It's a Wonderful Life

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Wait a minute. What am I doing? This is a very interesting situation.

MARY

(from the bushes)

Please give me my robe.

GEORGE

Hmm... A man doesn't get in a situation like this every day.

MARY

(impatiently)

I'd like to have my robe.

GEORGE

Not in Bedford Falls, anyway.

Mary thrashes around in the bushes. We hear her say:

MARY

Ouch!

GEORGE

Gesundheit. This requires a little thought here.

MARY

(getting mad)

George Bailey! Give me my robe!

GEORGE

I've heard about things like this, but I've never...

MARY

(interrupting)

Shame on you. I'm going to tell your mother on you.

GEORGE

Oh, my mother's way up the corner there.

MARY

(desperate)

I'll call the police.

GEORGE

They're way downtown. They'd be on my side, too.

MARY

I'm going to scream!

GEORGE

(thoughtfully)

Maybe I could sell tickets. Let's see. No, the point is, in order to get this robe... I've got it! I'll make a deal with you, Mary.

Headlights flash into the scene, and the old Bailey automobile drives in, with Harry at the wheel, and Uncle Billy beside him.

UNCLE BILLY

George! George! Come on home, quick! Your father's had a stroke!

George throws Mary's robe over the bush and gets into the car.

GEORGE

Mary... Mary, I'm sorry. I've got to go.

HARRY

Come on, George, let's hurry.

GEORGE

Did you get a doctor?

UNCLE BILLY

Yes, Campbell's there now.

CLOSEUP – THE HYDRANGEA BUSH

As the car drives off, Mary, now wearing the robe, rises up from the bush and follows the car with her eyes.

FADE OUT

FADE IN:

EXT. BAILEY BUILDING AND LOAN SIGN OVER ENTRANCE

INT. BAILEY BUILDING AND LOAN OFFICE – DAY

CLOSE SHOT – DIRECTORS MEETING

There are about twelve directors seated around a long table. They are the substantial citizens of Bedford Falls: Dr. Campbell, a lawyer, an insurance agent, a real estate salesman, etc. Prominently seated among them is Henry F. Potter, his goon beside his wheelchair. Uncle Billy and George are seated among the directors. The Chairman of the Board is Dr. Campbell. They have folders and papers before them, on which they have been reporting. Before each of the directors there are individual reports for them to study.

DR. CAMPBELL

I think that's all we'll need you for, George. I know you're anxious to make a train.

GEORGE

(rising)

I have a taxi waiting downstairs.

DR. CAMPBELL

I want the Board to know that George gave up his trip to Europe to help straighten things out here these past few months. Good luck to you at school, George.

GEORGE

Thanks.

DR. CAMPBELL

Now we come to the real purpose of this meeting – to appoint a successor to our dear friend, Peter Bailey.

POTTER

Mr. Chairman, I'd like to get to my real purpose.

MAN

Wait just a minute now.

POTTER

Wait for what? I claim this institution is not necessary to this town. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to dissolve this institution and turn its assets and liabilities over to the receiver.

UNCLE BILLY

(angrily)

George, you hear what that buzzard...

LAWYER

Mr. Chairman, it's too soon after Peter Bailey's death to discuss chloroforming the Building and Loan.

MAN

Peter Bailey died three months ago. I second Mr. Potter's motion.

DR. CAMPBELL

Very well. In that case I'll ask the two executive officers to withdraw.

Dr. Campbell rises from his seat. George and Uncle Billy start to collect their papers and leave the table.

DR. CAMPBELL

(continued)

But before you go, I'm sure the whole board wishes to express its deep sorrow at the passing of Peter Bailey.

GEORGE

Thank you very much.

DR. CAMPBELL

It was his faith and devotion that are responsible for this organization.

POTTER

I'll go further than that. I'll say that to the public Peter Bailey was the Building and Loan.

Everyone looks at him surprised.

UNCLE BILLY

(trying to control himself)

Oh, that's fine, Potter, coming from you, considering that you probably drove him to his grave.

POTTER

Peter Bailey was not a business man. That's what killed him. Oh, I don't mean any disrespect to him, God rest his soul. He was a man of high ideals, so-called, but ideals without common sense can ruin this town.

(picking up papers from table)

Now, you take this loan here to Ernie Bishop... You know, that fellow that sits around all day on his brains in his taxi. You know... I happen to know the bank turned down this loan, but he comes here and we're building him a house worth five thousand dollars. Why?

George is at the door of the office, holding his coat and papers, ready to leave.

GEORGE

Well, I handled that, Mr. Potter. You have all the papers there. His salary, insurance. I can personally vouch for his character.

POTTER

(sarcastically)

A friend of yours?

GEORGE

Yes, sir.

POTTER

You see, if you shoot pool with some employee here, you can come and borrow money. What does that get us? A discontented, lazy rabble instead of a thrifty working class. And all because a few starry-eyed dreamers like Peter Bailey stir them up and fill their heads with a lot of impossible ideas. Now, I say...

George puts down his coat and comes around to the table, incensed by what Potter is saying about his father.

GEORGE

Just a minute – just a minute. Now, hold on, Mr. Potter. You're right when you say my father was no business man. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, penny-ante Building and Loan, I'll never know. But neither you nor anybody else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was... Why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn't that right, Uncle Billy? He didn't save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me. But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter. And what's wrong with that? Why... Here, you're all businessmen here. Doesn't it make them better citizens? Doesn't it make them better customers? You... you said... What'd you say just a minute ago?... They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait! Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they're so old and broken-down that they... Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be!

POTTER

I'm not interested in your book. I'm talking about the Building and Loan.

GEORGE

I know very well what you're talking about. You're talking about something you can't get your fingers on, and it's galling you. That's what you're talking about, I know.

(to the Board)

Well, I've said too much. I... You're the Board here. You do what you want with this thing. Just one thing more, though. This town needs this measly one-horse institution if only to have some place where people can come without crawling to Potter. Come on, Uncle Billy!

George leaves the room, followed by the jubilant Uncle Billy. Potter's face is grim with hatred. The "frustrated old man" remark was gall in his veins.

POTTER

Sentimental hogwash! I want my motion...

He is interrupted by a babble of talk, as the directors take up the argument.

INT. OUTER OFFICE – BUILDING AND LOAN – DAY

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT

George, visibly shaken, is busy with his bag, his papers. He is worried about the outcome of the meeting. Dissolving the Building and Loan will alter his plans. Uncle Billy follows him around, chattering.

UNCLE BILLY

Boy, oh, boy, that was telling him, George, old boy. You shut his big mouth.

(to Cousin Tilly and Cousin Eustace)

You should have heard him.

COUSIN EUSTACE

What happened? We heard a lot of yelling.

UNCLE BILLY

Well, we're being voted out of business after twenty-five years. Easy come, easy go.

COUSIN TILLY

(reading a newspaper)

Here it is, "Help Wanted – Female."

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT – DOORWAY TO OFFICE

Ernie is in the doorway.

ERNIE

You still want me to hang around, George?

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT – GEORGE AND THE OTHERS

GEORGE

(looking at his watch)

Yeah, I'll be right down.

UNCLE BILLY

Hey, you'll miss your train. You're a week late for school already. Go on.

GEORGE

(indicating Board room)

I wonder what's going on in there?

UNCLE BILLY

Oh, never mind. Don't worry about that. They're putting us out of business. So what? I can get another job. I'm only fifty-five.

COUSIN TILLY

Fifty-six!

UNCLE BILLY

Go on – go on. Hey, look, you gave up your boat trip, now you don't want to miss college too, do you?

Dr. Campbell comes running out, all excited.

DR. CAMPBELL

George! George! They voted Potter down! They want to keep it going!

Cousin Eustace, Cousin Tilly and Uncle Billy cheer wildly. Dr. Campbell and George shake hands.

UNCLE BILLY

Whoopee!

DR. CAMPBELL

But they've got one condition – only one condition.

GEORGE

What's that?

DR. CAMPBELL

That's the best part of it. They've appointed George here as executive secretary to take his father's place.

GEORGE

Oh, no! But, Uncle Billy...

DR. CAMPBELL

You can keep him on. That's all right. As secretary you can hire anyone you like.

GEORGE

(emphatically)

Dr. Campbell, now let's get this thing straight. I'm leaving. I'm leaving right now. I'm going to school. This is my last chance. Uncle Billy here, he's your man.

DR. CAMPBELL

But, George, they'll vote with Potter otherwise.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT. SKY – NIGHT

The same stars we saw in the opening sequence are once more twinkling as we hear the voices form Heaven

CLARENCE'S VOICE

I know. I know. He didn't go.

JOSEPH'S VOICE

That's right. Not only that, but he gave his school money to his brother Harry, and sent him to college. Harry became a football star – made second team All American.

CLARENCE'S VOICE

Yes, but what happened to George?

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT. RAILROAD STATION – DAY – FOUR YEARS LATER

MEDIUM SHOT

Characteristic activity; a number of people waiting for the train. Uncle Billy is seated on a baggage wagon eating peanuts as George paces up and down in front of him.

JOSEPH'S VOICE

George got four years older, waiting for Harry to come back and take over the Building and Loan.

GEORGE

Oh, there are plenty of jobs around for somebody that likes to travel. Look at this.

(takes some folders from his pocket)

There... Venezuela oil fields – wanted, man with construction experience. Here's the Yukon, right here – wanted, man with engineering experience.

The WHISTLE of the approaching train is heard.

GEORGE (CONT'D)

Thar she blows. You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are?

UNCLE BILLY

Uh-huh. Breakfast is served; lunch is served; dinner...

GEORGE

No, no, no, no! Anchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles.

UNCLE BILLY

Peanut?

WIPE TO:

EXT. TRAIN – DAY

MEDIUM SHOT

The train comes to a stop, and Harry is among the first to get off, followed by an attractive girl about the same age as he is. George rushes into the shot, and as the brothers embrace:

GEORGE

(joyously)

There's the professor now! Old professor, Phi Beta Kappa Bailey! All American!

HARRY

Well, if it isn't old George Geographic Explorer Bailey! What? No husky dogs? No sled?

(to Uncle Billy)

Uncle Billy, you haven't changed a bit.

UNCLE BILLY

Nobody ever changes around here. You know that.

GEORGE

Oh, am I glad to see you.

HARRY

Say, where's Mother?

GEORGE

She's home cooking the fatted calf. Come on, let's go.

HARRY

Oh, wait. Wait... Wait a minute.

CLOSE SHOT

The group, including Ruth Dakin. This is the young lady who came off the train with Harry. In the excitement of greetings she has been momentarily forgotten. She stands, smiling, waiting.

GEORGE

Hello.

UNCLE BILLY

How do you do.

HARRY

Ruth Dakin.

RUTH

Ruth Dakin Bailey, if you don't mind.

George and Uncle Billy stare, astounded.

UNCLE BILLY

Huh?

HARRY

Well, I wired you I had a surprise. Here she is. Meet the wife.

George is thunderstruck. He takes Ruth's hand.

UNCLE BILLY

Well, what do you know – wife.

GEORGE

Well, how do you do. Congratulations. Congratulations. What am I doing?

He kisses Ruth.

CAMERA MOVES WITH them down the platform.

GEORGE
Harry, why didn't you tell somebody?

(to Ruth)

What's a pretty girl like you doing marrying this two-headed brother of mine?

RUTH

(smiling)

Well, I'll tell you. It's purely mercenary. My father offered him a job.

George stops, with a sinking feeling. Uncle Billy and Ruth continue out of shot. Harry stops with George.

UNCLE BILLY

(as he moves off)

Oh, he gets you and a job? Well, Harry's cup runneth over.

HARRY

George... about that job. Ruth spoke out of turn. I never said I'd take it. You've been holding the bag here for four years, and... well, I won't let you down, George. I would like to... Oh, wait a minute. I forgot the bags. I'll be right back.

He runs out of the shot, George watching him.

CLOSE SHOT

George slowly moves after Uncle Billy and Ruth. He is thinking deeply.

UNCLE BILLY'S VOICE

It was a surprise to me. This is the new Mrs. Bailey, my nephew's wife. Old, old friend of the family.

RUTH'S VOICE

Oh, of course. I've heard him speak of you.

UNCLE BILLY'S VOICE

And I want to tell you, we're going to give the biggest party this town ever saw.

CAMERA MOVES WITH George as he comes into the scene. Ruth detaches herself from the group and offers George some popcorn.

RUTH
(to George)

Here, have some popcorn. George, George, George... that's all Harry ever talks about.

GEORGE
(quietly)

Ruth, this... what about this job?

RUTH

Oh, well, my father owns a glass factory in Buffalo. He wants to get Harry started in the research business.

GEORGE

Is it a good job?

RUTH

Oh, yes, very. Not much money, but a good future, you know. Harry's a genius at research. My father fell in love with him.

GEORGE

And you did, too?

Ruth nods, smiling.

WIPE TO:

EXT. FRONT PORCH – BAILEY HOME – NIGHT

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT

Cousin Eustace is taking a photograph of the family group assembled on the porch. Flash bulbs go off, and the group breaks up. The crowd enters the front door of the house, leaving George and Uncle Billy on the porch.

CLOSE SHOT – GEORGE AND UNCLE BILLY

The latter is tipsy. He feels very high.

UNCLE BILLY

Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy. I feel so good I could spit in Potter's eye. I think I will. What did you say, huh? Oh, maybe I'd better go home.

He looks around for his hat, which is on his head.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

Where's my hat? Where's my...

George takes the hat from Uncle Billy's head and hands it to him.

UNCLE BILLY (CONT'D)

Oh, thank you, George. Which one is mine?

GEORGE

(laughing)

The middle one.

UNCLE BILLY

Oh, thank you, George, old boy, old boy. Now, look – if you'll point me in the right direction... would you do that? George?

GEORGE

Right down here.

They descend the porch steps, and George turns his uncle around and heads him down the street.

UNCLE BILLY

Old Building and Loan pal, huh...

GEORGE

Now you just turn this way and go right straight down.

UNCLE BILLY

That way, huh?

He staggers out of the scene, and as George turns away, we hear Uncle Billy singing "My Wild Irish Rose." There is a CRASH of cans and bottles, then:

UNCLE BILLY'S VOICE

I'm all right. I'm all right. "... the sweetest flower that grows... "

EXT. HOUSE – NIGHT

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT

George is standing at the garden gate. He takes some travel folders from his pocket, looks at them and throws them away. He is obviously disturbed about the latest turn of events. His mother comes out of the house and kisses him.

GEORGE

Hello, Mom.

MRS. BAILEY

(as she kisses him)

That's for nothing. How do you like her?

She nods toward the house, where Harry and Ruth, among a crowd of other couples, are dancing to the MUSIC of a phonograph, and can be seen through the front door.

GEORGE
She's swell.

MRS. BAILEY

Looks like she can keep Harry on his toes.

GEORGE

Keep him out of Bedford Falls, anyway.

MRS. BAILEY

Did you know that Mary Hatch is back from school?

GEORGE

Uh-huh.

MRS. BAILEY

Came back three days ago.

GEORGE

Hmmmm...

MRS. BAILEY

Nice girl, Mary.

GEORGE

Hmmmm...

MRS. BAILEY

Kind that will help you find the answers, George.

GEORGE

Hmmm...

MRS. BAILEY

Oh, stop that grunting.

GEORGE

Hmmm...

MRS. BAILEY

Can you give me one good reason why you shouldn't call on Mary?

GEORGE

Sure – Sam Wainwright.

MRS. BAILEY

Hmmm?

GEORGE

Yes. Sam's crazy about Mary.

MRS. BAILEY

Well, she's not crazy about him.

GEORGE

Well, how do you know? Did she discuss it with you?

MRS. BAILEY

No.

GEORGE

Well then, how do you know?

MRS. BAILEY

Well, I've got eyes, haven't I? Why, she lights up like a firefly whenever you're around.