It’s interesting how the film is a pretty straightforward drama for the first two thirds of the film but then suddenly takes on a supernatural/sci-fi twist when Clarence shows up and George sees what the world would be like if he was never born. Were audiences weirded out by this in 1947 since such a “plot twist” movie had never really been made before?
shareThe film came out right after a terrible war. I'm sure people were ready for fantasy and miracles. I'm sure it was well loved when it came out. I know it wasn't a blockbuster but ticket sales can mean lots of things (perhaps the film's title seemed a bit twee for many).
shareIt was well recieved It was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including best picture.
shareIt doesn't surprise me since it was awesome. I assumed audience number wise it was part of the wonderful sleeper category like The Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka.
shareOh how I would have loved to have seen the Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka in the theater. Such a different time and to see these magical movies would have been amazing
shareGood question .. I still can’t imagine what it was like to go see this movie at a theater in 1947.
shareIt starts off with the supernatural by showing two angels talking to each other and recruiting a wannabe angel 😇.
There were plenty of supernatural movies in the 30s and 40s. Topper films were popular.
People were no less sophisticated in 1947 than they are today.
shareThis failed big time. I think people knew it was patronizing.
shareIt didn’t do well financially and critics were mixed, but it was praised enough to get a bunch of Oscar noms.
When the copyright expired in 1974 it was shown on multiple TV channels every Christmas and that’s when it found its way into people’s hearts.
I guess it’s a good movie to watch at home with the family.
It’s now a towering classic of cinema. Funny the journey that some films have.