From December 9-11, the town of Seneca Falls in New York hosted its 76th Anniversary Celebration of It’s a Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra. Cast members Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey) and special guests Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s Daughter) and Monica Capra Hodges (Capra’s Granddaughter) were present for the event.
This festival, held every year on the second weekend in December, celebrates the movie It’s a Wonderful Life (1947). The entire town turns into Bedford Falls (the name of the town in the movie), each Victorian-style house that has been replicated in the movie is labeled, special guests host different events and signings, “Martini’s Bar” (another movie staple) opens for business, and the ‘It’s a Wonderful Life Museum’ gains much attraction as tourists come to see “George Lasso the Moon.”
But, why Seneca Falls?
Yes, Seneca Falls has the same architecture as Bedford Falls. It even has an identical steel truss bridge. Bothwere mill towns, with a large Italian, modest but comfortable community.
“Bailey Park” was named after Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey in the movie, and in Seneca Falls, “Rumseyville” was named after the town’s manufacturers. Rochester, Elmira and Buffalo are all mentioned in the movie script and were said to be close to Bedford Falls.
But it doesn’t stop there.
It is documented that Frank Capra was in New York City in 1945 trying to convince Jean Arthur to take the lead female role in the movie, which she ultimately declined. While in the Empire State, Capra took the time to visit his aunt in Auburn. Historical maps note that a direct route to Auburn from Manhattan in the 1940s would have Capra going through Ithaca and then Seneca Falls. He would have had to even go over the steel truss bridge on Bridge Street to get to the main town.
Seneca Falls’ barber, Tommy Bellissima, swore he had cut Capra’s hair but did not know who he was until the movie was released nearly two years later. Bellissima clearly recalled their conversation of their Italian heritage, their common experiences as immigrants, and how Capra’s last name stuck out to him, for it means ‘goat’ in Italian.
And that’s not even the best part.
To get to town, Capra had to go over “the” bridge. On the bridge, still there today, is a plaque honoring Antonio Varacalli, who passed away in the canal’s waters in April of 1917 to rescue a girl who was attempting suicide by jumping off the bridge.
It’s a Wonderful Life is based on the short story The Greatest Gift by Phillip Van Doren Stern. The story is true to the movie. A man is broken down and defeated, he contemplates suicide by jumping off a bridge, and a guardian angel intercedes and jumps off the bridge knowing the man will save him.
The guardian angel grants the man his wish to never have been born and the man sees what would have happened in his small town if he never lived.
The man begs for his life back and returns to his town in a completely different, rather euphoric disposition. He celebrates his life with family, friends, his wife and his children.
Katherine Grimes, who is known for her famous line in the movie “Look Daddy: teacher says, ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings,’” first visited the town when she heard the rumors of the movies’ inspiration some 20 years ago. Grimes is known for saying that as soon as she arrived in Seneca Falls, she stated, “This is Bedford Falls!” Since then, she has returned every year to help at the festival by hosting many different events including a movie night that explores behind the scenes secrets during filming.
The entire weekend is jam-packed with things to do to celebrate this timeless movie. Maybe it is capturing the old town America feels, or being surrounded by those sharing the same joy, but leaving this festival is known to bring you a feeling of a Christmas spirit that you may have never felt before.
“It was my first time going to the ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ festival,” said Port Jefferson resident Joette DeGiovine, “They had the bridge there, they had all sorts of activities to do, and it really was a magical experience. Everyone should watch this classic movie, the lesson it teaches is immeasurable. I went with my husband and two close friends, which was perfect because my favorite line of the movie is ‘no man is a failure who has friends.’ Great company, great festival and I can’t wait to go back.”
If you are looking to plan a visit for next year’s festival, all information is available at wonderfullifemuseum.com.
