The film took $3.3 million at the box office. Sherman mixed foamite (used in fire extinguishers) with sugar and water, and used a wind machine to distribute 6,000 gallons of snow over the set. But they tended to produce a very loud crunching sound when actors walked on them, sometimes intruding on the dialogue! Instead, Capra worked with his special effects man, Russell Sherman, to develop an innovative new artificial snow.
The usual method for producing snow on film was to use white cornflakes. Featuring Collette Flanagan, founder of ‘Mothers Against Police Brutality’, Dr Howard Henderson, Professor Julian Go, Alex Vitale, Sara Mokuria, John Fullinwider, Scott Usry and Captain Sonia Pruitt. This documentary looks into the history of militarised policing in the United States and how it has influenced the mindset and mentality of US policing today. With a new sense of optimism, George returns home to his family and discovers his neighbours have donated money to save his business. Clarence reveals to George the positive impact he has had on the lives of people in the town of Bedford Falls. On Christmas Eve, George attempts suicide but is saved by a guardian angel, Clarence, who is attempting to earn his wings. Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, a businessman facing financial ruin. “I’m like a parent whose kid grows up to be president.” At least not keen enough to take the film into profit, landing it with a $525,000 shortfall. Mr Capra’s nice people are charming, his town is a quite beguiling place… But somehow they all resemble theatrical attitudes rather than average realities.”Īudiences weren’t so keen either. “…the weakness of this picture… is the sentimentality of it – its illusory concept of life. The New York Times described it as a “quaint and engaging modern parable” but concluded:
Mixed reviewsĬonsidering how fond audiences are of the film today, it’s hard to imagine that the first reviews were decidedly mixed. On 20 December 1946, the film received a charity preview screening at the Globe Theater in New York, one day before its official premiere. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without It’s a Wonderful Life on the TV.