MovieChat Forums > Scrooge (1951) Discussion > What's your favorite scene?

What's your favorite scene?

posted 7 years ago by bregund
8 replies | jump to latest

I have two:

1) Scrooge asks for more bread in the pub and when the waiter tells him it'll cost a nominal amount, he says "no more bread". He's even too stingy to pay for more effin bread.

2) Scrooge and Marley, both looking like cats that swallowed canaries, leaning back in satisfaction as they gain 51% of the company. They knew about the theft and just waited for the right time for the whole thing to blow up so they could step in and reap the benefit. I know this scene isn't in the book, but it serves its purpose.

[–] Sardony 7 years ago

Those are both terrific. The first shows the depth of his character even depriving himself of a penny's worth of bread. And the second: Marley and Scrooge sitting there super calm. I can see the director guiding them to play it very sedate. Because of that the scene really stands out for me. It's so different from just about every other scene Scrooge played with his emotions either angry or disgusted or whatever.

But my absolute favorite scene - in fact one of my favorite scenes in all moviedom - is when Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning and is all giddy and frightens Mrs Dilber. They both play it perfectly. These two actors make magic together.

[–] richojr 7 years ago

I like the small interaction between Scrooge and the maid, while he's hesitating to go into Fred's party. Barely a word spoken, but so touching.

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (1567) 5 years ago

Personally I always liked when the ghost of Jacob Marley opened the window and the air was full of creepy spirits.

[–] Ace_Spade (9361) 5 years ago

I watch it every year and every year there's a new "moment" that I find and love.

It's almost impossible to pick an absolute favourite scene for me because they are all brilliantly done.

One moment I really love is when Scrooge enters Fred's house. Everybody stops, scared and tense. Fred has spent years taking abuse from Scrooge, but does he get tense? No. Does he chide Scrooge? No. Does he kick him out? No. He leaps up *instantly* and takes Scrooge's hand. It's so touching how Fred is willing to move forward instantly and speaks volumes for his goodwill. Scrooge's line to Fred's wife is beautiful, too. "Can you forgive a pigheaded old fool who had no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with..."

If I had to pick one scene, I would probably agree with the chap below: Scrooge's first Christmas morning as a changed man is gangbusters worth of funny with Sim and Harrison playing it out beautifully together.

[–] strntz (10854) 5 years ago

Excellent choices all.

Let me add his encounter with (the fabulous) Marley. Sim demonstrated *true* fear while putting up a wall of false bravado when dealing with him. Amazing.

[–] Ace_Spade (9361) 5 years ago

Agreed. If it was a radio play and Sim did the gruff, guttural voice he puts on while shouting at Marley, you'd think Scrooge was furious and impassioned in that moment - a man so hardened he can't be afraid of a ghost. If you look at his face, it is a stern mask against his foe - every bit as implacable as his voice. But if you stare into his eyes and note his body language, he's terrified out of his mind, conjuring this make-believe toughness out of sheer desperate fear.

Overall, I think Sim's performance as Scrooge is one of the best performances of all time - not just of Scrooge: of anything. His nuance, range, and subtlety are unparalleled.

[–] strntz (10854) 5 years ago

Overall, I think Sim's performance as Scrooge is one of the best performances of all time - not just of Scrooge: of anything. His nuance, range, and subtlety are unparalleled.

Well said.

[–] [deleted] 4 months ago

two vultures picking up the scraps.