I first saw “It’s a Wonderful Life” in college. The University of Virginia, as tradition-clad a school as they come, maintained the tradition of showing the film as a respite from December exams. I have passed few Christmases since without a viewing. I still cry when George returns home. When the film ends, I feel, well, good, just plain good. Good old-fashioned good.
I’ve shown the film to certain family and friends who view it, um, differently. “What mawkish nonsense,” one said. “That’s post-war propaganda,” sneered another, “what a fantasyland.” Or, “Jeez, Geoff, you actually fall for that?”
Okay, already. So the film is mawkish, sickly sentimental, perhaps even propagandistic (it was 1946, after all). So, by way of return to reality, consider what happens after Clarence gets his wings:
The Bailey Building and Loan prospers during the postwar baby boom. Potter’s rent collector gets a better job.
Potter has a stroke. Facing mortality, he apologizes to George for “that warrant thing.”
Potter “finds” the $8,000 and publicly announces the “good news.” George tries to return his friends’ money without knowing who gave how much. Litigation ensues.
Janie becomes proficient at the piano. Julliard rejects her application. She becomes a nurse.
Uncle Billy finds sobriety, memory, and industry. He no longer is much fun.
Potter’s benighted manservant tries to push Potter off the bridge on Christmas Eve. George stops him, after some hesitation.
Nearby Fennerville changes its name to Pottersville.
George submits Mrs. Welch’s name as Teacher of the Year. She wins and cries for an hour.
The Martini family moves from La Crescenta, California to Bedford Falls. This shortens Mr. Martini’s commute.
After Mr. Martini’s death, his children operate his bar long enough for it to become cool. They serve martinis.
Mrs. Martini gets over her aversion to bread.
Nick becomes a producer of popular television shows.
Potter leaves his fortune to his nurse, Janie.
Old Man Gower gets a court order changing his first name from Emil to Amminadab.
Peter is arrested at the Stonewall riots.
Zuzu becomes a developer of shopping malls. She loses her bid to become state Republican party chair.
Tommy is subpoenaed for jury duty. He is excused.
Ernie’s wife leaves him after that “thing with Peter.”
Sam Wainright is indicted for insider trading. Hee haw.
Ma Bailey frequently wins at bingo.
Annie never finds a husband. She finds work in advertising as the emblem of awful mid-century iconography. She retires to a mansion with a pool shaped like a pancake syrup bottle.
Marty invents most of the useful things of the late 20th Century.
Ruth starts signing her name "Bailey-Dakin." She takes "diet pills."
Violet marries Cousin Eustace. There is talk.
Bert the Cop retires from the force and runs for mayor with George as his campaign manager. He wins. Once in office, he replaces the bridge toll collector with a machine.
George never leaves Bedford Falls.
© Geoffrey Wren 2008
Comments