The strange history of the abridged version of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ that cuts out the movie’s pivotal scene

By David Goldman, CNN (CNN) — A soaking wet George Bailey and Clarence, warming up by the fire in the toll house on the bridge, discuss why Clarence jumped into the freezing water. It was to help George, Clarence tells him. “Only one way you can help me,” George says sarcastically. “You don’t happen to