About the book: year / Desperate to find a publisher for his "The Greatest Gift", Philip Van Doren Stern printed two hundred copies of the story and in 1943 used them as Christmas cards. This humble beginning, however, is noted in the history of literary classics. Van Doren Stern's story captivated Frank Capra, who said he had "been looking for this all my life." Capra's favorite film adaptation, It's a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, was released in 1947. Although the film, which was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director at the Oscars, never won, it secured its place in the American holiday tradition..