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.” James Stewart, Donna Reed.

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.

Who played George Bailey in the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life?

The movie is led by James Stewart in one of his most memorable roles, playing banker George Bailey who contemplates taking his own life on Christmas Eve as his world comes crashing around him, before the intervention of his guardian angel.

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

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.

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.

It's A Wonderful Life: Individual vs. Community

How old was James Stewart 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.

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 Zuzu Bailey 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).

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.

How old was Donna Reed in the movie 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.

Who was supposed to play George in It's a Wonderful Life?

Though it seems impossible that anyone but Jimmy Stewart could play George Bailey, Cary Grant and Henry Fonda were also considered for the lead role. Stewart and Grant later appeared together in the film The Philadelphia Story with Katherine Hepburn.

Did Donna Reed like it's a wonderful life?

In later years, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and Frank Capra all stated that “It's a Wonderful Life” was their favorite film of those they had made.

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

When the film makes the jump from 12-year-old George Bailey in Mr. Gower's drugstore to the adult George Bailey in the luggage shop, the character has clearly aged at least 20 years (Jimmy Stewart was 37 or 38 at the time of filming), but both his father and Mr.

Was that real snow 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 much did Uncle Billy lose in It's a Wonderful Life?

OK, in the Christmas movie classic "It's a Wonderful Life," the cash carried — and lost — by Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) is identified as $8,000. But that was in 1946 dollars. According to the inflation calculator at data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl, that $8,000 is almost $100,000 today.

Where was Its a Wonderful Life filmed?

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 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.

How did George Bailey lose his hearing in It's a Wonderful Life?

The first incident that Clarence sees is that, at age 12, George saved his younger brother Harry's (Todd Karns) life in an accident while playing on an ice-covered pond. George lost the hearing in his left ear due to being in the icy water.

Why was Potter in a wheelchair in It's a Wonderful Life?

Potter, Barrymore had become a wheelchair-user due to a hip injury and severe arthritis. Consequently, he played Potter as confined to a wheelchair due to polio. His wheelchair is pushed in all scenes by a wordless assistant (played by Frank Hagney).

Is anyone alive from It's a Wonderful Life?

Though Moss was the last surviving adult cast member in “It's a Wonderful,” several child actors are still alive, including Grimes, Carol Coombs (who played Janie Bailey), and Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey).

How old was Jimmy Stewart in the making of 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.

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.

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.

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.

What were the last words of Jimmy Stewart?

"I'm going to be with Gloria now."

Said by Jimmy Stewart to his family just before dying in 1997, referring to his wife, Gloria, who had passed away three years earlier. The actor, 89 when he died, apparently never got over his wife's death.