Yes, but in terms of really focused on Christmas, not a person or town so much, it’s not really in that category for me.
You know what also bugs me about IAWL? Mid-80s my parents saw it was coming on PUBLIC TV so said we should watch it (and taped it). I liked it (still do), but no one basically ever talked about it. It was unknown. Then, in the next year, my social-studies teacher actually had us watch it because of the “saving&loan” crises around that time. Only ever time I saw it - and shocked someone knew about it. In the next few years, suddenly it’s getting on regular TV and boom, 10 years later it’s the biggest best Christmas movie ever!
Where were you people between ‘45 and ‘85? It was an obscure movie, then suddenly it’s the best movie ever? Gimme a break.
I meanwhile am pushing THE BISHOP’S WIFE, same time period, much bigger on Christmas and truly about behaving in a Christmas manner. Fantastic movie, extremely charming and meaningful!
It’s A Wonderful Life lapsed into the public domain. Any channel could show it (or stuff it in the schedule) for no money.
In the Clinton error, lapsed copyrights were restored.
It was made by Frank Capra who had a number of films with characters going through highs and lows (and being driven to the brink of suicide). His technique may be considered naive or ham fisted but he was a credible filmmaker (and even made instructional films for the US military during WWII).
Meet John Doe
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
Lost Horizon...
Hollywood has remade each one of those films (and I think only Lost Horizon carries it’s original copyright).