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Discovered 2 alternate endings to "It's a Wonderful Life"!

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Gomer95
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9:47p, 12/24/23
AG
So as I'm watching the heartwarming "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve, I found the coolest bit of trivia online and 2 ALTERNATE ENDINGS that were cut and both involved Mr. Potter getting his come uppance that I'd never heard about and thought I'd share them. It says:

"In the original script, Clarence the angel confronts Potter about what he did to George. It was to take place right after Potter yelled, "And Happy New Year to you, in jail!" Since the scene involved a terrified Potter having a heart attack upon learning that he's going to Hell when he dies, it was deemed too grim and cut out.

An alternate deleted scene (unknown if shot or not) can be read in the script printed in a commemorative book about the film, published in the 80s. In the scripted scene, Potter is seen approaching the door of the Bailey house while the celebrations are going on inside, planning to return the missing $8000. Why he's there isn't explained, possibly it's that he's technically honest, however ruthless and only intended to torture George temporarily before "finding" the money. But whatever his motivation, he overhears what's happening inside, realizes at last how worthless his own life has been in comparison to George's, and turns to slink away in despair.

Just thought this was interesting and I'd pass it along! Not sure why they didn't at least go with the second option since in the movie it seems like Potter gets away with taking the money..."

So now it's me Gomer95 typing again. Thought this was all fascinating and while I have always wished Mr. Potter would "get his" I sure hate the idea of him having a heart attack after finding out he's going to Hell. Very scary and food for thought. Thankful for this Christmas Holiday where we celebrate having a Savior given to us so that if we trust in Him, we don't have to be scared anymore of going to Hell. Merry Christmas!
I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it. - Woodrow F. Call
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jeffk
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9:58p, 12/24/23
AG
SNL did it best

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Stive
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10:01p, 12/24/23
AG
I think the one they went with fits best.

The end focuses on George and his realization of what's really valuable. If they had gone back to Potter in any form there at the end it would have taken away the focus on George and his discovery. I don't need to know what happens with Potter and the money….he stole it similar to how he had always stuck it to people whenever he could…that was his character and always would be.

George was the "richest man in town", and not because of money…he had his family and friends. People would do anything to help him just as he had done all kinds of things to help people through the years. That was the focus of the ending as it always should have been.
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Gomer95
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In reply to Stive • 10:04p, 12/24/23
AG
Great point and I agree. I just thought that was interesting.
I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it. - Woodrow F. Call
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Gomer95
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In reply to jeffk • 10:04p, 12/24/23
AG
Lol thanks for posting that. I'd never seen it just heard about it haha.
I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it. - Woodrow F. Call
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Stive
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In reply to jeffk • 10:06p, 12/24/23
AG
jeffk said:
SNL did it best


Gosh amighty Dana Carvey was so freaking hilarious with his impersonations.
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oragator
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10:07p, 12/24/23
It was also supposed end in George getting down on his knees and reciting the Lord's Prayer. But was thought too overt and taking away from the larger message of the movie.
The scene where Mr Gawker hit George, he really hit him.
When George and Mary had that scene at her house, Stewart got nervous and blew last like 2 pages of dialogue.
The scene where Uncke Billy knocks over the trash can? That was a sound guy who did it by mistake. Capra kept it in and gave the guy a bonus.
It was something like 95 degrees the day they shot the scene of him running down Main Street at the end.
Harry"s wife in the movie only died last year, I think three of the kids are still alive.
The movie was something like 26th at the box office in 1947. Came out the same year as A Miracle on 34th St. Pretty amazing year for Christmas movies, and pretty amazing how much tastes can change.
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Stive
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In reply to Gomer95 • 10:08p, 12/24/23
AG
Gomer95 said:
Great point and I agree. I just thought that was interesting.

That is pretty interesting. I always like reading stuff like that and wondering why the creators choose certain plot lines over other viable alternatives. Also makes me wonder how some average or bad movies could have been a lot better had they chosen an alternate path here and there.
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Gomer95
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In reply to oragator • 10:10p, 12/24/23
AG
Wow that's all cool too. Thanks for sharing.
I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it. - Woodrow F. Call
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Stive
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In reply to oragator • 10:13p, 12/24/23
AG
oragator said:
It was also supposed end in George getting down on his knees and reciting the Lord's Prayer. But was thought too overt and taking away from the larger message of the movie.
The scene where Mr Gawker hit George, he really hit him.
When George and Mary had that scene at her house, Stewart got nervous and blew last like 2 pages of dialogue.
The scene where Uncke Billy knocks over the trash can? That was a sound guy who did it by mistake. Capra kept it in and gave the guy a bonus.
It was something like 95 degrees the day they shot the scene of him running down Main Street at the end.
Harry"s wife in the movie only died last year, I think three of the kids are still alive.
The movie was something like 26th at the box office in 1947. Came out the same year as A Christmas Story. Pretty amazing year for Christmas movies, and pretty amazing how much tastes can change.

Which scene? When he's acting like a jerk and Sam Wainright calls?

Most of the rest I had heard.
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BenTheGoodAg
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In reply to oragator • 10:26p, 12/24/23
AG
oragator said:
The movie was something like 26th at the box office in 1947. Came out the same year as A Christmas Story. Pretty amazing year for Christmas movies, and pretty amazing how much tastes can change.
This movie may have never been a classic if it weren't for the copyright lapsing due to a missed renewal application in the 70's. With the movie falling into public domain, it allowed networks to play it for free and helped it gain notoriety that it never had during its theatrical run.

Link

Also - I thought Five Came Back on Netflix was a nice tangent if you like this movie. It talks about 5 directors who served in WWII, including Frank Capra and the impact it had on their film-making.
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oragator
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In reply to Stive • 10:33p, 12/24/23
Yeah.
I can't find that quote now though, only that he was nervous to film it. I know I heard it somewhere though.
As far as the copyright lapse, they still had to pay royalties because of some work it was based off of being owned by the same studio, I think the studio eventually sued and won the copyright back, which is why it's only on nbc now, I don't remember the full story though.
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oragator
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10:50p, 12/24/23
I found it here, it was a half page of dialogue, not 2 pages.
They don't attribute it to Stewart but still think I read that somewhere else.

https://willmckinley.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/how-i-almost-ruined-its-a-wonderful-life/
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ElephantRider
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In reply to Stive • 10:38a, 12/25/23
AG
Stive said:
jeffk said:
SNL did it best


Gosh amighty Dana Carvey was so freaking hilarious with his impersonations.

"You made one mistake, Potter: you double-crossed me and left me alive" gets me every time
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$3 Sack of Groceries
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In reply to oragator • 10:41a, 12/25/23
AG
oragator said:
It was also supposed end in George getting down on his knees and reciting the Lord's Prayer. But was thought too overt and taking away from the larger message of the movie.
The scene where Mr Gawker hit George, he really hit him.
When George and Mary had that scene at her house, Stewart got nervous and blew last like 2 pages of dialogue.
The scene where Uncke Billy knocks over the trash can? That was a sound guy who did it by mistake. Capra kept it in and gave the guy a bonus.
It was something like 95 degrees the day they shot the scene of him running down Main Street at the end.
Harry"s wife in the movie only died last year, I think three of the kids are still alive.
The movie was something like 26th at the box office in 1947. Came out the same year as A Christmas Story. Pretty amazing year for Christmas movies, and pretty amazing how much tastes can change.


I'm pretty sure that's incorrect.
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oragator
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In reply to $3 Sack of Groceries • 11:17a, 12/25/23
Yeah sorry it's miracle on 34th st.
Will fix.
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Stive
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In reply to $3 Sack of Groceries • 11:33a, 12/25/23
AG
$240 Worth of Pudding said:
oragator said:
It was also supposed end in George getting down on his knees and reciting the Lord's Prayer. But was thought too overt and taking away from the larger message of the movie.
The scene where Mr Gawker hit George, he really hit him.
When George and Mary had that scene at her house, Stewart got nervous and blew last like 2 pages of dialogue.
The scene where Uncke Billy knocks over the trash can? That was a sound guy who did it by mistake. Capra kept it in and gave the guy a bonus.
It was something like 95 degrees the day they shot the scene of him running down Main Street at the end.
Harry"s wife in the movie only died last year, I think three of the kids are still alive.
The movie was something like 26th at the box office in 1947. Came out the same year as A Christmas Story. Pretty amazing year for Christmas movies, and pretty amazing how much tastes can change.


I'm pretty sure that's incorrect.

I saw that and thought "Ralphie didn't come out in the 1940's", but then wondered if maybe there was another movie called A Christmas Story that I didnt know about. Before I popped off about it I thought I'd look it up but got distracted and never did.
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Cinco Ranch Aggie
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12:08p, 12/25/23
AG
OP, thanks for sharing.

Pretty sure It's a Wonderful Life actually came out in 1946, with Miracle on 34th Street in 1947.
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oragator
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In reply to Cinco Ranch Aggie • 2:04p, 12/25/23
It did, but went into wide release the first week of January of 1947. It was only in NY and LA in December '46.

Edit, Minneapolis too.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/releaseinfo/
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