It's a Wonderful World and Its a Wonderful Life

It's A Wonderful Life
Produced and Directed by Frank Capra, 1946
based on the story, "The Greatest Gift,"
by Philip Van Doren Stern
Screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett,
Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling
Starring . . . . .
James Stewart as George Bailey
Donna Reed as Mary Hatch
Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter
Thomas Mitchell as Uncle Billy
Henry Travers as Clarence (the Angel)
Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Bailey
Frank Faylen as Ernie
Ward Bond as Bert the Cop

1. Most of the film is told in flashback, beginning with various prayers
by characters in the story for George Bailey. What does this tell us about George
Bailey? ___________________________________________________________
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2. What important thing happens when George is twelve?
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3. The director Frank Capra wanted only one actor, Lionel Barrymore, to play the
role of the “meanest, most greedy, most selfish man in town.” What is the character's
name? ____________________________________________________________
4. What personal news caused Mr. Gower, the druggist, to get drunk?
___________________________________________________________________
5). What mistake has Mr. Gower made with his prescription?
__________________________________________________________________
6) What are the names of the policeman and the taxi driver?
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7) The Bailey Building and Loan Company is a small bank which
takes depositors' money and uses it to build and mortgage low cost
homes for people who don't have a lot of money. Why doesn't George
want to spend his life working for the Building and Loan Co?
_________________________________________________________
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8. Mary has many values which are different from those of George.
Why doesn't she want him to throw a rock at the old Granville House?
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9. What do you think Mary wished for?
___________________________________________________________
10 According to Mr. Potter, what is wrong with the way the Bailey
Building and Loan does business?
______________________________________________________________
11. Why does George decide not to go to college after all?
_____________________________________________________________
12. How has Harry's marriage after four years of college affected
George's plans?
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13. Mary's mother wants her to marry Mr. Sam Wainwright. What is there
about Sam that would make him a better husband than George in Mrs.
Hatch's eyes?
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14. A run on a bank is when people all try to withdraw their money at
the same time. What does Potter mean when he says he'll pay 50
cents on the dollar for people's accounts?
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15. Where does George spend his honeymoon?
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16. What is Mr. Martini celebrating?
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17. Why is Bailey Park a threat to Mr. Potter?
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18. How does Mr. Potter serve his country during World War II?
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19. What did George do during the war?
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20. What medal for valor has been given to Harry?
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21 To whom does Uncle Billy allude when he says, "Some people like
George had to stay home. Not every heel (canalla/bad person) was in Germany and Japan
during the war?" _________________________________________________
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22. What happens to the $8,000 Uncle Billy loses?
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23. Why do you think George is taking the blame himself for losing the
money?
____________________________________________________________
24. Clarence decides to save George by jumping in the river himself.
Why does he know this is the best way to prevent George's suicide?
_____________________________________________________________
25. What is Potterville?
______________________________________________________________
26. How has Martini's bar changed?
_____________________________________________________________
27 Who is the sleazy (slutty) woman the police arrest?
_____________________________________________________________
28 What happened to Ernie's family?
_____________________________________________________________
29. Why did all the people on that naval transport during World War II
die when a Kamikaze (suicide pilot) hit the ship?
_______________________________________________________________
30). What decision does George make at the climax of the film?
______________________________________________________________
31. As part of the film's turning point, or resolution, what does the bank
examiner do?
_________________________________________________________________
32. What is the denouement (conclusion) of the film?
_________________________________________________________________
Of course, It's A Wonderful Life relies on a great script, captivating performances and the inspirational drive of its director/producer, Frank Capra, to deliver the essential message: every life counts and the result of kindness, generosity, self-sacrifice and - although not immediately apparent - is friendship, love, personal happiness and a better world.

SOME QUOTATIONS FOR TO THINK ON.

To have little is to possess.
To have plenty is to be perplexed. Lao-tzu, The Way (or Tao) of Lao-tzu

True happiness flows from the possession of wisdom and virtue and not from the possession of external goods.~ Aristotle

In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: the prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy.~ Ivan Illich (1926 – 2002)

The future of civilization depends on our overcoming the meaninglessness and hopelessness that characterizes the thoughts of men today. --Albert Schweitzer

The best things in life aren't things. Art Buchwald

This country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor.
John F. Kennedy