The Essential It's a Wonderful Life: A Scene-By-Scene Guide to the Classic Film

159 Pages·2006·6.151 MB·English

by  Michael Willian

film
The Essential
Loaded with fresh insight into the inspirational holiday classic, this
handy guide walks you through It’s a Wonderful Life scene by scene.
T
even the most ardent fans will be delighted by the assortment of film
h I W L
details, cast anecdotes, curiosities, and gaffes collected here. e t’s a onderful ife

E
Inside you’ll find
s
s
• detailed maps and diagrams illustrating downtown Bedford e
falls, downtown Pottersville, the Building & loan, and 320 n
t
sycamore i
a
A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film
l
• a complete chronology of key events

i
• a comprehensive breakdown of the musical score t
’
• a challenging 166-question quiz s

• dVd bookmarks for instant access to your favorite scenes a

W
Here you’ll learn
o
• why George should have spent Christmas eve in jail
n
• who crashes the Bailey family Christmas eve gathering
d
• the story behind the sudden demise of mr. Gower’s son e
r
• how to make a flaming rum punch
f
• about the location of the real-life Bedford falls High school u
“swim-gym” l

• which blues piano legend makes a cameo appearance at nick’s l
i
f
This witty, intelligent companion to It’s a Wonderful Life is the perfect way e
to revisit this timeless film with new eyes.

•
Michael Willian is a writer, film buff, and attorney.
W
i
$14.95 (CAN $20.95) l
l
i
a
ISBN-13: 978-1-55652-636-7 n
ISBN-10: 1-55652-636-9
michael willian

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Willian,Michael.
The essential It's a wonderful life :a scene-by-scene guide to the
classic film / Michael Willian.
p.cm.
ISBN-13:978-1-55652-636-7
ISBN-10:1-55652-636-9
1. It's a wonderful life (Motion picture) I.Title.
PN1997.I758W55 2006
791.43'72--dc22 2006017588
Cover photo:It’s a Wonderful Life,1946.RKO/MPTV
Cover design:Sarah Olson
Line drawings:Brian Daniel
Photos on pages 51 and 120 are courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences.
©2004,2006 by Michael Willian
All rights reserved
Originally published by Kerpluggo Books
Second edition published in 2006 by
Chicago Review Press,Incorporated
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago,Illinois 60610
ISBN-13:978-1-55652-636-7
ISBN-10:1-55652-636-9
Printed in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 1
For my parents

CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii
Using This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Film Chronology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi
1—The Angels Conspire to Save George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2—George Prepares to “See the World” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3—The High School Graduation Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
4—George’sPlan to “See the World” Gets Derailed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
5—George Calls on Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
6—George and Mary’s Wedding Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
7—Moving Day for the Martinis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
8—The War Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
9—Christmas Eve 1945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
10—Something’s the Matter with Daddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
11—George “Saves” Clarence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
12—Pottersville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
13—George Wants to Live Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
The Musical Score . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
It’saWonderful LifeQuiz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Quiz Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

INTRODUCTION
What is it about this film? There’s no denying it’s a classic. But over the
past sixty years, It’s a Wonderful Life has somehow managed to tran-
scend mere artistic expression, weaving its way into the very fabric of our
holiday ritual. For countless Americans, getting into the proper holiday
spirit goes hand in hand with watching George Bailey’s epic struggle to find
love, contentment, and his purpose in life.
But what exactly makes this film so alluring? On the most basic
level, sheer exposure has certainly played a role. This film led a rather
unheralded existence until the mid-1970s, when the studio that owned the
film forgot to file the requisite copyright renewal papers. This administra-
tive oversight led television stations across the country to believe that they
could show the film gratis. And show it they did, over and over again. It
didn’t take long before Pavlovian forces had us associating It’s a Wonderful
Lifewith our holiday experience.
Probing deeper, several of the film’s themes speak to us on varying
levels. The time-honored story of Good triumphing over Evil, using love,
friendship, and old-fashioned values to defeat the Potters of the world.
George and Mary’s romantic journey, one that, in the end, has us yearning
for the very things that George wants to throw away. The film’s honest
portrayal of the common man’s pursuit of the sometimes elusive “American
dream.” Is that sympathy or empathy we feel for George as his life’sdreams
go unpursued?
But perhaps the film’s greatest gift is its central message. It’s a
Wonderful Life serves as a much-needed annual reminder of the profound
and positive impact that each of us has on the lives of others. At a time of
year when perspective is at a premium, the film gently forces us to concede
yet again that, hey,life really ain’t all that bad after all!
Whatever the allure, one thing is certain: with each December view-
ing, the film seems as familiar to you as an old friend. And why
shouldn’t it? After all, you’ve seen it enough times. You know most of the
lines. And you surely know an amusing anecdote or two about the film or
have a favorite scene detail that you keep an eye out for each year.
Buthow well do you reallyknow it? Well, trust us—there is much,
much more to learn about this film. With this guide, our goal is to breathe
new life into this friend, clueing you in to the veritable treasure trove of
ix