'Wonderful' World

Watching It’s A Wonderful Life on television has become as much a part of the holidays as trimming the tree and wrapping the presents. Released in 1946, the movie did not gain a large following until copyrights ran out and it began to air widely on TV. Since then, its warm story of a man who discovers that each person, including himself, makes a difference in the world, has touched hearts around the world – and especially in Wilmington, where the director’s son, Frank Capra Jr., and his family reside.

This year, It’s A Wonderful Life can be found all around town in different forms. It was the theme of this year’s Festival of Trees fundraiser in downtown Wilmington. It will be shown, as has become the tradition, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. And Thalian Hall is hosting a unique radio play of the story.

Pick your favorite ‘Life’ event or watch them all. Some stories never get old.

What: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play.’ Asheville’s award-winning N.C. Stage Company brings Joe Landry’s live radio broadcast format of the holiday film to life. Set in the studios of WBFR Radio on Christmas Eve, 1946, five radio actors portray dozens of Bedford Falls citizens from the film. They switch between different voices and live sound effects, using the techniques of old-fashioned radio shows. The set includes period costumes, ‘applause’ and ‘on air’ signs, and vintage microphones.

When: 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 15

Where: Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St.

Admission: $25/$18

Details: 343-3664 or www.ThalianHall.com

What: The 2007 two-disc collector’s set release of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Disc one includes the original black and white version of the movie, the making of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ hosted by Tom Bosley, a personal remembrance by Frank Capra Jr. (the director’s son and Wilmington resident) and the original theatrical trailer. Disc two is a color version of the movie.

When: Available now, the new edition was released Nov. 13.

Price: $24.99

What: UNCW Department of Film Studies presents: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ A screening of Frank Capra’s classic at the university has become a local tradition. Hosted by department chair Lou Buttino, the event includes carolers and free hot chocolate and cider from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Donations of clothing and money will be accepted by the Salvation Army.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 21

Where: Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Road on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington

Admission: Free

Details: 962-7502 or www.UNCW.edu/FilmStudies

What: NBC’s traditional airing of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ with optional scene description by former President Bush for the visually impaired. The narration is delivered around the film’s original dialogue and available through your TV’s foreign language menu.

When: 8 p.m. Dec. 14 on NBC (An encore airs Dec. 24.)

Test your knowledge of the holiday classic with our ‘Life’ quiz. And for more questions, log on to www.StarNewsOnline.com/multimedia.

1. In 2006, a jury of 1,500 film artists, critics and historians selected ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ to receive this special award:

A. American Film Institute’s Most Inspiring Movie of All Time

B. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s No. 1 Film of All Time

C. Sundance Film Festival’s Most Beloved Christmas Movie

2. Where was the set of Bedford Falls built?

A. Queens, N.Y.

B. Encino, Calif.

C. Cleveland, Ohio

3. Clarence the angel says each man’s life touches many others. What is it he says people leave behind when they die?

A. Buttons

B. Good wishes

C. A hole

4. Who was RKO studio's first pick to play George?

A. Cary Grant

B. Clark Gable

C. Jimmy Stewart

5. Who was one of the alternate choices to play the Scrooge-like Mr. Potter character?

A. Bela Lugosi

B. Lon Chaney Jr.

C. Vincent Price

6. What was Clarence’s last name?

A. Oddbody

B. Peabody

C. ‘The Angel’

7. The prankster who opened the famous gymnasium pool is better known for his role as:

A. Carl Switzer ( Alfalfa from ‘The Little Rascals’)

B. Freddie Bartholomew (Harvey from ‘Captains Courageous’)

C. Jackie Cooper (Jim Hawkins in ‘Treasure Island’)

8. Of all Capra’s films, which did he say was his favorite?

A. Pocketful of Miracles

B. Arsenic and Old Lace

C. It’s a Wonderful Life

9. Jimmy Stewart was very nervous about kissing Donna Reed during the phone scene. It was his first on-screen kiss since returning from World War II. How many takes did he do before Capra told him he’d done it right?

A. One

B. Five

C. Twenty

10. The gym floor that opens up into a swimming pool was:

A. Movie magic

B. Located at Beverly Hills High School

C. Capra’s family pool

1. A

2. B

3. C

4. A

5. C

6. A

7. A

8. C

9. A

10. B