In the well-known Christmas movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, the tale unfolds on Christmas Eve 1945 in Bedford Falls. George Bailey, contemplating suicide, is saved by guardian angel Clarence. Through flashbacks, Clarence sees George’s life, from rescuing his brother to running the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan. Despite challenges, George marries Mary, builds Bailey Park, and faces a financial crisis when $8,000 goes missing. Fearing scandal, George considers suicide but is shown an alternate reality by Clarence. Horrified by the bleak world without him, George begs for his life back. Returning to reality, he finds the town has rallied to help, realizing he’s “the richest man in town.” A bell rings, signifying Clarence earning his wings.
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6 Fun facts about It’s A Wonderful Life
(1) For a scene requiring Donna Reed to break a window, a marksman was hired. Surprisingly, Reed, a former high school baseball player, shattered the glass with her own pitch.
(2) Uncle Billy’s drunken exit was enhanced by accident. A dropped tray of props created the illusion of him stumbling into trash cans, leading to an unplanned, hilarious moment in the final cut.
(3) Stewart’s nervousness about his first on-screen kiss post-WWII was evident. Under Capra’s direction, the scene was shot unrehearsed and in a single take, with part of the embrace edited out to meet censorship standards.
(4) Traditional cornflakes for snow were loud, requiring dubbed dialogue. Capra’s team developed a silent snow using foamite, soap and water, earning an Academy Award. 6,000 gallons were used.
(5) During the bank run scene, an unscripted kiss occurred. Ellen Corby’s improvised odd amount prompted a genuine reaction from Stewart, creating an authentic moment that Capra kept in the final film.
(6) Director Frank Capra considered “It’s a Wonderful Life” his favorite among all his films, emphasizing the personal significance and attachment he had to this heartwarming tale.
