When was “It’s a Wonderful life” Made?
Philip Van Doren Stern wrote the original story behind the film, called The Greatest Gift, in November of 1939. Following rejections from publishers, he mailed 200 copies to family and friends after printing it as a 24-page pamphlet.
Photo by RKO Radio Pictures/Getty Images
Ten thousand dollars was the amount RKO Pictures bought the movie rights for. The movie was stored away after several screenplays were written by Dalton Trumbo, Clifford Odets, and Marc Connelly. Charles Koerner of RKO made training films and documentaries when he landed on “The Greatest Gift.” He realized the potential and wanted to turn it into a Hollywood movie.