despair and redemption.
It's a Wonderful Life
"It's a wonderful laugh! It's a wonderful love!"
Director:
Frank Capra
Cast:
James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers
Drama
Family
Fantasy
Budget:
$3,180,000
Box Office:
$9,644,124
It's a Wonderful Life - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Bert the cop and Ernie the cab driver share names with two famous characters from Sesame Street.
This is a long-standing coincidence that has led to a popular fan theory. Sesame Street writer Jerry Juhl has stated that it's purely coincidental and that the characters were not named after the film's duo. However, the connection remains a fun piece of pop culture trivia for fans of both classics.
In the background of a shot in Gower's drugstore, there is a sign for 'Vaseline Hair Tonic,' a product from the company Chesebrough-Ponds, whose president, Philip Van Doren Stern, wrote 'The Greatest Gift,' the short story on which the film is based.
This appears to be a subtle nod to the story's originator. The film's journey began when Stern sent his privately printed story to friends as a Christmas card, eventually catching the attention of Hollywood producers.