Before there was Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, there was Bedford Falls. It’s the idyllic little town at the center of the Christmas classic, “It's a Wonderful Life” (1946). Today’s post shows some rare images taken during the filming of a scene with James Stewart and Gloria Grahame.
The RKO movie ranch in Encino is where the fictional Bedford Falls was created; Max Ree’s Oscar-winning sets for “Cimarron” (1931) served as the foundation for Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life.” The ranch itself covered 89 (or 110 depending upon the source!) acres of ground; Bedford Falls took up four acres with its main street (300 yards/three city blocks long) with 75 stores and buildings and a residential neighborhood. Bedford Falls also included a tree-lined center parkway (based on what Director Frank Capra had seen in New York’s Seneca Falls when he visited in 1945), a working bank set, and full-grown oak trees transplanted from Encino. Pigeons, cats, and dogs were allowed to roam the set to make it seem more authentic.
Due to the requirements of filming two different versions of the town (and different seasons), the exterior set had to be extremely adaptable. For the autumn scenes the leaves were knocked off; for winter, the trees were coated with white plaster. When you see James Stewart sweating in his heavy overcoat during the snowfall, it’s not just because of stress; those scenes were filmed in the scorching heat of an Encino summer! Russell Shearman, RKO’s head of special effects, developed a new compound using water, soap flakes, foamite, and sugar to create snow for the film. Previously, movie snow was made from untoasted cornflakes which were so loud when stepped on that dialogue had to be dubbed. Window sills were coated with gypsum to look like ice; car tracks with formed with actual crushed ice.
Filming of “It’s A Wonderful Life” began on April 15, 1946 and ended July 27, 1946, exactly on deadline.
A wide view of the tree-lined parkway:
In this detailed view, you can see Gower Drug Store in the background on the left:
…and Stewart and Grahame:
The mansion for Orson Welles’ “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942) was also located here at the movie ranch. RKO sold off the movie ranch in 1953 and it was torn down to make way for a subdivision of homes. It is known as the Lake Balboa area today.
See more photos at my main website.
That's amazing. You watch those scenes and really assume it was winter, not frosted flakes, asbestos and 104 degree heat.
ReplyDeleteI used to wonder why Bedford Falls didn't look more like Seneca Falls until it hit me that it probably did back in the 1930s.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly a very effective set in the black and white. Back in 2019, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with what I believe is the final living actor from that movie. That being Karolyn "Zuzu" Grimes. KS
ReplyDeleteBryan - Movie magic is…magical.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - The same could be said of many towns today!
KS - Any good info from her about making the movie?
Dave...I wish I recalled it all. But the main point was her concern at the ending that she'd be able to hold on to Jimmy Stewart. You can see her at times barely able to cling to him....almost like a monkey. LOL She has written a book about her experiences...which I have. Said all the actors were wonderful to her. She ended up living a regular life but found the movie was inspirational to others as she would receive so many inquiries, it made her want to meet and share with others. She had a booth at the Christmas show here in Redmond Oregon back in 2019. She and her husband drove up from Northern CA where they live. KS I can shape a picture of her off line.
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