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It's a Wonderful Life
A comprehensive account of the origins, establishment, development, and struggles of the modern Jewish state and of the men and women, great and small, who helped or hindered Israel's survival
1153 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 1986
2 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Jeanine Basinger
19 books128 followersJeanine Basinger holds a BS and MS from South Dakota State University. She is a film historian, professor of Film Studies at Wesleyan University and curator and founder of The Cinema Archives at Wesleyan University. In addition, she is a trustee emeritus of the American Film Institute, a member of the Steering Committee of the National Center for Film and Video Preservation, and one of the Board of Advisors for the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers.
She has appeared in several movie-related documentaries and completed audio commentaries on about a dozen classic films.
She has appeared in several movie-related documentaries and completed audio commentaries on about a dozen classic films.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 12, 2011
Even if you don't like this movie (there may be 2 or 3 Scrooges out there), this book is a fascinating read. It includes fascinating trivia, like the creation of fake snow that looks like the real thing. (They shot the winter scenes in the San Fernando Valley in the middle of the summer.) It has a wealth of original pictures and other items, such as the casting notes. And it includes both the original short story as well as the full shooting script. This is a sterling look behind the scenes at how one of the best-loved movies was made, and also how it finally found its audience.
October 25, 2019
Lots of extra pictures behind the scenes. Forward by Frank Capra. Interviews w/ Jimmy Stewart and Joe Biroc by Leonard Maltin. Early scripts. Crux of the book is 200+ pages of the full movie script, surrounded by pictures from the movie.
Zuzu "Look daddy. Teacher say every time a bell rings some angel gets his wings."
If you like this movie, you'll love this book.
As a kid, I liked the cartoons before Christmas (Grinch, Rudolph).
As an adult, I love "Miracle on 34th Street" (original), and "It's A Wonderful Life".
Zuzu "Look daddy. Teacher say every time a bell rings some angel gets his wings."
If you like this movie, you'll love this book.
As a kid, I liked the cartoons before Christmas (Grinch, Rudolph).
As an adult, I love "Miracle on 34th Street" (original), and "It's A Wonderful Life".
December 4, 2023
I loved seeing all the photos and reading the about the filming! Reading the script was fun too! I got this from the library but I think it would be a fun coffee table book to own!
August 22, 2012
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 galaxy? 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.
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 galaxy? 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.
November 2, 2017
This is the essential book for die-hard fans of It’s a Wonderful Life, though casual fans might find it a bit overwhelming. I found it outstanding for two compelling reasons:
1) It includes a vast amount of primary source materials. You can read the original Christmas-card story that provided the outline. You can compare some scenes as originally scripted with the final version as it appears in the film. You can read interviews with not just Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra but also the cameraman, etc. This alone makes it an important resource for both historians and fans.
2) Basinger’s own essay/s have her usual outstanding insight. She doesn’t just dwell in nostalgia and fun trivia facts (though there are plenty of those). She gets at the heart of questions that are tough to answer — like, well, did the film do well at the box office or not? What exactly is the source of its outstanding appeal, especially at Christmas time. It’s refreshing to see a writer take such thoughtful care with a movie that you might expect film historians to brush off as “Capra-corn.”
If you’re just looking for fun photographs and movie trivia, this might not be the book for you. But if you really want to know what went into the construction of a classic movie, this book delivers in a wonderful way.
1) It includes a vast amount of primary source materials. You can read the original Christmas-card story that provided the outline. You can compare some scenes as originally scripted with the final version as it appears in the film. You can read interviews with not just Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra but also the cameraman, etc. This alone makes it an important resource for both historians and fans.
2) Basinger’s own essay/s have her usual outstanding insight. She doesn’t just dwell in nostalgia and fun trivia facts (though there are plenty of those). She gets at the heart of questions that are tough to answer — like, well, did the film do well at the box office or not? What exactly is the source of its outstanding appeal, especially at Christmas time. It’s refreshing to see a writer take such thoughtful care with a movie that you might expect film historians to brush off as “Capra-corn.”
If you’re just looking for fun photographs and movie trivia, this might not be the book for you. But if you really want to know what went into the construction of a classic movie, this book delivers in a wonderful way.
May 12, 2018
The definitive history of Frank Capra's classic film, one which still stands as the ultimate cinematic Dickensian tale of the common man. From the story's beginnings on a Christmas card to the multiple drafts of a screenplay- one of the writers was Clifford Odets!- the reader is granted a full understanding of the entire production process and just why the film has become a Christmas classic which still speaks to Americans today.
One other note: in researching my new book "Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters" I came across the following American Film Institute poll: in rating the "All Time Greatest American Films," respondents placed "To Kill a Mockingbird" second. First place? "It's a Wonderful Life."
One other note: in researching my new book "Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters" I came across the following American Film Institute poll: in rating the "All Time Greatest American Films," respondents placed "To Kill a Mockingbird" second. First place? "It's a Wonderful Life."
November 29, 2021
I was disappointed in this book. It was mostly about Capra which is fine but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I like to learn how they made the movie and there was a little bit of that but not nearly enough to even justify the book to me.
December 16, 2017
My Favorite Movie Of All Time. It isn't Xmas without a classic. This book updates the movie scene by scene word for word!!! AWESOME!!! A must read if U love the Xmas Classics. Merry Xmas Yall!!!!
December 26, 2017
I loved this book! It was a quick read
December 31, 2018
Adorable Christmas Story.
December 10, 2023
It’s a Wonderful Book!
December 20, 2023
Really interesting insider info including the full script
April 12, 2015
This is a book about the making of the fantastic movie "It's A Wonderful Life", with Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers. Admittedly, this book is really only for movie buffs and aficionado's of the movie. (Though why anyone who is not a fan of the movie would read this is beyond me.) As a huge fan of this classic, my 4 star rating of this somewhat biased.
Basically, this is a behind the scenes archive of the making of "It's A Wonderful Life". It talks about how Frank Capra bought the rights for $10,000.00, and got the original story along with three failed scripts of the movie. From there, it describes the casting of the movie. One of the most interesting things about this was who Capra had listed as a possible actors for the films' various parts. For instance, imagine if Gene Lockhart was cast as Mr. Potter, Porter Hall as Uncle Billy, or Henry Travers, (who played Clarance) as Old Man Gower? The book then moves onto the filming, directing, and finally the release of the movie. There are some wonderful pictures in the pages of the book, which are fun to look at. (It seems, from one picture, that when George is thanking Old Man Gower for his suitcase, Mr. Potter and his "goon" come into the drugstore. Makes you wonder what that scene was about!)
As additional treat in this book is that there are some excerpts from each of the original scripts, the original story that was written as a Christmas Card, and then the "Final movie script as shot". Reading the script was fun, and having seen the movie so many times, I heard each of the actor's voices in my head as I read the lines.
This is really a good book for fans of "It's A Wonderful Life". They may not learn much that they did not already know from other sources, but I feel it was well worth the few hours it took to read it.
Basically, this is a behind the scenes archive of the making of "It's A Wonderful Life". It talks about how Frank Capra bought the rights for $10,000.00, and got the original story along with three failed scripts of the movie. From there, it describes the casting of the movie. One of the most interesting things about this was who Capra had listed as a possible actors for the films' various parts. For instance, imagine if Gene Lockhart was cast as Mr. Potter, Porter Hall as Uncle Billy, or Henry Travers, (who played Clarance) as Old Man Gower? The book then moves onto the filming, directing, and finally the release of the movie. There are some wonderful pictures in the pages of the book, which are fun to look at. (It seems, from one picture, that when George is thanking Old Man Gower for his suitcase, Mr. Potter and his "goon" come into the drugstore. Makes you wonder what that scene was about!)
As additional treat in this book is that there are some excerpts from each of the original scripts, the original story that was written as a Christmas Card, and then the "Final movie script as shot". Reading the script was fun, and having seen the movie so many times, I heard each of the actor's voices in my head as I read the lines.
This is really a good book for fans of "It's A Wonderful Life". They may not learn much that they did not already know from other sources, but I feel it was well worth the few hours it took to read it.
April 30, 2008
This is one of the greatest movies of all-time [honest - it really is!].
The book details the history of the film from conception to completion. Full of amazing stills and off-camera images. A must for any fan of the film.
The book details the history of the film from conception to completion. Full of amazing stills and off-camera images. A must for any fan of the film.
August 11, 2007
I admit I'm nostalgic for the day when this was a little seen, overlooked gem. Now it's turned into televised holiday wallpaper.
December 22, 2013
My father used to read through the script with me when I was a little girl. One of my fondest memories. He lost his copy so I just bought him a copy the other day.
December 10, 2015
I had the same emotional experience reading this as watching the movie. It always gives me a keener appreciation for my life and my blessings!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews