The Story: First of all, Merry Christmas. Or, as I like to call it Judaic Film Festivus—the best day of the year for going to movies.
Second of all, remember that it is Old Man Potter who steals the money, and causes all the troubles that compound in George Bailey's life in It's a Wonderful Life, and makes him contemplate suicide. He even suggests that George is better off dead from a practical point of view (given the parameter that he lives in a world where Potter exists and is such a massive A-hole). This makes Potter 1) a thief; 2) guilty of fraud; and 3) one sadistically sick exponent for the values of capitalism. Flash forward 60 years (or to 2015 when they're threatening to release a sequel) and he could follow it up with "I drink your milkshake!" (a phrase I still find more pathetic than threatening). Anyway, just to drive home the point what a vile human being Potter is.
Third, despite its latter-day reputation as a Christmas classic, it was an under-performer for RKO losing half a million dollars in its first run, competing for Holiday dollars with The Best Years of of Their Lives and Miracle on 34th Street. Its reputation was so lackluster it was allowed to slip into the public domain, where in the 1960's, small "art" theaters would show it for Christmas, and it became a Christmas annual in the 1970's. Capra was surprised by that. I see references to a Wall Street Journal interview where he talks about the phenomenon, but I haven't laid eyes on it, so I won't repeat anything that it "supposedly" says. But, every film has its "season"—upon its first release, and with wonderful second and third lives in the video market.
Fourth, this is my favorite scene—the aftermath of George Bailey being confronted, nightmarishly, with the world without him, and of how his insignificance proves to be a lynch-pin in so many lives beyond his—his begging of a suddenly vanished Clarence to return him to his life, after the vision of "Potterville" and the dire consequences on his friends and family. Dare I throw out the opinion that somewhere a "George" has died and Capra's bucolic America has turned into "Potterville," for real? Would I get any arguments?
So, a reprieve this Christmas, as George Bailey comes back to life—his life—and even his enemy gives him the best news he could ever hear: "Go on home. They're waiting for you."
The Set-Up:
Action!
EXT. BRIDGE OVER RIVER – NIGHT MEDIUM SHOT
The same part of the bridge where George was standing before Clarence jumped in. The wind is blowing as it has all through this sequence. George comes running into shot. He is frantically looking for Clarence.
GEORGE Clarence! Clarence!
GEORGE Help me, Clarence. Get me back. Get me back. I don't care what happens to me.
GEORGE Only get me back to my wife and kids. Help me, Clarence, please! Please!
GEORGE I want to live again! I want to live again.
CLOSEUP ––
George leaning on the bridge railing, praying.
GEORGE I want to live again. Please, God, let me live again.
George sobs. Suddenly, toward the end of the above, the wind dies down. A soft, gentle snow begins to fall.
CLOSE SHOT ––
George sobbing at the railing. The police car pulls up on the roadway behind him, and Bert comes into scene.
BERTHey, George!
BERT George! You all right?
George backs away and gets set to hit Bert again.
BERT (cont'd) Hey, what's the matter?
GEORGE (warningly) Now get out of here, Bert, or I'll hit you again!
GEORGE Go on. Get outta here!
BERT What the Sam Hill you yelling for, George?
GEORGEDon't . . . George?
George talks hopefully –– George touches Bert unbelievingly –– George's mouth is bleeding again.
GEORGE (cont'd) Bert, do you know me?
BERTKnow you? Are you kiddin'? I've been looking all over town trying to find you. I saw your car piled into that tree down there, and I thought maybe . . . Hey, your mouth's bleeding; are you sure you're all right?
GEORGEWhat did . . .
George touches his lips with his tongue, wipes his mouth with his hand, laughs happily. His rapture knows no bounds.
GEORGE (cont'd) (joyously) My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleed . . .
GEORGE (feeling in watch pocket) Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's . . . they're . . .
GEORGE they're here, Bert!
GEORGE What do you know about that?
GEORGE Merry Christmas!
He practically embraces the astonished Bert, then runs at top speed toward town.
BERT ...Merry Christmas.
LONG SHOT ––
George runs away from camera yelling:
GEORGEMary!
GEORGE Mary!
WIPE TO: EXTERIOR RESIDENTIAL STREET ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
George's wrecked car is smashed against the tree. He comes running into shot, sees the car, lets out a triumphant yell, pats the car, and dashes on.
EXTERIOR MAIN STREET BEDFORD FALLS ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
George sees that the POTTERSVILLE sign is now replaced by the original YOU ARE NOW IN BEDFORD FALLS sign.
GEORGE Yaaaay!
GEORGEHello, Bedford Falls!
He turns and runs through the falling snow up the main street of the town. As he runs, he notices that the town is back in its original appearance. He passes some late shoppers on the street:
GEORGE (cont'd) Merry Christmas!
PEOPLE (ad lib) Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, George!
EXTERIOR THEATRE ––
NIGHT PAN SHOT ––
As George runs by:
GEORGEMerry Christmas, movie house!
EXTERIOR BEDFORD FALLS EMPORIUM ––
NIGHT PAN SHOT ––
as George runs by:
GEORGEMerry Christmas, emporium!
EXTERIOR BUILDING AND LOAN OFICES ––
NIGHT PAN SHOT ––
As George runs by:
GEORGE Merry Christmas, you wonderful old...
GEORGE ...Building and Loan!
EXTERIOR BANK ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
George notices a light in Potter's office window, and races across the street.
INTERIOR POTTER'S OFFICE ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
Potter is seated working at his desk, his goon by his side. George pounds on the window.
GEORGE (from outside) Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!
George runs off as Potter looks up from his work.
POTTERHappy New Year to you –– in jail!
POTTER Go on home –– they're waiting for you!
It's a Wonderful Life
Words by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling, Michael Wilson. and Frank Capra
Pictures by Joseph Biroc, Joseph Walker, Victor Milner, and Frank Capra
It's a Wonderful Life is available on DVD and Blu-Ray on Republic Entertainment, Inc.
Second of all, remember that it is Old Man Potter who steals the money, and causes all the troubles that compound in George Bailey's life in It's a Wonderful Life, and makes him contemplate suicide. He even suggests that George is better off dead from a practical point of view (given the parameter that he lives in a world where Potter exists and is such a massive A-hole). This makes Potter 1) a thief; 2) guilty of fraud; and 3) one sadistically sick exponent for the values of capitalism. Flash forward 60 years (or to 2015 when they're threatening to release a sequel) and he could follow it up with "I drink your milkshake!" (a phrase I still find more pathetic than threatening). Anyway, just to drive home the point what a vile human being Potter is.
Third, despite its latter-day reputation as a Christmas classic, it was an under-performer for RKO losing half a million dollars in its first run, competing for Holiday dollars with The Best Years of of Their Lives and Miracle on 34th Street. Its reputation was so lackluster it was allowed to slip into the public domain, where in the 1960's, small "art" theaters would show it for Christmas, and it became a Christmas annual in the 1970's. Capra was surprised by that. I see references to a Wall Street Journal interview where he talks about the phenomenon, but I haven't laid eyes on it, so I won't repeat anything that it "supposedly" says. But, every film has its "season"—upon its first release, and with wonderful second and third lives in the video market.
Fourth, this is my favorite scene—the aftermath of George Bailey being confronted, nightmarishly, with the world without him, and of how his insignificance proves to be a lynch-pin in so many lives beyond his—his begging of a suddenly vanished Clarence to return him to his life, after the vision of "Potterville" and the dire consequences on his friends and family. Dare I throw out the opinion that somewhere a "George" has died and Capra's bucolic America has turned into "Potterville," for real? Would I get any arguments?
So, a reprieve this Christmas, as George Bailey comes back to life—his life—and even his enemy gives him the best news he could ever hear: "Go on home. They're waiting for you."
The Set-Up:
Action!
EXT. BRIDGE OVER RIVER – NIGHT MEDIUM SHOT
GEORGE Clarence! Clarence!
GEORGE Help me, Clarence. Get me back. Get me back. I don't care what happens to me.
GEORGE Only get me back to my wife and kids. Help me, Clarence, please! Please!
GEORGE I want to live again! I want to live again.
CLOSEUP ––
George leaning on the bridge railing, praying.
GEORGE I want to live again. Please, God, let me live again.
CLOSE SHOT ––
BERTHey, George!
BERT George! You all right?
George backs away and gets set to hit Bert again.
BERT (cont'd) Hey, what's the matter?
GEORGE (warningly) Now get out of here, Bert, or I'll hit you again!
GEORGE Go on. Get outta here!
BERT What the Sam Hill you yelling for, George?
GEORGEDon't . . . George?
George talks hopefully –– George touches Bert unbelievingly –– George's mouth is bleeding again.
GEORGE (cont'd) Bert, do you know me?
BERTKnow you? Are you kiddin'? I've been looking all over town trying to find you. I saw your car piled into that tree down there, and I thought maybe . . . Hey, your mouth's bleeding; are you sure you're all right?
GEORGEWhat did . . .
GEORGE (cont'd) (joyously) My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleed . . .
GEORGE (feeling in watch pocket) Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's . . . they're . . .
GEORGE they're here, Bert!
GEORGE What do you know about that?
GEORGE Merry Christmas!
He practically embraces the astonished Bert, then runs at top speed toward town.
BERT ...Merry Christmas.
LONG SHOT ––
George runs away from camera yelling:
GEORGEMary!
GEORGE Mary!
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
EXTERIOR MAIN STREET BEDFORD FALLS ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
GEORGE Yaaaay!
GEORGEHello, Bedford Falls!
He turns and runs through the falling snow up the main street of the town. As he runs, he notices that the town is back in its original appearance. He passes some late shoppers on the street:
GEORGE (cont'd) Merry Christmas!
PEOPLE (ad lib) Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, George!
EXTERIOR THEATRE ––
NIGHT PAN SHOT ––
As George runs by:
GEORGEMerry Christmas, movie house!
EXTERIOR BEDFORD FALLS EMPORIUM ––
NIGHT PAN SHOT ––
as George runs by:
GEORGEMerry Christmas, emporium!
EXTERIOR BUILDING AND LOAN OFICES ––
NIGHT PAN SHOT ––
As George runs by:
GEORGE Merry Christmas, you wonderful old...
GEORGE ...Building and Loan!
EXTERIOR BANK ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
NIGHT CLOSE SHOT ––
Potter is seated working at his desk, his goon by his side. George pounds on the window.
GEORGE (from outside) Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!
George runs off as Potter looks up from his work.
POTTERHappy New Year to you –– in jail!
POTTER Go on home –– they're waiting for you!
It's a Wonderful Life
Words by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling, Michael Wilson. and Frank Capra
Pictures by Joseph Biroc, Joseph Walker, Victor Milner, and Frank Capra
It's a Wonderful Life is available on DVD and Blu-Ray on Republic Entertainment, Inc.
