It's a Wonderful Life Movie Script

George visits Pop's office EXTERIOR STREET �� DAY MEDIUM SHOT �� George runs down the street until he comes opposite a two-story building with a sign on it reading "Bailey Building and Loan Association." He stops. Potter's carriage is waiting at the entrance. Suddenly he runs up the stairs.

INTERIOR OUTER OFFICE BLDG. AND LOAN �� DAY FULL SHOT �� The offices are ancient and a bit on the rickety side. There is a counter with a grill, something like a bank.

Before a door marked: PETER BAILEY, PRIVATE, George's Uncle Billy stands, obviously trying to hear what is going on inside. He is a very good-humored man of about fifty, in shirt-sleeves. With him at the door, also listening, are Cousin Tilly Bailey, a waspish-looking woman, who is the telephone operator, and Cousin Eustace Bailey, the clerk. The office vibrates with an aura of crisis as George enters and proceeds directly toward his father's office.

CLOSE SHOT �� Uncle Billy listening at the door. As George is about to enter his father's office, uncle Billy grabs him by the arm.

UNCLE BILLY:

Avast, there, Captain Cook! Where you headin'?

GEORGE:

Got to see Pop, Uncle Billy.

UNCLE BILLY:

Some other time, George.

GEORGE:

It's important.

UNCLE BILLY:

There's a squall in there that's shapin' up into a storm.

During the foregoing, Cousin Tilly has answered the telephone, and now she calls out:

COUSIN TILLY:

Uncle Billy . . . telephone.

UNCLE BILLY:

Who is it?

COUSIN TILLY:

Bank examiner.

INSERT:

CLOSE UP Uncle Billy's left hand. There are pieces of string tied around two of the fingers, obviously to remind him of things he has to do.

BACK TO SHOT �� Uncle Billy looking at his hand.

UNCLE BILLY:

Bank examiner! I should have called him yesterday. Switch it inside.

He enters a door marked WILLIAM BAILEY, PRIVATE. George stands irresolute a moment, aware of crisis in the affairs of the Bailey Building and Loan Association, but aware more keenly of his personal crisis. He opens the door of his father's office and enters.

INTERIOR BAILEY'S PRIVATE OFFICE �� DAY MEDIUM SHOT �� George's father is seated behind his desk, nervously drawing swirls on a pad. He looks tired and worried. He is a gentle man in his forties, an idealist, stubborn only for other people's rights.

Nearby, in a throne-like wheelchair, behind which stands the goon who furnishes the motive power, sits Henry F. Potter, his squarish derby hat on his head.

The following dialogue is fast and heated, as though the argument had been in process for some time.

BAILEY:

I'm not crying, Mr. Potter.

POTTER:

Well, you're begging, and that's a whole lot worse.

BAILEY:

All I'm asking is thirty days more . . .

GEORGE (interrupting) Pop!

BAILEY:

Just a minute, son.