It's a Wonderful Life

CLOSE SHOT – GEORGE AND CLARENCE

CLARENCE

Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and was drowned at the age of nine.

George jumps up.

GEORGE

That's a lie! Harry Bailey went to war! He got the Congressional Medal of Honor! He saved the lives of every man on that transport.

CLARENCE

(sadly)

Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry. You see, George, you really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?

CLOSEUP – GEORGE AND CLARENCE

GEORGE

Clarence...

CLARENCE

Yes, George?

GEORGE

Where's Mary?

CLARENCE

Oh, well, I can't...

GEORGE

I don't know how you know these things, but tell me – where is she?

George grabs Clarence by the coat collar and shakes him.

CLARENCE

I...

GEORGE

If you know where she is, tell me where my wife is.

CLARENCE

I'm not supposed to tell.

GEORGE

(becoming violent)

Please, Clarence, tell me where she is.

CLARENCE

You're not going to like it, George.

GEORGE

(shouting)

Where is she?

CLARENCE

She's an old maid. She never married.

GEORGE

(choking him)

Where's Mary? Where is she?

CLARENCE

She's...

GEORGE

Where is she?

CLARENCE

(in self-defense)

She's just about to close up the library!

George lets Clarence go, and runs off. Clarence falls to the ground, where he rubs his neck.

CLARENCE

(to himself)

There must be some easier way for me to get my wings.

WIPE TO:

EXT. LIBRARY – NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT

Mary comes out the door, then turns and locks it. We see George watching her from the sidewalk. Mary is very different – no buoyancy in her walk, none of Mary's abandon and love of life. Glasses, no make-up, lips compressed, elbows close to body. She looks flat and dried up, and extremely self-satisfied and efficient.

CLOSEUP

George, as he watches her.

CLOSE SHOT

George and Mary, on the sidewalk.

GEORGE

Mary!

She looks up, surprised, but, not recognizing him, continues on.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Mary!

Mary starts to run away from him, and he follows, desperately.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Mary! Mary!

He catches up to her, grabs her by the arms, and keeps a tight grip on her. She struggles to free herself.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Mary, it's George! Don't you know me? What's happened to us?

MARY

(struggling)

I don't know you! Let me go!

GEORGE

Mary, please! Oh, don't do this to me. Please, Mary, help me. Where's our kids? I need you, Mary! Help me, Mary!

Mary breaks away from him, and dashes into the first door she comes to, the Blue Moon Bar.

INT. BLUE MOON – NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT

Small tables, booths, perhaps a counter. It is crowded. Many of the people are the same who were present during the run on the Building and Loan. Mary comes running in, screaming. The place goes into an uproar. George comes in, practically insane. Some of the men grab and hold on to him.

GEORGE

(shouting)

Mary...

(to men holding him)

Let me go! Mary, don't run away!

MAN

Somebody call the police!

ANOTHER MAN

Hit him with a bottle!

ANOTHER MAN

He needs a strait jacket!

MARY

(from back of room)

That man – stop him!

GEORGE

(recognizing some of them)

Tom! Ed! Charlie! That's my wife!

Mary lets out a final scream, then faints into the arms of a couple of women at the bar.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Mary!

MAN

Oh, no you don't!

GEORGE

(screaming)

Mary!

George can't fight through the men holding him. Desperately he thinks of Clarence, and heads for the door.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Clarence! Clarence! Where are you?

EXT. SIDEWALK – NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT

Just as George breaks through the door, Bert arrives in his police car. He gets out and heads for the door, to run into George as he comes out.

BERT

Oh, it's you!

He grabs for George, who lets him have one square on the button, knocking him down, then continues running down the street yelling for Clarence. Bert gets up, takes out his gun and fires several shots after the fleeing figure.

BERT

(to crowd)

Stand back!

Bert gets into the police car, and, siren screaming, sets off in pursuit of George.

WIPE TO:

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! Help me, Clarence. Get me back. Get me back. I don't care what happens to me. Only get me back to my wife and kids. Help me, Clarence, please! Please! I want to live again!

CLOSEUP

George leaning on the bridge railing, praying.

GEORGE

I want to live again. 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.

BERT

Hey, George! 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! Get out!

BERT

What the Sam Hill you yelling for, George?

GEORGE

Don't... George?

George talks hopefully – George touches Bert unbelievingly – George's mouth is bleeding again.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Bert, do you know me?

BERT

Know 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?

GEORGE

What 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...

(feeling in watch pocket)

Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's... they're... they're here, Bert! What do you know about that? Merry Christmas!

He practically embraces the astonished Bert, then runs at top speed toward town.

LONG SHOT

George runs away from camera yelling
 

GEORGE

Mary! Mary!

WIPE TO:

EXT. 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.

EXT. 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

Hello, 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!

EXT. THEATRE – NIGHT

PAN SHOT – As George runs by:

GEORGE
Merry Christmas, movie house!

EXT. BEDFORD FALLS EMPORIUM – NIGHT

PAN SHOT – As George runs by:

GEORGE

Merry Christmas, emporium!

EXT. BUILDING AND LOAN OFICES – NIGHT

PAN SHOT – As George runs by:

GEORGE
Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!

EXT. BANK – NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT

George notices a light in Potter's office window, and races across the street.

INT. 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.

POTTER

Happy New Year to you – in jail! Go on home – they're waiting for you!

INT. GEORGE'S HOME – NIGHT

The lights are on. There is a fire in the fireplace. The Christmas tree is fully decorated with presents stacked around.

INT. ENTRANCE HALL – NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT

Carter, the bank examiner, a newspaper reporter and photographer, and a sheriff, are waiting in the hall for George. George comes dashing in the front door.

GEORGE

(excitedly)

Mary...

(sees the men)

Well, hello, Mr. Bank Examiner!

He grabs his hand and shakes it.

CARTER

(surprised)

Mr. Bailey, there's a deficit!

GEORGE

I know. Eight thousand dollars.

SHERIFF

(reaching into pocket)

George, I've got a little paper here.

GEORGE

(happily)

I'll bet it's a warrant for my arrest. Isn't it wonderful? Merry Christmas!

The photographer sets off a flash bulb.

GEORGE

Reporters? Where's Mary?

(calling)

Mary!

George runs to the kitchen. He gets no answer. As he goes:

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Oh, look at this wonderful old drafty house! Mary! Mary!

He comes running back to the hall.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Have you seen my wife?

CHILDREN'S VOICES

Merry Christmas, Daddy! Merry Christmas, Daddy!

INT. STAIRS – NIGHT

MEDIUM SHOT

The three children are at the top of the stairs. They are in their pajamas.

GEORGE

Kids!

George starts to run up the stairs, and the old familiar knob on the banister comes off in his hand. He kisses it lovingly and puts it back, then continues up the stairs.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Pete – kids – Janie – Tommy.

(takes them in his arms)

I could eat you up!

INT. TOP OF STAIRS – NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT

George and the kids. He is hugging them.

GEORGE

Where's your mother?

JANIE

She went looking for you with Uncle Billy.

Zuzu comes running out of her bedroom. George crushes her to him.

ZUZU

Daddy!

GEORGE

Zuzu – Zuzu. My little gingersnap! How do you feel?

ZUZU

Fine.