Over the years, It's a Wonderful Life has become the premier classic Christmas movie in the United States. What most viewers of this beloved favorite don't know, however, is that the film did poorly at the box office compared to what was expected for a Jimmy Stewart/ Frank Capra film. It's a Wonderful Life was an independent film with an expensive budget for the time - $3.7 million. After the film was released, it only grossed $3.3 million. It's a Wonderful Life became popular in the 1970s after the rights to the film were released and it was shown on cable channels for weeks before Christmas.

It's a Wonderful Life was based on a short story by Philip Van Doren Stern called "The Greatest Gift." However, the only credited work for the screenplay goes to Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Capra, with additional scenes by Jo Swerling. Other uncredited work...