The 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life starred legends James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. Even though this film has become a classic it was a box office flop when it was originally released.
Through the years the storyline of an angel showing someone what life would be like has been told over and over again. But what about an actual remake? And even more interesting a female version? It is more than just a dream, in 1977 it really happened.
The film premiered on Sunday, December 11, 1977, as part of The ABC Sunday Night Movie showcase. Now interestingly enough it was the fourth-most watched prime time television program for the week. It even scored a Nielsen rating of 27.5, or 20 million homes. So a lot of people watched this version.
Mary Bailey Hatch (Marlo Thomas), a young woman who dreams of seeing the world but is forced to remain in her small hometown of Bedford Falls as head of the family's Building & Loan business. On a Christmas Eve, a financial crisis arises, sending Mary into a downward spiral. Now depressed Mary contemplates suicide, but is rescued by her guardian angel, Clara Oddbody (Cloris Leachman). Clara shows Mary the positive effect that she has had on everyone she has met throughout her life.
Emmy Nominations were given for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Cloris Leachman), Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie (John J. Lloyd – Art Director) and Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie (Hal Gausman – Set Decorator).
It Happened one Christmas is a unique retelling. Marlo Thomas (That Girl) is good as Mary Bailey. It was cool seeing Wayne Rogers (M*A*S*H*) as Mary's husband George. It's hard to replace Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter, but Orson Welles (Citizen Kane) is a good choice.
Everyone in the cast does a really good job, but alas it just seems to fall a bit short of the magic that is It's a Wonderful Life. Frank Capra, the director of the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, was not a fan of this remake. He called it "plagiaristic."
At the time It's a Wonderful Life had yet to become a staple at Christmas, so many people were unaware of the original classic. But when Frank Capra's film started being shown on TV endlessly at the holiday season, this Marlo Thomas version faded into the background and was mostly forgotten.
While this film has never received a physical media release, copies of this TV Movie can be found on Youtube and Archive.org
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