![]() ![]() Bob Cratchit is jolly & likable but a wee bit too plump for the role of the poor clerk! Also, there's a fabricated story here in which Scrooge sacks Bob altogether. However, I can forgive all this as Fred is wonderfully jolly & hearty, true to the book. Lots of fabricated scenes, with the pair sliding in front of a church. ![]() However, Fan is, frankly, an annoying little chatterbox here! The nephew, Fred, is supposed to be married, but in this tale he is engaged to Bess, their marriage apparently contingent on an improvement in his financial prospects. unlike most versions, which erroneously portray her as older, and claim that Scrooge's mother died in childbirth when he was born. It does depict his sister, Fan, as younger, in keeping with the novel. This adaptation makes no mention whatsoever of the young apprentice Scrooge's sweetheart, Belle, or his tragically failed romance. Not only is this unfaithful to the book, but totally destroys the ghostly, eerie, haunted atmosphere of the spectre's visit and poor Scrooge's resulting terror. First, during Marley's ghostly visit, Scrooge summons to his chambers a trio of police officers from the street below his window. #A christmas carol movieWhat is the point of the other two Spirits? In addition to Scrooge's totally premature conversion, however, this movie takes far too many liberties with the novel. Before the Spirit of Christmas Past has taken leave, this Scrooge regrets his past miserliness and is ready to give generously & make merry. My main problem with this movie is that he simply repents far too early. Reginald Owen, with his stooped figure and awkward gait, makes a likely looking Scrooge. Of course one could never expect in those days to see all the location filming or special effects available today. (See my comments on these other films, if interested) This older 1938 version makes a delightful story with a fine, though Hollywood generated, atmosphere. Our overall favorite, however, is the 1951 black & white classic with Alastair Sim, who absolutely IS Ebeneezer Scrooge, his conversion ringing the truest. ![]() We are tremendous enthusiasts of A Christmas Carol in our household and watch virtually all the versions each Christmas, including the modern 1984 George C. ![]()
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