It’s A Wonderful “Snowy” Life

Picture Parade #5…It’s A Wonderful “Snowy” Life

This Frank Capra classic was shot from April 15 – July 27, 1946. The Bedford Falls Main Street sets were at the RKO Encino Ranch and for the Winter scenes, 3000 tons of shaved ice was for the snow pack on the ground.

Films made prior to this used white cornflakes for the falling snow effect, but because the cornflakes were so loud, dialogue had to be dubbed in later. Frank Capra wanted to record the sound live, so a new snow effect was developed using foamite (a fire-fighting chemical) and soap and water. This mixture was then pumped at high pressure through a wind machine to create the silent, falling snow. 6000 gallons of the new snow were used in the film. The RKO Effects Department received a Class III Scientific or Technical Award from the Motion Picture Academy for the development of the new film snow. Happy Holidays! Enjoy and Share! -Bobby Ellerbee

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