Context

This famous line is spoken by Harry Bailey, played by Todd Karns, in It's a Wonderful Life (directed by Frank Capra, 1946).

By the time this quote shows up, we've suffered along with George Bailey for nearly two hours. We've lived through his highs and lows, rooted for him to get out of financial difficulty, cheered for Mr. Potter to step into an open manhole…all that good stuff.

Then, just as it seems George is about to be arrested for bank fraud because he can't locate the eight grand that Uncle Billy misplaced and can't afford to pay it himself…the whole town turns out and starts dumping piles of cash onto his table. 

Why can't we have neighbors like that?

Harry Bailey (who would have died as a young boy if it hadn't been for his big bro), raises a glass to George and says, "A toast to my big brother George: the richest man in town." There's a round of cheers, and hardly a dry eye in the house (or in any house where this final scene is being viewed).

But…is George literally the richest man in town? Nah. Harry is referring to the close-knit circle of family and friends that George clearly has—this outpouring of love and generosity is his true wealth.

Shush. We don't care if it's cheesy. We're bawling we're eyes out and we're not even ashamed.

Where you've heard it

It's a Wonderful Life came out in 1946, so who has used the phrase "the richest man in town" since then is totally tipping their fedora to this classic—like the author of the book The Richest Man in Town, or this one by the founder of Worth magazine (although he might have missed the point of the line in the movie).

If anyone has ever referred to you as the richest man in town, then you're probably doing something right. Chances are good that you're beloved by your peers and have a kind and generous heart. Either that, or you found a briefcase full of cash under an overpass and failed to keep it a secret.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

It's a sweet moment, so we don't want to rag on it too much, but using the word "richest" metaphorically after the guy's been gifted gobs of cashola? Yeah.