A Christmas movie that has stood the test of time by being timeless.

On Christmas Day, the Broadway Cinema will once again screen It’s a Wonderful Life. Now revered as a holiday icon, Frank Capra’s classic tale flopped at the box office when it was first released in 1946, Small wonder. It deals with themes of alcoholism, suicide, greed, rage…and redemption. All who have seen the movie cherish their favorite scenes and still shed tears at the triumphant ending. “It is a communal experience in cinema,” said Film Society Executive Director Tori Baker. “We show the movie because it has a flickering magic on the big screen. It is a movie for the whole family to watch.”

For filmgoer Chris Oliver, the movie touches a deep chord:

“I grew up in a dysfunctional family and there were many hard times. But when you see this movie you know that people can rally to help each other and that good can overcome evil.”

It is, in fact, a wonderful life.