Seeing Clarence Again
Turns out, in Capra’s original cut, we do see Clarence again. Right after George hollers “Merry Christmas” to Potter. Potter turns and sees Clarence sitting in a chair munching an apple.
POTTER
Who are you? How’d you get in here? What are you doing?
Potter reaches for telephone.
CLARENCE
Oh, uh, I wouldn’t call the police. Besides, if they come I’d have to tell them of the money you stole from Uncle Billy. That was a wicked thing to do. It not only made you a thief, it almost made you a murderer. You almost killed George Bailey tonight.
(looks up)
Coming! Are you going to let this old stinkpot get away with this?
(to Potter)
You are an old man, Henry Potter. Bitter, selfish and lonely. You are going to die soon. Then what? Can you think of anyone in the world: man, woman, child or animal, that would care? Think hard, Potter. Are you the richest man around here, or the poorest?
Clarence disappears, leaving just the core of his apple.
Capra left the scene on the cutting room floor. It distracted from the uplifting crescendo of emotion being built by George’s run home. And perhaps that’s Capra’s lesson for us this Christmas. Let go of payback. Of telling off those who’ve done wrong. Of going “yeah!” when someone we see as evil gets theirs.
In short, like Capra’s final cut, we should concentrate on love. And family and friends. And neighbors. And community. And forgiveness. Remember what really is of value.
Because the truth is, when we do that, and offer our burdens up to the Father, offer our best gifts to the Christ Child, we don’t necessarily know how God’s going to work. What work he may be doing.
Good read. Worth the click.
POTTER
Who are you? How’d you get in here? What are you doing?
Potter reaches for telephone.
CLARENCE
Oh, uh, I wouldn’t call the police. Besides, if they come I’d have to tell them of the money you stole from Uncle Billy. That was a wicked thing to do. It not only made you a thief, it almost made you a murderer. You almost killed George Bailey tonight.
(looks up)
Coming! Are you going to let this old stinkpot get away with this?
(to Potter)
You are an old man, Henry Potter. Bitter, selfish and lonely. You are going to die soon. Then what? Can you think of anyone in the world: man, woman, child or animal, that would care? Think hard, Potter. Are you the richest man around here, or the poorest?
Clarence disappears, leaving just the core of his apple.
Capra left the scene on the cutting room floor. It distracted from the uplifting crescendo of emotion being built by George’s run home. And perhaps that’s Capra’s lesson for us this Christmas. Let go of payback. Of telling off those who’ve done wrong. Of going “yeah!” when someone we see as evil gets theirs.
In short, like Capra’s final cut, we should concentrate on love. And family and friends. And neighbors. And community. And forgiveness. Remember what really is of value.
Because the truth is, when we do that, and offer our burdens up to the Father, offer our best gifts to the Christ Child, we don’t necessarily know how God’s going to work. What work he may be doing.