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. However, you may still see Grant on television around the holidays—he went on to appear in The Bishop's Wife.
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.
How did George Bailey lose his hearing in Its 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.
One of the most famous parts of the movie is when, after young George stops his boss, pharmacist Mr. Gower, from poisoning his customers, Gower slaps George for not delivering the prescriptions, making the young boy's ear bleed.
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!
What does George promise Mr. Gower he will never tell?
When he returns to the store, Gower angrily berates him for not delivering the capsules, until George blurts out Gower's mistake. Realizing this would have been fatal, Gower tearfully thanks George, who promises that he will never tell anyone what happened.
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.
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 old was Jimmy Stewart during 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.
How old was Jimmy Stewart when It's a Wonderful Life was made?
Jimmy Stewart was 37 when he made the Frank Capra classic. Thin, soft drooping shoulders, good skin tone, and a lack of any visible facial growth (later in life, he lost this effect) made Stewart a great character actor for playing roles much younger than his true age.
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 (
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.
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.
GBS is when a business owner has worked very hard and helped make others around them (customers, employees, vendors, etc.) successful while struggling to get by financially themselves. Many business owners suffering from GBS are doing so because of things they did or didn't do before they started their business.
How old is George Bailey supposed to be in It's a Wonderful Life?
The prayers of his family and friends reach Heaven, where guardian angelsecond class Clarence Odbody is assigned to save George in order to earn his wings. Clarence is shown flashbacks of George's life. He watches 12-year-old George rescue his younger brother Harry from drowning, leaving George deaf in his left ear.
Gower in this scene is ill-tempered and distracted. He's also drunk. Gower's state is clearly implied to be the result of the devastating news he has received. In no condition to do his job, the druggist mistakenly fills a prescription with poison instead of diphtheria medicine.
So, each time in the movie that George Bailey lit the cigar lighter, it produced a flame. He remarks, "Hot dog!" enthusiastically, superstitiously presuming his wish will eventually come true.
How old was James Stewart when he played George Bailey?
The film began shooting on April 15, 1946. Stewart plays George Bailey from age 21 to 38, from the night of the school dance in 1928 to Christmas 1945. Stewart was 38 years old.
Why did Jimmy Stewart blame Donna Reed for It's a Wonderful Life?
Stewart took this hard, she claims, and blamed Reed for the film's failings. "Jimmy Stewart couldn't understand why the movie didn't do well, but that's why they never did another movie together. He blamed her, because she wasn't as well known," she revealed. "She was quite happy when it came out.
What is the age difference between Harry and George Bailey?
Harry is first seen as a 9-year-old sliding on a shovel through ice until he falls and slips. His then-12-year-old brother George, with help from his friends, saves him from drowning, only to get his left ear infected and become half-deaf.
Gower accidentally puts poison in capsules meant for a sick child instead of medicine. A young George Bailey sees Mr. Gower's mistake, and never delivers the capsules. George's actions save this child's life, and he never tells anyone about the mistake, preserving Mr.
