I love his physical scting an the framing of the scene. Up until he shakes his hand he gets more and more comfortable in the lower chair, showing the he's forgetting just how low he's stooping morally. Then when he shakes his hand it's like the deal is sealed and everything becomes more real and he wakes up and realizes the weight of this decision and how it will hurt the people in his life. He's disgusted at both himself and Potter and literally wipes his hand. As he does so he gets up from the chair and both morally and physically rises above Potter. I know it's a little obvious but it's like all the little things together make the scene more genuine as opposed to cheesy. Love this movie.
I can appreciate how complex Jimmy Stewart made George Bailey in this film. On one hand he's this nice guys who tries to never to let his friends and family down, but on the other hand he has this stronger desire to break free from all that. And this scene illustrates just how tempting it would be to want to live like Mr. Potter-but he eventually comes around to realizing that he's not going to stoop to Mr. Potter's level
I love his physical scting an the framing of the scene. Up until he shakes his hand he gets more and more comfortable in the lower chair, showing the he's forgetting just how low he's stooping morally. Then when he shakes his hand it's like the deal is sealed and everything becomes more real and he wakes up and realizes the weight of this decision and how it will hurt the people in his life. He's disgusted at both himself and Potter and literally wipes his hand. As he does so he gets up from the chair and both morally and physically rises above Potter. I know it's a little obvious but it's like all the little things together make the scene more genuine as opposed to cheesy. Love this movie.
Well said. The whole movie is a study in the every man struggle with good and evil. I enjoy imagining a story showing what they do with the pile of money and how the kids turn out, but like all great films, it defies a sequel that could never be equal : )
This scene is a good lesson in integrity. If George Bailey had accepted Potter's offer he would have been financially well off but he would have betrayed his long time clients. Potter's goal was to put Bailey's Building and Loan out of business so he would have a monopoly on the housing industry in town. Many of George's clients would have been thrown out of their home because of Potter's ruthless ways.
One of the most brilliant peaces of cinema i ever saw..The subtle whipping his had on his jacket after shaking Potters hand is Brilliant... you cant wipe off the slime....
Lionel Barrymore had this voice to him in this movie. Dark, sinister, ruthless. But damn!!!!!!! I've seen pictures of him, and he was cuuuuuuuute!!!!!!!
Potter's silent bodyguard in this scene is Frank Hagney, an Australian actor who appeared in over 300 Hollywood films. Frank was a champion boxer and rower and got a start as a stunt man in the silent era alongside Buster Keaton and Chaplin, including appearing in "The General" however when the "Talkies" came along Frank couln't shake his overwhelming Australian Accent and so became a constant in Bar Room brawl scenes and Silent Brooding Standover men roles. He was working as stuntman right into his sixties.
It's not just that George is naturally full of love, but that he's also full of pride--the good kind of pride that believes in honor and self-respect, including honoring and respecting others. Potter and his kind have none of that: leveraging the downtrodden, even when it's legal, is nothing a real man can do. George isn't soft or sneaky or scheming. Everything he does is out in the open. It's his pride that saves him and asserts itself here. He's just too strong to lick Potter's boots. While he won't betray others, he won't betray himself. He really would rather die, as the movie shows. That's why I love the film so. To be a man costs a lot. But it's worth it.
George bailey realized he was making a deal with the proverbial devil and instead of selling out the town and his friends for a affluent life he rejects Potter's demonic deal!!
From 1:56 to 2:05 the moment seen in Home Alone (1990) movie when some kids watched the movie in French on TV the scene when the McAlister family were in France.
Assuming that this scene takes place in 1939 (it's not exactly clear from the context), a salary of $20,000 a year back then would be equivalent to $401,153.96 in 2021 (according to US inflation calculator on Google). Potter is offering George a massive amount of money here.
I always wondered what the conversion was. Watching this there should be a small clip at the bottom of screen saying what the 20,000 dollars is today. Thar way everyone will know what George turned down.
It always triggers me when potter finds the $8000 in the newspaper, and he just keeps it instead of doing the responsible thing, all cuz hes spiteful and wants to see the baileys run around like chickens with their heads cut off so he can get George to come crawling to him. Like before he was just a harsh businessman, but THAT is just EVIL.
You bet that was evil! Not only he kept the $8000 and not said anything but he called the police on George to have him arrested and in a way drove poor George to the brink of suicide when he said that George was worth more dead than alive!
@@melissacooper4282 And it takes digestion but even more spitefully so as if Potter could know it: George is responsible for the name of the town NOT being Pottersville.
I always felt like Potter is Scrooge if he was never visited by the three spirits and got worse and worse, more greedy and miserable to the point of going past being a mean old miser to a truly vile and evil human being. That's Potter.
This scene here is playing out across the world right now in regards to the bankers, the corporate elites, and the 1% who are hellbent on owning you and your rights to a happy life.
George says his wage is $40-$45 a week, 52 weeks a year is 2340, it'd take George around 25 years to make 60k. Even if potter did screw him over it's a ton of money.
By what standards lmao. I wouldn't say no to making a quarter million annually. I'd consider the average person crazy if they didn't take that kind of crazy job offer. Any sane man would give an arm, a leg and their right testicle for such a contract.
No, I do not believe this to be the case. If George took the deal then so long as he remained loyal and valuable to Potter he would be treated as befits a first rate business manager, with all the money and perks that Potter lays out. Rather, it would be the tenants, poor and working folk of the town that would get progressively more screwed over. Something of how their lot has been worsened is displayed in the version of Bedford Falls that Clarence shows to George. What I find particularly powerful about this scene is the idea that Potter, in my opinion, can hardly conceive beforehand that George would ever refuse such an offer.
@@Amethyst_Friend While I don't disagree with you, I did notice that he said a three year contract. He may have had him work just long enough to be comfortable and disliked by the community to then pull the rug out from under his feet leaving him with no friends and few prospects. I don't doubt Potter would make a genuinely good deal for George, for the time being, but we also know how spiteful and cunning he can be.
The only thing I hate about this film is that Potter didnt get his in the end. Unlike other adaptations or gags the villain got theirs. Instead Potter continued to live in his office assuming George was going to jail and that's it. Capra apparently wrote something where Potter had a heart attack in this version after being spooked by Clarance but chose not to add it too bad could have shown he got his just due!
I think what happened is more true to real life and mostly these evil doers don't get their due but they lead lives that are meaningless. Now we call them narcissists and sociopaths. Trump is a good example of Potter.
@@brianwalsh1401 I know but in other randitions, versions or homages to this classic the "Mr. Potter" character gets some form of karma happen to them. If that was made years later, something would have happened to him, just my opinion.
@@Bull1908 I would say that Potter, getting his comeuppance, would be the usual Hollywood ending but the movie ended on such a positive note maybe they didn't want to go there and you know what, i actually never notice but Potter actually did get his because George was able to show Potter something he would never have, which was loving family and friends and people he actually helped which made the world a better place and were now there for him when he needed them. It is such a great movie. The Potter's of the world may have a lot of wealth but not stuff of true value.
Always felt like Potter was just trying to pry George out of his business, then Potter would fire him as soon as George opposed him on anything. It would be a risky move for George but a win-win for Potter.
Psalm 1:1 George is in a place in his life where he could use more money and stability. He becomes tempted to “go for it,” career-wise, just he has at other times been tempted to “go for it” with his pretty childhood “little sister” friend, Violet Bick. Sitting in a rich banker’s office, he literally can start to feel and smell “success” in the world’s eyes. In one of my favorite hinge scenes of movie story telling, George slams the door in true Jimmy Stewart awkward angry fashion. Priceless.
I really liked the scene after this when George goes home and hears Mr Potter’s voice then his own echoing in his head and he thinks again about all the things he wanted to do and the better life he wanted to give his family. Even though he felt obligated to turn Potter’s proposition down so the Building and Loan wouldn’t say “You threw us over! You’re siding with the enemy!” part of him is still wondering if he should have said “Yes” instead.
LOL, I went to an inflation calculator before I even saw you comment to see how much he turned down. I'm not sure if you or the calculator were correct, but the number are very close. Certainly a LOT of money!!
The handshake... man that was he whole key, right there. George was a good man, potter was bad, twisted and evil. More machine now, than man... oh wait wrong movie
If he accepted the offer then 1: Potter would break the offer after buying the Business and would take all his property and might make him to beg. However George should not make him angry as he was behaving politiely with him . He should linger his offer and make him confuse so that Potter would not take any evil step towards him as he was remain in a hope that he might sale his company oneday to him .
After 1:44...when George realizes what's going on...the look on his face, when he wipes his hand on his coat after shaking Potter's hand...."Ya sit around here and spin your little webs and ya think the whole world resolves around you and your money well it doesn't Mr. Potter. In the whole vast configuration of things I'd say you were nothing but a scurvy little spider, you -- AND THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO!!!" sticks cigar in his mouth and walks out the door like a boss...priceless
Funny, just a little while ago I used the same word telling my son about this scene: priceless. That really is what this movie is and what it is about: the things that matter have no price; they cost everything, but the return is immeasurable satisfaction.
Mr. Potter is the real hero of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” A responsible, prudent businessman. Meanwhile, George Bailey is running around in the middle of the night with flowers in his pockets, jumping off bridges because he thought he saw angels in the water.
What year was this scene suppose to be? 20,000 dollars a year in the late 30's/early 40's post depression had to be six figures. I found a site to figure it out but what year/decade was this scene suppose to be lol. That's a hell of a lot of money back then.
Notice how Potter only offered George a 3 year contract? Potter would have kicked George out on his ass once he took over the Building & Loan. George should have countered with a 10-year contract @ 30k per year just to see what Potter would do.
i feel the same way George Bailey feels when he shakes Mr. Potter's hand every time i have to work in corporate North America , like having to shake hands with the Devil
Home Alone sure brought me here! As a matter of fact, the Home Alone deleted scene "Do You Speak French?" includes even more of the It's A Wonderful Life scene.
Ha-ha. Straw man argument. Capitalism enables free people to choose what is right. George Bailey is a capitalist who rules over his money instead of letting it rule over him.
some companies are ethical some are downright ruthless. some companies follow the laws other companies follow the senators. insert Glass Segall Act and savings bank and investment bank separation laws. many historians blame the repeal of this law led to casino capitalism and the collapse in 2007.
A modern day George Bailey is supposed to speak anytime soon about an impending deal with a modern day Mr. Potter. Was supposed to speak at 2pm. I’m wondering if he is having some reservations about this and I don’t mean Indians.
It's interesting. Nobody in the movie smokes CIGARETTES. There several scenes including this one where the characters smoke CIGARS and in another scene George Bailey smokes a PIPE. I guess since this movie is geared towards kids, they may have felt that having characters smoke cigarettes was bad. However, we all know that Santa and Frosty the Snowman smoke a pipe and big wigs smoke cigars. I guess they felt that the movie would favored better is the smoking was with cigars and pipes instead of cigarettes which nobody today seem to like.
I'm hoping that when Americans who have been taken in by Trump are about to cast their vote today, they pause just like George Bailey did and are reminded of this classic moment and realize that they don't want to be associated with this man.
Seeing a political message in a film ruins it for you? That's interesting. There are so many messages in the film. According to Karolyn Grimes who played Zuzu in the film, “There are so many messages. Capra was trying to make people realize that life is worth living, and that you can make a difference. We lose sight of that every once in awhile. That’s why I think people love to watch it.” So I agree with her about the main message of the film. But I can't not see the similarity between George Bailey and the American people and Potter and Trump. I guess time will tell.
You might want to do some research on that. Authors and filmmakers express messages through their work. In 1947 the FBI conducted an investigation of the film and deemed it communist propaganda because it portrayed the character of Potter as mean and heartless. They felt he represented the banking industry. I understand that there are two main themes in the film. One is that one person's life touches so many others. The second theme which I believe is the most important is that each person should appreciate his own life, to see the value in it. Some people see those themes as political messages. Of course Capra wasn't depicting Trump when he made the film, but the similarity is so obvious that it came to my mind on election day. If you don't think there are political messages in the classics, take another look at the novels of Charles Dickens.
As you can see from my original comment, I posted it on the morning of Election Day. It seemed that the election was going to be very close. Many of my friends had told me that they were voting for Trump with a heavy heart. They disliked the man intensely. But they are Republicans and agree with the Republican platform and felt that they had no choice but to vote for him. I rarely post anything on TH-cam. But that morning this iconic cinematic moment came to mind. The similarity was so clear and I know that many Americans are familiar with it. When I searched youtube for that moment, I was surprised to find the exact clip I was looking for. It seemed providential. If you read my original post, you'll see that I was asking Americans to take that moment of privacy, when they're about to cast that vote, to recall this moment from this film and pause just like George Bailey did and think about the man they are voting for. To make sure they are comfortable with that. Some classic films contain very powerful images. This film has many. Sorry if this ruins this classic film for you. That's not what was on my mind when I posted the comment. I was and am still very concerned about the future of our country.
Adjusted for inflation since 1946... Probably earlier in movie plot... $20k/year is like $320,000/year... On a 3 year contract... Almost a million. Potter would have found a way to null and void contract anyway...
One of the ironies was that Potter had denounced George for underwriting a $5,000 loan to Ernie, who had no credit nor savings and had to support himself as a taxi driver. The basis was that George had confidence in Ernie's work and their friendship. Potter says if George keeps doing this it will give us a "lazy, discontented rabble instead of a thrifty working class". Yet when George is in the alternate universe of Pottersville, it has pawn shops, honky tonks, and strip joints all patronized by the likes of the "discontented rabble" Potter warned us against.
Yes. Trump knows that RFK could be a problem for him and is going to offer him a cabinet position if he drops out. Hopefully RFK will follow George Bailey (say no).
“ The devil doesn’t come dressed in a red cape and pointed horns. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for”
Almost everything.
“The Devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.” Hamlet.
the WEF, china, dems nazi marx rinos. after the 3 years George will have nothing and all the people will have no choice but e vile.
Yup lol
Showed him the world like Satan but George refused
I love his physical scting an the framing of the scene. Up until he shakes his hand he gets more and more comfortable in the lower chair, showing the he's forgetting just how low he's stooping morally. Then when he shakes his hand it's like the deal is sealed and everything becomes more real and he wakes up and realizes the weight of this decision and how it will hurt the people in his life. He's disgusted at both himself and Potter and literally wipes his hand. As he does so he gets up from the chair and both morally and physically rises above Potter. I know it's a little obvious but it's like all the little things together make the scene more genuine as opposed to cheesy. Love this movie.
Yep
It's such a brilliant scene, a real masterclass in blocking.
My favourite scene of all time. George is THE hero.
It´s sad to see how there are even more Potters and less Baileys today than then.
Agreed. The country has regressed. Narcissitic now
Don’t give up hope. It often seems that way cause the Potters are just louder.
Americas’s version of capitalist business is more interested in Potter’s than Baileys that’s why.
I can appreciate how complex Jimmy Stewart made George Bailey in this film. On one hand he's this nice guys who tries to never to let his friends and family down, but on the other hand he has this stronger desire to break free from all that. And this scene illustrates just how tempting it would be to want to live like Mr. Potter-but he eventually comes around to realizing that he's not going to stoop to Mr. Potter's level
I love his physical scting an the framing of the scene. Up until he shakes his hand he gets more and more comfortable in the lower chair, showing the he's forgetting just how low he's stooping morally. Then when he shakes his hand it's like the deal is sealed and everything becomes more real and he wakes up and realizes the weight of this decision and how it will hurt the people in his life. He's disgusted at both himself and Potter and literally wipes his hand. As he does so he gets up from the chair and both morally and physically rises above Potter. I know it's a little obvious but it's like all the little things together make the scene more genuine as opposed to cheesy. Love this movie.
Well said. The whole movie is a study in the every man struggle with good and evil. I enjoy imagining a story showing what they do with the pile of money and how the kids turn out, but like all great films, it defies a sequel that could never be equal : )
"And that goes for you two!" My dad's favorite line from the movie.
That's what every hero should say to the silent lackey.
Shaking hands with devil, this is my favorite scene in the movie
Yes it’s great. You could see the moment he’s shaking his hand he realizes that he is shaking hands with devil, and rejects the offer.
Yes it is, but don’t forget Zuzu’s petals! Zuzu... HAHA THERE THEY ARE!!! BURT!!! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT!?!? MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
And the Democratic establishment, especially since Bill Clinton, are George if he took Potter's offer.
This scene is a good lesson in integrity. If George Bailey had accepted Potter's offer he would have been financially well off but he would have betrayed his long time clients. Potter's goal was to put Bailey's Building and Loan out of business so he would have a monopoly on the housing industry in town. Many of George's clients would have been thrown out of their home because of Potter's ruthless ways.
Absolutely.
I'm glad that George saw right through Potter and refused his offer.
Potter was disrespectful to his father too.
Potter could also fire George anytime he wanted. Potter just wants George out of business, it doesn’t matter what happens after that.
Potter is sort of like Trump who gave thought to using eminent domain to take a lady's house.
A couple of excellent actors. Mr. Potter's facial expressions are classic, and the delivery of the job offer is excellent.
Lionel Barrymore, an old school silent ham. The perfect man to play Potter !
One of the most brilliant peaces of cinema i ever saw..The subtle whipping his had on his jacket after shaking Potters hand is Brilliant... you cant wipe off the slime....
Potter's one of the greatest villains in cinema history as George is one of cinema's greatest heroes.
That's why it's such a great movie about good vs evil, man against man, against himself like in this scene and so much more.
Jimmy was EVEN MORE a hero in REAL LIFE TOO!!!
Modern audiences will always know who Lionel Barrymore was due to his excellent portrayal here as Mr. Potter. Epic. That's the good part.
Have you seen On Borrowed Time? Talk about a tear jerker, and it casts him in a very different light. Another great movie.
I always liked that little detail of George sitting in a really short chair so he could be lower than Mr Potter it's very symbolic lol
I dont know about symbolic. I think potter just did that on purpose to feel more powerful over whoever is sitting across his desk.
The way he says 'OK MR. POTTER' and shakes his hand, then freezes his emotions like he just shook hands with the devil himself...
Jimmy Stewart’s true acting without words
Mr potter is the devil, and George is the man who doesn't make a deal
I love this movie so much. Two phenomenal actors showing their talent and portraying something so real it’s visceral.
Lionel Barrymore had this voice to him in this movie.
Dark, sinister, ruthless.
But damn!!!!!!!
I've seen pictures of him, and he was cuuuuuuuute!!!!!!!
Potter's silent bodyguard in this scene is Frank Hagney, an Australian actor who appeared in over 300 Hollywood films. Frank was a champion boxer and rower and got a start as a stunt man in the silent era alongside Buster Keaton and Chaplin, including appearing in "The General" however when the "Talkies" came along Frank couln't shake his overwhelming Australian Accent and so became a constant in Bar Room brawl scenes and Silent Brooding Standover men roles. He was working as stuntman right into his sixties.
A timeless classic. A most beloved story before darker times that would come upon ALL unto this day.
I never thought about the fact that Mr. Potter has a small chair across from his so he can look down on all the people who come into his office.
Keen eye
It's not just that George is naturally full of love, but that he's also full of pride--the good kind of pride that believes in honor and self-respect, including honoring and respecting others. Potter and his kind have none of that: leveraging the downtrodden, even when it's legal, is nothing a real man can do. George isn't soft or sneaky or scheming. Everything he does is out in the open. It's his pride that saves him and asserts itself here. He's just too strong to lick Potter's boots. While he won't betray others, he won't betray himself. He really would rather die, as the movie shows. That's why I love the film so. To be a man costs a lot. But it's worth it.
George bailey realized he was making a deal with the proverbial devil and instead of selling out the town and his friends for a affluent life he rejects Potter's demonic deal!!
From 1:56 to 2:05 the moment seen in Home Alone (1990) movie when some kids watched the movie in French on TV the scene when the McAlister family were in France.
Mes petits enfants, would you like a leetle shrimp?
Assuming that this scene takes place in 1939 (it's not exactly clear from the context), a salary of $20,000 a year back then would be equivalent to $401,153.96 in 2021 (according to US inflation calculator on Google). Potter is offering George a massive amount of money here.
I always wondered what the conversion was. Watching this there should be a small clip at the bottom of screen saying what the 20,000 dollars is today. Thar way everyone will know what George turned down.
@@janetbelanger575720000 a year in todays dollars is around minimum wage.
It always triggers me when potter finds the $8000 in the newspaper, and he just keeps it instead of doing the responsible thing, all cuz hes spiteful and wants to see the baileys run around like chickens with their heads cut off so he can get George to come crawling to him. Like before he was just a harsh businessman, but THAT is just EVIL.
You bet that was evil! Not only he kept the $8000 and not said anything but he called the police on George to have him arrested and in a way drove poor George to the brink of suicide when he said that George was worth more dead than alive!
@@melissacooper4282 And it takes digestion but even more spitefully so as if Potter could know it: George is responsible for the name of the town NOT being Pottersville.
I always felt like Potter is Scrooge if he was never visited by the three spirits and got worse and worse, more greedy and miserable to the point of going past being a mean old miser to a truly vile and evil human being. That's Potter.
You should watch what they do to him in the real ending of It's a Wonderful Life on SNL. It's amazing. Look it up.
Never expect a narcissist or sociopath to do the right thing and you'll never be disappointed.
james stewart's best role
Oh there is SO MANY!! Philadelphia Story, The Shop Around the Corner, I could make a LIST!
1:45. George realizes he is shaking hands with the devil and wipes his hands of it and renounces it. Like how the chair is always lower than Potter.
He was shaking his hand with the tuft claw of an old, scuvy {bastard] spider.
This scene here is playing out across the world right now in regards to the bankers, the corporate elites, and the 1% who are hellbent on owning you and your rights to a happy life.
This is the kind of acting any aspiring actor ought to be studying.
For freaking ever!
“& that goes for you too!” I loved when he said that
Mr. Potter's chains are beyond a doubt more heavier than Jacob Marley's.
Love this movie!!!!!
Every politician has sat in George Bailey’s chair. Unfortunately few could finish this scene like Jimmy Stewart did. God help us all.
So this is how politicians become how they are?
To get to be a politician you have to have sold out already
Potter only offered George a 3 year contract. He would've screwed him over once the three years was up.
George says his wage is $40-$45 a week, 52 weeks a year is 2340, it'd take George around 25 years to make 60k. Even if potter did screw him over it's a ton of money.
Definitely
I wouldn't say that. Potter wanted Bailey in his pocket.
Scamming desperate people seems wrong until you’re offered a piece of the action. But George realized what he’d be doing.
$20,000 in 1946 is equivalent to over $240,000 in 2014, adjusted for inflation.
Friggin inflation.. $240,000 isn't even considered a lot of money now by some standards.
By what standards lmao. I wouldn't say no to making a quarter million annually. I'd consider the average person crazy if they didn't take that kind of crazy job offer. Any sane man would give an arm, a leg and their right testicle for such a contract.
Yea cause bread was .05 cents a loaf and rent was 15.00 a month
It’s now equivalent to $370,000
Imagine earning that a year 😂🤯
if George had accepted the offer, Potter would have found a way to screw him over..
No, I do not believe this to be the case. If George took the deal then so long as he remained loyal and valuable to Potter he would be treated as befits a first rate business manager, with all the money and perks that Potter lays out.
Rather, it would be the tenants, poor and working folk of the town that would get progressively more screwed over. Something of how their lot has been worsened is displayed in the version of Bedford Falls that Clarence shows to George.
What I find particularly powerful about this scene is the idea that Potter, in my opinion, can hardly conceive beforehand that George would ever refuse such an offer.
@@Amethyst_Friend OH Thanks for the analysis.
@@LBF522 You're welcome friend! By the way, I do not entirely discount your idea, because Potter was a thorough meanie after all!
So what 20 k in 1946 lol
@@Amethyst_Friend While I don't disagree with you, I did notice that he said a three year contract. He may have had him work just long enough to be comfortable and disliked by the community to then pull the rug out from under his feet leaving him with no friends and few prospects. I don't doubt Potter would make a genuinely good deal for George, for the time being, but we also know how spiteful and cunning he can be.
The only thing I hate about this film is that Potter didnt get his in the end. Unlike other adaptations or gags the villain got theirs. Instead Potter continued to live in his office assuming George was going to jail and that's it. Capra apparently wrote something where Potter had a heart attack in this version after being spooked by Clarance but chose not to add it too bad could have shown he got his just due!
I think what happened is more true to real life and mostly these evil doers don't get their due but they lead lives that are meaningless. Now we call them narcissists and sociopaths. Trump is a good example of Potter.
@@brianwalsh1401 I know but in other randitions, versions or homages to this classic the "Mr. Potter" character gets some form of karma happen to them. If that was made years later, something would have happened to him, just my opinion.
@@Bull1908 I would say that Potter, getting his comeuppance, would be the usual Hollywood ending but the movie ended on such a positive note maybe they didn't want to go there and you know what, i actually never notice but Potter actually did get his because George was able to show Potter something he would never have, which was loving family and friends and people he actually helped which made the world a better place and were now there for him when he needed them.
It is such a great movie. The Potter's of the world may have a lot of wealth but not stuff of true value.
Always felt like Potter was just trying to pry George out of his business, then Potter would fire him as soon as George opposed him on anything. It would be a risky move for George but a win-win for Potter.
1:56 Home Alone in France be like...
“No no eh no kin kaa!”
2:07 Potter has a picture of himself on his wall. That would enough for me to say NO!!
😂
Psalm 1:1
George is in a place in his life where he could use more money and stability. He becomes tempted to “go for it,” career-wise, just he has at other times been tempted to “go for it” with his pretty childhood “little sister” friend, Violet Bick. Sitting in a rich banker’s office, he literally can start to feel and smell “success” in the world’s eyes. In one of my favorite hinge scenes of movie story telling, George slams the door in true Jimmy Stewart awkward angry fashion. Priceless.
I really liked the scene after this when George goes home and hears Mr Potter’s voice then his own echoing in his head and he thinks again about all the things he wanted to do and the better life he wanted to give his family. Even though he felt obligated to turn Potter’s proposition down so the Building and Loan wouldn’t say “You threw us over! You’re siding with the enemy!” part of him is still wondering if he should have said “Yes” instead.
You know I believe he kind of had second thoughts about Potter's offer. But he realized he did the right thing by saying no.
*THAT GOES FOR Y O U , T O O !!*
Timelessly masterful acting
My top 3 movies of all time. I'm 58. The Godfather. The Godfather 2. It's a Wonderful Life.
That’s equivalent to around $280,000 in 2019. Damn that’s hard to turn down.
LOL, I went to an inflation calculator before I even saw you comment to see how much he turned down. I'm not sure if you or the calculator were correct, but the number are very close. Certainly a LOT of money!!
Easy to accept if you are willing to sell your soul.
Potter was trying to buy George out, but George ultimately saw through it.
The one dislike is Potter
And the guy behind him.
The handshake... man that was he whole key, right there. George was a good man, potter was bad, twisted and evil. More machine now, than man... oh wait wrong movie
Potters hand was stone cold.
0:49: Look at Potter's sly wink. That's the signal that he's lying.
And he doesn’t say what he’ll do after 3 years even if he kept his word.
1:55 This part was in Home Alone
In French at that.
Non non! Attendez un peu!
If he accepted the offer then
1: Potter would break the offer after buying the Business and would take all his property and might make him to beg. However George should not make him angry as he was behaving politiely with him . He should linger his offer and make him confuse so that Potter would not take any evil step towards him as he was remain in a hope that he might sale his company oneday to him .
After 1:44...when George realizes what's going on...the look on his face, when he wipes his hand on his coat after shaking Potter's hand...."Ya sit around here and spin your little webs and ya think the whole world resolves around you and your money well it doesn't Mr. Potter. In the whole vast configuration of things I'd say you were nothing but a scurvy little spider, you -- AND THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO!!!" sticks cigar in his mouth and walks out the door like a boss...priceless
Funny, just a little while ago I used the same word telling my son about this scene: priceless. That really is what this movie is and what it is about: the things that matter have no price; they cost everything, but the return is immeasurable satisfaction.
Mr. Potter is the real hero of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” A responsible, prudent businessman. Meanwhile, George Bailey is running around in the middle of the night with flowers in his pockets, jumping off bridges because he thought he saw angels in the water.
This says a lot about you
@@maver7ck just tell me, who would you rather entrust your money with. Don’t say George Bailey, because we all know that’s not true.
This parallels the temptation of Jesus.
Mr. Potter uses an ancient jedi mind trick on George!
Can’t watch this seen without thinking of home alone
“No no eh-no-cank-ka!”
I heard a rumor that Mr. Potter passed away, God bless his soul.
Now he lives in Potterville in the great bye and bye.
1:55 this clip in English, but in Home Alone, it sounded in French
Integrity moral compass,way to go george! 👏
My favorite character of all movies
What year was this scene suppose to be? 20,000 dollars a year in the late 30's/early 40's post depression had to be six figures. I found a site to figure it out but what year/decade was this scene suppose to be lol. That's a hell of a lot of money back then.
this was on in french in home alone
Notice how Potter only offered George a 3 year contract?
Potter would have kicked George out on his ass once he took over the Building & Loan.
George should have countered with a 10-year contract @ 30k per year just to see what Potter would do.
i feel the same way George Bailey feels when he shakes Mr. Potter's hand every time i have to work in corporate North America , like having to shake hands with the Devil
I just got done performing my final performance of it’s a wonderful life
I played as The goon at my college
That’s awesome! I would love to be in this or Arsenic and Old Lace. Your name in a playbill never goes away
The part at 1:55 reminds me of Home Alone
Potter has a big portrait of himself on the wall. 😀
Thumbs up if "Home Alone" brought you here.
Home Alone sure brought me here! As a matter of fact, the Home Alone deleted scene "Do You Speak French?" includes even more of the It's A Wonderful Life scene.
In todays terms, that's roughly 370K a year.
As seen on Home Alone.
Pat French French language sounding joke: NO NO EH NO KEEN KA 🙃
2:05 What I think Donald Trump is.
Potter definitely was a free market capitalist
Ha-ha. Straw man argument. Capitalism enables free people to choose what is right. George Bailey is a capitalist who rules over his money instead of letting it rule over him.
They were amazing together here and in Malaya.
He still kept the cigar though.
To me, Potter is a tragic figure. Unlike the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge, Potter doesn't change his ways and turn into a good guy.
1:55 watch it in French.
You’re welcome Home Alone fans😁
some companies are ethical some are downright ruthless.
some companies follow the laws other companies follow the senators.
insert Glass Segall Act and savings bank and investment bank separation laws.
many historians blame the repeal of this law led to casino capitalism
and the collapse in 2007.
Potter was just going to fire Bailey when the S&L was eliminated, so it wasn't like Bailey turned much down.
If he had a contract I'm sure it would have been hard to break!
Can’t wait for season 2
A modern day George Bailey is supposed to speak anytime soon about an impending deal with a modern day Mr. Potter. Was supposed to speak at 2pm. I’m wondering if he is having some reservations about this and I don’t mean Indians.
I never noticed that Mr. Potter has a picture of himself on the wall 😆
knock this politics shit off! presidents come, presidents go. this movie is timeless.
George made the right choice
I would have said, make it $30,000/year, and we have a deal.
Mr Potter was the true winner. He got paid to destroy gorge life. Love is nice it takes money to make the world go around.
Lionel Barrymore is the quintessential Devil's advocate!
It's interesting. Nobody in the movie smokes CIGARETTES. There several scenes including this one where the characters smoke CIGARS and in another scene George Bailey smokes a PIPE. I guess since this movie is geared towards kids, they may have felt that having characters smoke cigarettes was bad. However, we all know that Santa and Frosty the Snowman smoke a pipe and big wigs smoke cigars. I guess they felt that the movie would favored better is the smoking was with cigars and pipes instead of cigarettes which nobody today seem to like.
I'm hoping that when Americans who have been taken in by Trump are about to cast their vote today, they pause just like George Bailey did and are reminded of this classic moment and realize that they don't want to be associated with this man.
Eobard Thawne 👍🏻
I think the similarity is blatantly obvious.
Seeing a political message in a film ruins it for you? That's interesting. There are so many messages in the film. According to Karolyn Grimes who played Zuzu in the film, “There are so many messages. Capra was trying to make people realize that life is worth living, and that you can make a difference. We lose sight of that every once in awhile. That’s why I think people love to watch it.” So I agree with her about the main message of the film. But I can't not see the similarity between George Bailey and the American people and Potter and Trump. I guess time will tell.
Except Hillary is a male version of Potter...
You might want to do some research on that. Authors and filmmakers express messages through their work. In 1947 the FBI conducted an investigation of the film and deemed it communist propaganda because it portrayed the character of Potter as mean and heartless. They felt he represented the banking industry. I understand that there are two main themes in the film. One is that one person's life touches so many others. The second theme which I believe is the most important is that each person should appreciate his own life, to see the value in it. Some people see those themes as political messages. Of course Capra wasn't depicting Trump when he made the film, but the similarity is so obvious that it came to my mind on election day. If you don't think there are political messages in the classics, take another look at the novels of Charles Dickens.
20,000 dollars a year yippy skippy and I still get Christmas day off?
As you can see from my original comment, I posted it on the morning of Election Day. It seemed that the election was going to be very close. Many of my friends had told me that they were voting for Trump with a heavy heart. They disliked the man intensely. But they are Republicans and agree with the Republican platform and felt that they had no choice but to vote for him. I rarely post anything on TH-cam. But that morning this iconic cinematic moment came to mind. The similarity was so clear and I know that many Americans are familiar with it. When I searched youtube for that moment, I was surprised to find the exact clip I was looking for. It seemed providential. If you read my original post, you'll see that I was asking Americans to take that moment of privacy, when they're about to cast that vote, to recall this moment from this film and pause just like George Bailey did and think about the man they are voting for. To make sure they are comfortable with that. Some classic films contain very powerful images. This film has many. Sorry if this ruins this classic film for you. That's not what was on my mind when I posted the comment. I was and am still very concerned about the future of our country.
Potter is neither Trump nor Clinton. Clinton works for Potter. Now that he's entered politics, Trump does too.
What RFK Jr should have said to Trump after shaking his hand. Personal integrity is everything!
Twenty thousand a lot of money back then.
and that goes for you too!
Adjusted for inflation since 1946... Probably earlier in movie plot... $20k/year is like $320,000/year... On a 3 year contract... Almost a million. Potter would have found a way to null and void contract anyway...
Mr. Potter was reincarnated as Sen Rick Scott of Fla. as an even more evil variation of serpent man.
One of the ironies was that Potter had denounced George for underwriting a $5,000 loan to Ernie, who had no credit nor savings and had to support himself as a taxi driver. The basis was that George had confidence in Ernie's work and their friendship. Potter says if George keeps doing this it will give us a "lazy, discontented rabble instead of a thrifty working class". Yet when George is in the alternate universe of Pottersville, it has pawn shops, honky tonks, and strip joints all patronized by the likes of the "discontented rabble" Potter warned us against.
His ego would seem to be his Achilles' Heel, (exhibit A, that painting) George being saved must've been really stressful for him.
All you have to do is change Potter to Trump in your head and this scene makes perfect sense.
Yes. Trump knows that RFK could be a problem for him and is going to offer him a cabinet position if he drops out. Hopefully RFK will follow George Bailey (say no).
Potter is a great American, comments section is full of orange man bad NPC's and jealous poors.
Warped frustrated ole man
Old school villain