It Happened One Christmas (1977) (TV)

Director:

Donald Wrye

Writers:

Jo Swerling (1946 screenplays)
Frank Capra (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 December 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy

Plot:

This reworking of the 1947 classic "It's A Wonderful Life" has a woman whose life is coming apart despairingly wish that she had never been born...

Plot Keywords:

Color Remake Of B&W Film | Remake Of Cult Classic | Christmas | Angel | Remake

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Marlo Thomas	...	Mary Bailey Hatch
Orson Welles	...	Henry F. Potter
Wayne Rogers	...	George Hatch
Cloris Leachman	...	Clara Oddbody ('ASC'), Mary's Guardian Angel
Barney Martin	...	Uncle Willie
Karen Carlson	...	Violet
Dick O'Neill	...	Mr. Gower, the Druggist
Doris Roberts	...	Ma Bailey
Cliff Norton	...	Martini
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dan Barrows	...	Toll Keeper
James Brodhead	...	Bank Examiner
Ceil Cabot	...	Cousin Tillie
Gino Conforti	...	Sassini
Richard Dysart	...	Peter Bailey
Robert Emhardt	...	Judge
Med Flory	...	Nick, the Martini's Bartender
Rita George	...	Helen Bailey
Christopher Guest	...	Harry Bailey
Archie Hahn	...	Ernie Baker, the Taxi-Cab driver
C. Thomas Howell
Jim Lovelett	...	Sam Wainwright
Linda Lee Lyons	...	Zuzu Hatch
Bryan O'Byrne	...	Doctor
Morgan Upton	...	Officer Bert Andrews
Lynn Woodlock	...	Mary, age 12

Runtime:

USA:109 min (excluding commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Daisy Productions

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the closing credits, "It Happened One Christmas" carries a 1978 copyright date, although the film originally aired on Sunday, December 11, 1977. The notice reads: "Copyright (C) MCMLXXVIII by Universal City Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved;" whoever printed the titles unknowingly inserted one "I" too many. It should have read MCMLXXVII, for 1977.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (#4.21)" (1991)

Surely the worst, most audacious remake of all time!

Mr. Truesmith and ColinBaker are the only sane reviewers of this film. Who could possibly never have seen the original? Who, having seen the original, could possibly give any credibility to this preposterous remake? Has everyone gone loony? I just watched my video copy of "It's a Wonderful Life," and am even more impressed with it today, in 2006, than I was when I first saw it a zillion years ago. Yes, it is sentimental, as are some of the greatest novels, but it offers a wonderful message about gratitude. What's more sentimental than "A Christmas Carol," yet its message is still timeless.

I never heard of this remake until I stumbled across it on some obscure TV channel. I found myself wondering if all the heirs to Frank Capra were dead, since I figured this was the only way the producers of this version would dare mimic his original. Thanks, Mr. Truesmith, for clearing this up -- the copyright has run out, hence, what you call this "crime against film history." And crime it is, indeed. Surely, Marlo Thomas is embarrassed by the very existence of any prints of this film! Oh, and I add to the list of sane reviewers, who know the difference between a classic and junk when they see it: digibox2, Leone, frankfob, Clement. Thanks for your insights and tidbits of history.

To the rest, all I can say is, Oh, my God, are you kidding?!