Accessibility links
'It's a Wonderful Life' Copyright NPR's Rick Karr reports on how a 1946 box office flop became so ubiquitous on television this time of year. It's a Wonderful Life is a sentimental favorite... in part because of Jimmy Stewart, but also because no one ever bothered to file the papers to extend the copyright on the movie.

'It's a Wonderful Life' Copyright

Heard on Morning Edition

'It's a Wonderful Life' Copyright

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/888609/888610" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

NPR's Rick Karr reports on how a 1946 box office flop became so ubiquitous on television this time of year. It's a Wonderful Life is a sentimental favorite... in part because of Jimmy Stewart, but also because no one ever bothered to file the papers to extend the copyright on the movie.