Despite the fact that the year, 2020 presented us with Covid-19 I felt that I needed to post a story about a film made in Hollywood that delivers a special message for all of us.
The holiday classic is It's A Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra. Clarence Odbody played by Henry Travers was George Bailey's guardian angel who showed George how life would have been had he not been born. Clarence showed George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. At the end of the film viewers learn .. when we hear a bell ring it means an angel has received its wings. When Clarence had finished his angelic assignment for George he left a handwritten note which appears at the end of the film as George looks upward and gives a wink thanking his guardian angel for teaching him a valuable lesson.
This little girl was Zu Zu Bailey though her real name was Karolyn Grimes. Her father, George Bailey referred to Zu Zu as "my little gingersnap" in the film once God gave him his life back and all that he truly treasured. Grimes was born on July 4, 1940 so she is now 80 years old though forever young, on film. The day after her birthday in 1946 she began filming her iconic scenes.
Zu Zu Ginger Snaps were round drop cookies produced beginning in 1901 by National Biscuit Company. The snaps were "a spicy combination of ginger and sugar-cane molasses". The mascot was the Zu Zu Clown. The Clown became central to an advertising campaign which included ads, signs, free clown costumes for children and two sizes of clown dolls. The name ZuZu comes from Zuzana, a Czech/Slovak form of Susana.
Actor Jimmy Stewart's emotion is palpable in this scene, one that acclaimed actress Carol Burnett called "one of the finest pieces of acting ever on the screen". What may have escaped audiences watching It's a Wonderful Life over 70 years after its making is that the tears running down Stewart's face are real which the actor later shared. Stewart had just returned home from serving as a flight leader in World War II and this 1946 film was the first movie since witnessing the horrors of war. Without Stewart's real acquaintance with darkness, the holiday classic's redefining perspective on life wouldn't be able to shine so unforgettably bright. After serving in the Army Air Corps, Steward had been absent from Hollywood for five years when he was offered the George Bailey role. He was initially hesitant to do the film, but it was his only offer except for a film featuring his war service.
"It's a Wonderful Life was a result of Jim's war experiences because it unlocked this depth of soul in Jimmy. He had to learn to act again and that's what you're seeing on screen. It's like lightning that just got captured in a bottle."
Robert Matzen, biographer
NBC, which now owns the rights to the film, broadcasts It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve every year. In 2016, Variety reported that the netywork's 42nd Christmas eve airing of the program brought in 4.5 million viewers!
The town of Bedford Falls was believed to be though never 100% confirmed the central New York State Village of Seneca Falls complete with a bridge like the one in the movie. The former Seneca Theatre houses a museum to commemorate It's a Wonderful Life. On display are several historic advertisements for Zu Zu Ginger Snaps as well as Zu Zu dolls and gifts made by fans of Karolyn Grimes.
It's A Wonderful Life has a Facebook page and these websites.
www.therealbedfordfalls.com
www.wonderfullifemuseum.com
The museum is located at 32 Fall Street and is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be closed December 25 & 26. Visitors must wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Admission is free. Call 315-568-5838 for more information.
For Grimes, the scene that encapulates the film is its climax, in which George begs God to let him live again. "When he says the word 'God', that's when the snow starts to fall and you know he's back. He has discovered that what's really important in life is not money nor social status, but faith, family and friends."
The movie's location of Bedford Falls was one the largest sets ever built for an American movie. The main street was 300 yards long with 3 city blocks. It had a tree-lined center parkway. The set had 75 stores and buildings including a bank with a marble front, a post office and a library. It had 20 full-grown transplanted oak trees.
Movie snow in those days was usually made of corn flakes painted white. To cover the whole town in the set took 3,000 tons of shaved ice, 300 tons of plaster and 6,000 gallons of a special mixture of Foamite. And ironically, the "freezing" scenes were shot during a record heat wave in the summer of 1946. The film crew won an Oscar for their new development in snow making techniques.
On the set with the snow making service to create the winter magic.
George Bailey finds Zu Zu's flower petals .. a poignant moment in the film.
George and Mary Bailey during the final scenes of It's a Wonderful Life
Merry Christmas from all of us at Chautauqua Lake Pops to all of you. And may we all experience a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Be Safe.
Pat Locke Maestro Muse
