As george is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, clarence. It starts at the point when george is contemplating suicide and then goes back to his early life, as the senior angel joseph tells clarence the story of georges life. That was the best thing that happened to its a wonderful life, bringing cheer into the lives of director frank capra and star james stewart, who both consider it their favorite film. Its full of wonderful photos of the stars and stills from the film. Do me a favor and watch this movie as soon as possible. Thompson skillfully responds to misunderstandings of capra and his craft. However, the angel, 2nd class, clarence, is played by someone with a lisp, and he does not have the lovely sweetness of the filmed character. If youre a fan of the movie its a wonderful life, this is a fun read.
Its a wonderful life was based on a christmas card. Its a wonderful life cassette jimmy stewart on the air. If you love the film, then you will love this book. Thompson, this book is the perfect gift for any fan of capra, its a wonderful life, or great cinema.
Its a wonderful life is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and. Both the original story and excerpts from the unproduced screenplays appear in this book, the latter for the first time anywhere. Wonderful memories of its a wonderful life audiobook by. Briskin, shortly after their release from active service during world war ii. How its a wonderful life went from box office failure to christmas. Mary baileys youngest son, tommy, from the ages of four to 11. Bert and ernie are two of baileys closest friends in the original dimension apparently its just a coincidence that the sesame street.
James stewart and frank capras its a wonderful life. The worst thingwhich has inspired stewart to testify before a congressional committee and capra to issue a sickbed pleais that the movie has been colorized. Jeanine basinger has put together the definitive collection of primary source information available about its a wonderful life. I was made aware of all these shortcomings when i compared the book with jeanine basingers the its a wonderful life book isbn 0394747194 published in 1986, this really has to be the definitive title about everybodys christmas classic and well worth searching out. This new interactive 60 page coloring and activity book is based on works by the jimmy hawkins company, author of the book its a wonderful life for kids, and in honor of the 65th anniversary of the movie its a wonderful life.
Bolin 1996, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. You know, as a writer of adaptations, that you have done your job when people say, it was just exactly the film or book, when you know that, in fact, it isnt. The original story that inspired the christmas classic its a wonderful life stern, philip van doren, robinson, marguerite stern on. Author jimmy hawkins played the role of tommy in the original movie and pens this story in honor of the films 60year. Its a wonderful life annual benefit radioplay public. Its probably going to be on tv 247 for the next month or so. Its a wonderful life is my favourite film of all time. With james stewart, donna reed, lionel barrymore, thomas mitchell. The original reality is restored, and a grateful george rushes home to await. When youre sad, think about the message this movie delivers, because you will get a smile on your face. The item may be missing the original packaging such as the original box or bag or tags or in the original packaging but not sealed. As the angels discuss george, we see his life in flashback. Today i found out its a wonderful life was based on a christmas card short story by philip van doren stern, which was originally sent out to around 200 of sterns friends and family in december of 1943.
The its a wonderful life book paperback october 12, 1986 by jeanine basinger author. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. The original story that inspired the christmas classic its a wonderful life by philip van doren stern 1996, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. This is the original story written by philip van doren stern, with an afterword written by his daughter who actually delivered some of her fathers christmas cards to teachers and friends. Anybody who considers him or herself a lifer a fan of the movie, usually an extreme fan such as myself needs to purchase this book. The 1946 film tells the story of george bailey who, on christmas eve, is on the verge of taking his own life. Its a wonderful life by frank capra frank capra, james stewart. The its a wonderful life book by jeanine basinger goodreads. How its a wonderful life went from box office dud to. However, film historian jeanine basinger, curator of the frank capra archives at wesleyan university and author of the its a wonderful life book. There was a genderreversed version of its a wonderful life released as a madetotv film in 1977 all this month, its christmasthemed legends. This is a book about the making of the fantastic movie its a wonderful life, with jimmy stewart, donna reed, lionel barrymore, thomas mitchell, and henry travers. Its a wonderful life for kids coloring book jimmy hawkins.
Book bags, jackets and overcoats were tossed on seat backs. The greatest gift, a short story first written on a christmas card by philip van doren stern, was the original title. The greatest gift is a 1943 short story written by philip van doren stern which became the basis for the film its a wonderful life 1946. The original plan was to release its a wonderful life in january 1947, after the oscar deadlines, but when rkothe films distributorneeded a movie to release in time for christmas, capras. A holiday classic synonymous with christmas, its a wonderful life is one of the most. Featuring all the characters from the movie, its a wonderful life encourages. As the film opens, its christmas eve, 1946, and george, who has long considered himself a. Its a wonderful life is a 1946 american christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by. George bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all and its christmas. Books for all ages new members save 20% off jigsaw puzzles for all. A very special story with a humble beginning a christmas card that went on to become one of the best loved films of all time, its a wonderful life.
As jeanine basinger, author of the its a wonderful life book, pointed out, this was the first full christmas after the war, and cinemagoers were. This is yet another release of the lux radio theatre version of its a wonderful life starring stewart and donna reed. It was selfpublished as a booklet in 1943 and published as a book in 1944. Tells the entire story of the films production and presents us with an extraordinary wealth of original material. Buy a cheap copy of the its a wonderful life book by jeanine basinger.
Its a wonderful life audiobook by screen directors. After conquering the music industry over the last six decades, sir paul mccartney is now turning his talents to the world of theatre, penning his first ever stage musical an adaptation of the classic christmas film, its a wonderful life. Sir paul mccartney and lee hall write its a wonderful. An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. The original story that inspired the christmas classic its a wonderful life. What is the original title of its a wonderful life answers. The calendar features wonderful black and white photos from the collection of rich goodson and littleknown information on the multitalented cast of its a wonderful life. Though why anyone who is not a fan of the movie would read this is beyond me. Only after it lapsed into the public domain in 1973 and became a christmastime tv perennial did. This years production of its a wonderful life, produced as a benefit by the nola voice talen. Its a wonderful life tells its story partly through an extended flashback and partly in real time. The horror vision of bedford falls turned into the degenerate pottersville is like an alternateuniverse in a time travel science fiction story. Its a wonderful life by frank capra frank capra, james.
I dont know a print version, but its not as good as the film. My wife bought this book for me for our first new year together after we were married new year, 1988 and it is one of my treasured posessions. The surprising jersey roots of its a wonderful life. Its a wonderful life was the first production of liberty films, a company started by frank capra, william wyler, george stevens and samuel j. The company, which released this film under an agreement with rko, subsequently released films of the partners under. Thewrap takes a look at some fun trivia about its a wonderful life directed by frank capra, courtesy of alonso duralde, imdb and old hollywood biographer robert matzen in his new book. If you love frank capras holiday season classic, its a wonderful life, then youre in luck.
Almost everything you want to know is in here, from the original story the film was based on. Why america needs more george baileys in trump era classic films villain is a real estate mogul who sticks his name on everything. Its a wonderful life was the first film hed made since returning home from the war, and it had been a long time since he had kissed a woman onscreen. Its a wonderful life for kids by jimmy hawkins scholastic. You see, the film was actually a significant failure when it came out at the end of 1946. Capras first production through his newlyformed liberty films, its a wonderful life lost money in its original run, when it was percieved as a fairly downbeat view of smalltown life. Be the first to ask a question about the its a wonderful life book. This book was written for the 50th anniversary of the film, so its exactly like the movie. Franklins voice clarence, you do a good job with george bailey, and youll get your wings. Its a wonderful life movie meaning why pottersville is. The film was nominated for five oscars and has been recognized by the american film institute as one of the 100 best american films ever made, placing number 11 on its initial 1998. The short story was called the greatest gift and was inspired by a dream stern had one night in the 1930s. Now, with this beautiful edition of the original screenplay, its a wonderful life can be enjoyed every day of the christmas season and any time of the year. Its a wonderful life is the one i have written that is closest to the original.
Would you consider the audio edition of its a wonderful life to be better than the print version. With the endearing message that no one is a failure who has firends, frank caprans heartwarming masterpiece continues to endure, and after 70 years this beloved classic still remains as powerful and moving as the day it was made. Through personal recollection, careful research, and interviews with cast and crew, actor jimmy hawkins, who played fouryearold tommy bailey, takes you behind the scenes for a firsthand look at the american movie classic its a wonderful life. Its a wonderful life is unique in that it is a film blanc with a selfcontained film noir episode. On december 21, 1946, frank capra and james stewart held the world premiere for its a wonderful life in new york at the globe theater. Its a wonderful life by frances goodrich albert hackett frank capra jo swerling. Admittedly, this book is really only for movie buffs and aficionados of the movie. The its a wonderful life book basinger, jeanine on.
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