12. It’s a Wonderful Life was Jimmy Stewart’s comeback vehicle
James Stewart was more than five years removed from a film set when he reported for work on It’s a Wonderful Life. The entire movie was filmed at RKO Studios and the movie ranch owned by the studio in Encino, with the exception of two scenes. The Martini home was separate. Also, the floor opening over the swimming pool was and is at Beverly Hills High School. Capra also added the part of the pet raven, since the same bird had appeared in You Can’t Take It With You, and in each of Capra’s Hollywood films since. He considered it a good luck token.
Stewart’s acting in the film, he later said, was influenced by his experiences in the Second World War. He didn’t explain how. When the film was released it was only moderately praised by critics, with good reviews for most of the actors. Stewart was nominated for 1947’s Best Actor award, which he lost to Frederic March (The Best Years of Our Lives). For the next 30 years, the film was all but forgotten. Since 1976 It’s A Wonderful Life has been a part of the holiday season in the United States, thanks to television, and it garnered widespread praise as well as criticism. Stewart later named the film as his personal favorite movie in which he appeared.