by Julian Spivey

Frank Capra's 1946 film, It's a Wonderful Life, has become the quintessential Hollywood holiday classic.

Capra's film tells the story of George Bailey, played by James Stewart, the most beloved son of Bedford Falls.

Bailey is an honorable man who, despite his dreams of traveling the world and leaving his "crummy little town" behind, runs the family business after the death of his father.

The business is virtually the only one in town not run by Henry Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore, the richest man in town.

Potter, the ultimate Scrooge character, resents Bailey for his thriving business.

When Bailey's business loses $8,000 that was misplaced by his Uncle Billy, played by Thomas Mitchell, his life quickly turns upside down.

Bailey is about to commit suicide when a guardian angel named Clarence, played by Henry Travers, is sent to earth to save him.

Clarence has extra incentive to save Bailey – in return, he will finally receive his long-awaited wings.

The cheery story ends with Bailey realizing that, although Potter is the wealthiest man in the town, Bailey himself is truly the richest.

At the time of its release, It's a Wonderful Life was overshadowed by William Wyler's film, The Best Years of Our Lives, which went on to win the best picture Oscar.

It wasn't until almost 30 years later when the film became a Hollywood Christmas classic.

Both Capra and Stewart consider the film to be the best of their respective careers.

This is saying a lot, considering Capra directed other classics like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.

Stewart went on to appear in films like Rear Window and Vertigo during his masterful career as one of Hollywood's leading men.

It's a Wonderful Life works simply because of the acting by some of cinema's finest.

Stewart is the ultimate common man, and nobody brought that out better than Capra.

In 1939, Stewart became widely known to audiences as Jefferson Smith in Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, playing a common-man fighting for common rights.

The elegant Donna Reed proved to be a leading lady to Stewart's Bailey as his love interest and future wife, Mary.

The two share what is arguably the movie's grandest scene as they walk home in makeshift outfits after falling into a swimming pool at a dance and Mary accidentally loses her robe and hides in a bush.

The scene includes one of the most romantic lines in film history:

"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want," Bailey said.

"You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."

The film also includes remarkable performances by Barrymore as the greedy, money-grabbing Potter and Mitchell, hailed as one of the best supporting actors in cinema history, as Uncle Billy.

It's a Wonderful Life is, without a doubt, a timeless Hollywood classic.