b'ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE 16 WONDERFUL FACTS The film started as a greeting card. The bird was a staple of Capra films. When author Philip Van Doren Stern failed to find aCapra first used Jimmy the raven, a wildly prolific avian publisher for his book about a man named George Prattactor, in his 1938 film You Can\'t Take it With You and who considers suicide until he gets a chance to see whatcast him in every film he made subsequently. In It\'s a the world would be like without him, he printed it as hisWonderful Life, Jimmy the raven played Uncle Billy\'s pet, Christmas card in 1943. One of the 200 cards he self- kept at the Building & Loan. James Stewart, in particular, published eventually made its way to RKO Pictureswas a fan: "When they call Jimmy, we both answer," he producer David Hempstead, who purchased the rights.remarked while filming, calling the bird "the smartest Capra bought the rights a year later, turning "The Greatestactor on set."Gift" into It\'s a Wonderful Life.It didnt do well at the box office. The film, although now considered a classic, was such a financial disappointment that it busted Capra\'s production company, Liberty Films. It was the first and last time Capra produced, financed, directed, and co-wrote a film. Cary Grant almost starred in it. When the rights were still held at RKO, Cary Grant was slated to play the lead role of George Bailey made iconic by Jimmy Stewart. There could have been a different Mary Bailey. Ginger Rogers allegedly turned down the role because she thought the character too bland. When Rogers penned herJimmy Stewart with Jimmy the raven in Its a Wonderful Life (1946) autobiography, she questioned that decision by asking the readers, "Foolish, you say?" There were some significant rewrites to the screenplay. According to Robert Matzens book Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe, the original screenplay began with a scene in Benjamin Franklin\'s workshop in heaven.Beulah Bondi was a pro at playing Jimmy Stewarts mom. Beulah Bondi, who plays Mrs. Bailey, didnt need a lot of rehearsal to play Jimmy Stewarts mom. She had done it three times previously in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Of Human Hearts, and Vivacious Lady.The gym scene features a Rascal. The disgruntled prankster who opens the gymnasium floor, revealing the pool during the school dance, is none Cary Grant (left) and Ginger Rogers (right)alleged contenders for the rolesother than Carl Switzer, who played Alfalfa in The Little of George and Mary Bailey, respectively.Rascals. 14AMERICAN BLUES THEATER'