No Penalty??? (SPOILERS)


So Potter simply gets away with stealing the $8000? Not only is that unsatisfying in its own right, I thought in old (code) movies everyone had to pay for their crimes.

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That is kinda weird now that you mention it. Maybe they figured that George Bailey not going to jail was punishment enough for Mr. Potter (not that that would make sense lol)

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I heard there was suppose to be a scene where Clarence scares Potter for putting George through all this but it was cut.

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I think you mean this: https://youtu.be/vw89o0afb2A.

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This has nothing to do with moral statements in the story, and everything to do with a clever director's instincts to keep the story on film tight. Potter could not have been "caught" before the final scene, and the final scene was the best final scene. No need to drag on to an anti-climax.

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Frank Capra said he received more comments on this one thing than any other aspect of the film over the years. Who my mom couldn't stand was the wheelchair pusher who saw everything and said nothing.

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Who my mom couldn't stand was the wheelchair pusher who saw everything and said nothing.


There's an old expression about knowing which side one's bread was buttered on. Basically, pusher dude knew who paid his salary, and even if he anonymously threw Potter under the bus, it might get Potter arrested and the pusher loses his job.

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Mr. Potter is living a miserable life and will soon realize that the townsfolk helped George after Potter said they would abandon him.

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