Bedford Falls: Behind the Scenes, Pt. 2

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]:

Want to see this scene? Here you go:



See more “It's A Wonderful Life” photos at my main website.

Mr. Toad Mural Extravaganza!

One new one and a lot of re-hash for today (yes, still catching up on life!). First shot is the "new" one, showing two tots who have just experienced Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Fantasyland. Of course, the real reason for attaining this photo is the view of the queue mural in the background! While we're at it, how about a shot from December 1957 of Donna Reed and Steve Allen also enjoying this dark ride classic?



And Jerry Lewis:



Vice President Richard Nixon and family:



The Audie Murphy family, circa 1956:



Here I used a little photoshop magic to get a better look at the mural (human distortion be damned!), circa 1958:



Last one is a June 1955 image of the exterior of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride:



More vintage and contemporary shots of Mr. Toad at my main website.

Steve Allen in Fantasyland

Steve and his family welcome you to Fantasyland from the drawbridge of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, circa December 1957.



Here the family enjoys the Mad Tea Party attraction which was once located where the Carrousel currently is.





Donna Reed and Steve figure out where to go next.



Looks like it's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Nice glimpse of the original queue mural.



See more vintage and current Disneyland Fantasyland photos at my main website.

Steve Allen in Frontierland

Today Donna Reed and Steve Allen and his sons look puzzled as they attempt to figure out where to go in Frontierland. So many choices! You really can't go wrong with the Mark Twain; seems like a good choice to me!









Two interior shots of Steve and boys at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon:





Last one today is a great shot of Steve on the Rainbow Mountain Railroad. Here comes the photographer!



See more vintage and current Disneyland Frontierland photos at my main website.

Steve Allen on The Jungle Cruise

Today it's back to December 1957 as we follow Steve Allen and family aboard the Disneyland Jungle Cruise. Actress Donna Reed has the sunglasses on and is attempting to avoid the paparazzi in the back of the boat.



Anyone want a closer look at that vintage souvenir bag?



Once the initial batch of photos were over, it would appear that Allen and his family moved to a different position on their boat, The Zambesi Miss.



Check out that huge flash attachment to Steve Jr.'s camera!





Even on the Jungle Cruise, Allen must look his best for the cameras. Fix that collar, Steve!



Wish I knew what they were craning their necks to see in this shot.



As the Allen family leaves Adventureland, I wonder where they will go next? Only time will tell. Stay tuned! I wonder what happened to Donna? Did she stay behind with Trader Sam?!?



More vintage and current Disneyland Jungle Cruise photos at my main website.

Steve Allen and Casey Jr.

More from Steve Allen's December 1957 trip to Disneyland. The accompanying publicity blurb for their spin around Fantasyland aboard Casey Jr. was as follows:

Steve Allen's three sons, eleven year-old Brian; Steve Jr., 13; and David, seven, leave Fantasyland for Frontierland during a recent visit to Disneyland.

I think the reporter was a little mixed up, or just not familiar with Casey's journey.

Apparently actress Donna Reed was also there that day.



I won't even try to connect the dots on that one.



Meanwhile, Happy St. Patrick's Day to all who celebrate, especially my friends in Savannah where they need a year-round headquarters for today's parade.



More photos and pop culture fun at my main website.

Christmas Movies

Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, surely you enjoy these two classic movies that get trotted out every year around this time. First up is the Vincente Minnelli directed gem "Meet Me in St. Louis." MGM makeup gal Donnie Ponedel helped transform Judy Garland into a beautiful young woman who actually gets the guy in this charming turn-of-the-century tale.



The second to last sequence in the film takes place during the Christmas season and is highlighted by Garland's rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," sung to Margaret O'Brien.



Although the song is meant to cheer the characters up, the impending threat of having to move the family from their home in St. Louis to the big city of New York casts a bittersweet sadness over the scene.



"It's a Wonderful Life" barely broke even when released over the Christmas holiday of 1946, but has since become a beloved favorite of many.



Overcome with financial troubles, George Bailey (expertly played by Jimmy Stewart) forgets all of the blessings he has had throughout his life and wishes he had never been born.



Thanks to Clarence, the guardian angel, George gets his wish and is able to see just how much of a positive impact he had by being around.



The emotional final scene around the Christmas tree is one that is hard to forget, as friends and family descend upon the Bailey home to repay the kindnesses that George doled out over the years.







A ringing bell on the tree lets the audience know that Clarence has earned his wings.



No matter what your situation is today, may the spirit of the season take over and let you know just how much YOU are valued!

See more vintage & current Daveland photos on my main website.