Angry James Stewart refused to work with ‘How It’s A Wonderful Life’ Movies | Entertainment

James Stewart had a reputation as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, and 1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life has become a timeless classic in recent years.

However, from director Frank Capra to the writers and stars, the shoot was full of tension and “uncertainty”.

When the film was released, Stewart was so angry and upset that he never worked with Oscar-winning co-star Donna Reed again.

The film is about a good but troubled man, George Bailey, who is contemplating taking his own life when a would-be angel, Clarence, sets out to show him how much his life has helped others.

The shoot was equally problematic. Capra collaborated on the script with writers such as Frances Goodrich and her husband Albert Hackett, but was very demanding and turned to other writers behind their backs. Goodrich called the director “that terrible man,” while her husband called him “a very arrogant son of a bitch.” Meanwhile, Stewart may have been perfectly cast for the role of George, but he was unsure about returning to acting after a distinguished career in the Army during World War II.

In an earlier conversation with Closer Weekly, Reed’s daughter Mary Anne said, “I don’t want to mention this, but Capra and Jimmy Stewart had this big success together before the war with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and all that.” war effort, but especially these two, and they were out of Hollywood for four or five years. There was a lot of uncertainty on set because Jimmy Stewart wasn’t sure if he wanted to act anymore. He thought it was too frivolous, but Lionel Barrymore and others persuaded him to do so. So there was a certain amount of uncertainty on set and my mother really wasn’t that well known. I mean, she was only 25 and I think she signed her MGM contract when she was 21.

In fact, Reed had been a standard Hollywood contract player, appearing in countless supporting roles since her signing in 1941. Her healthy looks and girl-next-door personality had made her very popular with GIs abroad during the war. Stewart’s regular co-star Jean Arthur was initially offered the role of Mary, but struggled with health problems. Olivia de Havilland and Ginger Rogers were also considered. The latter rejected the film because she thought the role was “too boring”.

Eventually, Capra asked MGM to loan him Donna Reed, which was common practice at the studios at the time. According to her daughter, the actress found herself on a set full of tension and then felt like a scapegoat when the film did poorly at the box office.

Despite its continued popularity to date, It’s A Wonderful Life only grossed $3.3 million upon its release against a budget of $3.2 million. Hollywood films typically double their budget with production and marketing costs, requiring twice their original budget to break even.

Mary Anne said her mother “didn’t understand why there was so much uncertainty, and then Jimmy Stewart couldn’t understand why the movie didn’t do well, but that’s why they never did another movie together.” He blamed her because she wasn’t.” “It’s not that well known.”

Reed won the Best Supporting Actress award in 1953’s From Here to Eternity and then achieved a new level of fame and recognition with the lead role in 1958’s The Donna Reed Show.