The 76th Anniversary Celebration of
“It’s a Wonderful Life” 

 Friday, December 9:

[Note that our permanent building at 32 Fall Street will will show Museum Expansion plans and house a number of organizations and activities during the Festival. However, the Museum exhibits will be in our temporary location at 76 Fall Street.]

 

Autograph Signing by Cast Members from “It’s a Wonderful Life:

11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 2:00 – 4:00 pm. The Gould Hotel.

(Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself).

 

9:00 am: The Bells of the Real Bedford Falls Ring in Honor of Karolyn Grimes’ heralding the good news that she has returned home. Gather in front of the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Extension, 32 Fall St. 

9:00 am: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Karolyn Grimes’ first visit to Seneca Falls and Launch of the 100th Anniversary Time Capsule with cast members from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Add a comment to the Time Capsule about what “It’s a Wonderful Life” means to you. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall Street.

9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State St.

9:00 am – 4:30 pm: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. 76 Fall Street. 

10:00 am: “The Real Bedford Falls – It’s a Wonderful Life.” Emmy-award winning documentary co-produced and co-directed by Francis DiClemente and Stu Lisson on the history of the connections between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls. Features actors from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” film historians and local residents. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

10:00 am – 4:30 pm: “Henry & Jimmy, A Lifelong Friendship.” An exhibit on loan from the Jimmy Stewart Museum chronicles the friendship between Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

10:00 am – 4:30 pm: It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

10:00 am – 4:30 pm:  “Victoria’s Voice” — The Journal of Victoria “Rikki” Siegel.  Information provided by the Victoria’s Voice Foundation.  IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

10:30 am:  Presentation by Elizabeth Kress, granddaughter of Elisabetta Varacalli Palandro, the sister of Antonio Varacalli, who lost his life while saving Ruth Dunham who jumpted from the Bridge St. Bridge in 1917. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

11:00 am:  “You are Now in Bedford Falls: The Secrets Behind Why Bedford Falls Looks and Feels Like a Real Place.” Presentation by author Michael Willian.  Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm:  Autograph Signing by Cast Members. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself). The Gould Hotel.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm:  Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter) and the Donna Reed Foundation. Information and Items for Sale.  IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

12:00 noon:  Video tour by Brian Rohan of locations in Los Angeles County where “It’s a Wonderful Life” was filmed including: The Martini House; Stage 14/Culver City Studios; Site of the RKO Ranch; and Beverly Hills High School. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

12:15 pm: “In His Own Words: Frank Capra on ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’” Presentation by Harold Buccholz. An Executive Producer and Writer for Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Netflix) and former Senior Vice President at Archie Comics, Harold Buccholz has taught college film classes and writes and draws the comic strip Sweetest Beasts on Instagram. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

12:30-2:30 pm:  Book Signing, Michael Willian:  “The Essential It’s a Wonderful Life — A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film.”  IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

1:00 pm: Pioneering episode of The Donna Reed Show, introduced by Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter). “The Big League Shock” (1965) addresses the stress and pressures felt by college students. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

1:30 pm:  “Victoria’s Voice.” Presentation by Shaylyn Ford, Mrs. World 2022, representing the Victoria’s Voice Foundation. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St. 

2:00 pm:  Special Presentation: Frank Capra and the Timeless Message of “It’s a Wonderful Life” — “Never Again Will There Be Anyone Like You.” Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm:  Autograph signing by Cast Members. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself). The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.

2:30 – 4:00 pm: The Timeless Message of “It’s a Wonderful Life”: Promoting the Value of Each Individual. Panel discussion organized in association with the Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St

4:00 pm:  Special Appearance by Karolyn Grimes. Trinity Church.

4:30 pm: Registration and Silent Auction start at Del Lago Resort, prior to the Preview Dinner.

5:00 pm: Shuttles start leaving The Gould Hotel for the Preview Dinner.

6:00 – 9:00 pm: Frank Capra’s Preview Dinner. MC: Monica Capra Hodges. Program includes a tribute to Frank Capra and a special screening of footage from the Picnic/Wrap Party for “It’s a Wonderful Life” provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Presentation of the Mensch Award to the Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, Donna Reed (accepted by Mary Owen), and Jimmy Stewart (recorded acceptance by his daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt).  Advance Tickets Required. Del Lago Resort, located right off Exit 41, NY State Thruway.

Dinner Tickets:  www.eventbrite.com/e/frank-capras-preview-dinner-tickets-372170039607