Town That Inspired ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Celebrates Film 75 Years Later

The classic holiday film “It’s a Wonderful Life” is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Karolyn Grimes played Zuzu, the daughter of Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey. She’s now 81 years old, and still recalls the fatherly affection Stewart showed her during filmmaking. A festival is underway in Seneca Falls, New York, a town thought to be the inspiration for the film’s Bedford Falls. The iconic scene of George Bailey leaping from a bridge to save a drowning man was inspired by real-life events.