Author Topic: 'It's a Wonderful Life' Was Considered A Box Office Failure (Read 5011 times)

Palumboism · « **on:** December 24, 2016, 06:47:35 PM »

It's a Wonderful Life placed 26th ($3.3 million) in box office revenues for 1947 (out of more than 400 features released), one place ahead of another Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street. The film recorded a loss of $525,000 at the box office for RKO.

A clerical error at NTA prevented the copyright from being renewed in 1974 and placed the film in the public domain causing many local TV networks to play the film for free, popularizing it as a Christmas classic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Wonderful_Life

oldtimer1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2016, 07:38:42 PM »

It has more than made up for it's initial financial loss. It's considered one of the best movies ever made. James Stewart was a genuine war hero.

BodyMachine · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2016, 08:49:15 PM »

Shit 3.3 mill in 47 and still a loss??

Chadwick The Beta · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2016, 10:00:52 PM »

Same sort of thing with "The Christmas Story."

Tha Grim Lifter · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2016, 11:44:46 PM »

Same with Jingle all the Way, will be known as the greatest Christmas movie ever in 20 years

Mobil · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2016, 12:20:05 AM »

I've always liked that movie during Christmas..family man Nick cage is kinda the same movie...liked that as well

Simple Simon · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2016, 03:23:55 AM »

never seen it, wont watch it because its been hyped too much.

dj181 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2016, 06:34:18 AM »

Jimmy Stewart was a man among men

God Bless him

Eric2 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2016, 10:37:18 AM »

I watch this movie once every year. Love it, even though some of the situations I disagree with. Jimmy Stewart was a believable actor. In hitchcock's "The Rear Window" when Raymond Burr is pushing him out of his high rise apartment, you can see/sense and feel a genuine fear and struggle that James portrays as he struggles to not fall. His western movies are good as well. Check out "Flight Of The Pheonix" for more great acting by him and all of the cast. I met James Stewart back when I was a kid along with Ronald Reagan. I was on my dad's shoulders and can remember James looking eye to eye with me.

_bruce_ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2016, 10:46:02 AM »

Nice movie and great actor. The dude who dubs him the German versions of his movies conveys his persona pretty well.

Rudee · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2016, 12:07:45 PM »

Many ppl aren't aware that Carl Switzer who played Alfalfa in the 'Our Gang' series in 1930's was in the movie.

Switzer died at 31 from a gunshot wound

BIG AL MCKECHNIE · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2016, 01:24:32 PM »

This movie was made as communist propaganda. Old man represents capitalism and George is the champion of the people owning the capital.

sync pulse · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:20:03 PM »

Quote from: BIG AL MCKECHNIE on December 25, 2016, 01:24:32 PM

This movie was made as communist propaganda. Old man represents capitalism and George is the champion of the people owning the capital.

Frank Capra was a republican.....

BB · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:57:03 PM »

Quote from: Rudee on December 25, 2016, 12:07:45 PM

Many ppl aren't aware that Carl Switzer who played Alfalfa in the 'Our Gang' series in 1930's was in the movie.

Switzer died at 31 from a gunshot wound

The story behind him getting shot was interesting. He lost a guy's dog that he was suppose to train, paid a reward to get it back, and finally returned it. But felt he was still owed for the training, so he gets drunk with a buddy, and decides to go ask for it. It winds up a drunken fight, and he get killed, and the buddy get shot.

The guy who shot him claimed Switzer tried to stab him, and a closed knife was found. Years later, the shooter's stepson claimed that the fight wasn't as bad as claimed, and that his father just decided to kill them for being assholes. The only thing that stopped him from going back and killing Switzer's buddy was that the police were already there.

The irony is just a few years before Switzer married a manufacturing heiress, and if he had mellowed out, and not divorced her, he'd be a millionaire many times over.

As for me, I watched "They Shoot Horses, Don't They". Never saw it before a couple of nights ago. Great film, but boy it's not a Christmas movie $:-\$

-

.

cephissus · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2016, 09:21:43 PM »

Watched this movie every year as a kid... Never noticed how hot Donna Reed was

muscleman-2013 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 27, 2016, 12:45:18 AM »

Quote from: Be There on December 25, 2016, 03:23:55 AM

never seen it, wont watch it because its been hyped too much.

your loss

Zillotch · « **Reply #16 on:** December 27, 2016, 01:00:32 AM »

Quote from: Be There on December 25, 2016, 03:23:55 AM

never seen it, wont watch it

x2

10pints · « **Reply #17 on:** December 27, 2016, 01:04:02 AM »

Black and white picture = mudshark, will not watch.

ratherbebig · « **Reply #18 on:** December 27, 2016, 01:14:54 AM »

rather watch redheat

ESFitness · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2016, 01:22:49 AM »

Every time it comes on I fail to Finnish watching it.

SilverSpoon · « **Reply #20 on:** December 27, 2016, 07:05:18 AM »

It was not meant to be a Christmas movie.

It was not released at Christmas time.

Yamcha · « **Reply #21 on:** December 27, 2016, 07:07:55 AM »

Author Topic: 'It's a Wonderful Life' Was Considered A Box Office Failure (Read 5011 times)

Simple Simon