It's a Wonderful Life (movie)

Why not start your New Year the way some theater people are starting theirs -- that is, scrutinizing previews of productions before they officially open? 1 'THE CHERRY ORCHARD' WHAT This is the first play by the Bridge Project, a much-anticipated Brit/...

The American Cinematheque is ringing in the new year with a screening today at the Egyptian of the 1946 Frank Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart, while the Aero goes Marxist with two zany Marx Brothers delights: 1935's "A...

"It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" *** This year, you could be forgiven for thinking some theater companies in Chicago have Nostradamus-like powers of prognostication. Remy Bumppo opened "The Voysey Inheritance" in September, about a British family-...

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008 Repeats of its usual programming ruled the roost for CBS once again on Wednesday night, allowing the network to take households with a 3.6 ratings/8 share. NBC came in second with a 3.0/7, followed by...

'Tis the night before Christmas and sentimentality abounds. There are plenty of Christmasy shows while Santa's making his rounds. You can DVR them or TIVO them, or if you're old school, even tape them. But one thing is certainly certain: You sure can't...

It's Christmas Eve, and two holiday classics - "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life" - air opposite each other tonight at 8. But don't worry if you miss the 8 p.m. screening of "A Christmas Story" - the movie will repeat many many times over the...

Here's a useful helpmate for parents of youngsters likely to have trouble settling down on Christmas Eve for Santa's delivery. Sprout, the digital cable channel for preschoolers, aims to mellow out its audience with an 11-hour Snooze-a-Thon. Starting at...

Hawaiian punchless It's mediocrity at its finest, as Hawaii (7-6) hosts Notre Dame (6-6) in the Hawaii Bowl (8 p.m., ESPN). The Irish are looking to end a nine-game bowl skid. Getting ready for Jags Learn about the Ravens' preparations for Sunday's...

The only black-and-white film shown on network TV returns for its traditional Christmas Eve showing. "It's a Wonderful Life" (NBC, 8 p.m.) takes on a new context this season amid another economic downturn (one that can't be saved by Donna Reed's bailout...

MOVIE MUST-SEES James Stewart gets an angel his wings in "It's a Wonderful Life" (Christmas Eve at 8 p.m., NBC/4). Peter Billingsley goes triple dog dare-ing in "A Christmas Story" (Christmas Eve at 8 p.m., then every 2 hours for 24 hours, TBS). Laurel...

It's not a moment I was proud of — weeks after Christmas a couple of years ago, standing with some friends on a rooftop, cursing the very name of Santa Claus. "I hate that Santa Claus!" I yelled, adding a few saltier adjectives. It seemed out of...

You can call them media traditions. You can call them media cliches. In any case, December is overstuffed with them like no other month on the calendar. 'Tis the season. They're the same reports you see every December, most varying only ever so slightly...