CINEMA CLASSICS SEMINAR: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Instructor: Jennifer Fleeger, Ph.D., Montclair State University

When Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life premiered in 1946, audiences weren’t particularly interested in the tale of a small-town man brought back from the brink of self-destruction by a second-class angel. With the film’s lackluster box office, Hollywood’s faith in Capra dwindled alongside George Bailey’s belief in the American spirit. Yet, these days, It’s a Wonderful Life often appears near the top of polls for best and most inspirational films. What happened to transform this movie into a quintessential holiday classic?

This seminar discusses the film’s relevance in American life since 1946, paying special attention to the details of its production, the history of its distribution in theaters and on television, and the significance of Frank Capra’s sentimental storytelling. Indeed, the film fits well into Capra’s vision of the nation, in which Bedford Falls stands as the ideal setting, George Bailey is its model citizen, and romance heals class conflict.

Join us to consider how this film contributed to Hollywood’s construction of American identity at home and abroad. How well does the film’s opposition of Bedford Falls and Pottersville represent our hopes and fears for America today? Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: it’s a work that continues to inspire viewers to be thankful and, possibly, to change.