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The Inside Story of "It's a Wonderful Life"

Learn more about this holiday classic

Hear the fascinating story of "It's a Wonderful Life'' and how it became the ultimate portrayal of holiday goodwill and cheer.

Voted the most inspirational movie ever made by the American Film Institute, Frank Capra's film has been a beloved Christmas classic for generations. The snowbound streets of Bedford Falls, the desperate travails of George Bailey, and the discovery of Zuzu's petals have become traditional signatures of the holiday season. Yet when the film was released in 1946, it was considered a box-office flop and was largely forgotten until being rediscovered through endless airings on TV beginning in the 1970s.
 
Presenter Brian Rose, professor emeritus at Fordham University, taught 38 years in the Department of Communication and Media Studies. He’s written several books on television history and cultural programming, and conducted more than a hundred Q&A’s with leading directors, actors and writers for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the Directors Guild of America.

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