10 Harsh Realities That Completely Ruin Classic Film Happy Endings

6. It's A Wonderful Life €“- Mr Potter Gets Away With It

The Happy Ending

George decides life is worth living, runs through the snow proclaiming his life wonderful, and then discovers that he is saved from prison, and the Building & Loan won't be going bankrupt thanks to the kindness of his friends and family. Clarence gets his wings, and George cuddles his family.

The Harsh Reality

Aside from the well-publicised realisation that George's nightmare is simply reinforced by the end of the film, and he is devilishly convinced not to seek the sweet release of death by the dirty tricks of an angel with his own agenda, the fact is that Mr Potter, the villain of the piece, escapes Scot-free. He is never held accountable, and apparently just pockets the $8,000 that he uses to try and incriminate George without so much as a suggestion that he's going to be found out or punished.

Originally, he was intended to be killed off by a heart attack after Clarence appears to him and admonishes him for being a devil, but that was deemed too macabre and he escaped the fate. The real harsh reality is that although George "defeats" Mr Potter, he barely changes the villain's fate, and the awful realisation is that Pottersville will probably still happen in one way or another, since he still remains the "richest and meanest man in the country."