Something happens that day before Christmas through no fault of his own, Bailey is in big trouble. We've also seen a greedy and grasping Potter, grabbing everything that George Bailey cannot save. And we see the kind of struggles he's had, the sacrifices he's made for the good of a whole lot of others.

But before Henry Travers the angel arrives, he's given the story of George Bailey's life.

Their prayers reach the heavens where an angel is dispatched to aid. A whole lot of people in Bedford Falls one post World War II Christmas Eve see that their friend George is toting a heavy load of mysterious origins. Hinds as Peter Bailey put it so well to him in asking what are you doing all this for? Barrymore does have more money than he could ever possibly use. Barrymore seems to have unlimited resources at his disposal. Fate has made him the rallying point of opposition in his small town of Bedford Falls to the 'richest and meanest man in town', embodied in Lionel Barrymore. He's got the every day problems to be sure, raising and providing for a family, but he's got bigger problems than that. George Bailey as portrayed by James Stewart is the kind of every man hero we can all identify with. I've always thought that the reason It's A Wonderful Life has had such enduring popularity is that more than in any other film it shows what can be the value of a single individual and the contribution to the greater good they can make. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide.

When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls.

It's a wonderful life movie poster