then purchased by Liberty Films from RKO for another $10k, casting Jimmy Stewart in the lead role. Stewart's raw and evocative performance, according to author Robert Matzen, is in part due to Stewart’s PTSD resulting from combat duty in WWII. This gravity seeped into the emotionally wrought situations in the film which Capra exquisitely captured. The complex character of George who personifies wholesomeness and virtuosity is also inspired by real life. A.P. Giannini, founder of Bank of America, experienced similar circumstances in life and these similarities are found not only in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” but also Capra’s earlier film “American Madness” (1932).
Capra’s educational background in chemical engineering may have saved the film shot on four acres in Encino, California, re-creating the idyllic and charming town of Seneca Falls, NY, which would be known as fictional Bedford Falls. With over 70 stores and buildings, fully grown transplanted trees, and even a 300 yard-long Main Street, winters were difficult to replicate, especially that year because of record high temperatures. The tried-and-true crunchy cornflakes painted white as a snow substitute wreaked havoc on the set and were so loud when stepped on all dialogue had to be re-dubbed. So with the help of RKO Studio's special effects whiz, Russell Sherman, a new California snowflake was invented combining Foamite, a material used in fire extinguishers, with sugar, water and even soap flakes, producing exactly the effect Capra was looking for---quiet, fluffy, white snowflakes.
Frank Capra