Target Village - Bedford Falls Post Office

It is my firm belief that all of the buildings that were part of the Target village either actually appeared in It's a Wonderful Life, or were at least referred to in the film. But the post office is one that stumps me. I don't recall a reference to it, but I also don't remember ever seeing it in the background of any of the scenes.

There are several very large buildings in this collection, and the post office is one of the largest three.

The side of the box reads, "The people of Bedford Falls knew they were a city of some substance when the new Post Office was built just after World War I. Located near the railway station, it has been a link between Bedford Falls and the rest of the world. During World War II, just recently over, it was the center of activity in the town."

Well look at that, the box gives me a clue for where to look. It's amazing that in all of the years of owning this collection, I have never read the building descriptions on any of these boxes.

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Target Village - The Bedford Falls Police Station

I bought the police station and the police car from someone I met online after these buildings were no longer available in stores. The police station is located at the end of Genessee Street next to City Hall.

The side of the box reads, "In the sleepy town of Bedford Falls, a good cop is never far off. In fact, one always seemed just around the corner or down the street. And whenever George Bailey was in trouble, he'd turn to Bert, the truest, bluest cop on the force."

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Target Village - Mr. and Mrs. Martini's House in Bailey Park

This home appears only briefly but it represents the big idea of the American Dream.

The side of the box reads, "For years, the Martini's had struggled to afford a place of their own. With the development of Bailey Park, they realize their dream. George and Mary Bailey welcome the Martini's into their new home with gifts of bread, salt and wine."

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Target Village - Martini's Bar of Bedford Falls

Martini's is where a lot of things happen. George prays for help there, and looks for answers that can never be found in a bar.

The side of the box reads, "The neighborhood watering hole where the townsfolk of Bedford Falls would gather to relax after a hard day's work, toast special occasions or meet friends for a night of merriment."

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Target Village - Boston Company Luggage Store of Bedford Falls

George talks about travelling the world often. But it isn't until he gets to the luggage store that he starts to put all of the talk into action by searching for a suitcase.

The side of the box reads, "George came here for his first suitcase. The one that would take him to college and then off to Europe. He stood with his arms outstretch to show the proprietor the size suitcase he wanted. Something large enough to hold labels from all the wonderful places he would see."

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Target Village - The Bedford Falls Public Library

The library doesn't play a huge role in this film, until the Pottersville sequence. At that time, the library becomes Mary Hatch's employer as an "old maid."

The side of the box reads, "The quintessential small town library, this is where George Bailey's wife Mary works as a librarian. It's the kind of place the people of Bedford Falls like coming to for a bit of quiet and, of course, a good book."

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Target Village - Knickerbocker Inn

The Knickerbocker Inn can only be seen in a couple of scenes, including the scene where George, Bert and Ernie get distracted by a sultry Violet Bick.

The side of the box reads, "The Knickerbocker is Bedford Fall's finest (and only) hotel. Traveling businessmen, like Mr. Carter the bank examiner, stay here when visiting Bedford Falls. The ballroom at the Inn is also the place where the elite of Bedford Falls hold parties and dances.

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Target Village - Bedford Falls High School

The Bedford Falls High School is where the magic started to happen for George and Mary. After not seeing each other for four years, their eyes meet across the dance floor and they are instantly smitten with each other....although it would take awhile for them to figure it out.

In related news, the dance scene with the dividing gym floor with the pool underneath was filmed at Beverly Hills High School. My ex-wife's step-father attended school at Beverly Hills High School, played in that gym, and danced in that pool....for what it's worth.

The side of the box reads, "To help celebrate his brother's graduation, George Bailey wanders over to the high school dance. Before he knows it, he's kicking up a storm in a Charleston contest with his future wife, Mary Hatch. The crowd gasps as they sway. Not because they are great dancers, but because they're dancing on a gym floor that's slowly opening onto the edge of a swimming pool. They fall headlong into the pool and are soon joined by the rest of the reveling crowd."

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