As an actor, while Stewart was most memorably exploited by Alfred Hitchcock, his collaborations with Frank Capra remain the iconic ones, and none more so than this 1946 film.

Capra plays Bailey, a jaded businessman given a reality check by an angel. Shown how life would be had he never existed, Bailey embraces the world with great vigour.

A seemingly straightforward role, Stewart injected the everyman with great believability, making this simple Christmas film a truly special one, warmly enjoyed for generations to come.