Maps of Movies
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Where It's a Wonderful Life says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
The small New York town that never existed was built on a California ranch that is now suburban houses, and two real places from the film still stand.
View on the mapScenes and places
Bedford Falls, the small town (1945)
On Christmas Eve 1945, the town of Bedford Falls is where George Bailey, a man who has given up his own plans for others, reaches his lowest point. Everything in the film hangs on this one small town.
Set in Bedford Falls — The fictional New York mill town where George Bailey grows up and where the whole story is set.
The frozen pond (1945)
As a boy, George jumps in to save his younger brother Harry from drowning. The rescue costs him the hearing in one ear and sets the pattern of his life: he helps others and pays for it.
Set in Frozen pond, Bedford Falls — Where twelve-year-old George pulls his younger brother out of icy water.
Gower's Drugs (1945)
George notices that the grieving pharmacist Mr. Gower has filled a prescription with the wrong pills. He quietly stops the mistake and saves a customer, at the cost of a slap in the face.
Set in Gower's Drugs, Genesee Street — The pharmacy on Genesee Street where George works as a young man.
The dance floor that opens (1945)
At a high-school dance, George and Mary Hatch are paired up in a Charleston contest. The floor slides open under the dancers and they all tumble into the pool, the first spark between George and Mary.
Set in Bedford Falls high school gymnasium — The school gym where the floor splits open over a swimming pool during a dance.
Filmed at Beverly Hills High School gymnasium (Beverly Hills High School, Beverly Hills, United States) — The swimming pool revealed in the dance sequence is in this gymnasium and was still in use as of December 2023. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 255 S. Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills; a working school campus, so check access first.
The Old Granville House (1945)
Walking home from the dance, George and Mary stop at the derelict house, where breaking a window earns a wish. It later becomes the Baileys' home, so the first wish becomes the family house.
Set in Old Granville House, 320 Sycamore — The empty, run-down house on Sycamore Street that local teenagers throw rocks at to make wishes.
Bailey Brothers Building and Loan (1945)
When his father dies, George puts off his world tour to keep the family business open against Potter, who wants it dissolved. He gives up school, travel and savings to keep ordinary families in their homes.
Set in Bailey Brothers Building and Loan — The family savings-and-loan office at the corner of Genesee Street and Jefferson Avenue.
The railway station (1945)
The station is the town's way out. George keeps looking at it and keeps staying, while others, like his brother Harry, come home from college and move on.
Set in Bedford Falls railway station — The town's railway station, where people leave and come home.
Potter's bank and office (1945)
Potter, who owns most of the town, is George's rival. When the Building and Loan's money goes missing, George comes here to beg for a loan, and Potter instead turns on him.
Set in Potter's bank, Genesee Street — The bank and office of Henry F. Potter, the town's richest man.
Bailey Park and the Martini house (1945)
George's company builds Bailey Park so ordinary families can own homes instead of renting from Potter. The Martini family, who moved out of Potter's Field, are among the first neighbors.
Set in Bailey Park (Martini family home) — The new housing development the Building and Loan builds to compete with Potter's slums.
Martini's bar (1945)
After Potter threatens him with the police, George flees to Martini's bar and prays for help. It is the low point before the bridge.
Set in Martini's bar, Bridge Street — Giuseppe Martini's bar on Bridge Street, with the town canal behind it.
The toll bridge (1945)
George goes to the toll bridge in the cold, thinking of ending his life, until something in the water makes him act. It is the film's turning point.
Set in Toll bridge, Bridge Street — The toll bridge on the edge of town.
Pottersville (1945)
George is shown what the town would be like without him: a crowded strip of bars and clubs where nobody knows him. The same town becomes a harsher place.
Set in Pottersville (alternate Bedford Falls) — The unsavory alternate version of the town where George was never born.
Characters
- George Bailey — A man who gave up his own dreams to keep his town's building and loan alive.
- Mary Hatch Bailey — The girl who has had a crush on George since childhood and later marries him.
- Henry F. Potter — The richest man in town, who wants to close the Building and Loan.
- Clarence Odbody — A guardian angel second class sent to save George.