Dr. Eric Smoodin, film historian at the University of California- Davis and author of Regarding Frank Capra: Audience, Celebrity and American Film Studies, 1930-1960, joins Bob and Ben for the history of the people, the industry, and law that made Frank Capra's 1946 film It's A Wonderful Life into one of America's quintessential Christmas films.

Ben & Bob are taking a few weeks off for the holidays- we'll be back with all new episodes on January 8!

This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.