Radio Play Tells ‘Wonderful Life’

Something is amiss in Bedford Falls.

Clarence, the rookie angel, is cracking wise. George Bailey looks suspiciously unlike Jimmy Stewart. And the venerable story of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is unfolding on stage, not on celluloid.

This isn’t a blow to tradition, however. It turns out that Frank Capra’s classic film isn’t the only way to enjoy the holiday drama; PBS is offering a video version of a 1947 radio play that was based on the movie.

Airing today on PBS stations (including Spokane’s KSPS-Channel 7 at 8 p.m.), the hourlong “Merry Christmas, George Bailey” boasts a cast to match the 1946 movie’s star power that included Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.

Bill Pullman (“Independence Day”) is good guy George, Nathan Lane (“The Birdcage”) is Clarence, and Penelope Ann Miller (“The Relic”) is George’s love, Mary. Sally Field doubles as the narrator and George’s mom.