When the movie It’s a Wonderful Life opened up in December 1946, it captured five Academy Award nominations. In addition, it captured the hearts of an incredible number of Americans. Over the past fifty years, It’s a Wonderful Life is becoming as much a holiday custom as Thanksgiving supper and the Xmas tree. For many people, Christmas just isn’t complete until they discover Jimmy Stewart working down Main Street yelling, “Merry Xmas!” It’s a Wonderful Life is among the most American edition of A Xmas Carol, using its own timeless message of innocence, personal struggle, and hope.

Now listeners may hear on the subject of the making of the film firsthand from the memories of professional Jimmy Hawkins, who played four-year-old Tommy Bailey in the film, aswell mainly because archived interviews with Jimmy Stewart, movie director Frank Capra, and many more who were part of the filming of this treasured holiday classic.