One of my favorite scenes in Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” is where George Bailey (James Stewart) reconnects with Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) at a dance held at Bedford Falls High School. George is tall and gangly, and not comfortable doing the latest dance craze, The Charleston. Still, his feelings for Mary overcome his shyness and he gives it a whirl. Unbeknownst to both of them, George’s rival (played by “Our Gang”’s Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer) has turned the key that opens up the floor of the basketball court, revealing the pool beneath them. The rest of the dancers see the situation and begin laughing and yelling; George thinks they are cheering them on. As you can guess, the lovestruck duo fall into the pool. This scene has the perfect mixture of sweetness, comedy, and dramatic tension.
Beverly Hills High School’s “Swim-Gym” was designed as a New Deal project by Stiles O. Clements. While the main buildings of Beverly Hills High School were built in 1927, the unique “Swim-Gym” was designed by Clements and built by the WPA in 1939. The gym, now known as the Konheim Athletic Building, contains a basketball court that can be opened to access a 25-yard swimming pool below. The gym has also appeared in Shirley Temple’s “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” (1947) and “Clueless” (1995).
Here are two images that show Reed and Stewart rehearsing The Charleston. I’m sure it didn’t take long for Stewart to have to remove his sweater, as both of them look like they are putting their all into the rehearsal.
This shot shows the two leads relaxing at the piano during a break; not sure who the guy in the middle is [NOTE: Daveland reader Darryl has ID'ed him as Liberty Films co-founder Samuel J. Briskin]:
About 10 years ago, I saw Karolyn Grimes (who played little Zuzu) at a beautiful historic theatre where they played "It's a Wonderful Life" on the big screen - with Ms. Grimes in attendance, sitting in the front row, with a microphone. Throughout the playing of the movie, every few minutes, she would have the movie stop and then she would tell the audience a bit of interesting trivia about that scene - or something to watch for in the next scene. It was one of the most interesting "movie nights" I've attended. So many funny stories and behind the scenes stuff, plus things to watch for - that you would miss, otherwise.
ReplyDeleteFor this particular dance/swim scene, Ms. Grimes said that all the movie actor-extras were to be paid a certain amount - but were told that if they wanted to make extra money, they would have to jump in the swimming pool. The choice was theirs. The extra pay was the best incentive to get most everyone to jump into the pool, for that scene.
It's a Wonderful Life is back on the big screen, near me, this week. But little Zuzu won't be in attendance. I think we'll go see it, anyway. It's a classic!
Thanks, Dave, for your fun posts!
Sue
Dave...I wonder if that "guy" might be Samuel J. Briskin...co-founder of Liberty films...looks to me very similar
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that Sue. That's a great story. So glad you got to see her in person talking about it with the movie.
ReplyDeleteSue - Thanks a million for sharing that great anecdote!
ReplyDeleteDarryl - Thanks for the ID; unless told otherwise, I'll agree!