Bedford Falls
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bedford Falls is the fictional city in Frank Capra's 1946 cinematic classic It's a Wonderful Life. It is an attractive small town, presumably in upstate New York.
The name of the town is likely a combination of actual cities, Bedford Hills (in Westchester County near New York City) and Seneca Falls (between Rochester and Syracuse). Local lore has Capra visiting Seneca Falls many times, to visit a nearby relative, and thereafter using it as his model for the look and feel of the movie set. In the film, reference is made to Elmira and Buffalo, two Western New York communities.
The people of Seneca Falls have long been convinced of their town's association with Bedford Falls. The town has re-named streets for characters in the movie and by its Bailey's Ice Cream Shop is decorated in an It's a Wonderful Life theme.
[edit] Notable Citizens
- Peter Bailey - head of the upstanding Bailey family, owner of the Bailey Building & Loan
- George Bailey - takes over Bailey Building & Loan when father dies, son of Peter Bailey
- Mr. Henry F. Potter - owner of half of Bedford Falls, wealthiest and most avaricious
- Mary Hatch - wife of George Bailey
- Sam Wainright - entrepreneur friend of the Baileys
- Uncle Billy - business partner: Bailey Building & Loan
- Violet Bick - town "tramp"
- Mr. Gower - elderly drugstore owner
- Mrs. Welch - schoolteacher
- Mr. Martini - head of an Italian immigrant family that moves into Bailey Park, a development of George's.
- Nick - bar-owner
- Bert - notable police officer
- Ernie - taxi driver
