TIL: The GREATEST Christmas Movie Was Almost -- NEVER Made…
when he's not there it leaves an awfully big hole." -- Clarence (the angel)
Today I learned…
Every year.., the holidays and the days leading up to Christmas would not be complete without seeing, arguably -- the best Christmas movie ever made… And, it wasn't necessarily a Christmas movie when it was released in 1946.
And was pretty much a flop!
In 1947 the FBI saw the film.., and didn't like the fact that bankers were being discredited.., and shown in such a negative light -- "This is a common trick used by communists." and cited the film as potential Communist infiltration of the film industry.
It wasn't until the 1974, when it's copyright slipped and it became public domain… That meant TV stations could air it for free (that's why they really play it so much). But due to it's repeated showings during when -- Christmas time.., it caught on and became what we know as one of, if not.., the best Christmas ever!
Today I learned...
But.., what' even crazier… If it wasn't for a Christmas card, it would have never seen the light of day. If not for a Christmas card the world would have been deprived, what has become the quintessential tale of the holiday season.
It was written as a short story, under the title of "The Greatest Gift" by, Philip Van Doren Stern. Being just 4100 words, Stern printed only 200 copies…, and having trouble finding a publisher -- he sent the 200 copies, out to friends.., as a Christmas card (more like a booklet or pamphlet at 21 pages).
Somehow, the story wound-up in the hands of a producer at RKO studios.., where Cary Grant showed interest in playing the leading role… Finally, after numerous rewrites, to no avail -- the script was sold to Frank Capra, whose studio Liberty Films paid $10,000.
Bringing in his own writers, taking the 3 different adaptations of the the story that had come with the $10,000 price tag -- they pieced together a screenplay and film that would hold the true meaning of Christmas.., and the spirit of giving, and was renamed -- It's A Wonderful Life.
It's kinda weird that such a dark story -- a man who loses his faith because of the many hardships this life has thrown at him.., bought to the point of committing suicide -- became such a beloved tale at Christmas…
It is, all too easy, to get pulled further down that rabbit hole.., during the "greatest time of the year…" All to easy, to forget the lives we touch on a daily basis, lives we touched and made better in our past, just for being there… The stresses of the world today, compounded by holiday obligations and all the other bullshit.., seem to shine a light on all that is wrong in your life. But a film, such as It's A Wonderful Life, gives us the gift of -- taking a step back, a deep breathe -- a moment to remember.., what is good in our lives.
Interesting. I had no idea. That is my all time favorite Christmas movie ever! I never get tired of watching it.
Pretty wild, huh..?
It's a classic, for sure :))
Wow! That's wild. I had no idea...! I wonder what other classics there might have been - coming from the same time period of communist paranoia... Thanks for sharing :)
Well, they basically threw Charlie Chaplin out of the country, in the 1950's because they thought he was a communist!
Great post and great film
Thanks, @ianstrat -- i agree, great film!
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