100+ Its A Wonderful Life Trivia Questions & Answers

Question: Who directed the classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Frank Capra

Question: What short story by Philip Van Doren Stern is "It's a Wonderful Life" based on?

Answer: "The Greatest Gift"

Question: Which production company was responsible for producing "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Liberty Films

Question: When did principal photography for Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" begin?

Answer: April 15, 1946

Question: How long was the principal photography schedule for the film "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: 90 days

Question: What was the budget for the beloved Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: $3.18 million

Question: Which studio distributed Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: RKO Radio Pictures

Question: Who were the primary screenwriters for the film "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Frank Capra

Question: Which cinematographer, known for working with Frank Capra, was involved in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Joseph Walker

Question: What innovative method was developed by RKO's special effects department for the snow in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: A compound using water, soap flakes, foamite, and sugar

Question: How many actors did Frank Capra consider for the 17 supporting roles in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: More than 170

Question: Which actress was eventually cast as Mary Hatch Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Donna Reed

Question: Which actor portrayed the villain Mr Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Lionel Barrymore

Question: What was the original title of the screenplay before Frank Capra renamed it to "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: "The Greatest Gift"

Question: Which town is believed by some to have inspired the fictional Bedford Falls in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Seneca Falls, New York

Question: What is the name of George Bailey's pet raven in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Jimmy the raven

Question: Which art director's sets were adapted to create Bedford Falls in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Max Ree from the film "Cimarron"

Question: Who composed the music for Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Dimitri Tiomkin

Question: What technical achievement award did "It's a Wonderful Life" win?

Answer: For the development of a new method of simulating falling snow

Question: Which actor improvised the line "I'm all right! I'm all right!" as Uncle Billy in the film?

Answer: Thomas Mitchell

Question: What is the running time of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: 131 minutes

Question: Which company purchased Liberty Films in 1955, affecting the movie rights of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: M. & A. Alexander

Question: Who took over cinematography duties after Victor Milner fell ill during the making of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Joseph Biroc

Question: What was the original method for creating snow in films before "It's a Wonderful Life" introduced a new technique?

Answer: Using untoasted cornflakes

Question: Which writer worked on the screenplay of "It's a Wonderful Life" but was credited only for "additional scenes"?

Answer: Jo Swerling

Question: Who is the main protagonist in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: George Bailey

Question: What critical decision does George Bailey contemplate on Christmas Eve in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Suicide

Question: What is the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in the film?

Answer: Clarence Odbody

Question: If George Bailey had never existed, what would Bedford Falls be called?

Answer: Pottersville

Question: Who does George Bailey marry in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Mary Hatch

Question: What business does George take over after his father's sudden death?

Answer: Bailey Brothers Building and Loan

Question: Who is the avaricious board member opposing the Building and Loan in the movie?

Answer: Mr. Potter

Question: What heroic act does Harry Bailey perform during World War II?

Answer: Prevents a kamikaze attack on a troopship

Question: What event causes the Building and Loan to face a financial crisis in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Uncle Billy misplaces $8,000

Question: What wish does George Bailey make that leads Clarence to show him an alternate reality?

Answer: That he had never been born

Question: What is the name of George and Mary's youngest daughter in the film?

Answer: Zuzu

Question: In the alternate reality shown by Clarence, what happens to Harry Bailey?

Answer: He drowns as a child

Question: What song is sung when the bell on the Christmas tree rings in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: "Auld Lang Syne"

Question: What job offer does Harry receive upon returning from college in the movie?

Answer: A position from his father-in-law

Question: How does George rescue Clarence from jumping off the bridge in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: He dives into the freezing river

Question: What does George discover in the alternate Bedford Falls?

Answer: Harry's grave and Mary as an "old maid" librarian

Question: What does George use as collateral when seeking a loan from Mr. Potter?

Answer: His life insurance policy

Question: What happens to Mr Gower in the alternate reality of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: He is jailed for manslaughter

Question: What is the running time of the film "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: 131 minutes

Question: What action does George take to keep the Building and Loan solvent during a bank run?

Answer: Uses his savings

Question: Who plays the role of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: James Stewart

Question: What does the town donate to help George in the end of the movie?

Answer: More than enough money to replace the missing funds

Question: What does Zuzu explain about the ringing bell at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings"

Question: What award does Harry Bailey receive in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: The Medal of Honor

Question: What is the name of George Bailey's uncle in the film?

Answer: Uncle Billy

Question: How much did "It's a Wonderful Life" need to earn to break even?

Answer: $6.3 million

Question: When did "It's a Wonderful Life" enter the public domain in the U.S.?

Answer: 1974

Question: Which organization selected "It's a Wonderful Life" for preservation in 1990?

Answer: United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress

Question: What ranking did the American Film Institute give "It's a Wonderful Life" on its list of most inspirational American films?

Answer: No. 1

Question: In what year did "It's a Wonderful Life" become a television staple?

Answer: 1976

Question: What approval rating does "It's a Wonderful Life" hold on Rotten Tomatoes?

Answer: 94%

Question: What score does "It's a Wonderful Life" have on Metacritic?

Answer: 89 out of 100

Question: Which famous director cited "It's a Wonderful Life" as one of his favorite movies?

Answer: Steven Spielberg

Question: How many Academy Award nominations did "It's a Wonderful Life" receive?

Answer: Five

Question: Did "It's a Wonderful Life" win the Best Picture Oscar?

Answer: No, it lost to "The Best Years of Our Lives"

Question: What Golden Globe Award did Director Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life win?

Answer: Best Motion Picture Director

Question: What ranking did the American Film Institute give "It's a Wonderful Life" in its 1998 greatest movie list?

Answer: No. 11

Question: Which UK publication ranked "It's a Wonderful Life" as the seventh-greatest film ever made?

Answer: Channel 4

Question: What place did "It's a Wonderful Life" have at the 1947 box office?

Answer: Placed 26th

Question: What genre did the American Film Institute give "It's a Wonderful Life" the third spot in 2008?

Answer: Fantasy genre

Question: Which film surpassed "It's a Wonderful Life" in box office earnings in 1947?

Answer: "The Best Years of Our Lives"

Question: How did "It's a Wonderful Life" perform financially upon its initial release?

Answer: Unsuccessful

Question: In what year was "It's a Wonderful Life" restored in 4K resolution?

Answer: 2017

Question: What character in "It's a Wonderful Life" is ranked #6 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains?

Answer: Mr. Potter

Question: What is the name of the festival held annually in Seneca Falls inspired by "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: It's a Wonderful Life Festival

Question: Which characters' names in "It's a Wonderful Life" are associated with an urban legend involving Sesame Street?

Answer: Bert and Ernie

Question: Which company released the first colorized version of "It's a Wonderful Life" in 1986?

Answer: Hal Roach Studios

Question: Which character is portrayed by Beulah Bondi in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Mrs. Bailey

Question: What is the name of the high school where the gym dance scene was filmed in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Beverly Hills High School

Question: What notable ranking did "It's a Wonderful Life" receive from the BBC TV listings magazine "Radio Times" in 2004?

Answer: Second in Best Film

Question: Which actor played Uncle Billy in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Thomas Mitchell

Question: What is the name of George Bailey's brother in the film?

Answer: Harry Bailey

Question: Which real-life banker is George Bailey's character based on in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: A. P. Giannini

Question: What is the name of George's best friend who becomes an engineer in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Sam Wainwright

Question: Who composed the original score for "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Dimitri Tiomkin

Question: What was the original ending music before "Auld Lang Syne" was used in the film?

Answer: "Ode to Joy"

Question: Which high school gym was used for the school dance scene in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Beverly Hills High School

Question: Which actor convinced James Stewart to take the role of George Bailey?

Answer: Lionel Barrymore

Question: What is the name of George and Mary's daughter in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Zuzu Bailey

Question: Which actor portrayed Clarence Odbody, George Bailey's guardian angel?

Answer: Henry Travers

Question: What was the original publication year of "The Greatest Gift," the short story behind the film?

Answer: 1943

Question: Which actress portrayed Mary Hatch Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Donna Reed

Question: What was the reason for the initial box office failure of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: It did not reach its break-even point of $6.3 million

Question: Which famous actor was initially considered for the role of George Bailey before James Stewart was cast?

Answer: Henry Fonda

Question: What gift does Clarence give George at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: A copy of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" inscribed with a message

Question: How many oak trees were planted on the Bedford Falls set for the movie?

Answer: 20 full-grown oak trees

Question: What is the name of the company that developed the new snow effect for "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: RKO's special effects department

Question: When was "It's a Wonderful Life" released to wide audiences?

Answer: January 7, 1947

Question: Who edited the film "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: William Hornbeck

Question: What is the name of the actress who played Violet Bick in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Gloria Grahame

Question: What is the name of George Bailey's wife in the movie?

Answer: Mary Hatch Bailey

Question: Which actor was originally considered for the role of George Bailey before Frank Capra chose James Stewart?

Answer: Cary Grant

Question: Which character is portrayed by Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: George Bailey

Question: Which actor portrayed Mr. Gower, the pharmacist, in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: H. B. Warner

Question: What role does Ward Bond play in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Answer: Bert, the bus driver