In the film's last scene, as George joyfully returns to his family, he finds this note from Clarence:ĬLARENCE: Dear George, remember, no man is a failure who has friends. He embodies a simple, heavenly wisdom and love. He shows George that his life really does matter and that he's not a failure that friends and family, not money, are what are important that he's made a difference in the world:ĬLARENCE: Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?Ĭlarence's goal as a character is entirely focused on helping George. They revisit the important people and places in his life, whose lives are the worse for not having George in them.
You've never been born.Ĭlarence shows George what the world would be like if he'd never existed. (glances up toward heaven) What do you think? Yeah, that'll do it. He says:ĬLARENCE: Oh, you mustn't say things like that. George tells Clarence that he wishes he was never born. George is understandably skeptical, and a watchman overhearing them falls off his chair and splits. And you see, you did, and that's how I saved you.Īs they chat afterward in a watchman's hut, Clarence explains that he's an angel, second-class, sent to save him. I knew if I were drowning, you'd try to save me. (He saw George do the same for Harry when he was young.)ĬLARENCE: I had to act quickly that's why I jumped in. He's learned enough about George that he knows he'll jump in after him to save him. He prevents George from killing himself by falling into the river himself. As George says, "You look like about the kind of an angel I'd get." But, Clarence's methods prove pretty effective for a novice. On Earth, Clarence appears as a comical elderly man who seems a little bumbling and odd-not some sort of imposing, sword-wielding angel. of a rabbit" but "the faith of child-simple."īut, our George needs first-class help. FRANKLINS VOICE Clarence, you do a good job with George Bailey. Right now, he's still an "AS-2" or "Angel, Second-Class." The senior angels say that he has the "I.Q. ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE By Frances Goodrich Albert Hackett Frank Capra Jo Swerling FADE. Its true that Henry Travers whimsical Clarence Oddbody, angel second class, reflects tritely on the significance of Georges life. They bring him up to speed on George's life by watching a film by Frank Capra called It's a Wonderful Life.Ĭlarence hasn't yet earned his wings, but if he can help save George Bailey's life and restore his faith in himself, he might get them. Clarence was a clockmaker when he was alive 293 years ago.Ĭlarence gets called to the job by two senior angels who've heard about George's predicament. Clarence Odbody ends up being George's personal savior, even though it's his first big job.
He doesn't get saddled with some punk angel like John Travolta's Michael. George really lucks out in the guardian angel assignment lottery. George Bailey is a small-town man whose life seems so desperate he.