The Biggest Christmas Movie Box Office Disaster Saved by Corporate Greed

Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published 1 hour ago

People can argue if Die Hard Christmas movie or if Hallmark or Lifetime has the best Christmas catalog, but there is no argument that when it comes to Christmas, nothing compares A Wonderful Life. A staple of Christmas viewing for generations, the 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart is not only the greatest Christmas movie ever made but one of the greatest films ever made. And yet, if not for the fact that its copyright expired in the 70s during the growth of television viewing, it would have been lost forever.

Box-Office Disaster

It is ironic that this film, about a man who feels he has nothing left to live until his guardian angel saves him and shows the difference he has made in the world, was also on the verge of extinction. Except that instead of Clarence the angel to the rescue, it was the network executives who were desperate for a cheap way to fill air time, and when the copyright A Wonderful Life out of date, can be played many times every Christmas season and cost nothing (just the money to fix the original story it was based on, The Greatest Gift of All). Before the constant reruns and networks hailing the film as a Christmas classic, it was known as a box office flop.

A Wonderful Life lost money for the RKO production company, over $500,000 in 1946, or over $8 million when adjusted for inflation. At the box office, the film pulled in $3 million, beating out another Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street. When you consider the esteem in which the film is held today, it’s amazing to look back and realize that in 1946, no one cared.

Hated by Critics

Over the years, A Wonderful Life it’s gone through the cracks in the public eye, every few years it’s argued against itself to argue that the film isn’t good at all, then it’s re-examined, and then torn down again, in a never-ending cycle. of criticism and criticism. Critics in 1946 felt the same way, most of them praising both Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed for their performances but also criticizing the film for its optimism and a bad plot that was said to have gone too far into sentimentality only one year after the end of the most exhausting controversy. in human history.

A Wonderful Life It’s actually a dark film, at first, as we follow Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey as he meets the evil banker, Mr. Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore, and yes, he is Drew Barrymore’s uncle, due to the loss of money as well. land rights. That’s most of the movie, which is a brave decision that leads to George wishing he’d never been born, and Clarence the angel grants his wish. Now we see that no matter how difficult his life seemed, the world was worse without George in it, and no matter how you feel about the film itself, the message behind it is important.

One Person Makes a Difference

Christmas time can be exciting and a time to be with loved ones, but it’s also one of the most stressful times of the year for people who feel like they don’t have family or friends and may start to wonder what the world will be like. as without them. A Wonderful Life we face this, and in the end, it’s clear that one person can make a difference, and the world is better for having George Bailey in it. No matter the year, no matter what has happened since 1946, that important message, that you make a difference, and that the world is better for you will still have meaning.

However A Wonderful Life it was saved from the trash heap by cheapskate network executives, and illegally marketed as a Christmas classic, eventually, it has been recognized as one of the greatest movies ever made. The 1970s marketing campaign was no lie; it was ahead of its time.

You can broadcast A Wonderful Life today for free, including the abridged version on Amazon Prime, or the full version on The Roku Channel.