‘A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner’ – IOTW Report

‘A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner’

Patriot Retort: My brother and I have been exchanging texts about our favorite Christmas movie.

Since we were kids, both of us faithfully watch the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol” starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge every Christmastime.

If you are a fan of any version of “A Christmas Carol,” you probably recognize the title of this post as it is how Scrooge is described.

I always found it fascinating that among that description, the one word not mentioned is “greedy.”

Fascinating, but not surprising.

Covetous is a much more powerful word than greedy.

Because the man who covets will do anything to get what he wants.

In a lot of ways the Left is a haven for covetous old sinners – always counting other people’s money, always “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping and clutching” for what others have.

A couple years ago, I wrote a column about that covetous old sinner Barack Obama aptly titled “He Covets.”

And I cite a scene from my other favorite movie “The Silence of the Lambs.”

Hannibal Lecter
I’ve read the case files. Have you? Everything you
need to find him is there in those pages.
Clarice
Then tell me how.

Lecter
First principles, Clarice. Simplicity. Read Marcus
Aurelius. Of each particular thing, ask what is it in
itself? What is its nature? What does he do, this
man you seek?

Clarice
He kills women.

Lecter
No. That is incidental. What is the first and
principle thing he does? What needs does he serve by
killing?  [more here]

19 Comments on ‘A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner’

  1. MJA, thanks for posting this. Covetousness is a dangerous sin. The best way to fight it, is to appreciate what you have and realize that there will always be someone with more than you, and always someone with less. Be grateful for whatever you have or you will live your days in a vicious cycle. Obviously Libs have missed this lesson.

    Introduced to 1951 Alastair Sim as a child and it remains my favorite version by far. I had to search for the black and white copy to purchase because so many classics were being ruined by colorizing. Thanks, Ted Turner (TCM).
    ***MERRY CHRISTMAS***

  2. My favorite also, try and watch it every year. My att box has been out for 10 days and just got it this evening. Have been looking for that movie since I got it working. No other version comes close.

  3. There was a musical TV production in 1956 called “The Stingiest Man in Town”. It featured some wonderful music and amazing production values considering the technology and that it was live.
    It was originally telecast in color.
    A B&W kinescope was made and was considered lost for over 50 years.
    It was unearthed about six years ago and released on DVD.
    It’s definitely worth checking out.
    (There was a gawdawful Rankin Bass cartoon version in the 1970s based on the musical-it should be avoided.)

  4. I have three that I try to watch every year. Alistair Sims version of A Christmas Carol, Scrooged with Bill Murray and National Lampoon Christmas Vacation.

    Years ago, decades actually, TBS Superstation used to run the 13 (then 15 etc) Days of Bond in December each year leading up to Christmas. That was a fun tradition as well.

  5. This one is my favorite, too. I was becoming despondent because all my DVDs are in storage awaiting our new house (hopefully this spring) and a TV (gave away my TV when I moved).

    Thanks, ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ, for the Youtube link. I’ll watch it now.

    And Dianny is so right about covetousness. I used to have a friend that I never told anything good that happened to me because she couldn’t stand it when she heard about someone else’s joy. What a bitter person.

  6. Hands down, the Alistair Sim version is my favorite, too! But I like to watch them all (except there’s a musical I don’t care for). I also like the the 1938 version with Reginald Owen as Scrooge — very similar actor to Sim.

    The very best animation is Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. The scene that totally cracks me up and I love to sing with is the “We’re Despicable” (Plunder’s March):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFTD9o7dB0w

  7. Allister Sims version of “A Christmas Carol” is definitely my favorite. What a masterpiece. I watch it a few times during the year even before Christmas.
    BTW, Dianny. Very insightful, spot on article. Great post, MJA.

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