It's a Wonderful Life

MARY

(calling out)

Mr. Martini. How about some wine?

As various members of the family bring out a punch bowl and glasses, Janie sits down at the piano and strikes a chord. She starts playing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and the entire crowd joins in the singing. We see a SERIES OF SHOTS of the various groups singing the hymn, and some people are still coming in and dropping their money on the table. Carter, the bank examiner, makes a donation; the sheriff sheepishly looks at George and tears his warrant in small pieces. In the midst of this scene, Harry, in Naval uniform, enters, accompanied by Bert, the cop.

HARRY
Hello, George, how are you?

GEORGE

Harry... Harry...

HARRY

(as he sees the money)

Mary – looks like I got here too late.

BERT

Mary, I got him here from the airport as quickly as I could. The fool flew all the way up here in a blizzard.

Mrs. Bailey enters scene.

MRS. BAILEY

Harry, how about your banquet in New York?

HARRY

Oh, I left right in the middle of it as soon as I got Mary's telegram.

Ernie hands Harry a glass of wine.

HARRY (CONT'D)

Good idea, Ernie. A toast... to my big brother, George. The richest man in town!

Once more the crowd breaks into cheering and applause. Janie at the piano and Bert on his accordion start playing "Auld Lang syne," and everyone joins in.

CLOSE SHOT

George, still holding Zuzu in his arms, glances down at the pile of money on the table. His eye catches something on top of the pile, and he reaches down for it. It is Clarence's copy of "Tom Sawyer." George opens it and finds an inscription written in it: "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love Clarence."

MARY

(looking at book)

What's that?

GEORGE

That's a Christmas present from a very dear friend of mine.

At this moment, perhaps because of the jostling of some of the people on the other side of the tree, a little silver bell on the Christmas tree swings to and fro with a silvery tinkle. Zuzu closes the cover of the book, and points to the bell.

ZUZU

Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.

GEORGE

(smiling)

That's right, that's right.

He looks up toward the ceiling and winks.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Attaboy, Clarence.

The voices of the people singing swell into a final crescendo for the
 

FADE OUT

THE END