Her guide to 'It's a Wonderful Life'

Popcorn ready? Hanky close by? Then you're ready to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" in a way you haven't seen it before: with insights from Zuzu Bailey's alter ego, Karolyn Grimes of Carnation.

Hollywood snow-how

Director Frank Capra used 3,000 tons of shaved ice to make slushy snow in the streets for this movie, while a nonmelting gypsum compound made heaps of snow against the buildings. Ivory laundry detergent became falling snow, although once wet, the soap could look filmy or bubbly. Capra opted not to use cornflakes, as some previous filmmakers did, because they crunched when actors walked on them and dialogue would have to be added later.

Not yet, George!

Only the sharpest viewers will catch this one very early in the movie. In a scene of downtown Bedford Falls, a man can be seen — just briefly on the lower left — running up the middle of the street. It's a back-to-life George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), but it belongs near the end of the film.

Masking tape unmasked

Not all drugstore counters had bits of masking tape on them. Watch for the one in the scene of young George Bailey and Mary Hatch in the drugstore. The tape marks an actor's mark and wasn't supposed to show.

Not an act?

H.B. Warner, playing druggist Mr. Gower, didn't fake his tipsy state after getting word that Gower's son had died. Warner really did drink before the filming, with Capra's permission, said Grimes. She heard it from Bobbie Anderson, who played young George Bailey.

Dive right in

The gym floor that splits to reveal a swimming pool really existed — and still does — at Beverly Hills High School. Cast members willing to take the plunge earned an extra $25. And do you recognize the student who turns the key? Carl Switzer, who went on to play "Alfalfa" in the "Our Gang" comedies.

Mary hits the mark

According to Grimes, director Capra didn't think Donna Reed, playing Mary, could throw a rock through a window of the old Granville house, and he planned to have a man, off camera, throw it. But Reed bet him $50 she could do it on the first take and won.

Big-headed

Playing mean old Mr. Potter, Lionel Barrymore wore a skullcap to make his head appear larger, giving him an even more intimidating look. The wheelchair wasn't just a prop; Barrymore had severe arthritis.

Bad omen

Note that Jimmy the Raven appears only at moments when Mr. Potter is bearing down in some way. We hear the bird's name when George Bailey climbs over a counter and says, "Look out, Jimmy."

Magic wreath

Grimes calls our attention to this editing mix-up, so watch closely. George Bailey enters the building-and-loan office on Christmas Eve with a small wreath around his arm and tosses it onto a desk. The next instant, he's on the phone with his war-hero brother, and the wreath has inexplicably found its way back on his arm.

Better not pout?

Violet, the town flirt, is played by Gloria Grahame. Grahame gave the character an extra-pouty look by putting toilet paper behind her upper lip.

Now, that's tall

What does this 6-year-old actress note about her onscreen father, who comes up to check on her in her sickbed? That he's "tall — taller than God." Grimes says Zuzu actually sees the broken-off rose petals go into her father's pocket but plays along with the idea that he glued them back on the flower.

No fake tears here

Carol Coombs, playing Janie Bailey, didn't need to pretend to cry when her father barks at her to resume practicing the piano. Grimes said Stewart's shouting and gruff demeanor in the scene were enough to make the young girl cry.

Stewart's favorite scene

In a note years after the film, Stewart told Grimes his favorite scene is when George Bailey hits emotional desperation after he has left home and gone to the bar. "Dear Father in Heaven. I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there ... show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope."

From left to right?

Another editing slip-up, in a return visit to the bar. As George Bailey and angel Clarence Oddbody get tossed out for running afoul of the bartender, note their position as they head toward the door. Bailey is on the right; the angel is on the left. But in the view from outside, their positions are reversed.

Grimes' favorite scene

She's not in the shot, but Grimes can't let go of the power of this moment. After seeing the world without him in it, George Bailey has a greater understanding of the importance of life in general, and his in particular: "Please, God, let me live again."

A snappy remark

George Bailey's ecstatic greeting to "Zuzu, my little ginger snap" has a bit of history. Zu Zu Ginger Snaps, made by the National Biscuit Company, date to the early 1900s. One ad boasted, "No one ever heard of a Zu Zu that wasn't good."

This quote rings a bell

Even though she's the second one in the movie to say so (angel Clarence was first), Zuzu will always be associated with the line, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." These days, some people change it to the gender-neutral "gets its wings," but to Grimes, a quote is a quote.

Lyrics? what lyrics?

"I don't know the words of 'Auld Lang Syne,' and I look like such a little fool," says Grimes, watching Zuzu bluff her way through the closing song. On the other hand, she allows, maybe Capra didn't want a 6-year-old to know the words. By the way, Grimes dislikes colorized versions of the movie, in which she has seen Zuzu's robe as blue, pink or yellow. She admits she doesn't remember the actual color, but in her mind's eye, it will always be white with red rosebuds.

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com.