TCL Chinese Theatre is Giving Back To The Community; Hosts Free Screening of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

One of Hollywood's most treasured holiday films, "It's A Wonderful Life," gets a fancy Hollywood send up Saturday.

"It's A Wonderful Life" will be screened free of charge by the TCL Chinese 6 Theatre on Saturday, December 17, at 10AM, as part of its annual toy drive, "Bring A Toy, Get In Free."

Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and Henry Travers, director Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life has made an indelible impact on popular culture and continues to be a cherished part of many families' holiday tradition.

Based on the short story "The Greatest Gift," the movie tells the story of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a man who has lived all his life in the small town of Bedford Falls, New York.

"It's a Wonderful Life" stars Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as his loyal wife, Mary. Stewart and Capra both received Oscar nominations in 1947 for their work, and the film was nominated for Best Picture. The RKO studio's effects department won a Technical Achievement Oscar for the development of a new technique for creating artificial snow in the film. Capra also picked up a Golden Globe for Best Director.

Surprisingly, "It's a Wonderful Life" performed poorly at the box office when it was first released. Then in the 1970s, 30 years after its theatrical run, the movie began appearing regularly on network television during the Christmas season. Now, the annual showing of "It's a Wonderful Life" is a holiday touchstone, a movie that helps celebrate a season of family,

In 1990, The Library of Congress designated the film "culturally significant."

About the TCL Chinese Theatres. Since 1927, The TCL Chinese Theatre has been the home of the most important, star powered red carpet movie premieres and special events, where Hollywood's biggest and brightest talents have come to watch their movies. The most famous movie theatre on the globe is world-renowned for its unique forecourt of the stars, featuring cement hand and footprints of major movie stars, from Marilyn Monroe to Brad Pitt, and numerous stars from all eras of Hollywood. In 2013, the main theatre was relaunched as the world's largest IMAX® theatre.