Scrooge (1970)

Roy Kinnear: 2nd Gentleman of Charity

Quotes 

• [trying to collect Christmas donations] 

  1st Portly Gentleman : Er, Mr. Scrooge... er, sir... er, we find it more than usually desirable that we make some slight provision for the poor and destitute.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Excellent! Then I suggest you do so!

  2nd Portly Gentleman : You... you miss our point, sir. The poor suffer greatly at this time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Are there no prisons?

  1st Portly Gentleman : Oh, indeed there are, sir. That's something there's no shortage of.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : And the workhouses, are they still in operation?

  2nd Portly Gentleman : They are, sir. I wish I could say they were not.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Heh. I am very glad to hear it. For a moment, I was afraid that something had occurred to stop them in their useful purpose!

  [starts to walk away] 

  1st Portly Gentleman : Oh, but... but... but sir! A few are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy the poor some food and drink and means of warmth.

  2nd Portly Gentleman : We choose this time, sir, because it is a time when want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices. What may we put you down for, sir?

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Nothing, sir.

  1st Portly Gentleman : Ah, you wish to be anonymous.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : I wish...

  [slams his cane against the footbridge railing] 

  Ebenezer Scrooge : ... to be left alone, sir! That is what I wish! I don't make myself merry at Christmas and I cannot afford to make idle people merry. I have been forced to support the establishments I have mentioned through taxation and God knows they cost more than they're worth. Those who are badly off must go there.

  2nd Portly Gentleman : Many would rather die than go there.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : If they would rather die, then they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Goodnight, gentlemen.

  [walks away, then turns back] 

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Humbug!