A lifetime of shattered dreams and personal sacrifices finds George Bailey (James Stewart) in the market for an ice-caked bridge off which to jump. Along comes guardian angel Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), and with the help of Hollywood’s most famous “lying flashback,” George discovers what life might have been like without him. Some argue that Frank Capra’s film is saccharine to the point of sending viewers into a diabetic seizure. And sure, it’s sentimental, but after a few viewings, a darker side comes to light. Stewart’s performance as the tortured businessman — a shining example of post-war frustration and despair — is strong enough to strip away more than a few layers of schmaltz. And who’s to say that in another ten years, George won’t be ready to once again kick the crummy dust of Bedford Falls off his shoes? This marked a major turning point in Stewart’s career. Soon after, the actor crossed paths with Alfred Hitchcock, and later, Anthony Mann. Under their watchful guidance, the troubled soul that Capra helped birth would blossom into a full-blown neurotic — and in the case of The Naked Spur, borderline psychotic. By the way, when It’s a Wonderful Life entered the public domain in 1974, practically every television station began broadcasting the film during the holiday season. Hell, it would play in the middle of July! But in 1993, Republic Pictures enforced its claim to the copyright, and NBC is currently the only U.S. TV station that is licensed to show the film. — Scott Marks