George Bailey, played by James "Jimmy" Stewart, is at the center of It's a Wonderful Life, and the actor was 37 years old when principal photography began. Stewart turned 38 on May 20, 1946, during the middle of production.

Did James Stewart like It's a Wonderful Life?

Capra revealed that it was his favorite among the films he directed and that he screened it for his family every Christmas season. It was one of Stewart's favorite films.

What did James Stewart pass away from?

On June 25, 1997, a thrombosis formed in his right leg, leading to a pulmonary embolism, and a week later on July 2, 1997, surrounded by his children, James Stewart died at age 89 at his home in Beverly Hills, California. His last words to his family were, "I'm going to be with Gloria now".

How old was George Bailey supposed to be in It's a Wonderful Life?

How old is George in It's a Wonderful Life? He graduated from High School in 1925 and the movie is set in 1945 or 1946 because Harry is coming home from the service and the war is over. With that it mind, George would be either 38 or 39.

How old was Zuzu in It's a Wonderful Life?

At age 6, Karolyn Grimes played the role of Zuzu Bailey in the holiday film It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Her childhood film career spanned 16 movies, but she is best remembered for playing the daughter of George and Mary Bailey (

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What is Zuzu short for in It's a Wonderful Life meaning?

Meaning of Zuzu

Zuzu (the character from It's a Wonderful Life) got her name from a brand of gingersnap cookies. Hence the quote, "Zuzu, my little gingersnap." Zuzu means "sweet" in Yiddish and "lily" in Czech. In China, Zuzu means "little pearl", referring to a perfect child.

What does Zuzu stand for in It's a Wonderful Life?

Zuzu is thought to have come from a Nabisco cookie called Zu Zu Ginger Snaps, which were advertised widely a century ago in “Life” magazine and other national publications. “I was named after a cookie!” laughed Grimes. Further evidence of this is an inside-joke in the movie.

Why did It's a Wonderful Life flop?

It's a Wonderful Life, with its inflated budget and saccharine tale touting old-timey values, was met with a whimper, making only an estimated $3.3 million against a $3.7 million budget. Wyler beat Capra in every way: reviews, box office, and awards.

Where did they film It's a Wonderful Life?

It's a Wonderful Life was filmed entirely in California, as were most movies at that time. However, Seneca Falls has long believed itself to be the inspiration for key scenes in the film and Bedford Falls itself.

Why did Bailey name her baby after George?

George O'Malley helped her through labor, and she thanked him by naming her son William George Bailey Jones (though he is nicknamed "Tuck").

Were Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne friends?

John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart seemed to get along just fine. While not particularly close, nor exactly what one would even think of as friends off-screen, they had a friendly and solid working relationship and appeared together in several films, including Wayne's last film, The Shootist.

How tall was Jimmy Stewart and how much did he weigh?

When his number was called and he appeared at Draft Board No. 245 in West Los Angeles in February 1941, the 6'3” Stewart weighed only 138 pounds, 5 pounds under the acceptable weight level.

Who was James Stewart best friend?

Henry Fonda and James Stewart were two of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden years. A new biography describes their 50-year friendship and dedication to their craft. Each was an actor before he became a star, their biographer writes, and they both remained actors after they became legends.

Why didn't James Stewart like Donna Reed?

Stewart is said to have blamed his co-star for the movie's failure. Because It's a Wonderful Life wasn't successful at first, it has been said that Stewart blamed co-star Donna Reed, who played his wife in the movie. The drama was Stewart's first movie after serving in the military during World War II.

How did Jimmy Stewart feel about It's a Wonderful Life?

That movie is It's a Wonderful Life, and out of all the 80 films I've made, it's my favorite.

What was Jimmy Stewart's favorite movie he did?

Of all his films, he has said that It's a Wonderful Life (1946) was his favorite.

Was the snow real in It's a Wonderful Life?

Before “It's A Wonderful Life,” Cornflakes painted white were used for snow. To avoid the “crunch,” Frank Capra used three types of snow in “It's A Wonderful Life”: Ivory soap flakes, chipped ice, and something called foamite, which is similar to what is used in fire extinguishers today.

Was It's a Wonderful Life filmed in a real town?

It's a Wonderful Life Locations

It lent locations to the essence of Bedford Falls, George Bailey's small-town home. Some of the film's other scenes were filmed on location, around Beverly Hills High School and Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in Los Angeles.

Why did Mr. Gower slap George?

Gower, takes note of the poison in the jar and brings it up with Mr. Gower. Gower simply sends him away so he can be alone to grieve. When Gower finds out George didn't do his job, he slaps him until he bleeds.

Why did people not like it's a wonderful life?

But, as I continued watching the film, I found that beneath the fairytale story hid a distinctly mature film, one whose hopeful message only covers for a very, very sad truth about adulthood: You won't get what you want. They tell us that life is a long and winding road, but no one tells us that it gets narrower.

How much was $20000 in It's a Wonderful Life?

The $20,000 annual salary that Mr. Potter offers George, also in about 1936, would be worth more than $350,000 today. Quite a bribe for a working man to turn down.

Are there two versions of It's a Wonderful Life?

The first colorized version of the film was produced by Hal Roach Studios (now Sonar Entertainment), the second by Republic Pictures. A third colorization of the film was produced by Legend Films for Paramount, the film's current copyright holder, in 2007.

Is anyone from It's a Wonderful Life still alive?

In fact, most of the adults in the film passed away before the 21st century began. However, between flashbacks and family scenes, there are quite a few children in this film who have lived to see 2024. They're well into old age now, but many of the youngest cast members in "It's A Wonderful Life" are still alive today.

What's with the bird in It's a Wonderful Life?

It doesn't actually symbolize anything in the film. It's supposed to be Uncle Billy's pet, but why a raven? Watch any Capra film after, I think, 1936 or so. There's always a raven in there somewhere (sometimes it's credited as a crow - I don't know why).

What was Mary's maiden name in It's a Wonderful Life?

Mary Hatch Bailey is a fictional character in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. She is the sweetheart and later wife of protagonist George Bailey (played by James Stewart as an adult and Bobby Anderson as a child). Mary is played by Donna Reed as an adult and Jean Gale as a child.