Donna Reed’s daughter, Mary Ann Owen, has revealed that Jimmy Stewart blamed co-star Donna Reed for the initial box office failure of the 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” resulting in the two actors never working together again. The film made only $3.3 million against a $3.2 million budget upon release. Stewart never apologized for blaming Reed, though he attended her 1986 funeral.
The movie later became a beloved Christmas classic after falling into public domain in 1974, when TV stations began airing it repeatedly during holidays. This disclosure provides new perspective on one of Hollywood’s most cherished films, revealing professional tensions behind the heartwarming story that now airs annually on NBC every Christmas Eve.
Daughter Reveals Stewart’s Unfair Blame
Donna Reed’s daughter, Mary Ann Owen, disclosed previously unknown tensions surrounding the 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” According to Yahoo Entertainment, Jimmy Stewart blamed Donna Reed for the film’s initial commercial failure, resulting in the actors never collaborating again despite exceptional on-screen chemistry.
Owen revealed Stewart never apologized. “He came to her funeral, so I have to cut him some slack. I’m sure he realized later that he’d been wrong. But he never apologized, never said anything. And believe me, my mother never said a word. She was quiet about it. But I don’t have to be,” Owen stated.
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary Bailey, has become synonymous with Christmas traditions. The film airs annually on NBC on Christmas Eve at 8 p.m., where it has been a holiday fixture for over 30 years.
The initial box office performance troubled Stewart, who had just returned from World War II military service. According to Best Life, “It’s a Wonderful Life” made only $3.3 million against a $3.2 million budget, recording a $525,000 loss.
Post-War Insecurities Created Production Tensions
Jimmy Stewart experienced significant professional uncertainty after returning from World War II. Owen explained that Stewart questioned continuing his acting career, believing the profession “too frivolous” compared to military service as an Air Force bomber pilot.
“There was a lot of insecurity on the set because Jimmy Stewart wasn’t sure if he wanted to act anymore. He thought it was too frivolous, but Lionel Barrymore and others talked him into it,” Owen recounted to Irish Star.
Director Frank Capra and Stewart had achieved tremendous success before World War II with “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and “You Can’t Take It With You.” Both participated extensively in the war effort—Capra directed the “Why We Fight” series while Stewart served as a bomber pilot. According to Fox News, they returned to Hollywood as “different people.”
Donna Reed, by contrast, was only 25 years old and relatively unknown when cast. She had signed her MGM contract at 21 and worked primarily in small roles since 1941. “There was this insecurity on the set and mom was really not that well known. She still didn’t understand why there was so much insecurity 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 as well known,” Owen explained.
Capra originally wanted Jean Arthur for Mary Bailey, but she declined. According to Hello Magazine, Capra eventually secured Reed through an inter-studio loan from MGM.
Box Office Failure and Stewart’s Misdirected Blame
“It’s a Wonderful Life” initially represented a significant commercial disappointment. The film failed to recoup production and marketing costs, with critics dismissing it as sentimental. According to Do You Remember, the movie recorded a $525,000 loss, and most involved moved on.
Stewart’s reaction proved consequential for Reed’s career prospects. Rather than examining broader market factors, Stewart attributed the disappointment to Reed’s lack of name recognition, overlooking her considerable talent and genuine chemistry.
Pop-culture historian Geoffrey Mark provided alternative perspective. “While James Stewart is a wonderful actor, as are all of the actors in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ it is my belief that Donna was the heart of the movie. We like all these other characters because she likes them. We believe in the kind of ridiculous happy ending, because she believes it,” Mark told Do You Remember.
Reed’s ability to project warmth proved essential to the film’s emotional resonance. “The camera loved Donna Reed,” Mark observed, noting her talent for conveying authenticity.
The film’s failure didn’t damage Reed’s long-term career. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in “From Here to Eternity” (1954) and starred in “The Donna Reed Show” for eight successful seasons. However, the professional rift with Stewart remained permanent.
From Public Domain to Christmas Classic
The transformation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” from commercial failure to beloved classic represents one of Hollywood’s most remarkable redemption stories. In 1974, an administrative error resulted in the film’s copyright expiring. According to Grunge, this meant TV stations could air the film free of charge.
Television networks broadcast “It’s a Wonderful Life” repeatedly during holiday seasons to fill airtime inexpensively. This constant exposure introduced the film to new generations who embraced its themes of redemption, community, and the value of ordinary lives.
Donna Reed witnessed this reversal. Owen shared: “She was quite happy when it came out. I mean, she passed away in ’86, but by the early ’80s it was on constantly, but we always watched at Christmas and she was so happy that it was so popular.”
In 1994, NBC purchased exclusive broadcast rights. The network has aired “It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve” annually. The 2025 broadcast airs December 24 at 8 p.m. on NBC.
Owen reflected on enduring appeal: “There are so many kids now in their twenties—the majority of the audience now—and that’s just incredible. Then you’ve got older people bringing their children and little kids. It’s a whole ritual now.”
Reed’s Professionalism and Grace
Donna Reed’s response to Stewart’s blame demonstrated remarkable professional grace. Despite being unfairly scapegoated, she never publicly criticized her co-star. Owen emphasized: “Believe me, my mother never said a word. She was quiet about it. But I don’t have to be.”
Reed spoke positively about the filmmaking experience in 1982 during an American Film Institute tribute to Frank Capra. “When I finished making that film, I thought perhaps I might not make any more movies. I suppose I knew on some deep level that I would never have another experience in a film to equal it. We all worked hard. I never worked harder in my whole life,” she stated.
After Reed died in 1986, Stewart said: “I’ll always remember her as a wonderful woman and as my wife in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.‘” This suggests possible private regret, though he never formally apologized.
Owen’s decision to share this information reflects changing attitudes about Hollywood’s treatment of women and the importance of historical accuracy.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | December 20, 1946 |
| Director | Frank Capra |
| Stars | James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers |
| Budget | $3.2 million |
| Box Office | $3.3 million (loss of $525,000) |
| Oscar Nominations | 5 (Best Picture, Actor, Director, Sound, Editing) |
| Oscars Won | 0 (Golden Globe for Best Director) |
| Copyright Expiration | 1974 (public domain) |
| Current Rights | NBC (since 1994) |
| Annual Broadcast | NBC Christmas Eve 8 p.m. |
| Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Peacock |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 94% approval rating |
Sources: Yahoo Entertainment, Parade
Where to Watch It’s a Wonderful Life in 2025
“It’s a Wonderful Life” remains accessible through multiple viewing options. The film airs on NBC on Wednesday, December 24 at 8 p.m. in its original black-and-white format.
For streaming viewers, “where to watch It’s a Wonderful Life” includes Amazon Prime Video for subscribers. According to Yahoo News Canada, it’s also accessible on Peacock.
The film’s availability across multiple platforms ensures contemporary audiences can experience the classic that initially disappointed Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed but eventually vindicated their performances.
Conclusion: Legacy Beyond Initial Disappointment
The revelation that Jimmy Stewart blamed Donna Reed for “It’s a Wonderful Life” box office failure provides sobering context for one of cinema’s most beloved classics. The story illustrates how professional insecurities and unfair attribution shaped Hollywood relationships even on productions achieving iconic status.
Donna Reed’s graceful silence demonstrates professional integrity deserving recognition alongside her acting talent. Her daughter’s disclosure ensures Reed’s contribution receives proper acknowledgment, free from Stewart’s misdirected blame.
The film’s journey from commercial failure to Christmas classic proves initial reception doesn’t determine lasting cultural impact. “It’s a Wonderful Life” endures, reminding audiences that redemption—the film’s central theme—applies to movies as well as characters.
