James Stewart had a reputation as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood and 1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life has become a timeless classic in the years since,
However, the shoot was fraught with tension and “insecurity” from the director, Frank Capra, down to the writers and the stars.
When the film was released, Stewart was so angry and upset that he never worked with Oscar-winning co-star Donna Reed again.
The film is about a good but troubled man, George Bailey, who is contemplating taking his life when a trainee angel, Clarence, sets out to show him how much his life has helped others.
The shoot was equally troubled. Capra worked on the screenplay with writers like Frances Goodrich and her husband, Albert Hackett, but was very demanding and also went to other writers behind their backs. Goodrich called the director “that horrid man” while her husband referred to him as “a very arrogant son of a bi**h.” Meanwhile, Stewart may have been perfect casting as George, but he was very unsure about returning to acting after a distinguished army career during World War II.
Speaking previously with Closer Weekly, Reed’s daughter, Mary Anne, said: “I don’t like to mention this, but Capra and Jimmy Stewart had this whole success together before the war with Mr Smith Goes to Washington and all of that. Everyone participated in the war effort, but especially those two and they were gone from Hollywood for four or five years. There was a lot of insecurity on set, because Jimmy Stewart wasn’t sure if he wanted to act any more. He thought it was too frivolous, but Lionel Barrymore and others talked him into it. So, there was this insecurity on the set and mum was really not that well known. I mean, she was only 25 and I think signed her MGM contract at 21.”
In fact, Reed had been a standard Hollywood contract player, appearing in countless minor roles after signing on in 1941. Her wholesome girl next door looks and personality had made her very popular with GIs overseas during the war. Stewart’s regular co-star, Jean Arthur, was first offered the role of Mary but was battling health issues. Olivia de Havilland and Ginger Rogers were also considered. The latter turned the film down because she thought the role was “too bland.”
Eventually, Capra asked MGM to loan him Donna Reed, which was standard practice between studios in those days. The actress found herself on a set filled with tension, according to her daughter, and then was made to feel like a scapegoat when the film performed badly at the box office.
Despite its enduring popularity today, It’s A Wonderful Life only took $3.3 million on a $3.2 million budget when it was released. Hollywood films typically double their budget with production and marketing costs, so they need to take twice their original budget to break even.
Mary Anne said her mother “didn’t understand why there was so much insecurity and then Jimmy Stewart couldn’t understand why the movie didn’t do well, but that’s why they never did another movie together. He blamed her because she wasn’t as well known.”
Reed would go on to win the Best Supporting actress for 1953’s From Here To Eternity and then achieve new levels of fame and acclaim starring in The Donna Reed Show from 1958.