The gloomy skies of fall were a little early this year, but I didn't mind. When I took these pictures last week, we were getting some rain, so welcome in a drought.
Today, I'm mixing some movie history in with pictures of skies.
These pictures were taken last week in Seneca Falls, New York, which many believe was the setting for the iconic Christmas classic movie from 1946, It's a Wonderful Life. Starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore it tells the story of George Bailey, native son of Bedford Falls.
Seneca Falls also had a major role in the history of women's suffrage, the 19th century battle to win women the right to vote.
The movie tells a story of sacrifice after sacrifice by George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart). Finally, despondent, he decides to jump off a bridge so that his family could collect on his life insurance policy. It's the same bridge where, as a 12 year old, he jumped into icy water to save the life of his brother, and lost part of his hearing as a result.
There's a break in the gloom as we walk onto the Bridge Street bridge.
It's an old steel bridge, quite rusted in spots. Nearby streets bear names connected to the movie.
Reflections of the sky on the water of the Seneca River. See those bells? They are connected with the movie, and people leave them on the bridge as tokens.
Some believe this true story of Antonio Varacalli jumping off this bridge to save the life of another was woven into the plot of It's a Wonderful Life. In other words, Seneca Falls is the real life Bedford Falls.
We'll never know for sure. It does make for an interesting story. What I do know is that this bridge is part of a movie mystery, and also has a place in the great history of our country.
...I have seen that bridge too!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I love visiting movie scenes in real life.
ReplyDeleteWhat great connections! I love the little bells.
ReplyDeleteInteresting little mystery. If only there were a way to know for sure. . .
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of circumstantial evidence pointing towards Seneca Falls. From the movie we do know Bedford Falls (the fictional town) was somewhere in New York State and we also know that Frank Capra once visited Seneca Falls.
DeleteIt is a double good story: movie mystery or history of the good old U.S.A.
ReplyDeleteI love walks through history--and mysteries! Perfect combination today, Alana!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and what an interesting history. Cool about the bells!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I like the bells too!
ReplyDeleteLots of movies are based off of real events, even if they were just the jumping off point for a writer's imagination.
ReplyDeleteThis is true. I found this movie was based on a story called "The Greatest Gift" published in 1943. I should hunt it down.
DeleteWere the streets named from the movie or the movie names from the streets? This is so great seeing these spots. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe streets were named from the movie.
DeleteLots of history in Seneca Falls. I may hav3 to take a trip.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post and photos ~ the bridge relating to a Wonderful Life is a great photo and naturally is one of my favorite ~ movies ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good heatlh, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
So interesting!
ReplyDelete