Cary Grant Almost Played George and 15 Other Surprising

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The movie technically began as a greeting card. When creator Philip Van Doren Stern didn’t discover a writer for his e-book a few man named George Pratt who considers suicide till he will get an opportunity to see what the world can be like with out him, he printed it as his Christmas card in 1943.
One of the 200 playing cards he self-published finally made its approach to RKO Pictures producer David Hempstead, who bought the rights. Capra purchased the rights a 12 months later, turning “The Greatest Gift” into “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

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The movie, though now thought-about a traditional, was such a monetary disappointment that it busted Capra’s manufacturing firm, Liberty Films. 

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According to Matzen, “It’s a Wonderful Life” was Jimmy Stewart’s first image after 20 months on the entrance strains of WWII. He reportedly suffered post-traumatic stress dysfunction whereas filming. 

When the rights have been nonetheless held at RKO, Cary Grant was slated to play the lead position of George Bailey made iconic by Jimmy Stewart.

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Jimmy the Raven appeared in Capra’s “You Can’t Take It With You” (1938) and different post-“Wonderful Life” Capra motion pictures.

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According to Matzen, the unique screenplay started with a scene in Benjamin Franklin’s workshop in heaven. 

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Yes, Bert and Ernie from “Sesame Street” have the identical names because the cop and the cab driver in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But it is only a coincidence, “Muppets” insiders have claimed. 

The disgruntled prankster who opens the gymnasium flooring, revealing the pool throughout the faculty dance, is none apart from Carl Switzer, who performed Alfalfa within the Little Rascals shorts.

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Jimmy Stewart stated that whereas filming the scene through which George prays in Martini’s bar, he started sobbing so convincingly, the truth is, Capra later cropped the shot to raised seize his expression. That’s why the shot seems grainy in comparison with the remainder of the movie.

The FBI flagged the movie as Communist propaganda, issuing a memo through which the bureau claimed the movie “represented rather obvious attempts to discredit bankers” and “deliberately maligned the upper class.”

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“It’s a Wonderful Life” represented the primary and final time Capra produced, financed, directed and co-wrote a movie.

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Actor and producer Sheldon Leonard stated that he solely agreed to…