There's something that a lot of stories that are considered classics all have in common.

First of all, no story starts out as one. By definition, a classic story is one that earns a certain

reputation, for being widely admired, enduring in its appeal, important in its place

in the culture, and generally regarded with a kind of reverence. And that takes time for something

like that to happen. And second of all, it's often true that there is a very long gap between the time

of its release and its ascension to classic status.

When the Great Gatsby was published in 1925, it was kind of a flop.

It sold only half as well as Fitzgerald's earlier two novels, and the publisher still had

unsold copies sitting in boxes 15 years later at the time of Fitzgerald's death.

It would take decades for the Great Gatsby to rise to

the status it enjoys now. Or, bringing things back into our wheelhouse, what about a Christmas story?

That movie was a modest success at best when it was released in 1983. Today, it's considered a

classic. You might be surprised to learn that one of

the undisputed classics of Christmas movies and movies in general followed a similar trajectory.

It's a Wonderful Life is inescapable during the holiday season, and maybe you've been assuming

all these years that it's due to its strength as a story well-told

about an every man who's given a chance to see the value he brings to the world.

A feel-good story with likable characters and universal themes.

But that's only a small part of it.

The rest has to do with the quirks of American copyright law,

TV-movie marathons, and a big-screened feature that found a second life on the small screen.

I'm Brian Earle. This is Christmas Past.

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