It's Wonderful Life Trivia
Did you know Cary Grant almost played George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life? Check out 15 trivia facts about this classic film.
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Role in It's a Wonderful Life
Virginia Patton's most well-known role was in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Read what she later said about him.
She only wanted $17.50
During the bank run in It's a Wonderful Life, Ellen Corby asks for her money with a line that surprises Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.
The censors objected
Jimmy Stewart was nervous about the phone kiss in It's a Wonderful Life but filmed it in one take. Part of it was cut as far too passionate.
The villainous Mr. Potter
Lionel Barrymore played the radio role of the miserly Scrooge from 1934 to 1953. It led to his role as Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life.
Cast in two of Donna's notable movies
Ward Bond appears with Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life as Bert, the cop, and in They Were Expendable as 'Boats' Mulcahey C.B.M.
It started as a short story
The Christmas staple, It's a Wonderful Life, began as a short story that Philip Van Doren Stern couldn't sell. See how it became the movie.
Her niche as a minor actress
Mary Treen appears in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life as Cousin Tilly. She also guests in three episodes of The Donna Reed Show.
Donna's first role off the MGM lot
It's hard to imagine another actress in the role of Mary in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), but Donna Reed was not the only one considered.
From screen to airwaves
Lux Radio Theatre broadcast an adaption of "It's a Wonderful LIfe" with Donna Reed and James Stewart reprising their classic film roles.
A guardian angel
Henry Travers is best known for his role as the guardian angel Clarence Odbody in the 1946 film classic "It's a Wonderful Life."
Guardian angel's tour
For the past 16 years Donna Reed's daughter, Mary, has been introducing screenings of It's a Wonderful Life in small independent theaters.
A lucky clerical snafu
It's a Wonderful Life appeared in theaters on January 7, 1947. It went into the public domain in 1974 and became a Christmas favorite.
It's a Wonderful Life on radio
Screen Guild Theater broadcast the second radio adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life. Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart reprise their film roles.
A Mary problem?
George’s vision of his wife without him is essential to the film, but critics continue to miss its true—and profound—meaning.
He was there 77 years ago
Jackie Schmillen, a 1998 Donna Reed Scholar and TV host, visits with Jimmy Hawkins about his role as Tommy Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life.
77th anniversary of It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life premiered in New York City. It received mixed reviews but became a classic film after it was put into public domain.
Zuzu reflects
Former child star Karolyn Grimes recalls starring in It's a Wonderful Life and how it has affected her life.
It's a Wonderful Life insight
Jimmy Hawkins, who portrayed Tommy Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, sits down for an interview at the annual It's a Wonderful Life Festival.
A charity broadcast
Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart reprised their roles in It's a Wonderful Life for a 1951 radio broadcast on Stars in the Air.
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