George Bailey quotes from It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

George Bailey

I wish I had a million dollars. Hot dog!!

George Bailey

Well, here's your hat, what's your hurry? All right, Mother, old Building and Loan pal, I think I'll go out and find a girl and do a little passionate necking.

George Bailey

Now you listen to me! I don't want any plastics! I don't want any ground floors, and I don't want to get married — ever — to anyone! You understand that? I want to do what I want to do.

George Bailey

You're thinking of this place all wrong. As if I had the money back in a safe. The money's not here. Your money's in Joe's house...right next to yours. And in the Kennedy house, and Mrs. Macklin's house, and a hundred others. Why, you're lending them the money to build, and then, they're going to pay it back to you as best they can. Now what are you going to do? Foreclose on them?...Now wait...now listen...now listen to me. I beg of you not to do this thing. If Potter gets hold of this Building and Loan there'll never be another decent house built in this town. He's already got charge of the bank. He's got the bus line. He's got the department stores. And now he's after us. Why? Well, it's very simple. Because we're cutting in on his business, that's why. And because he wants to keep you living in his slums and paying the kind of rent he decides. Joe, you lived in one of those Potter houses, didn't you? Well, have you forgotten? Have you forgotten what he charged you for that broken-down shack? Here, Ed. You know, you remember last year when things weren't going so well, and you couldn't make your payments? You didn't lose your house, did you? Do you think Potter would have let you keep it? Can't you understand what's happening here? Don't you see what's happening? Potter isn't selling. Potter's buying! And why? Because we're panicky and he's not. That's why. He's picking up some bargains. Now, we can get through this thing all right. We've got to stick together, though. We've got to have faith in each other.

George Bailey

A toast! A toast to Papa Dollar and to Mama Dollar, and if you want the old Building and Loan to stay in business, you better have a family real quick.

George Bailey

Where's that money, you stupid, silly old fool? Where's the money?! Do you realize what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal and prison! That's what it means. One of us is going to jail! Well, it's not gonna be me!

George Bailey

Well whaddya know about that!!!

George Bailey

Dear Father in heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me, show me the way... show me the way.

Make up your mind yet?

I'll take chocolate.

With coconuts?

I don't like coconuts.

Don't like coconuts? Say brainless, don't you know where coconuts come from? [pulls out a National Geographic magazine] Look-it here, from Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, Coral Sea.

A new magazine! I never saw it.

'Course you never. This is just for explorers. It just so happens I've been nominated for membership in the National Geographic Society. I'm going out exploring some day, just you watch. And I might even have a harem, and maybe even one or two wives.

Mr. Potter, what makes you such a hard-skulled character? You have no family –– no children. You can't begin to spend all the money you've got.

Potter

So I suppose I should give it to miserable failures like you and that idiot brother of yours to spend for me.

He's not a failure! You can't say that about my father!

Violet

Good afternoon, Mr. Bailey.

George

Hello, Violet. Hey, you look good. That's some dress you got on there.

Violet

Oh this old thing? Why, I only wear it when I don't care how I look.

I know it's soon to talk about it.

George

Oh, now Pop, I couldn't. I couldn't face being cooped up for the rest of my life in a shabby little office...Oh, I'm sorry Pop, I didn't mean that, but this business of nickels and dimes and spending all your life trying to figure out how to save three cents on a length of pipe...I'd go crazy. I want to do something big and something important.

You know, George, I feel that in a small way we are doing something important. Satisfying a fundamental urge. It's deep in the race for a man to want his own roof and walls and fireplace, and we're helping him get those things in our shabby little office.

George

I know, Dad. I wish I felt...But I've been hoarding pennies like a miser in order to...Most of my friends have already finished college. I just feel like if I don't get away, I'd bust.

Yes...yes...You're right son.

George

You see what I mean, don't you, Pop?

This town is no place for any man unless he's willing to crawl to Potter. You've got talent, son. I've seen it. You get yourself an education. Then get out of here.

George

Pop, you want a shock? I think you're a great guy. [to Annie, listening through the door] Oh, did you hear that, Annie?

Annie

I heard it. About time one of you lunkheads said it.

George

Well, well, well.

Now, to get back to my story, see?

Hey, this is MY dance!

George

Oh, why don't you stop annoying poeple.

Well, I'm sorry - Hey!

George

Well, hello.

Mary

Hello. You look at me as if you didn't know me.

George

Well, I don't.

Mary

You've passed me on the street almost every day.

George

Me?

Mary

Uh-huh.

George

Uh-uh. That was a little girl named Mary Hatch. That wasn't you.

George

You know, if it wasn't me talking, I'd say you were the prettiest girl in town.

Mary

Well, why don't you say it?

George

I don't know. Maybe I will say it. How old are you anyway?

Mary

Eighteen.

George

Eighteen! Why, it was only last year you were seventeen.

Mary

Too young or too old?

George

Oh, no. Just right. Your age fits you. Yes, sir, you look a little older without your clothes on...I mean, without a dress. You look older...I mean, younger. You look just...

George

Oh-oh...

Mary

Sir, my train, please.

George

A pox upon me for a clumsy lout. [throws the belt across her arm] Your...your caboose, my lady.

Mary

You may kiss my hand.

George

Ummmm [holding her hand, George moves in closer] Hey — hey, Mary.

Mary

What'd you wish, George?

George

Well, not just one wish. A whole hatful, Mary. I know what I'm gonna do tomorrow, and the next day, and the next year, and the year after that. I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm comin' back here and go to college and see what they know... And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I'm gonna build bridges a mile long...

George

What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.

Mary

I'll take it. Then what?

George

Well, then you could swallow it, and it'd all dissolve, see? And the moonbeams'd shoot out of your fingers and your toes, and the ends of your hair... Am I talking too much?

Yes! Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?

George

How's that?

Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?

George

Want me to kiss her, huh?

Ah, youth is wasted on the wrong people!

George

Mary... [picks up Mary's robe, which is lying on the ground] Okay, I give up. Where are you?

Mary

Over here in the hydrangea bushes.

George

Here you are. Catch. [He is about to throw her the robe, but reconsiders] Wait a minute. What am I doing? This is a very interesting situation.

Mary

Please give me my robe.

George

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

Mary

I'd like to have my robe.

George

Not in Bedford Falls, anyway.

Mary

Ouch!

George

Gesundheit. This requires a little thought here.

Mary

George Bailey! Give me my robe!

George

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

Mary

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

George

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

Mary

I'll call the police!

George

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

Mary

Then I'm going to scream!

George

Maybe I could sell tickets. No, no... 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.

Dr. Campbell

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.

Billy

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. 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

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

Potter

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

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

George

You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are?

Billy

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

George

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

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.Where's my hat? Where's my... [George takes the hat from Uncle Billy's head and hands it to him] Oh, thank you, George. Which one is mine?

George

The middle one.

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.

Billy

Old Building and Loan pal, huh...

George

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

Billy

That way, huh? [begins singing, then a crash is heard] I'm all right. I'm all right. [singing] "...the sweetest flower that grows . . . "

Did you know that Mary Hatch is back from school?

George

Uh-huh.

Came back three days ago.

George

Hmmmm...

Nice girl, Mary.

George

Mmm Hmmmm....

Kind that will help you find the answers, George.

George

Hmmm...

Oh, stop that grunting.

George

Hmmm...

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

George

Sure –– Sam Wainwright.

Hmmm?

George

Yes. Sam's crazy about Mary.

Well, she's not crazy about him.

George

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

No.

George

Well then, how do you know?

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

George

Oh...

And besides, Sam Wainwright's away in New York, and you're here in Bedford Falls.

George

And all's fair in love and war?

I don't know about war.

George

Mother, you know, I can see right through you –– right back to your back collar button... trying to get rid of me, huh?

Uh-huh.

Mary

Have you made up your mind?

George

How's that?

Mary

Have you made up your mind?

George

About what?

Mary

About coming in. Your mother just phoned and said you were on your way over to pay me a visit.

George

My mother just called you? Well, how did she know?

Mary

Didn't you tell her?

George

I didn't tell anybody. I just went for a walk and happened to be passing by... What do you... went for a walk, that's all.

Mary

It was nice about your brother Harry, and Ruth, wasn't it?

George

Oh... yeah, yeah. That's all right.

Mary

Don't you like her?

George

Well, of course I like her. She's a peach.

Mary

Oh, it's just marriage in general you're not enthusiastic about, huh?

George

No, marriage is all right for Harry, and Marty, and Sam and you.

Potter

George, there is a rumor around town that you've closed your doors. Is that true? Oh, well, I'm very glad to hear that... George, are you all right? Doyou need any police?

George

Police? What for?

Potter

Well, mobs get pretty ugly sometimes, you know. George, I'm going all out to help in this crisis. I've just guaranteed the bank sufficient funds to meet their needs. They'll close up for a week, and then reopen.

George

He just took over the bank.

Potter

I may lose a fortune, but I'm willing to guarantee your people too. Just tell them to bring their shares over here and I will pay them fifty cents on thedollar.

George

Aw, you never miss a trick, do you, Potter? Well, you're going to miss this one.

George

Thank you, sir. Quite a cigar, Mr. Potter.

Potter

You like it? I'll send you a box.

George

Well, I... I suppose I'll find out sooner or later, but just what exactly did you want to see me about?

Potter

George, now that's just what I like so much about you. George, I'm an old man, and most people hate me. But I don't like them either, so that makes it all even. You know just as well as I do that I run practically everything in this town but the Bailey Building and Loan. You know, also, that for a number of years I've been trying to get control of it... or kill it. But I haven't been able to do it. You have been stopping me. In fact, you have beaten me, George, and as anyone in this county can tell you, that takes some doing. Take during the depression, for instance. You and I were the only ones that kept our heads. You saved the Building and Loan, and I saved all the rest.

George

Yes. Well, most people say you stole all the rest.

Potter

The envious ones say that, George, the suckers. Now, I have stated my side very frankly. Now, let's look at your side. Young man, twenty-seven,twenty-eight... married, making, say... forty a week.

George

Forty-five!

Potter

Forty-five. Forty-five. Out of which, after supporting your mother, and paying your bills, you're able to keep, say, ten, if you skimp. A child or two comes along, and you won't even be able to save the ten. Now, if this young man of twenty-eight was a common, ordinary yokel, I'd say he was doing fine. But George Bailey is not a common, ordinary yokel. He's an intelligent, smart, ambitious young man — who hates his job –– who hates the Building and Loan almost as much as I do. A young man who's been dying to get out on his own ever since he was born. A young man... the smartest one of the crowd, mind you, a young man who has to sit by and watch his friends go places, because he's trapped. Yes, sir, trapped into frittering his life away playing nursemaid to a lot of garlic-eaters. Do I paint a correct picture, or do I exaggerate?

George

Now what's your point, Mr. Potter?

Potter

My point? My point is, I want to hire you.

George

Hire me?

Potter

I want you to manage my affairs, run my properties. George, I'll start you out at twenty thousand dollars a year.

George

Twenty thou... twenty thousand dollars a year?

Potter

You wouldn't mind living in the nicest house in town, buying your wife a lot of fine clothes, a couple of business trips to New York a year, maybe once in a while Europe. You wouldn't mind that, would you, George?

George

Would I? You're not talking to somebody else around here, are you? You know, this is me, you remember me? George Bailey.

Potter

Oh, yes, George Bailey. Whose ship has just come in –– providing he has brains enough to climb aboard.

George

Well, what about the Building and Loan?

Potter

Oh, confound it, man, are you afraid of success? I'm offering you a three year contract at twenty thousand dollars a year, starting today. Is it a deal or isn't it?

George

Well, Mr. Potter, I... I... I know I ought to jump at the chance, but I... I just... I wonder if it would be possible for you to give me twenty-four hours to think it over?

Potter

Sure, sure, sure. You go on home and talk about it to your wife.

George

I'd like to do that.

Potter

In the meantime, I'll draw up the papers.

George

All right, sir.

Potter

Okay, George?

George

Okay, Mr. Potter. [drops Potter's hand] No... no... no... no, now wait a minute, here! I don't have to talk to anybody! I know right now, and the answer is no!NO! Doggone it!You sit around here and you spin your little webs and you think the whole world revolves around you and your money. Well, it doesn't, Mr. Potter! In the... in thewhole vast configuration of things, I'd say you were nothing but a scurvy little spider. You... [to Potter's assistant] And that goes for you too! [to Potter's secretary] And it goes for you too!

Mary Hatch, why in the world did you ever marry a guy like me?

Mary

To keep from being an old maid.

You could have married Sam Wainwright or anybody else in town.

Mary

I didn't want to marry anybody else in town. I want my baby to look like you.

You didn't even have a honeymoon. I promised you...Your what?

Mary

My baby.

You mean...Mary, you on the nest?

Mary

George Bailey lassoes stork.

Lassoes the stork! You mean you...What is it, a boy or a girl?

Mary

Uh-huh.

Excuse me!!

George

Excuse you for what?

I burped.

George

Gosh, it's this old house. I don't know why we don't all have pneumonia. This drafty old barn! Might as well be living in a refrigerator. Why did we have to live here in the first place and stay around this measly, crummy old town?

Mary

George, what's wrong?

George

Wrong? Everything's wrong! You call this a happy family? Why did we have to have all these kids?

George

I'm in trouble, Mr. Potter. I need help. Through some sort of an accident my company's short in their accounts. The bank examiner's up there today. I've got to raise eight thousand dollars immediately.

Potter

Oh, so that's what the reporters wanted to talk to you about?

George

The reporters?

Potter

Yes. They called me up from your Building and Loan. Oh, there's a man over there from the D.A.'s office, too. He's looking for you.

George

Please help me, Mr. Potter. Help me, won't you please? Can't you see what it means to my family? I'll pay you any sort of a bonus on the loan... any interest. If you still want the Building and Loan, why I...

Potter

George, could it possibly be there's a slight discrepancy in the books?

george

No, sir. There's nothing wrong with the books. I've just misplaced eight thousand dollars. I can't find it anywhere.

Potter

You misplaced eight thousand dollars?

George

Yes, sir.

Potter

Have you notified the police?

George

No, sir. I didn't want the publicity. Harry's homecoming tomorrow...

Potter

They're going to believe that one. What've you been doing, George? Playing the market with the company's money?

George

No, sir. No, sir. I haven't.

Potter

What is it –– a woman, then? You know, it's all over town that you've been giving money to Violet Bick.

George

What?

Potter

Not that it makes any difference to me, but why did you come to me? Why don't you go to Sam Wainwright and ask him for the money?

George

I can't get hold of him. He's in Europe.

Potter

Well, what about all your other friends?

George

They don't have that kind of money, Mr. Potter. You know that. You're the only one in town that can help me.

Potter

I see. I've suddenly become quite important. What kind of security would I have, George? Have you got any stocks?

George

No, sir.

Potter

Bonds? Real estate? Collateral of any kind?

George

I have some life insurance, a fifteen thousand dollar policy.

Potter

Yes... how much is your equity in it?

George

Five hundred dollars.

Potter

Look at you. You used to be so cocky! You were going to go out and conquer the world! You once called me a warped, frustrated old man. What are you but a warped, frustrated young man? A miserable little clerk crawling in here on your hands and knees and begging for help. No securities –– no stocks –– no bonds –– nothing but a miserable little five hundred dollar equity in a life insurance policy. [laughs] You're worth more dead than alive. Why don't you go to the riff-raff you love so much and ask them to let you have eight thousand dollars? You know why? Because they'd run you out of town on a rail...But I'll tell you what I'm going to do for you, George. Since the state examiner is still here, as a stockholder of the Building and Loan, I'm going to swear out a warrant for your arrest. Misappropriation of funds –– manipulation –– malfeasance... [George gets up to leave] All right, George, go ahead. You can't hide in a little town like this.

Clarence

I didn't have time to get some stylish underwear. My wife gave me this on my last birthday. I passed away in it. Oh, Tom Sawyer's drying out, too. You should read the new book Mark Twain's writing now.

How'd you happen to fall in?

Clarence

I didn't fall in. I jumped in to save George.

George

You what? To save me?

Clarence

Well, I did, didn't I? You didn't go through with it, did you?

George

Go through with what?

Clarence

Suicide.

It's against the law to commit suicide around here.

Clarence

Yeah, it's against the law where I come from, too.

Where do you come from?

Clarence

Heaven. '[to George] I had to act quickly; that's why I jumped in. I knew if I were drowning you'd try to save me. And you see, you did, and that's how I saved you.

George

Well, you look about like the kind of angel I'd get. Sort of a fallen angel, aren't you? What happened to your wings?

Clarence

I haven't won my wings yet. That's why I'm an angel Second Class.

George

I don't know whether I like very much being seen around with an angel without any wings.

Clarence

Oh, I've got to earn them, and you'll help me, won't you?

George

Sure, sure.

Clarence

So you still think killing yourself would make everyone feel happier, eh?

George

Oh, I don't know. I guess you're right. I suppose it would have been better if I'd never been born at all.

Clarence

What did you say?

George

I said "I'd wish I'd never been born!"

Clarence

Oh, you mustn't say things like that. You...wait a minute. Wait a minute. That's an idea. [glances up toward Heaven] What do you think? Yeah, that'll do it. All right. [to George] You've got your wish. You've never been born. [snow stops falling and a strong gust of wind blows open the door] You don't have to make all that fuss about it.

George

What did you say?

Clarence

You've never been born. You don't exist. You haven't a care in the world. No worries –– no obligations –– no eight thousand dollars to get –– no Potter looking for you with the Sheriff.

George

Say something else in that ear.

Clarence

Sure. You can hear out of it.

George

Well, that's the doggonedest thing... I haven't heard anything out of that ear since I was a kid. Must have been that jump in the cold water.

Clarence

Your lip's stopped bleeding, too, George.

George

What do you know about that... What's happened? It's stopped snowing out, hasn't it? What's happened here? Come on, soon as these clothes of ours are dry...

Clarence

Our clothes are dry.

George

What do you know about that? Stove's hotter than I thought. Now, come on, get your clothes on, and we'll stroll up to my car and get... Oh, I'm sorry. I'll stroll. You fly.

Clarence

I can't fly. I haven't got any wings.

George

You haven't got your wings. Yeah, that's right.

George

Oh, say... Hey... where's my car?

I beg your pardon?

George

My car, my car. I'm the fellow that owns the car that ran into your tree.

What tree?

George

What do you mean, what tree? This tree. Here, I ran into it. Cut a big gash in the side of it here.

You must mean two other trees. You had me worried. One of the oldest trees in Pottersville.

George

Pottersville? Why, you mean Bedford Falls.

I mean Pottersville. Don't you think I know where I live? What's the matter with you?

George

Oh, I don't know. Either I'm off my nut, or he is... [to Clarence] or you are!

Clarence

It isn't me!

George

Well, maybe I left the car up at Martini's. Well, come on, Gabriel.

Clarence

Clarence!

George

Oh, hello, Nick. Hey, where's Martini?

Nick

You want a martini?

George

No, no, Martini. Your boss. Where is he?

Nick

Look, I'm the boss. You want a drink or don't you?

George

Okay...all right. Double bourbon, quick, huh?

Nick

Okay. [to Clarence] What's yours?

Clarence

I was just thinking...It's been so long since I...

Nick

Look, mister, I'm standing here waiting for you to make up your mind.

Clarence

That's a good man. I was just thinking of a flaming rum punch. No, it's not cold enough for that. Not nearly cold enough...Wait a minute...wait a minute...Mulled wine, heavy on the cinnamon and light on the cloves. Off with you, me lad, and be lively!

Nick

Hey, look mister, we serve hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast. And we don't need any characters around to give the joint atmosphere. Is that clear? Or do I have to slip you my left for a convincer?

Clarence

What's he talking about?

George

Nick –– Nick, just give him the same as mine. He's okay.

Nick

Okay.

George

What's the matter with him? I never saw Nick act like that before.

Clarence

You'll see a lot of strange things from now on.

Clarence

Oh...oh. Somebody's just made it.

George

Made what?

Clarence

Every time you hear a bell ring, it means that some angel's just got his wings.

George

Look, I think maybe you better not mention getting your wings around here.

Clarence

Why? Don't they believe in angels?

George

A...Yeah, but...you know...

Clarence

Then why should they be surprised when they see one?

George

He never grew up. He's... How old are you, anyway, Clarence?

Clarence

Two hundred and ninety-three...next May.

Nick

That does it! Out you two pixies go, through the door or out the window!

George

Look, who are you?

Clarence

I told you, George. I'm your guardian angel.

George

Yeah, yeah, I know. You told me that. What else are you? What...are you a hypnotist?

Clarence

No, of course not.

George

Well, then, why am I seeing all these strange things?

Clarence

Don't you understand, George? It's because you were not born.

George

Then if I wasn't born, who am I?

Clarence

You're nobody. You have no identity.

George

What do you mean, no identity? My name's George Bailey.

Clarence

There is no George Bailey. You have no papers, no cards, no driver's license, no 4-F card, no insurance policy...They're not there, either.

George

What?

Clarence

Zuzu's petals. You've been given a great gift, George. A chance to see what the world would be like without you.

George

Look here, Ernie, straighten me out here. I've got some bad liquor or something. Listen to me now. Now, you are Ernie Bishop, and you live in Bailey Park with your wife and kid? That's right, isn't it?

Ernie

You seen my wife?

George

Seen your wife? I've been to your house a hundred times.

Ernie

Look, bud, what's the idea? I live in a shack in Potter's Field and my wife ran away three years ago and took the kid. And I ain't never seen you before in my life.

George

Mother...

Mother? What do you want?

George

Mother, this is George. I thought sure you'd remember me.

George who? If you're looking for a room there's no vacancy.

George

Oh, Mother, Mother, please help me. Something terrible's happened to me. I don't know what it is. Something's happened to everybody. Please let me come in. Keep me here until I get over it.

Get over what? I don't take in strangers unless they're sent here by somebody I know.

George

Well, I know everybody you know. Your brother-in-law, Uncle Billy.

You know him?

George

Well, sure I do.

When'd you see him last?

George

Today, over at the house.

That's a lie. He's been in the insane asylum ever since he lost his business. And if you ask me, that's where you belong.

Clarence

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

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

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?

Bert

Hey George! George! You all right? Hey, what's the matter?

George

Now get outta here, Bert, or I'll hit you again! Get outta here!

Bert

What the sam hill you yelling for, George?

George

You...Bert, do you know me?

Bert

Know you? You kidding? I've been looking all over town trying to find you. I saw your car plowed into that tree down there and I thought maybe you--hey, your mouth's bleeding. Are you sure you're all right?

George

What the... [laughing] My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleeding! Zuzu's petals...Zuzu's petals! There they are! Bert, what do you know about that! Merry Christmas!!

George

Hello, Bedford Falls! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan! Hey! Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!

Potter

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

George

Mary! Well, hello, Mr. Bank Examiner!

Carter

Mr. Bailey, there's a deficit!

George

I know. Eight thousand dollars.

Sheriff

George, I've got a little paper here.

George

I'll bet it's a warrant for my arrest. Isn't it wonderful? I'm going to jail! Merry Christmas! Where's Mary? Mary! Oh, look at this wonderful old drafty house. Mary! Mary! Have you...have you seen my wife?

Merry Christmas, Daddy!

George

Kids! Pete, Janie, Tommy! Let me look at you. [hugging them] Oh, I could eat you up. Where is your mother?

Pete

She went looking for you with Uncle Billy.

Zuzu

Daddy!

George

Zuzu! Zuzu, my little gingersnap! How do you feel?

Zuzu

Fine!

And not a smitch of temperature.

George

Not a smitch of tempe...[begins laughing] Hallelujah!

Zuzu Bailey

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

George

That's right, that's right. Attaboy, Clarence.

I may have a job for you, that is, unless you're still married to that broken-down building and loan. Ha, ha, ha. It's the biggest thing since radio and I'm lettin' you in on the ground floor. [to Mary] Will you tell that guy I'm giving him the chance of a lifetime? You hear - the chance of a lifetime.

Mary

He says it's the chance of a lifetime.

George

Now, you listen to me! I don't want any plastics, and I don't want any ground floors, and I don't want to get married - ever - to anyone! You understand that? I want to do what I want to do. And you're...and you're... [suddenly starts kissing Mary] Oh Mary, Mary.

Mary

George, George, George.

George

Well, you look about the kind of angel I'd get. Sort of a fallen angel, aren't you? What happened to your wings?

Clarence

I haven't won my wings, yet. That's why I'm called an Angel Second Class. I have to earn them. And you'll help me will you?

George

Sure, sure. How?

Clarence

By letting me help you.

George

I know one way you can help me. You don't happen to have 8,000 bucks on you?

Clarence

No, we don't use money in Heaven.

George

Well, it comes in real handy down here, bud!