It's a Wonderful Life named America's top festive film

For those uninitiated with Frank Capra’s heart-warming classic, It’s A Wonderful Life stars James Stewart as everyman George Bailey, a saintly chap who contemplates suicide only for his guardian angel to appear and show him the worth of his life to the local community of Bedford Falls. Released an incredible 65 years ago, it earned 26 per cent of the vote beating 1983’s comedic family saga, A Christmas Story which came second with 21 percent. However, interestingly the places were reversed among voters aged between 18 and 29-years, A Christmas Story earning 31 percent of their votes compared to It’s a Wonderful Life’s less impressive 12 percent.

The old classics persist with Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 original, not the 1994 remake) in third place with 18 percent, 1954’s White Christmas in fourth with 14 percent and A Christmas Carol (the poll doesn’t specify which version of the often-told Dickens morality tale) in fifth with 7 percent.

The poll, conducted by Marist (part of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion based at Marist College), questioned over 1,000 Americans aged 18 and over (probably explaining the leaning towards older films and less silly ones such as Home Alone) and also quizzed them on their top festive animations.

This one was more contentious with two tying at the front of the pack, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Charlie Brown Christmas both with 26 percent. Following in their wake were How the Grinch Stole Christmas with 25 percent, Frosty the Snowman with 11 percent and Santa Claus is Coming to Town a long way back with 6 percent. Again, another intriguing note is the absence of British favourite, The Snowman, clearly less popular on the other side of the Atlantic.

Looking at the results, Mary Azzoli, director of Interactive Media Systems at the Marist Poll commented: “We clearly can’t predict the future. When you do look at the numbers, there is certainly a generation gap. In the future, one of the more contemporary movies may rise to the top.”

On the films and animations selected, she continued: “As to why something resonates with a person, it’s just something very personal to him or her. Perhaps some of that has to do with previous holiday memories, harkening back to tradition.”

We definitely think tradition and nostalgia come into play when it comes to festive films. How else can you explain the popularity of Jingle All The Way?

[via Record Online]