The Essential It's a Wonderful Life: A Scene-By-Scene Guide to the Classic Film

by Michael Willian

"We are pleased to announce that Michael Willian has published a new edition for this book, *The Essential It's a Wonderful Life -- 75th Anniversary Edition*. Even the most ardent fans of It’s a Wonderful Life will be surprised and delighted by the insightful discussions of film details, cast anecdotes, curiosities, and gaffes found in this charming guide. Providing a fresh perspective, this companion includes a handy film chronology and an overview of the plot, a complete breakdown of the musical score, a fun and challenging quiz, a bookmarking feature designed to give instant access to favorite scenes and other points of interest, informative historical sidebars, the complete lyrics to "Buffalo Gals," and never-before-seen maps and diagrams of downtown Bedford Falls, downtown Pottersville, the Building and Loan, and 320 Sycamore. In addition, film lovers will learn why George should have spent Christmas Eve in jail, who crashes the Bailey family Christmas Eve gathering, the story behind the sudden demise of Mr. Gower’s son, how to make a flaming rum punch, the real-life site of the Bedford Falls High School "swim-gym," and other fascinating trivia related to the classic."

Genres: Nonfiction, Holiday, Christmas

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2004

Reviews

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a lifetime fan of the film, like I am, this book will delight you. It's packed full of things I didn't know and, even when Willian is persnickety about some small gaffe, you have to forgive him, because he spent a whale of a long time poring over the film, second by second. And he even includes recipes for mulled wine and flaming rum punch!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s A Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie- my sister and I watch it every year on Thanksgiving. I’ll admit that I sometimes watch it at other times of the year too, especially when I’m needing a little “Christmas cheer” in like June or July. I’ve seen this movie at least 50 times and this book pointed out things that I had missed, even with my multiple viewings. The author did their research of not only the movie but some behind the scene stuff too. I also like that they pointed out gaffes (some that I had missed) and gave some historical background to events or things mentioned in the movie. I think any fan of the movie would enjoy this book. Even if you have only seen it once (or never seen it), the author describes the scenes pretty thoroughly. There is a quiz in the back of the book that I didn’t ace (and I thought I knew the movie so well) but it made for fun trivia. During the holidays next year, I’ll give the quiz to my sister before we watch the movie to see how many she gets right.

This book was recommend in a Facebook group that I belong to dedicated to It’s a Wonderful Life fans. So, thank you random internet stranger for letting me know about it!

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after seeing the movie on the big screen at The Admiral Theater and hearing "Zuzu" talk about the movie. This is a pretty fun trivia book for fans of the movie. There's a tough quiz at the end. I thought I knew the movie really well, but I sure didn't ace the quiz!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I asked for this book last Christmas at IAWL is my favorite movie. The book was not what I expected and as I read I wasn’t sure if the up close details would have ruined the movie for me, but it had the opposite effect. I love it more than before. I’ll definitely be rewatching the movie through a new perspective. I’m amazed at the time and research the author put into the book. Seriously a frame by frame analysis of everything. Well done.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting read for those who enjoy the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life". I got this book back around Christmas of 2006 when I met Michael Willian, and he autographed my copy.

Fast forward to 11 years later. The local high school put on the play based off of this film back in December of 2017. It drew my interest to the film which I saw last year in the theater and I'm hoping to see it again during this year's Yuletide season. Seeing a classic film like this in the movie house is WAY better than catching it on TV for the umpteenth time anyway ;O)

Willain pinpoints the memorable scenes in "It's a Wonderful Life" as well as those we wouldn't notice if not for his book. The anecdotes and historical references of the times and cast are also beneficial. Even though most of the cast had already passed on when the book came out (three of the four Bailey kids were still around at the time), I would've liked to have seen reprinted interviews of the stars and maybe even an interview of those who were still around to share their time on the set with us.

All in all, it's a great book and I enjoy reading the behind-the-scene works of TV shows and classic films I like. It's always nice to know about the cast and the times from back then. If you get the details from those who were there, it's even better!

Rating for this book: ****

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read. Willian goes scene-by-scene through the movie, explaining things, pointing out things to notice (graffiti on the Bailey's house walls, the headlines on the newspapers) and exploring myths. He even provides maps of the layout of Bedford Falls/Pottersville and the Bailey House.

I read this book in less than 2 hours and enjoyed it, especially the "just wondering" comments. Yeah, you're right, why IS Mary locking up the Pottersville Library at 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve? What are all those people doing at Martini's bar on Christmas Eve instead of with their families? How could Zuzu's teacher know she has a cold when she got it from not fastening her coat walking home from school?

While I wouldn't necessarily call this book "essential," it's a great resource for die-hard fans to get even more into the movie and fun way to rewatch a holiday classic.

[Amy Tolle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the movie "It's a Wonderful Life!" The holidays just aren't the holidays without a viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life." If you feel this way, too, then you will definitely want to read "The Essential It's a Wonderful Life: A Scene by Scene Guide to the Classic Film." It's a quick read, but chock-full of marvelous tibits and anecdotes regarding the film, the actors and director Frank Capra. Many interesting photographs, too! Definitely recommend!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an enormous fan of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, I really enjoyed the backstory of the movie and actors, along with the great tidbits that I had never picked up on during the many times I watched Capra’s masterpiece. I am sure that I will be pulling this book out every December as I watch this classic film.

[Carmen Shea Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like this movie--I mean really, really like it--or know someone who does, this is a perfect "last minute" gift. It has lots of info in there that I had never heard or read before that you won't find on YouTube or Google! Ever wonder why Ruth wasn't with Harry at the end of the movie? I used to think I was the only one, but that's in there, too!

[Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may not be for film studies students, but it's a great overview of what happens, when and to whom. The side glances to some of the references in the film are very handy - especially to a Brit! Scene by scene analysis takes you through the film and reminds you how great this film is.

[Margaret Gerberding · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the movie It's A Wonderful Life, this is the book for you! The book goes scene by scene and features tidbits, trivia, script changes, and actor information. This book is fun, and you will want to watch the movie again to spot new things!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For lovers of the movie, this is a wonderful companion full of tidbits and fun facts. This book would make a great Christmas present for fans of It's a Wonderful Life.

[Randy Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot new in here for an old fan like me but some good tidbits.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This special edition periodical on “Its A Wonderful Life” is a fantastic treasure and writing so engaging with history on the beloved film - I’ll reread every Christmas.

[Patricia]

It's such an interesting book. So many little unside stories and antidotes and historical facts and figures. Looking forward to watching the film with new insights.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing detail and research went into this book, such a fun read (if the casual writing style was a tad annoying at times), I learned so much about my favorite movie!

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a good amount of detail regarding the movie itself and details about the cast and the making of the movie. I enjoyed walking away with a bit more trivia about the movie. I will also probably break this book out so I can look for the little details the author notes (with time stamps) during my next viewing of the movie. BTW, I'm pretty sure the author had a crush on Mary and Violet...

[Bud Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who love the movie... lots of fun to read. ALL the details about the flick with all kinds of trivia, background info, and random thoughts. Great to read during the holiday season.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true classic movie. And this book was delightful and informative and I loved reading it. I'm sorry I didn't have time this past Christmas to sit down with this book and the movie together. But I will this year.

The book highlights each scene, then gives details to what's going on with: Closer Look; Film Anecdotes; Did You Know?; Cast Anecdotes and much more. I thought I knew everything there was to know about this movie, but, boy was I wrong. I enjoyed reading it and for fans of this movie, I think it's a "must have".

[Greg Van Vorhis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of amazing observations of the minutiae. For example....what are the bank hours? What products are sold at Gower's Drug Store? What graffiti is written on the walls of the Granville House? William knows, and now so will you. Check this book out NOW!!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ordered this online and when it came I read it in a couple of hours. Being a super fan of the movie, it was very interesting. I got the movie out to watch some of the scenes again just to see some of the things described in the book. Haven't done the quiz at the back of the book. Too hard for me!

[Karijean31 · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun to read..now i want to waych the movie again!

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will beat your quiz next year Fatla!