A walk through the streets of Bedford Falls and a stop at the real and the Enesco American Florist Shop

   Not long after George has his new suitcase he heads back home, but on the way he stops to hitch a ride with Ernie and chat with Bert. Bert is reading a copy of The Bedford Falls Sentinel , which is covering the nomination of Al Smith in 1928. Smith was the first Catholic to be nominated by a major party (Democratic), and largely because of that, was easily defeated by Herbert Hoover (Republican) in the subsequent election. Hoover, coincidentally can be seen in a portrait hanging in George's office later on in the film.

   Side note alert! Also in that shot is a gang of old football players that we could presume to be George and his pals. Reference to this comes from Sam Wainwright just before George sees Mary grown up for the first time at the dance. Wainwright makes the comment speaking to Harry Bailey:

"Well, you'd better make it fast. We need great ends like you. (Harry) Not broken-down old guys, like this one! (George)"

We'll never know but I like to make the connection. I suppose it could be of his brother Harry's team. George rightly also has his picture of his mother on his desk and we already have mentioned the portrait of his late father in an earlier post. 

   Meanwhile back on location, as Bert and Ernie talk and make to go their separate ways a walking distraction strides by. This is our dramatic first encounter with the little girl who likes all boys, all grown up. Violet Bick was played by Gloria Grahame who was 23 at the time. Grahame is most famous for her role as Violet which is significant because she also won an academy award for her performance in The Bad and the Beautiful in 1952. Her career faded after the 50's and she passed away in 1981. Oddly her last marriage was arguably her most successful one, and it was to her former stepson. Violet has had some lasting power that few besides the lead roles had. She's on facebook, she's a consulting firm, and her namesake has been slapped onto foods representing her duel personalities of sweet and spicy. I don't think it's a coincidence that Capra chose to introduce the adult Violet in a scene in which she walks down a street directly past the Bedford Falls American Florist shop. Being named Violet, this seems a direct twist on our quick glimpse of the florist shop. She's pulling attention from every man in sight, (including the man who makes me laugh ever time as he's almost hit by a car) and as all eyes are on her and her dress it's a flower store in the background. This must be the place where George purchased the wreath he carries on CHRISTmas eve and where Zu Zu's flower might have come from. Mary decorates their first night in 320 Sycamore with flowers that must have come from the wedding decorations, and subsequently the Florist shop as well. That's what I like to think though. :)

You can watch just the scene here

    For location purposes you can see the shop lies across somewhat from Gowers. As young George runs out in the movie beginning we see the shop briefly again for only a split second. 

Bedford Falls florist shop

  But onto the shop itself. Here again is the Enesco village, specifically the American Florist Shop of Bedford Falls. Box first, and certificate. It's from the 5th series of the village. 1 of 4. Enjoy

Bedford Falls Florist Shop

Bedford Falls Florist Shop

Bedford Falls Florist Shop. Front Box. Click the Read more below to see all the rest of the photos.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop

Bedford Falls Florist Shop Cert

Enesco Logo

The brick pattern is by far the best of the village series

Bedford Falls Florist Shop. Going for the view from the street as Violet walks 

Signage 

Front agle. Love the striped canvas out front.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop rear door. Enesco added these to a lot of their buildings. I guess stores have to load their contents. 

Another side shot displaying the nice brick. The height also makes it a striking piece. Looks great all the time. 

Straight on frontal shot. 

Roof with single smoker

Angle shot with roof. Love the snow patters on the two story ledges. 

Reverse of above. 

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

   And here are the few dark shots that came through. I will definitely have to come back and replace these later with the better camera but you can at least see how well the two story lights look. Especially when compared to so many single story buildings in the village.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.

Bedford Falls Florist Shop.


George Bailey: "Hello, Violet. Hey, you look good, that's some dress you got on there."
Violet Bick: "This old thing? Why, I only wear it when I don't care how I look."