It's a Wonderful Life Quotes

George Bailey: 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 got there today. I've got to raise eight thousand dollars immediately.
Mr. Potter: Oh, that's what the reporters wanted to talk to you about.
George Bailey: The reporters?

Mr. Potter: Yes. They called me up from your Building and Loan about an hour ago. Oh, there's a man over there from the D.A.'s office, too. He's looking for you too.
George Bailey: Please help me, Mr. Potter. Help me, won't you, please? Can't you see what it means to my family? I'll pay any sort of a bonus on the loan, any interest, if you still want the

Building and Loan...
Mr. Potter: George, could it possibly be there's a slight discrepancy in the books?
George Bailey: No, sir, there's nothing wrong with the books. I've just misplaced eight thousand dollars. I can't find it anywhere.
Mr. Potter: You misplaced eight thousand dollars?
George Bailey:

Yes, sir.
[Mr. Potter looks at his bodyguard; they both know that George is lying and covering for Uncle Billy]
Mr. Potter: Have you notified the police?
George Bailey: No, sir. I didn't want the publicity. Harry's homecoming tomorrow...
[Mr. Potter chuckles]
Mr. Potter: They're going to believe that one. What've

you been doing, George? Playing the market with the company's money?
George Bailey: No sir. No sir, I haven't.
Mr. Potter: Is it a woman, then? You know, it's all over town that you've been giving money to Violet Bick.
George Bailey: What?
Mr. 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 Bailey: I can't get a hold of him. He's in Europe.
Mr. Potter: Well, what about all your other friends?
George Bailey: 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

chuckles]
Mr. Potter: I've suddenly become quite important. All right... if I gave you a loan, what kind of security would I have in return, George? Have you got any stocks? Bonds? Real estate you can use for collateral of any kind?
George Bailey: Well, I have some life insurance. A $15,000 policy.
Mr. Potter: Yes. How much

equity is in it?
George Bailey: Five hundred dollars.
Mr. Potter: Five hundred dollars? And you ask me to lend you eight thousand?

Nick: [slamming a bottle on the bar] That's it! Out you two pixies go... through the door, or out the window!
George Bailey: Hold on, Nick! What's wrong?
Nick: That's another thing. Where do you come off calling me Nick?
George Bailey: Well... Nick, that's your name. Isn't it?
Nick:

What does that have to do with anything? I don't know you from Adam's off Ox.

Violet Bick: Good afternoon, Mr. Bailey.
George Bailey: Hello, Violet. Hey, you look good, that's some dress you got on there.
Violet Bick: This old thing? Why, I only wear it when I don't care how I look.
Ernie Bishop: How would you like to take...
George Bailey: Yes?

Ernie Bishop: [to Bert] Want to come along, Bert? We'll show you the town.
Bert: No, thanks... I think I'll go home and see what the wife's doing.
Ernie Bishop: Family man.

Mr. Potter: [on the telephone] George, there is a rumor around town that you closed your doors. Is that true?
[pause]
Mr. Potter: Oh, well, I'm very glad to hear that. George, are you all right? Do you need any police?
George Bailey: [into the phone] Police? What for?
Mr. Potter: [into the phone while

the nervous bank president looks on] 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 Bailey: [to Uncle Billy] He just took over the bank.
Mr. Potter: [into the phone] 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 50 cents on the dollar.
George Bailey: [into the phone] Aw, you never miss a trick, do you, Potter? Well, you're going to miss this one!
Mr. Potter: [into the phone] If you close your doors before six p.m., you will never re-open!

[there is a loud click as George hangs up]

House owner: You must mean two other trees. You had me worried. This is one of the oldest trees in Pottersville.
George Bailey: Pottersville? You mean Bedford Falls.
House owner: I mean Pottersville! Don't you think I know where I live? What's the matter with you?
[He proceeds toward his house. George is completely bewildered]

George Bailey: Oh, I don't know. Either I'm off my nut, or he is...
[to Clarence]
George Bailey: ... or you are!
Clarence: It isn't me!

Mickey: [Mickey walks up to a disheartened Freddie Othello, dumped by Mary Hatch] What's the matter, Othello - jealous? Did you know there's a swimming pool under this floor? And did you know that *button* behind you causes this floor to open up? And did you further know that George Bailey is dancing right over that crack?
[Othello turns to Mickey]

Mickey: I've got the key!

Senior Angel: [voice-over] bHello Joseph, trouble?
Joseph - Angel: [voice-over] Looks like we'll have to send someone down. There are a lot of people asking for help for a man named George Bailey.
Senior Angel: [voice-over] George Bailey? Yes! Tonight's his crucial night. You're right. We'll have to send someone down immediately.

Whose turn is it?
Joseph - Angel: [voice-over] That's why I came to see you, sir. It's that clock maker's turn again.
Senior Angel: [chuckles]
[voice-over]
Senior Angel: Oh, Clarence. Hasn't gotten his wings yet, has he?
Joseph - Angel: [voice-over] We passed him up right along. Because, you know

sir, he's got the IQ of a rabbit.
Senior Angel: [voice-over] Yes, but he's got the faith of a child. Simple. Joseph, send for Clarence.
Clarence: [voice-over] You sent for me, sir?
Senior Angel: [voice-over] Yes, Clarence. A man down on earth needs our help.
Clarence: [voice-over] Splendid. Is he sick?

Senior Angel: [voice-over] No, worse. He's discouraged. At exactly 10:45 pm Earth time, that man will be thinking seriously about throwing away God's greatest gift.
Clarence: [voice-over] Oh, dear, dear. His life. Then I've only got one hour to dress. What are they wearing now?
Senior Angel: [voice-over] You will spend that

hour getting acquainted with George Bailey.
Clarence: [voice-over] Sir, if I should accomplish this mission, I mean... um. Might I perhaps win my wings? I've been waiting for over 200 years now, sir, and people ARE beginning to talk.
Senior Angel: [voice-over] What's that book you've got there?
Clarence: [voice-over] Oh, oh,

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Senior Angel: [voice-over] Clarence, you do a good job with George Bailey and you will get your wings.