Among the fun facts surrounding “It’s a Wonderful Life” is this: A colorized version of the film released in the 1980s prompted star Jimmy Stewart to testify in Congress against the practice of colorizing classic black-and-white movies.
From a critical failure and commercial flop in 1946 to one of the most beloved and acclaimed films of all time and a perennial holiday favorite — that is the singular journey of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Director and co-screenwriter Frank Capra never considered it a Christmas movie at all, let alone a Christmas classic, but that’s what it became, largely by accident. After losing $525,000 (more than $8 million today) for its studio, RKO, in its initial release, its ownership changed hands a few times and it settled into a life of occasional TV airings.
Then, in 1974, a clerical error at its then-syndicator, National Telefilm Associates, stopped the copyright from being renewed and the movie entered into public domain. Television stations around the country seized on the lucky-for-them lapse and “It’s a Wonderful Life” began airing continuously each holiday season, hitting heights throughout the 1980s.
There’s much more to know and learn about “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Enjoy these surprising facts about the movie masterpiece.
First film after war: “It’s a Wonderful Life” was the first film for both Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) and director Frank Capra following their career-pausing stints in the U.S. Army during World War II, with Stewart in particular seeing up-close combat. Neither man thought they had anything left to give to the movies following their war service; Stewart thought it was all frivolous and didn’t think he was an actor anymore. His on-screen nemesis, Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter), was the one who convinced him he could do it and to take the part.
Favorite project: In later years, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed (Mary Bailey) and Frank Capra all stated that “It’s a Wonderful Life” was their favorite film of those they had made.
Actor longevity: Three of the actors who played the Bailey children are still alive: Carol Coombs (Janie), 88; Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu), 83; and Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy), 82. Larry Simms (Pete) died in 2009 at the age of 74.
Oscar shutout: “It’s a Wonderful Life” was nominated for five Academy Awards — best picture, best director for Capra, best actor in a leading role for Jimmy Stewart, best sound recording and best editing — but won none.
An Alfalfa connection: The actor playing Mary’s jilted dance partner at the high school dance who opens the gym floor to reveal a swimming pool below was played by Carl Switzer, all grown up from his days playing Alfalfa in “The Little Rascal/Our Gang” shorts. Side note: The sequence was shot at Beverly Hills High School. It still exists, and so does the pool.
Donna Reed’s arm: Donna Reed’s high school baseball playing days came in handy during filming. She truly smashed a window at the Old Granville house with a thrown rock on her first try, putting out of work the stuntman who was hired to perform the feat.
Every time a bell rings …: Someone counted the bells. There are 42 rings heard throughout the movie, meaning 42 angels received their wings.
Ms. Davis’ money: The $17.50 wanted by Mrs. Davis (played by character actress Ellen Corby, who years later was Grandma Walton on the TV drama “The Waltons”) during the bank run at the credit union would amount to approximately $298.52 today when adjusted for inflation.
Cary Grant as George?: A very different “It’s a Wonderful Life” could have happened if original choices Cary Grant and Jean Arthur had played George and Mary Bailey. The pair had already co-starred in “Only Angels Have Wings” and “The Talk of the Town.”
Color controversy: In 1986, Hal Roach Studios infamously released a colorized version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” to much critical scorn but some popularity among black-and-white-phobic folks. Jimmy Stewart, then 78, was not a fan of this latest version and repeatedly denounced it in print and television and even testified before Congress on the subject, testifying, “I tried to look at the colorized version, but I had to switch it off — it made me feel sick.”
Motherly love: “It’s a Wonderful Life” marked the fourth and final time that Beulah Bondi (Mrs. Bailey) played Jimmy Stewart’s mother on the big screen, after “Of Human Hearts,” “Vivacious Lady” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” She became the go-to actress for playing mothers despite never marrying or having children herself.
Seneca Falls’ claim: Seneca Falls’ claim to being the central New York inspiration for Bedford Falls takes on added weight thanks to a 1917 tragedy in the town. In April of that year, 17-year-old Barge Canal worker Antonio Varacalli saw a young woman struggling in the water after she had jumped from the Bridge Street Bridge in a suicide attempt. He dove into the canal, even though he couldn’t swim, and saved her, getting her safely to the canal bank before he sank below the surface and drowned. In 1921, a fund was started to provide a memorial plaque for Varacalli. The plaque is now attached to the Bridge Street Bridge in Antonio’s honor, right near those commemorating the bridge’s place in “IAWL” folklore.
A difficult single take: When you watch the movie and get to the part where George Bailey prays to God in the bar, you might notice the film quality is grainy compared to the rest of the film. That’s because Jimmy Stewart had been so emotional during the scene he began sobbing. Frank Capra asked him to do it again so he could shoot it in close-up to better capture his face, but Stewart refused, knowing he could not duplicate what he experienced. So Capra simply reframed the existing footage and blew it up.
Mistake makes the cut: According to legend, the scene when a drunken Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) staggers off from Harry Bailey’s graduation party and, off-screen, crashes into what sounds like metal garbage cans, was the product of a mistake.
The sound was apparently from a crew member dropping some props nearby, leading to Jimmy Stewart’s genuine laughter and Mitchell’s immediate ad-lib, “I’m all right! I’m OK!” Capra loved the result and left it in the film.
