It’s a Wonderful Life
by ZanneMerry Christmas Eve. I will be watching my favorite Christmas Movie of all time tonight on NBC.
Here is a little trivia on Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
1. Mr. Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore, grandfather of Drew Barrymore
2. NBC is the only network licensed to show “It’s a Wonderful Life” since 1993. Thus, only showing it twice, once on Christmas Eve. This is why you do not see it on any other broadcast or cable network, not even AMC or TMC.
3. The movie was originally slated for 1947 release, but when Technicolor was unable to deliver prints in time for RKO’s Christmastime 1946 release of Sinbad the Sailor (1947), Frank Capra’s film was rushed into theaters. The titles were not reshot, and thus bear a 1947 copyright. At $3.7 million, this was a very expensive independent production. In its initial box office run, it only earned $3.3 million. It was considered intially to be a flop.
4. 350,000 feet of film were used.
5. The scene on the bridge where Clarence saves George was filmed on a back lot on a day where the temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why James Stewart is visibly sweating in a few scenes.
6. This film is one of five times Beulah Bondi portrayed James Stewart’s mother.
7. As Uncle Billy is leaving George’s house drunk, it sounds as if he stumbles over some trash cans on the sidewalk. In fact, a crew member dropped some equipment right after Uncle Billy left the screen. Both actors continued with the scene (“I’m all right, I’m all right!”) and director Frank Capra decided to use it in the final cut. He gave the clumsy stagehand a $10 bonus for “improving the sound.”
8.The gym floor that opens up to reveal a swimming pool was real and was located at Beverly Hills High School in Los Angeles.
9. In 1947, however, the FBI considered this anti-consumerist message as subversive Communist propaganda because of its potrayal of BANKERS!!!!
10. Contrary to popular belief Bert and Ernie of Sesame St. fame, were not named after the cop and taxi driver in the movie.
Comments (1) »
You arae crzy. Thanks for the laugh!