20 Things You Didn't Know About It's A Wonderful Life

A secondary plotline to the film focuses on Clarence Odbody, a second class angel, working to earn his wings. In order to achieve them, he is sent to save George Bailey’s life. According to Clarence, every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. This proverb is later reiterated by Zuzu Bailey, after a ring is heard on their Christmas tree, implying that his guardian angel finally got his wings.

Throughout the entire movie run, a total of forty-two bell rings are heard, and if Clarence is correct, it means forty-two angels got their wings.