It's a Wonderful Life (1946) — Screenplay
A selfless family man on the brink of suicide is shown by a guardian angel what life would be like if he had never existed.
- Written by
- Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra
- Genre
- Drama, Fantasy, Family, Holiday
- Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- Length
- 169 pages
This screenplay is a masterclass in balancing intimate character study with sweeping fantasy. Study how Goodrich, Hackett, and Capra structure the first act to establish George's dreams and obligations, making his crisis deeply felt. The dialogue crackles with warmth, while the film's tonal shift into the alternate reality offers a compelling lesson in narrative perspective.
Read the full It's a Wonderful Life (1946) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.