It's a Wonderful Life (1946) mixed reality with
miracles to become an American classic.

Interestingly, the film was a box office disappointment in 1946.
The movie gained the public's embrace when it was
continuously featured by the TV networks in the 1970s.

The copyright had lapsed.
The movie's primary appeal to the networks
was that it gave them free, seasonal content.

Go figure.

In 1998, the American Film Institute
gave the movie spot #11 on their list of
The 100 Best American Films Ever Made.

Another bit of trivia:
Bert and Ernie,
two of the most famous characters
on Sesame Street were named after
the two policemen in It's a Wonderful Life: