Donna Reed shrugs: James Stewart refused to work with the actress after she had a wonderful life | movies | entertainment

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It’s a Wonderful Life: HD Trailer for the 1946 Classic Christmas Movie

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the release of the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life. It is based on the short story and pamphlet The Greatest Gift, which in turn is loosely based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. Hollywood legend James Stewart plays George Bailey, a suicidal businessman.

An angel, Clarence, is sent to help George, showing him what life would have been like if he had not been born.

Widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, it has been nominated for five Academy Awards, and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.

However, he initially failed, sparking rifts among the cast members.

The film recorded a $525,000 (£397,359) loss at the box office, and was largely forgotten, until at least 1974.

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James Stewart and Donna Reed. (Image: Getty)

James Stewart and Donna Reed kiss in It’s a Wonderful Life. (Image: Getty)

An administrative error means the copyright has expired, and the Frank Capra movie is in the public domain.

Every TV station across America could stream it for free — so they did relentlessly, helping turn the movie into a Christmas classic.

It now has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and continues to air annually during the holidays on NBC, which bought the exclusive television rights in 1994.

But the initial failure made James Stewart never want to work with co-star Donna Reed again.

James Stewart as George Bailey contemplates suicide. (Image: Getty)

Donna played Mary Hatch, the childhood sweetheart and later wife of George Bailey.

Upon the film’s release, Mr. Stewart blamed Reed for the film’s failure.

Red’s daughter Mary Ann once said, “I don’t like to mention this, but Capra and Jimmy Stewart had such complete success together before the war with ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ and all that.”

“Everyone was involved in the war effort, but especially these two, and they’ve been gone from Hollywood for four or five years.

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Frank Capra with James Stewart in 1985. (Image: GETTY)

“There was a lot of insecurities on set, because Jimmy Stewart wasn’t sure if he wanted to act anymore. He thought it was too petty, but Lionel Barrymore and others talked to him.”

Mr. Stewart became the first American movie star to enlist in the US Army to fight in World War II.

After his experiences in the war, he considered returning to Pennsylvania to oversee the running of his family’s shop, but was persuaded to return.

Mary Ann continued, “So, there was insecurity on the set and my mom wasn’t really well known. I mean, she was only 25 and I think she signed the MGM contract at the age of 21.”

Henry Travers as Clarence and James Stewart as George Bailey. (Image: Getty)

“But she still didn’t understand why there was so much insecurities and then Jimmy Stewart couldn’t understand why the movie didn’t do well, but that’s why they didn’t make another movie together.

“He blamed it on her, because she was not well known.”

Mary Ann added that her mother was “extremely happy” with the film.

Donna passed away in 1986, at which time the movie became a staunch fan of the holiday season.

Mary Ann said, “By the early ’80s the atmosphere was constantly on and we were always watching it at Christmas. She was so glad it was so popular.”

Despite the film’s initial failures, its long-term success continues.

Three color copies were produced. It has been adapted for radio, music and theatrical show.

There was also a purported sequel in development slated for release in 2015, but Paramount has not given permission for the film, and no further development plans have been made since then.

It’s A Wonderful Life airs on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve at 2pm.

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