It's a Wonderful Life Page #27

INTERIOR 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?

EXTERIOR 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:

George regains his wonderful life/"It's a miracle!" �� George's

friends come to his rescue, and Clarence gets his wings

EXTERIOR 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:

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:

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!

EXTERIOR THEATRE �� NIGHT

PAN SHOT �� As George runs by:

GEORGE:

Merry Christmas, movie house!

EXTERIOR BEDFORD FALLS EMPORIUM �� NIGHT

PAN SHOT �� as George runs by:

GEORGE:

Merry Christmas, emporium!

EXTERIOR BUILDING AND LOAN OFICES �� NIGHT

PAN SHOT �� As George runs by:

GEORGE:

Merry Christmas, you wonderful old 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.

POTTER:

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

for you!

INTERIOR 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.

INTERIOR 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!

INTERIOR 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!

INTERIOR TOP OF STAIRS �� NIGHT

CLOSE SHOT �� George and the kids. He is hugging them.

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