It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. It is based on the short story and booklet “The Greatest Gift,” self-published by Philip Van Doren Stern in 1943, which itself is loosely based on the 1843 Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol.
The film 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. Covering 4 acres (1.6 ha), the town consisted of a main street stretching 300 yards (three city blocks) with 75 stores and buildings, and a residential neighborhood. Capra added a tree-lined center parkway, built a working bank set, and planted 20 full-grown oak trees. Pigeons, cats, and dogs were allowed to roam the mammoth set to give the “town” a lived-in feel.
Due to the requirements of filming in an “alternate reality,” as well as different seasons, the exterior set was extremely adaptable. RKO studio’s head of special effects, Russell Shearman, developed a new compound using water, soap flakes, foamite, and sugar to create “chemical snow” for the film. Before then, movie snow was usually made from untoasted cornflakes, which were so loud when stepped on that dialogue had to be redubbed afterwards.
Although the movie is set at Christmastime, production took place in the summer of 1946 during a brutal California heat wave. The cast had to wear winter clothing in temperatures over 90°F (32°C). If you look closely, you can spot beads of sweat on some actors' faces during key scenes.
James Stewart, who played George Bailey, had just returned from serving as a World War II pilot and was dealing with PTSD. His raw emotions in scenes like George’s breakdown at Martini’s bar were genuine. It’s said that Stewart’s heartfelt performance was partly influenced by his struggles adjusting to civilian life.
Lionel Barrymore, who played the greedy Mr. Potter, was actually in a wheelchair in real life due to arthritis. His performance as one of cinema’s most infamous villains was so convincing that audiences often forget he was dealing with severe health issues at the time.
During a scene where Mary (Donna Reed) throws a rock at an abandoned house to break a window, the crew expected to use a stunt double. But Reed, who grew up on a farm, insisted on doing it herself and hit the window on her first try!
Capra was a perfectionist, sometimes reshooting scenes multiple times to get the right emotional impact. For example, in the scene where Uncle Billy drunkenly stumbles offscreen and crashes into trash cans, it wasn’t scripted—the actor, Thomas Mitchell, actually knocked over some props, but Capra loved it and kept it in the film.
Filming started on April 15, 1946, and wrapped on July 27, 1946, exactly on deadline for the 90-day principal photography schedule.
Although it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, It’s a Wonderful Life initially received mixed reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office. Theatrically, the film’s break-even point was $6.3 million, about twice the production cost, a figure it did not come close to achieving on its initial release. Because of the film’s disappointing sales, Capra was seen by some studios as having lost his ability to produce popular, financially successful films. Its copyright in the U.S. expired in 1974 following a lack of renewal and it entered the public domain, allowing it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees, at which point it became a Christmas classic.
It’s a Wonderful Life is now considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and among the best Christmas films. It has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.
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