Mary Hatch Bailey is the film's unsung hero, even as it is written. When Black Friday hits the Bailey Building & Loan, Mary thrusts up their honeymoon stash as patrons demand their money.

Mary Hatch Bailey is the film's unsung hero, even as it is written. When Black Friday hits the Bailey Building & Loan, Mary thrusts up their honeymoon stash as patrons demand their money.

Mary Hatch Bailey is the film's unsung hero, even as it is written. When Black Friday hits the Bailey Building & Loan, Mary thrusts up their honeymoon stash as patrons demand their money.

Mary Hatch, as Clare Coffey writes in a piece about "It's a Wonderful Life," would not have ended up an old maid had she not married George Bailey.

Donna Reed, who starred as Mary Hatch Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," died in 1986 at age 64 from cancer. Her daughter Mary Owen is helping to keep the star's legacy alive.

Seen here from left, Donna Reed as Mary Hatch Bailey, James Stewart as George Bailey and Karolyn Grimes as Zuzu. Premiered December 20, 1946; theatrical wide release January 7, 1947.

Mary Hatch Bailey is the film's unsung hero, even as it is written. When Black Friday hits the Bailey Building & Loan, Mary thrusts up their honeymoon stash as patrons demand their money.

What if Mary Hatch Bailey is the hero? Join me in a flaming rum punch to contemplate a new, more librarian-positive ending to 'It's a Wonderful Life.' What if Mary Hatch Bailey is the hero?

What if Mary Hatch Bailey is the hero? Join me in a flaming rum punch to contemplate a new, more librarian-positive ending to 'It's a Wonderful Life.' ...

When the angel tells George, "She's just about to close up the library," the camera switches to a scene of poor spinster Mary Hatch without makeup. The background music turns into something dire.

When the angel tells George, "She's just about to close up the library," the camera switches to a scene of poor spinster Mary Hatch without makeup. The background music turns into something dire.