The It's a Wonderful Life Book (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The exhaustive creative process needed to produce this classic movie fantasy is chronicled in detail by film historian Basinger. Basinger has done an excellent job of sorting through the publicity and legends that surround the film. She lets the reader in on the working and reworking of the script, cast selection, legal stumbling blocks and censorship problems, and many creative and technical challenges. Using the Frank Capra Archives, her well-written, readable text is brimming with materials and memorabilia, including the complete final script, reviews, work schedules, etc. New interviews by Leonard Maltin with James Stewart and cinematographer Joseph Biroc provide an up-to-date perspective. One flaw is the lack of an index. This enjoyable book is for movie fans and especially for devotees of Capra, Stewart, and the film itself. Recommended for public libraries. Arthur Bargar, Milford P.L., Ct.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Tells the entire story of the film's production and presents us with an extraordinary wealth of original material. More than 200 photos.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 365 pages
• Publisher: Knopf (October 12, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394747194
• ISBN-13: 978-0394747194
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #692,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful in every way; just like the movie!, January 20, 1999

By A Customer

Could it be possible that a book written about the most inspirational American film of all time do justice to it? The answer is a resounding "YES!". Jeanine Basinger's "The It's a Wonderful Life Book" is the ultimate tribute to the film that Jimmy Stewart, Frank Capra and millions of people all over the world call their favorite of all time.

Diving into the archives of Frank Capra to tell the evolution of the movie from cradle to grave (though it will never die!), Ms. Basinger manages to tell the story with such sincerety, fascination and charm that you get the feeling that everything surrounding the movie was just as wonderful as the final product! Best of all, the details of the making of the movie are so vivid that you almost start to feel that YOU WERE THERE!

The first thing you realize as you read the story of IAWL is that is was a really big movie from the gitgo. That is, Mr. Capra had high aspirations for it and did EVERYTHING in his power to make it his greatest and lasting achievement (little argument here) and that Hollywood was watching.

Fans may know that the story started as a Christmas card called "The Greatest Gift" which finally found its way into Mr. Capra's hands where, after many writes and re-writes into a script, got the Capra touch transforming it into his baby. Then casting began with each actor painstakingly chosen to be the perfect person for each particular character.

Anecdotes abound, starting with Capra's embarrassingly jumbled explanation of the storyline while recruiting Stewart. (Fortunately, all Jimmy needed to hear was that Frank wanted him.) Then we hear the one about Stewart's shattered confidence in acting which is restored when Lionel Barrymore pulls him aside for a peptalk. Finally, We're told that the famous phone scene where George kisses Mary was done in a single take AND THAT TWO PAGES OF DIALOGUE WERE SKIPPED! (Capra saw the magic and said "Print it!").

We also learn some fascinating facts about the production such as the 300-yard long set which made Bedford Falls' Main Street and how a record-breaking heat wave took place during the shooting of the snow scenes (in which a new technology was developed for making more realistic-looking snow which won the crew an honorable mention at the Oscars!). Other incredible details are too vast to mention - you've gotta read it for yourself!

The book is worth it if just to learn all of these amazing facts. Most amazing, though, is the LOVE that the two driving forces put into this film culminating in a "Capraesque" out-of-this-world PICNIC for the cast and crew.

The picnic's panoramic photo, which manages to miraculously include these guys on either end of the crowd (they ran behind as the cameraman slowly panned from left to right) typifies not only the ubiquitousness which Capra had to have to make IAWL a reality, but also how we can never seem to get enough of our lifetime friend, George Bailey.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for any "Lifer", September 25, 2000

By	G. Van Vorhis "bcvangla" (Bowling Green, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jeanine Basinger has put together the definitive collection of primary source information available about "It's a Wonderful Life."

Anybody who considers him or herself a "Lifer" (a fan of the movie, usually an extreme fan such as myself) needs to purchase this book.

Almost everything you want to know is in here, from the original story the film was based on to interviews with Stewart, an introduction by Capra, pictures galore, the final script, script revisions, notes about suggested censorship, and much, much more.

There is even information in here you wouldn't even think about asking. An example is the name of the "stars in charge." One is named Joseph. What is the name of the other galxy (Hint: The answer isn't God).

I often get e-mails asking me questions about the film. If I don't have the answer, this is the first book I pick up. Of the many times I've been asked questions, I have always found the answer in this book.

This is the ultimate IAWL reference.