FYE/COMPOSITION/MOVIE REMAKE ACTIVITY
Remaking A Movie: What Would You Do?
Introduction
Hollywood is a land of classic movies, fantasies, melodramas, action-packed adventures
and comedies, among others. It is also a land of prequels, sequels and remakes. Now
that you have seen It’s A Wonderful Life, one of Hollywood’s all-time classic films, what
would you do if you had the opportunity to remake it for today’s audiences? Before you
begin your remake, review the following information about the original film. The
information has been culled from a variety of sources.
It’s A Wonderful Life: 1946
The Cast/Major Characters
James Stewart
George Bailey
Lionel Barrymore
Donna Reed
Mary Hatch
Gloria Grahame
Bobby Anderson
Little George Bailey
Henry Travers
the Angel, Clarence Odbody
Mr. Potter
Violet Bick
Background
 “The film takes place in the fictional town of Bedford Falls shortly after World
War II and stars James Steward as George Bailey, a man whose imminent suicide
on Christmas Eve gains the attention of his guarding angel Clarence Odbody
(Henry Travers) who is sent to help him in his hour of need.”*
 The film was considered a financial “flop.” When it was first released in January
1947, it did not reach its break-even point of $6.2 million.*
 Director Frank Capra reportedly said, in 1984, “I didn’t even think of it as a
Christmas story when I first ran across it. I just liked the idea.” In a 1946
interview, however, he said he made the film, in part, to combat “a modern trend
toward atheism.”*
Format and production notes
 Black and white
 Movie was shot at RKO studio in Culver City, California and the RKO Ranch in
Encino. The Bedford Falls sets covered four acres.*
Social/Cultural/Historical Notes
 In 1946, the Cold War begins between Russia, its allies and the United States and
its allies.**
 Americans set a record in 1946 with 90 million people going to the movies each
week.**
 In 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play major
league baseball.**
 In 1946, calculations by computer begin at the University of Pennsylvania.***
 In 1947, a movie industry source told the FBI that the movie was part of
Communist trickery because it represented an “obvious” attempt to discredit
bankers.***
FYE REMAKE WORK NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS
for
It’s A Wonderful Life – 2008
DIRECTIONS: Work in groups of five to six people. Everyone must participate in this
activity and contribute ideas. Everyone can take notes, but designate one person as your
official recorder. Assign another person to type your results. Assign one or two others in
your group to present your work to the class. Each group will have an opportunity to
present its ideas. Be prepared to discuss and explain your decisions. Use extra paper as
needed.
Opening statement/introduction about your remake, what you hope to achieve, etc.
The Cast/Major Characters/Director
The Plot/Setting
Format/Production/Time of Release/Rating/Budget
Additional Changes/Comments
Social/Cultural/Political Developments
 Today’s general movie audiences are more multicultural than in 1946.
 We live in a post 9/11 era. The United States is involved in a war on terrorism in
various parts of the world and at home.
 The recent Wall Street crisis has nearly paralyzed America’s financial
institutions.
 Senators Barack Obama (first African American nominee), Hillary Clinton
(sought to become first female nominee) and Governor Sarah Palin (first female
vice president nominee) made history in the 2008 presidential election process.
(MORE)
For related material, see:
 Your text, Looking at Movies, page 338, for a brief discussion of remakes,
prequels and sequels.
 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia’s overview of It’s A Wonderful Life.*
 The articles “38 Planned Movie Remakes You Didn’t Know About” and “30
Upcoming Movie Sequels You Didn’t Know About.” Both are by Den of Geek.
 “Superman: The Making of a Man,” Daniel Neman
 Trivia-Library.com for brief outlines of historical events. Type in the years 1946,
American History.(for when the film was made) and 1947 (for the year the film
was released to general audiences).***
 “Trivia For It’s A Wonderful Life, on IMDb, the Internet Movie Database.****
 “A Chronology: Film in Context (1895-2003)” from Film, An Introduction, 3rd
Edition, by William H. Phillips.**