It's a Wonderful Life

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He had 218 actor credits

An annual radio broadcast with Lionel Barrymore in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge led directly to his being cast in It's a Wonderful Life.

Cast in two of Donna's notable movies

Ward Bond appears with Donna Reed in two films - They Were Expendable (1945) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

It started as a short story

It began as a 21-page short story, "The Greatest Gift." Today we know it as the Christmas television staple, "It's a Wonderful Life."

Would she make another movie?

When the American Film Institute honored Frank Capra, Donna Reed related that she didn't know if It's a Wonder Life would be her last film.

Secures niche as minor actress

Mary Treen secured a niche as a minor actress, appearing in It’s a Wonderful Life as well as three episodes of The Donna Reed Show.

Donna's first role off the MGM lot

It's hard to imagine another actress in the role of Mary, but Donna Reed was not the only one considered. Capra's list had four more.

From screen to airwaves

Listen to the 1947 Lux Theater broadcast of It's a Wonderful Life featuring James Stewart and Donna Reed reprising their classic film roles.

A guardian angel

Henry Travers' most famous role was the guardian angel Clarence Odbody in the 1946 film classic It's a Wonderful Life with Donna Reed.

A lucky clerical snafu

It’s A Wonderful Life premiered in New York City on Christmas Day of 1946 but didn't show in U.S. theaters until January 7, 1947.

It's a Wonderful Life on radio

Screen Guild Theatre broadcast a 60-minute screen adaptation of "It's a Wonderful Life" on Dec. 29, 1947 with Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart.

Donna's Christmas film

It's a Wonderful Life, starring Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, premiered in New York City on December 20, 1946.

Help make this Lego creation become an official set

Jason Middaugh created a Lego version of the settings and characters from It's a Wonderful life but needs help making it an official set.

A charity broadcast

Donna Reed and James Stewart reprised their film roles on the broadcast of It's a Wonderful Life on Stars in the Air on December 13, 1951.

A free screening ...

Every December the Donna Reed Foundation sponsors a free screening of "It's a Wonderful Life." Join us Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m.

Violet leaves a lipstick mark

Gloria Grahame appeared as the sultry Violet in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), along with Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart.

Memories of "It's a Wonderful Life"

ComingSoon.net sat down with Jimmy Hawkins and Karolyn Grimes and discussed the impact and legacy of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful LIfe."

Happy birthday, Jimmy Hawkins

Jimmy Hawkins is a former actor born on Nov. 13, 1941. He was a frequent instructor at The Donna Reed Festival held in Denison, IA.

Donna's film after It's a Wonderful Life

Green Dolphin Street, released November 5, 1947, starred Lana Turner, Van Heflin, Donna Reed, and Richard Hart.

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