Icon Movies

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money, hides it from Billy, and George's troubles begin.

It's a wonderful laugh! It's a wonderful love!

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

Released: December 20, 1946

Runtime: 130.0

Popularity Rating: 15.032

Liberty Films (II), RKO Radio Pictures

United States of America

George Bailey James Stewart
Mary Hatch Donna Reed
Henry F. Potter Lionel Barrymore
Uncle Billy Bailey Thomas Mitchell
Clarence Odbody Henry Travers
Ma Bailey Beulah Bondi
Bert Ward Bond
Ernie Bishop Frank Faylen
Violet Bick Gloria Grahame
Mr. Gower H.B. Warner
Sam Wainwright Frank Albertson
Harry Bailey Todd Karns
Peter Bailey Samuel S. Hinds
Ruth Dakin Bailey Virginia Patton
Cousin Tilly Mary Treen
Cousin Eustace Charles Williams
Mrs. Hatch Sarah Edwards
Giuseppe Martini William Edmunds
Annie Lillian Randolph
Mrs. Martini Argentina Brunetti
Little George Robert J. Anderson
Little Sam Ronnie Ralph
Little Mary Jean Gale
Little Violet Jeanine Ann Roose
Little Marty Hatch Danny Mummert
Little Harry Bailey Georgie Nokes
Nick Sheldon Leonard
Potter's Bodyguard Frank Hagney
Joe - Luggage Shop Ray Walker
Real Estate Salesman Charles Lane
Tom - Bldg. & Loan Edward Keane
Bailey Child - Janie Carol Coombs
Bailey Child - Zuzu Karolyn Grimes
Bailey Child - Pete Larry Simms
Bailey Child - Tommy Jimmy Hawkins
Townswoman (uncredited) Jean Acker
Ed (uncredited) Ernie Adams
(uncredited) Monya Andre
Mr. Welch (uncredited) Stanley Andrews
Nervous Banker (uncredited) Sam Ash
One of Vi's Suitors (uncredited) Jack Bailey
Military Officer in Montage (uncredited) Brooks Benedict
Townsman (uncredited) Joseph E. Bernard
Sheriff (uncredited) Al Bridge
(uncredited) Buz Buckley
Jane Wainwright (uncredited) Marian Carr
Singer at Martini's (uncredited) Adriana Caselotti
(uncredited) Lane Chandler
Young George's Friend (uncredited) Michael Chapin
Townsman (uncredited) Tom Chatterton
Cop Arresting Violet (uncredited) Jack Cheatham
Dr. Campbell (uncredited) Harry Cheshire
Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited) Edward Clark
Building & Loan Customer (uncredited) Tom Coleman
Ms. Davis (uncredited) Ellen Corby
Uncle Billy's Pet Crow Jimmy the Crow
High School Teacher at Poolside (uncredited) Lew Davis
(uncredited) Harry Denny
Woman at Graduation Dance (uncredited) Helen Dickson
Man on Porch (uncredited) Dick Elliott
Tollhouse Keeper (uncredited) Tom Fadden
Violet's Boyfriend (uncredited) Frank Fenton
Horace (uncredited) Eddie Fetherston
Relieved Banker in Potter's Office (uncredited) Sam Flint
(uncredited) Lee Frederick
Photographer with Sheriff (uncredited) Dick Gordon
Bar Patron (uncredited) Jack Gordon
(uncredited) Herschel Graham
(voice) (uncredited) Joseph Granby
Carter (uncredited) Charles Halton
Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited) Herbert Heywood
Mr. Partridge (uncredited) Harry Holman
Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited) Art Howard
Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited) Bert Howard
Mr. Randall (uncredited) Arthur Stuart Hull
Man in Fantasy (uncredited) John Indrisano
Building & Loan Depositor (uncredited) Eddie Kane
(uncredited) Carl Kent
Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited) Milton Kibbee
Townswoman (uncredited) Effie Laird
Building & Loan Customer (uncredited) Mike Lally
Marty Hatch (uncredited) Harold Landon
Pianist in Nick's Place (uncredited) Meade 'Lux' Lewis
Bar Patron (uncredited) Jack Lomas
Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree (uncredited) J. Farrell MacDonald
Building & Loan Customer (uncredited) Wilbur Mack
(uncredited) Charles Meakin
Man with Sheriff (uncredited) Bert Moorhouse
Building & Loan Customer (uncredited) Philip Morris
School Dancer (uncredited) George Noisom
Bar Patron (uncredited) Bob O'Connor
Military Officer in Montage (uncredited) Frank O'Connor
Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited) Moroni Olsen
Bill-Poster (uncredited) Garry Owen
(uncredited) Netta Packer
Photographer / Reporter (uncredited) Franklin Parker
Nick's Waitress (uncredited) Suzanne Ridgeway
Mickey (uncredited) Mark Roberts
Bar Patron (uncredited) Constantine Romanoff
Nick's Bouncer (uncredited) Cy Schindell
Potter's Secretary (uncredited) Almira Sessions
(uncredited) Cedric Stevens
Man in Fantasy (uncredited) Brick Sullivan
Nick's Bartender (uncredited) Charles Sullivan
Freddie Othello (uncredited) Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer
Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited) Max Wagner
Building & Loan Board Member (uncredited) Larry Wheat
Charlie (uncredited) Charles C. Wilson

Art — Art Direction: Jack Okey
Art — Art Direction: William Cameron Menzies
Art — Set Decoration: Emile Kuri
Camera — Director of Photography: Joseph F. Biroc
Camera — Director of Photography: Joseph Walker
Camera — Still Photographer: Phil Stern
Costume & Make-Up — Costume Design: Eugene Joseff
Costume & Make-Up — Makeup Artist: Gordon Bau
Crew — Additional Writing: Jo Swerling
Crew — Additional Writing: Michael Wilson
Crew — Special Effects: Daniel Hays
Crew — Special Effects: Russell A. Cully
Crew — Stunts: Lila Finn
Directing — Assistant Director: Arthur S. Black Jr.
Directing — Director: Frank Capra
Editing — Editor: William Hornbeck
Lighting — Gaffer: Homer Plannette
Production — Producer: Frank Capra
Sound — Orchestrator: Paul Marquardt
Sound — Original Music Composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
Sound — Sound: Clem Portman
Sound — Sound: John Aalberg
Sound — Sound: Richard Van Hessen
Visual Effects — Special Effects Supervisor: Russell Shearman
Writing — Original Story: Philip Van Doren Stern
Writing — Screenplay: Albert Hackett
Writing — Screenplay: Frances Goodrich
Writing — Screenplay: Frank Capra