Scrooge - A Christmas Carol - Dickens in 3 Movie Versions
There are three earlier versions of the Dickens classic on film that most of us know, 1935, 1938, and 1951. Here they are in order of production.
Yet there are some details to note in this production:
- The street scenes of London circa 1840 and the contrasting scenes of the wealthy observing the Holiday.
- The bell's heralding of Marley's ghost are more irritating (like a car alarm) than foreboding.
- Tiny Tim really appears to be ill. When he dies, it is historically seen quite accurately as to how it would be for death in impoverished conditions of the period.
- The theatrical use of shadows to imply ghosts than actual characters.
Judge for yourself on YouTube where its available.
Details to note in this one:
- Sledding on icy streets is treated like a running gag. Dickens deserves better than slapstick.
- Leo G. Carroll makes a great Marley's ghost, right down to the bandage tied to his head to prevent his mouth from falling open. Super-creepy option on the details here.
- The Cratchits are the healthiest and best-dressed looking of clerk's families I've ever seen. They are so cheerful that I wonder how much gin punch they've had.
- A Disney-style ending with over-the-top climax.
On YouTube where available and other streaming services. Specify 1938 and Reginald Owen in the search to be sure to view the correct one.
As a result it is good craftsmenship in storytelling. It offers some real depth in the understanding of how Scrooge grows cold and detached. It involves money, greed, misunderstanding and resentment. The story is of Scrooge's transformation and how it affects others we are able to buy into it with each scene. Marley is a huge influence in the setup of the plot and starts wheels turning on Scrooge's changing fortune. The Cratchits are normal and caring yet knowing their lower place in society, an important detail in the flow of the story toward its redemptive moment. Nephew Fred guides the viewer from present to the past and back again. Scrooge's nightmares may frighten us but we see they terrorize Scrooge into change.
Watch for:
- The bells haunting sounds foretelling of Marley's appearance.
- Marley's deeper explanation of his reasons for his damned existence that the other versions just imply or just leave off.
- An added scene connecting infant Fred to his Uncle Ebenezer that reveals so much about each character.
- The children of Ignorance and Want.
- The housemaid's (Kathleen Harrison) reaction of Scrooge's transformation is a hoot.
- Scrooge's moment of begging forgiveness of Fred and his sweet wife.
Scrooge's Christmas morning revelation and revelry is so delightful and his silliness at his discovery of still being alive and it's CHRISTMAS is what makes this a big reason it's my favorite. Ebenezer Scrooge comes full circle in learning who he is in grand scheme of things.