Cars and Characters of ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ (1946)

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~ by Michelle Demaras ~

So many Christmas movies watch, it’s hard to decide. From animated movies like ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas‘ to Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Die Hard‘. But you’ve got to respect the classics like ‘It’s A Wonderful Life‘ the 1946 Frank Capra flick. It checks every box. The little town of Bedford Falls is so immersive, you’ll feel like you grew up there. The tearjerker story of George Bailey is an incredible performance by Jimmy Stewart his first role after returning home from WWII as a decorated war-hero.

The outstanding cast fleshes out each character with details right down to the cars they drive, and what the vehicles say about them. Here’s just a few examples:

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Ernie’s 1930 GMC Model 6 Taxicab

Throughout the movie, Bert the cop and Ernie the cabbie are George Bailey’s best buddies. These are regular guys driving working class vehicles. While Bert’s police car appears briefly in the final scenes, on the other hand Ernie’s 1930 GMC Model 6 taxicab appears often. It’s the wedding limousine that drives George home to 320 Sycamore St. When parked at the cab stand, they Yellow Cab is where all George, Bert and Ernie hang out.

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Sam Wainwright 1931 Duesenberg Town Car

On the opposite side of the spectrum is the car driven by Sam Wainwright. A childhood pal of George Bailey, Sam has struck it rich in plastics and visits Beford Falls driving a 1931 Duesenberg Formal Town Car. These luxury cars were the American equivalent of a Rolls-Royce, and Duesenbergs often had a bespoke (or custom) body to fit the owner’s taste. Wainwright’s car has a ‘coupe de ville’ body style by coachbuilder Rollston. Characterized by an open-topped driver’s cockpit plus an enclosed passenger compartment, the car establishes Sam as so upper-class, his chauffer doesn’t even breath the same air that Sam does!

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Potter’s Horse-Drawn Carriage

One of the opening scenes, set in 1919, shows the horse and carriage of the movie’s villain, Mr. Potter. As young George Bailey and his pals joyfully stroll down the street in Bedford Falls, they abruptly stop when Potter arrives. Two black horses pull Potter’s ornate Barouche style carriage, usually reserved for royalty. Identified by its signature curved shape, Potter has had his initials monogramed on the side, as if it were a royal crest. This vehicle establishes Potter as old-money rich. In 1919 he could have owned a luxury car, but this bad guy still uses horse drawn carriage…like Dracula.

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George Bailey’s 1919 Dodge

Throughout “It’s a Wonderful Life” Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey drives the same 1919 Dodge Brothers touring car. It’s modest and dependable, just like George Bailey. It serves its purpose without fanfare. Big enough to move the Martini family into their new house in Bailey Park, including the family’s goat in the back seat.

While some believe that George Bailey represents Jesus in this film, George is entirely human. He is envious of his friend Sam Wainwright’s flashy ride. George kick’s the Dodge’s door in anger, and it sticks for the rest of the film. It’s even the same car that drunken George crashes into a tree before considering suicide.

George is too busy building Bailey Park, and saving Bedford Falls from evil Mr. Potter, to do something nice for himself like get a new car. Plus, quite frankly, George is broke.

George Bailey’s breakdown scene, the one where he yells at his kids and smashes his skyscraper model, is all set off by little Tommy saying “Daddy, the Brown’s next door have a new car. You should see it!“

When dad is having a nervous breakdown and facing jail time, it’s probably not a good time to point out how crappy his broken-down old Dodge is. It could push a man over the edge!

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