1. It's A Wonderful Life Was Forgotten Because The License Cost Too Much
Everybody loves It's A Wonderful Life, don't they? How could you not, honestly, when it's such a heartwarming although, given the grim tone most of the film has, deceptively so film and a hardy Christmas perennial that no image of the festive season is complete without. There's presents, turkey, stockings, and James Stewart threatening to kill himself by drunkenly jumping off of a bridge. The film has become so ingrained in popular culture that a Christmas without it doesn't bear thinking about. Frank Capra's movie is smart, sentimental, charming yet (sort of) realistic It's A Wonderful Life is not only a perfect Christmas flick, but a perfect film period. Which is why it's one of Hollywood's all-time greatest f*ck ups that it nearly disappeared forever, not long after its release. It's A Wonderful Life is considered one of the most critically acclaimed films ever made. It was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and has been recognised by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made. Things were a lot different in 1946, however, where it barely managed to break even and was a textbook example of a box office flop, with lukewarm reviews not helping much. So how did such a thoroughly underwhelming film end up achieving its rightful place in the hearts and minds of audiences across the globe? Well, the botched release of It's A Wonderful Life was a pretty big f*ck up, but it was another f*ck up that wound up saving it. Somebody screwed up at some point in the seventies and forgot to renew the copyright on the film, which lead to Ted Turner getting his greasy colourising palms on it, but also meant that the movie entered public domain so anybody could show it, without paying royalties. Which is how it ended up in the regular rotation of local TV stations across America, which eventually lead to it being rediscovered and considered one of the best movies ever made. At least this f*ck is one with a happy ending. Kinda like the film itself, now that we mention it...
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
