Fans of It's a Wonderful Life know that the film takes place in a fictional town named Bedford Falls located somewhere in upstate New York—the region is identifiable thanks to various references to neighboring communities like Buffalo and Elmira throughout the movie—but what they may not know is that one town in ...

What town did they film It's a Wonderful Life?

It's a Wonderful Life was shot at RKO Radio Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, and the 89-acre RKO movie ranch in Encino, where "Bedford Falls" was adapted from Oscar-winning sets originally designed by art director Max Ree for the 1931 epic film Cimarron.

What town was Bedford Falls based on?

But the fact is no town in Upstate New York has as many similarities to the town in It's A Wonderful Life as does Seneca Falls. Either by design or extraordinary coincidence, when Frank Capra created Bedford Falls, he replicated Seneca Falls.

Where was the bridge scene in It's a Wonderful Life filmed?

The bridge in Seneca Falls, New York, that locals say is the one that the bridge in “It's a Wonderful Life” was based on. It was a flop in theaters when it was released 76 years ago, but now "It's a Wonderful Life" is considered a quintessential holiday classic.

Was It's a Wonderful Life based on a true story?

The true story is also believed to possibly be the inspiration for the end scene when the town comes together to raise money to help the man who changed their lives, much as the people of Seneca Falls came together to raise money to bring Antonio Varacalli's family to America.

The REAL Bedford Falls from Its a Wonderful Life CBS Sunday Morning 12 25 11

What was the mistake in It's a Wonderful Life?

Factual errors

When Clarence is being told what is going to happen to George Bailey, he is told that it will happen "at 10:45, Earth time". However it will be 10:45 at some point that day all over the globe. Without a location being defined, Clarence would have to check the entire globe throughout the day!

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.

How old was Jimmy Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life?

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.

Where was the pool scene filmed in It's a Wonderful Life?

The Swim-Gym has been featured in many movies, including the classic “It's a Wonderful Life”. It is still enjoyed today by Beverly Hills High School students and the residents of the community.

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

In the winter of 1919, George (aged 12, played by Bobby Anderson) and his friends Bert, Ernie Bishop, Marty Hatch, Sam Wainwright, and his brother Harry are sledding on a frozen river.

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

She might not be the brightest star in the film, but Zuzu is an incredibly important character. She brings out George's most compassionate, caring side, as well as his wrath. She is played by Karolyn Grimes, who was only 6 years old at the time and is now 83.

Where were the Bedford Falls scenes filmed?

The film was shot at RKO Radio Pictures Studio in Culver City, California, and the 89 acre RKO movie ranch in Encino, where "Bedford Falls" consisted of Art Director Max Ree's Oscar-winning sets originally designed for the 1931 epic film Cimarron that covered four acres (1.6 ha), assembled from three separate parts, ...

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 (

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 Donna Reed when she made It's a Wonderful Life?

Born in January 1921, Donna Reed was only 25 years old when filming It's a Wonderful Life in 1946.

Was its a wonderful life filmed in black and white?

It's a Wonderful Life was originally filmed in black and white. But colorized versions of the film also exist; you can actually choose whether to stream the original black and white or a colorized version on Amazon Prime Video.

Was its a wonderful life filmed in the summer?

What many movie buffs don't know is that George Bailey's bleak Christmas Eve was actually shot during a series of 90-degree days in June and July in 1946 on RKO's ranch in Encino, California. The days were so hot that Capra gave the cast and crew a day off during filming to recover from heat exhaustion.

Where was the most wonderful time of the year filmed?

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.

Did James Stewart like 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. But it has an odd history. When the war was over in 1945, I came back home to California from three years service in the Air Force.

Who almost played George Bailey?

Cary Grant was originally slated to play George Bailey.

After RKO Pictures sold the movie rights to Frank Capra's company, Capra decided to replace Cary Grant with James Stewart in the lead role.

Did they use asbestos in It's a Wonderful Life?

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Unlike other films, this movie's crew did not use asbestos for snow. Instead, they used chrysotile asbestos in the set dressing. The film used a new combination of materials to create snow. These included Foamite from fire extinguishers, soap, water and sugar.

Why did they use asbestos in The Wizard of Oz?

To fulfill that dream of a white Christmas, companies started making fake snow alternatives in the early 1900s, some that used asbestos. Hollywood quickly jumped on board, famously using asbestos for fake snow in many movies, including The Wizard of Oz, Holiday Inn and It's a Wonderful Life.