It's a Wonderful Life
Part I - Read the article "Jimmy Stewart Remembers: It's a Wonderful Life" from Guidepoint Magazine.
1.) Who directed this movie?
2.) The idea for this movie came from a Christmas story written by Philip Van Doren Stern. When attempts to sell his story were initially unsuccessful, how did he publish the first two hundred copies?
3.) What was the name of the fictional town where the character of George Bailey lived?
4.) In two to three sentences, describe the elaborate set which was constructed for the filming of this movie.
5.) Jimmy Stewart wrote in this article that the character of George Bailey was "an ordinary kind of fella who thinks he's never accomplished anything in life." What had George, as a young man, dreamed of doing with his life?
6.) Briefly tell why the character of Clarence shows up on Christmas Eve.
7.) What does Clarence try to make George understand? (It's the theme of the story.)
Part II - Next, read "Voices of the Critics. . . Then and Now."
8.) Summarize in a few sentences what these various critics had to say about the movie.
Part III - Go to The Jimmy Stewart Museum
http://www.jimmy.org/jimmy/ and learn more about the life of one of America's most respected and beloved film heroes. At the site, go to "Biography" to find answers to the next set of questions.
9.) Where and when was Jimmy Stewart born?
10.) What did Jimmy's father do for a living?
11.) When Jimmy in later years won an Oscar, where did his father display it?
12.) Jimmy learn to play what instrument from the local barber?
13.) What creature did Jimmy play in his first stage performance in school?
14.) In 1932, Jim graduated with honors from Princeton University. For what career had he prepared?
15.) For what film did Jimmy first receive an Academy Award nomination?
16.) In a few sentences tell about Jimmy Stewart's military service during World War II.
17.) After the war, Jimmy Stewart received his third Academy Award nomination. He received this nomination for his role in his all-time favorite movie. Which movie was it?
18.) How many films did Jimmy Stewart make during the course of his legendary career?
Part lV
19.) At the end of the movie, a bell tinkles on the Christmas tree. What did George Bailey's little daughter say that her teacher suggested it means when you hear a bell ring? (Ask anyone who has seen the movie, and they can give you this answer.)
Last revised: January 4, 1999
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