Bedford Falls
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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. Indeed, according to Mr. Gower's telegram in the movie, Bedford Falls lies in New York state.
The name of the town is likely a combination of actual cities, Bedford Hills or Bedford (in Westchester County near New York City) and Seneca Falls (between Rochester and Syracuse) or Glens Falls (near Saratoga, north of Albany). 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, Rochester, and Buffalo, three upstate 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 its resturants such ZuZu Cafe and Antonina's (who around christmas time changes it's name to Martini's) also are named after charaters from the town's most beloved movie.
[edit] Notable citizens
- Peter Bailey - head of the upstanding Bailey family, owner of the Bailey Brothers Building & Loan
- George Bailey - son of Peter Bailey, takes over Bailey Brothers Building & Loan when father dies
- Harry Bailey - Peter's son and George's brother, Navy pilot decorated for heroic service in World War II
- 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
- Billy Bailey - Peter's brother and business partner, George's "Uncle Billy"
- Violet Bick - town "tramp"
- Mr. Gower - elderly drugstore owner
- Mrs. Welch - schoolteacher
- Mr. Martini - bar owner, head of an Italian immigrant family that moves into Bailey Park, a development of George's.
- Nick - bartender at Martini's
- Bert - notable police officer
- Ernie - taxi driver
