The Greatest Gift and It’s a Wonderful Life WebQuest

Comparing the Book to Film Section-

http://claytoncountylibrary.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/book-vs-movie-
the-greatest-gift-and-its-a-wonderful-life/

1. What are the similarities represented in both the book and the
movie?
• One part of the movie that stayed true to the book is the
part where the mysterious man (Clarence in the film)
shows up just as George is about to jump off of the bridge.
In both the film and short story Stern’s idea of how
important an individuals life is really shines through.
1. What do people say when comparing the book to the film?
• In the one comment below the person said how they loved
the film but never knew about the book.

The Author Section-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Van_Doren_Stern

1. As an author, what genre was Philip Van Doren Stern best

known?
• He is most famous for his work in Short Stories. He not only
wrote short stories but also annotated the short story
collections and writings of Edgar Allan Poe, Abraham
Lincoln, and Henry David Thoreau.
1. He wrote an anthology of Edgar Allan Poe’s work. What was that
anthology called?
• The Viking Portable Poe, worked on throughout 1945, was
a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s writings, that were re-told
and analyzed by Stern.

The Movie Section-http://www.cosmolearning.com/videos/its-a-

wonderful-life-1946-1110/
****The movie clip for this section would not load, but I tried to look it
up anyways because I did not just want to leave it blank. The
information below is from other recourses and not form the clip, so it
may be different.-Alyssa****
1. When was the movie It’s a Wonderful Life made?
• It was made in 1946.
1. When did it become a Christmas movie classic? Why?
• Though the film was not very popular when it was released
in December 1946 it later went on to be loved in 1973.
When the copyright lapsed in 1973 the film was
 programmed to show many times on American TV between
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
1. Where did the original story of It’s a Wonderful Life come?
• I believe the original idea for the film came from Phillip Van
Doren Stern’s short story, The Greatest Gift. Though many
say that it is like an original version of A Christmas Carol,
with a bit of a different story line.
1. Why is this film titled, It’s a Wonderful Life?
• I believe the title is so because that is exactly what George
realizes through his journey. He sees the importance in his
life and what a wonderful life it is. As well as it is for others
who see the film to realize that everyone’s life is a
wonderful life.
1. What other films have copied the plot of It’s a Wonderful Life?
• The only one that comes to mind that shares a similar plot
(not copied) would be A Christmas Carol.
1. What is the story of It’s a Wonderful Life based on?
• The film was based upon the short story of The Greatest
Gift.
1. How many Academy Award nominations did it get and in what
categories?
• The film received 5 Oscar nominations (Academy Awards)
in the categories of: Best Actor in a Leading Role-James
Stewart, Best Director-Frank Capra, Best Film Editing-
William Hornbeck, Best Sound, Recording-John Aalberg,
and Best Picture.

Trailers and Awards -http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/

1. Would you go see this movie after watching the trailer? Why or
why not?
• Yes, I would love to see this movie, now that I have seen
the trailer. It looks like a good classic that looks truly
heartfelt. It seems to be one of those great classics that
never die.
1. Where was Frank Capra Born?
• Frank Capra was born on May 18th, 1897 in Bisacquino,
Sicily, Italy.
1. How many Oscars did he receive?
• Frank won three Oscars(1935-It Happened One Night,
1937-Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and 1939 You Can’t Take It
with You.)
1. How many Golden Globes did he receive?
• He also received one Golden Globe for It’s a Wonderful Life
(Best Motion Picture Director.)
1. He has a Star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. What category
 and where is it located?
• Mr. Capra was given the honor of putting his mark on
Hollywood by receving a Star on the Walk of Fame. It is in
the category of Motion Picture and is located at 6614
Hollywood Blvd.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life won a Golden Globe Award in what year?
• The film received a Golden Globe in 1947 for the Best
Motion Picture Director, Frank Capra.

Frank Capra Mini Bio Section-

1. What form of transportation did the Capra family take from Sicily,
Italy to United States?
• On May 10, 1903, he and his family boarded the ship
Germania, and left for the United States. On May 23rd the
family arrived in New York.
1. What did Frank Capra do to pursue the American Dream?
• Instead of listening to his family, and droping out of high
school, Frank persued his education so he could fulfill the
American Dream.
1. He went to the Throop College of Technology. How much was
the annual tuition?
• The annual tuition for this college was $250.
1. Why was Frank Capra given a cash award of $250?
• He was singled out from his entire college to be awarded
this $250 because he had the highest grades in the school.
He also received a six week trip across the United States
and Canada!
1. Frank Capra acted in a film prior to directing. What was the film
called?
• The film was The Outcasts of Poker Flat which starred
Harry Carey. Frank, as an extra, was a laborer in the Ford
picture.
1. How many years did it take for Frank to become the #1 director
in Hollywood?
• “Time” magazine designated Frank with this title two
decades after his original movie debut, as an extra. Thus it
was 20 years after The Outcasts of Poker Flat.

Trivia Section-

1. While he was raising his four children, where did they live?
• His family lived in Fallbrook, California, USA.
1. How did he get his first film assignment?
• His first film assignment was awarded to him by answering
an ad in a Los Angeles newspaper.
 1. When did he Host the Academy Awards?
• Frank hosted the Academy Awards twice. First in 1936 and
then again in 1939.
1. Frank Capra had a political side. What was he a “staunch
opponent”
• Frank Capra was a staunch opponent of abortion.
1. Some of his Personal Quotes to reflect/connect on… Write two
sentences or more on…how do you think you can use this quote
to motivate you?
- “My advice to young filmmakers is this: Don’t follow trends. Start
them!”
- “A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something”
• I think in the first quote he is saying to not follow what
everyone else is doing, but if you come up with a great
idea, follow it and if you believe in yourself and it is great,
everyone else will think so too. As for the second quote he
is saying how a simple idea, question, or even a hunch can
lead you to marvelous places. All you have to do is follow
and fulfill it with yourself and your heart.

The Clip and Cast Section- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/

1. What does “lasso the moon and pull it down” mean?

• George is trying to express to Mary how much he loves her.
He is saying that he will do everything he can to capture
the moon for her and give it to her, if that is what she
wants. He will do anything for her because he loves her,
and wants to show her how he feels.
1. What does the man on the front porch say to George and Mary?
• The man on the porch tells George to kiss her instead of
talking to her.
1. Do people sit out on the front porch reading the paper much
anymore? Why or why not?
• No, they don’t. For one reason I think it’s because not
many people have porches anymore, especially in
California. Another reason is probably because people are
so busy in their lives that they don’t take that time to sit
down, enjoy the fresh air, read about what is going on in
the world, as well as see what is happening in their own
neighborhoods.
-James Stewart
1. How many films did he act in playing himself?
• A total of 108 film works, where James Stewart played
himself.
1. What film did he win his Best Actor Oscar in a Leading Role?
 • He won this Oscar award for his lead role in The
Philadelphia Story.
-Donna Reed
1. What did she star in when she won her Best Actress in a
Supporting Role Oscar?
• She won this Oscar for her work in From Here to Eternity.
1. How many films did she do prior to starring in It’s a Wonderful
Life?
• She acted in a total of 30 different works before starring in
It’s a Wonderful Life. However, if you exclude the television
episode roles, then for film alone she had 23 roles.
-Lionel Barrymore
1. What was the name of the film he won an Oscar for Best Actor in
a Leading Role?
• He won an Oscar in 1931 for his lead role in A Free Soul.
1. He is the great uncle of what current actress?
• The very popular actress and director Drew Barrymore.