Prior to shooting “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Jimmy Stewart had taken a hiatus from acting and became the first American film star to enlist in World War II. However, after much coaxing from studio executives, he returned to Hollywood for what would become his most defining project. Naturally, he had high expectations, but after the film tanked upon release, he fumbled to find a reason why. At the time, Donna Reed was not as well known as Stewart. Ergo, Stewart hastily resolved it was her fault that nobody turned out to see the film (via Express U.K.).
Mary Anne Owen, the daughter of the late Reed, recalled her mother’s experience, “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,” (per Showbiz CheatSheet). Nonetheless, the success of “It’s a Wonderful Life” was never doomed, only delayed as it would re-emerge years later.
