“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) is as much of an endeared American tradition to the Christmas season as Santa Claus. Among most film lists, “It’s a Wonderful Life” holds top ranking – It is #11 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time list and #1 on their “100 Years, 100 Cheers” list. It is broadcast on television throughout the month of December. But there was a time when this remarkable feel-good film had a hard time attracting audiences.

When the film was originally released, it was not a box office success by any means. “It’s a Wonderful Life” won only one award – a Golden Globe for Frank Capra in the Best Director Category. “The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946) beat it as the Number 1 box office film, as well as becoming its rival at the award shows. Though “It’s a Wonderful Life” was nominated for five Academy Awards, “The Best Years of Our Lives” championed over it. “Best Actor” went to Fredric March over Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey, and “Best Director” went to William Wyler over Frank Capra. “Best Film Editing” and “Best Film of The Year” were the categories in which neither of the films won. Best Sound, Recording category – John P. Livadary won for “The Jolston Story” (1946).

“It’s a Wonderful Life” was also a target of the U.S. government for being anti-American in its “communist views” primarily due to the character of Mr. Potter, a banker, viewed as the town villain to the altruist protagonist George Bailey. “It’s a Wonderful Life” eventually fell into relative obscurity and was nearly forgotten for years.

It was not until the early 1970s, when the film’s copyright lapsed into public domain, that television networks took advantage of broadcasting it because they would not have to pay a cent to anyone to air it. The film’s popularity steadily grew. When Frank Capra, the director, was questioned about its renewed success, he said, “It’s the damndest thing I’ve ever seen...I didn’t even think of it as a Christmas story when I first ran across it. I just liked the idea.”