Reader: Blame Mr. Potter for George Bailey's dilemma

Bankers! It was bumbling Uncle Billy who managed to misplace George Bailey's deposit -- but it was the banker, Mr. Potter, who took advantage of the situation. Just as bankers are taking advantage of the unfortunate today. It's a Wonderful Life may be over sixty years old, but the movie...

By Patricia Calhoun

November 28, 2012

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Bankers! It was bumbling Uncle Billy who managed to misplace George Bailey's deposit -- but it was the banker, Mr. Potter, who took advantage of the situation. Just as bankers are taking advantage of the unfortunate today. It's a Wonderful Life may be over sixty years old, but the movie has a very modern moral, as Josiah Hesse points out.

See also:

Says Ross:

"These decisions ultimately leave him broke, stuck in his hometown, and -- after a mixup with a deposit to the bank -- on the hook for eight grand, which leads to a warrant for his arrest."

As I vaguely recall, didn't Mr. Potter unlawfully convert the found $8,000, left by the bumbling relative?

Yes, it was Uncle Billy who lost the deposit, leaving George holding the empty bag -- but it was Mr. Potter who took advantage of their misfortune. What moral does It's a Wonderful Life have for modern audiences?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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