The Famous Petal Scene

For George, Zuzu's burgundy rose petals became a token touchingly symbolizing all the love and life that wouldn't have existed if he'd never been born.  The flowers represent life and reality.

The film is timeless .. it applies to yesterday, today and tomorrow. We can all identify with the fellow whose dreams never quite work out the way he envisioned for himself.  But in the end, we reflect on our own lives and realize that we have touched others and truly made a difference.  We are also reminded, once again, what really are the most important things in our lives .. faith, family and friends.

In the movie, there is a needlepoint sampler on the wall of the Bailey Building and Loan in George's office.  When there is a run on the bank, before he goes out to address the people, he pauses a moment and looks at the portrait of his father and under it is a needlepoint sampler that reads .. All you can take with you is that which you've given away.

One of the many endearing characters in the movie was Zuzu Bailey played by Karolyn Grimes.  She was born in Hollywood on the 4th of July in 1940 and is 83 years old, as of this writing.  She was 6 years old when the movie was filmed.  The name Zuzu is thought to have come from a Nabisco cookie called ZuZu Ginger Snaps.  Near the end of the movie when Zuzu's movie father, George Bailey, rushed up the stairs and Zuzu greets him, he replies with gusto, "Zuzu, my little ginger snap!" Grimes became a child start in such classics as The Bishop's Wife and Rio Grande.  At the age of 15 she moved to Osceola, Missouri to live with relatives after the deaths of her parents.  she lived most of her adult life in Kansas City until the 1990s and now lives in Seattle. 

In the movie, Zuzu Bailey had 3 siblings .. Pete, Janie and Tommy.  Two are still living besides Karolyn at age 83; Carol Coombs (Janie) is 88; Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy) is 82.  Larry Simms (Pete) passed in 2009 at the age of 74.

The three remaining actors who played the Bailey children have remained firm friends since the film was released in 1946.  In 2016, these three actors reunited for an interview to mark the movie's 70th year milestone.  Carol, who played Janie beamed when she told Al Roker, "We're three really good friends. Young kids who grew up to really admire each other and love each other.  It's true friendship."  Karolyn added, "We're like brother and sister in many ways." Karolyn also revealed that the Christmas classic was never actually meant to be a Chirstmas film at all and that it was supposed to be released in March 1947. Jimmy (Tommy) explained to NBC's Al Roker .. "Sinbad the Sailor didn't have enough color copies so they needed to rush a film out and It's a Wonderful Life was ready".  During the interview Roker asked Karolyn to repeat her famous words.  She repeats the words and tells Roker she never gets tired of saying the famous line because she "believes it".  

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/Q47vE9AR

As millions of people around the world each year settle down to watch the heartwarming tale, here are a few facts you and others may not have known about the film and the actors who are forever captioned on film. 

1.  The real Bedford Falls is located in Upstate New York

2.  Zuzu was actually a gingersnap.

3.  The film began as a Christmas card and almost didn't get made.

4.  George and Mary owe their romance to The Little Rascal's Alfalfa.

5.  Janie was cast because she could play the piano.   The song played in the movie was Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and was the tune Carol Coombs could play without making a mistake.

6.  The film's darkness stems from WWII.

7.  It is the most inspirational film of all time.

Karolyn Grimes also played Debby Brougham in the 1947 film, The Bishop's Wife starring Cary Grant as an angel named Dudley with female lead, Loretta Young who played Julia Brougham.  An ice skating scene in this movie featured Grant and Young though over Grant's protests, a skating double wearing a mask with Grant's features was used in the long shots of the complex skating routine.  A skating double was also used for Young on the long shots.  

Zuzu' Ginger Cookies

4 cups flour, 2 tsp. ground ginger, 1 tsp. salt, 1 3/4 cups sugar, 1/2 cup molasses, 4 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, 2 eggs and extra sugar for rolling cookies.  

Mix flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt together into large bowl until well mixed.  Beat in eggs and molasses.  Work flour mixture into shortening mixture until well mixe.  Cover and refrigerate dough overnight.  pinch off bits of dough and roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in extra sugar and place on greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.  Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Cool completely and store in tight container.  

Enjoy and think of little 6 year old, Zuzu .. forever captured on film. Karolyn Grimes still continues to visit Seneca Falls and sign autographs for her many devoted fans.

Karolyn Grimes 

"Look Daddy, teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings."