My favourite version is definitely the 1951 Alastair Sim, with the 1984 George C. Scott placing second. I also appreciate the 1999 Patrick Stewart, haven't yet seen the 1970 musical Scrooge (starring Albert Finney) but plan to do so this Christmas season.
As for this 1938 adaptation, it's pleasant holiday viewing but takes far too many liberties with Dickens' story, IMO. Cratchit is sacked by Scrooge near the beginning, the nephew Fred is engaged rather than married, and so forth. I also take exception to the complete omission of Belle (so vital to an understanding of Ebeneezer's past) while other scenes are embellished.
Reginald Owen's Scrooge repents before the Spirit of Christmas Past has taken his leave. What's the point of the other two spirits?
I thought that Scrooge's interactions with the watchmen on the street below completely ruined the ghostly, scary atmosphere of his scene with Marley's ghost. Another deviation from the novel and one which detracted from the tale.
I generally liked the depiction of the Cratchit's Christmas dinner, but what's with Mrs. Cratchit proposing the toast to Scrooge herself? In the novel (and all other film versions), she vehemently opposes such a toast and only very reluctantly agrees because of it being Christmas Day.
This film completely omits the scene at Scrooge's office the morning after Christmas when he gives Bob the raise and instructs him to buy another coal scuttle before he dots another "i" -- my favourite part of the entire story!
I really like Gene Lockhart so feel like a stinker here but am forced to reluctantly agree with jc1206 that he wasn't well cast as Cratchit, just a wee bit too portly for Bob. And yes, the actor playing Tim was simply too old for the role.
However, this film is not without its merits. I thought Leo G. Carroll made a compelling Marley and loved Barry MacKay's cheerful portrayal of Fred. I also especially liked the Spirit of Christmas Present in this movie.
I've concluded that to reap all the benefits of this story, you just have to watch all the traditional film versions every single year! But it's Christmas Eve with Alastair Sim in our household!
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carolyn_davis2
17 years ago
Another point about the 1951 version that I think is pertinent to the psychology of Scrooge is the "hostile takeover" of Fezziwig's business by him and Marley. It's a material example of their early opportunism/corruption, and sets the stage for their progressive separation from humanity.
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roghache
17 years ago
There was a complaint on the 1951 Scrooge board that too much of the film was spent on the Past with this scene of the takeover dragging on. While I understand the objections raised and although this event is not described in the book, I do agree, Carolyn, that this nasty business deal by Scrooge & Marley quite compellingly depicts Scrooge's increasingly ruthless materialism. I thought overall it added to the movie.
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