You are here:

It Happened One Christmas

Name: It Happened One Christmas
Director: Donald Wrye
Released: 1977
Duration: 110 min

Representation Score

6.3/10

Good

1977

TV-PG

Director

Donald Wrye

Runtime

110 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film provides a nuanced look at gender by placing a woman in a position of economic leadership during a time of crisis. This challenges the traditional roles of the mid-20th century. However, the historical context of 1944 Bedford Falls restricts the film's exploration of diversity. The lack of racial or LGBTQ+ representation reflects the era's social homogeneity. Despite tackling heavy themes like mental health and spiritual guidance, the film remains rooted in the social structures of its time.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does It Happened One Christmas have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The story revolves around a traditional family unit with no mention of LGBTQ+ identities or themes.

How does It Happened One Christmas portray gender?

Good

Mary Bailey Hatch is the central character, managing a family business and navigating a professional crisis, shifting the focus from traditional male leads to a female protagonist.

How racially and ethnically diverse is It Happened One Christmas?

Limited

Set in 1944 New York, the film reflects the homogeneous social structures of that era without showing racial or ethnic diversity.

How does It Happened One Christmas represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story delves into metaphysical themes through spiritual intervention, focusing on the psychological burdens of social standing rather than rigid religious dogma.

Does It Happened One Christmas include disability representation?

Fair

The plot centers on a protagonist dealing with a severe mental health crisis, which drives the narrative's supernatural elements.

Present on Screen

Focuses on a female protagonist in a position of economic and community leadership.
Addresses complex psychological themes such as despondency and suicidal ideation.
Uses a metaphysical perspective to explore beyond rigid religious doctrines.

Limited or Absent

Does not include racial or ethnic diversity in the small-town setting.
Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or themes.
Reflects the homogeneous social structures of the 1940s.

Official Synopsis

It's Christmas Eve 1944 in the small town of Bedford Falls, New York. A despondent and suicidal Mary Bailey Hatch is praying for guidance on what to do about an incident no fault of her own which threatens her name and the community standing of her longtime family business, the Bailey Building and Loan, which she took over after the passing of her father. What Mary does not know is that most in town, including her husband George Hatch and their children, are also praying for her. All the prayers are heard by Joseph, God's gatekeeper of prayers. As there are no other angels available on such a busy day, Joseph assigns Clara Oddbody, angel second class (i.e. she has yet to receive her wings), to Mary's case, which he reluctantly does as Clara has never been assigned a case on her own in the two hundred years she's been in heaven for good reason.

How are these scores produced? →