IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
	La sceneggiatura	I suoni	Jimmy Stewart	La gallery

LA SCENEGGIATURA

EXTERIOR SKY –– NIGHT

The same stars we saw in the opening sequence are once more twinkling as we hear the voices form Heaven:

CLARENCE'S VOICE: I know. I know. He didn't go.

JOSEPH'S VOICE: That's right. Not only that, but he gave his school money to his brother Harry, and sent him to college. Harry became a football star –– made second team All American.

CLARENCE'S VOICE: Yes, but what happened to George?

EXTERIOR RAILROAD STATION –– DAY –– FOUR YEARS LATER

MEDIUM SHOT –– Characteristic activity; a number of people waiting for the train. Uncle Billy is seated on a baggage wagon eating peanuts as George paces up and down in front of him.

JOSEPH'S VOICE: George got four years older, waiting for Harry to come back and take over the Building and Loan.

GEORGE: Oh, there are plenty of jobs around for somebody that likes to travel. Look at this.
(takes some folders from his pocket)
There . . . Venezuela oil fields –– wanted, man with construction experience. Here's the Yukon, right here –– wanted, man with engineering experience.

The WHISTLE of the approaching train is heard.

GEORGE (cont'd): Thar she blows. You know what the three most exciting sounds in the world are?

UNCLE BILLY: Uh-huh. Breakfast is served; lunch is served; dinner . . .

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

UNCLE BILLY: Peanut?

EXTERIOR TRAIN –– DAY

MEDIUM SHOT –– The train comes to a stop, and Harry is among the first to get off, followed by an attractive girl about the same age as he is. George rushes into the shot, and as the brothers embrace:

GEORGE (joyously): There's the professor now! Old professor, Phi Beta Kappa Bailey! All American!

HARRY: Well, if it isn't old George Geographic Explorer Bailey! What? No husky dogs? No sled?
(to Uncle Billy)
Uncle Billy, you haven't changed a bit.

UNCLE BILLY: Nobody ever changes around here. You know that.

GEORGE: Oh, am I glad to see you.

HARRY: Say, where's Mother?

GEORGE: She's home cooking the fatted calf. Come on, let's go.

HARRY: Oh, wait. Wait . . . Wait a minute.

CLOSE SHOT –– the group, including Ruth Dakin. This is the young lady who came off the train with Harry. In the excitement of greetings she has been momentarily forgotten. She stands, smiling, waiting.

GEORGE: Hello.

UNCLE BILLY: How do you do.

HARRY: Ruth Dakin.

RUTH: Ruth Dakin Bailey, if you don't mind.

George and Uncle Billy stare, astounded.

UNCLE BILLY: Huh?

HARRY: Well, I wired you I had a surprise. Here she is. Meet the wife.

George is thunderstruck. He takes Ruth's hand.

UNCLE BILLY: Well, what do you know –– wife.

GEORGE: Well, how do you do. Congratulations. Congratulations. What am I doing?

He kisses Ruth. CAMERA MOVES WITH them down the platform.

GEORGE: Harry, why didn't you tell somebody?
(to Ruth)
What's a pretty girl like you doing marrying this two-headed brother of mine?

RUTH (smiling): Well, I'll tell you. It's purely mercenary. My father offered him a job.

George stops, with a sinking feeling. Uncle Billy and Ruth continue out of shot. Harry stops with George.

UNCLE BILLY (as he moves off): Oh, he gets you and a job? Well, Harry's cup runneth over.

HARRY: George . . . about that job. Ruth spoke out of turn. I never said I'd take it. You've been holding the bag here for four years, and . . . well, I won't let you down, George. I would like to . . . Oh, wait a minute. I forgot the bags. I'll be right back.

He runs out of the shot, George watching him.

CLOSE SHOT –– George slowly moves after Uncle Billy and Ruth. He is thinking deeply.

UNCLE BILLY'S VOICE: It was a surprise to me. This is the new Mrs. Bailey, my nephew's wife. Old, old friend of the family.

RUTH'S VOICE: Oh, of course. I've heard him speak of you.

UNCLE BILLY'S VOICE: And I want to tell you, we're going to give the biggest party this town ever saw.

CAMERA MOVES WITH George as he comes into the scene. Ruth detaches herself from the group and offers George some popcorn.

RUTH (to George): Here, have some popcorn. George, George, George . . . that's all Harry ever talks about.

GEORGE (quietly): Ruth, this . . . what about this job?

RUTH: Oh, well, my father owns a glass factory in Buffalo. He wants to get Harry started in the research business.

GEORGE: Is it a good job?

RUTH: Oh, yes, very. Not much money, but a good future, you know. Harry's a genius at research. My father fell in love with him.

GEORGE: And you did, too?

Ruth nods, smiling.