25 Greatest Christmas Films: #16 — A Christmas Carol (1938)
by John NoltePurists tend to hate this adaptation, and while it’s hard to blame them on those grounds, MGM’s warmly produced version of the Dickens’ classic offers a number of charms the more respected darker and deeper versions do not. Namely, it is bursting with an ebullient Christmas spirit and has no agenda other than to immerse you in the flavor of the season courtesy of the studio’s beautifully designed back-lot and a wonderful cast of character actors.
Of the many fine film and television portrayals of Bob Cratchit, the indomitable spirit of Gene Lockhart’s interpretation sets the bar for all the others. He’s the heart and soul of the film, and the pathos always simmering just beneath a bubbly exterior – the lost and confused eyes of a good but helpless man in an impossible situation – never fails to get to me. I doubt Lockhart was a method actor, but it couldn’t have hurt his performance that his real life wife (Kathleen) and their daughter (June of “Lost In Space” fame) play his wife and daughter onscreen.
And give MGM credit. They knew they had nothing more than a cheery time-filler and never pretended it was anything else. With an unambitious 69 minute run-time, Reginald Owen as a perfectly passable if forgettable Scrooge, Leo G. Carroll as Marley’s ghost, and a very young Ann Rutherford as the Spirit of Christmas Past — this version of A Christmas Carol is like watching a beautiful if artifical porcelain Christmas village burst to joyous life.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
39 Comments
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Big Hollywood and DNC DUDES, Mr. Pink. Mr. Pink said: 25 Greatest Christmas Films: #16 — A Christmas Carol (1938) http://tinyurl.com/y93nj92 [...]
George C Scott will always be my Scrooge.
Gene Lockhart will always be my Bob Cratchit.
Good point about Lockhart – what an interesting take on Bob Cratchit. He's usually played as sort of wilty, careworn, and completely intimidated by Scrooge. Lockhart makes him plump and naturally jolly, as well as a bit of a rebel – determined to enjoy life regardless of his poverty and in spite of his cruel boss. This makes it all the more poignant when he loses Tiny Tim in the future. I think the sequence right after he's been fired, when he suddenly breaks out laughing and goes on to blow his "severance pay" on Christmas stuff for the family, is the best in the whole movie.
Boy, John. You sure like "A Christmas Carol"
Got to disagree on this one, my least favorite version of the Dickens' tale. Prefer Mr. Magoo to this stinker.
hey, they're all good…
If you can put Mr Pinko Jim Henson's Muppets in the mix, so,too can the inferior US version be included. For us, it will always be Alistair Sim in the superb UK version made 10 years later.
We even quite enjoyed Jim Carrey's 3-D romp out now, except for a montage style ending quite accurate.
The George C Scott- and Albert Finney musical- never engaged us as fully but we know folk who love both.
As said- it's all good…
part of the issue is that there are just too darn many adaptations of this story.
enuff already
I'd bet that for 95% of Americans, when they hear the name "Scrooge" it is the image of Alistair Sim that instantly comes to mind.
Ditto
you are absolutely right. Without even knowing his name…
How about – RONALD COLMAN in A CHRISTMAS CAROL
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Mr-Pickwick... – sample, too.
Never a movie, but an in studio recording production done for Decca Records in the latter 1940s. It runs about a half hour and Colman is marvelous – that voice! Plus, you'll hear the voices of several recognizable character actors like Hans Conried and Gale Gordon. (And they have a 2nd piece on the CD – Charles Laughton in MR. PICKWICK'S CHRISTMAS.)
Most people are not familiar with this Colman version and it is quite inexpensive with used copies at 5 dollars.
Go for it!
A Christmas Carol didn't take off in the U.S. the same way it did in England initially and much of it had to do with the politics of the day. Perhaps that is one reason why there are so many versions. The story itself though is universal and timeless and that is why to this very day it has never gone out of print.
I'm waiting (not) for Obama's version – A KENYAN CAROL in which the true meaning of Kenya is shown to him once the ghosts of Kenya find out where he is at the moment.
btw – this is comedy gold, but I am not up to it this early in the morning.
No one tops Alistar Sim – no one. He is the definitive Scrooge and the movie is timeless. It gets better and spookier every year. Dickens would be proud!
Always my favorite
My favorite because of the simple way the story is portrayed. I also like the starkness of the era and the look of the scenes.
I did find it uncomfortable, though, when poor ol' Tiny Tim asked if he could "stroke the goose".
That is indeed the most loyal to the book and the best movie version of the story. I watch it every year. My wife likes the George C. Scott version but admits that the Alistair Sim's version is better.
I see the play every year or a new movie version. There is even a modern version with Tori Spelling as a talk show host Scrooge! Don't puke, it is not that bad!!
fool's gold more like. . . seems like no matter what the topic some republican tool drinking the Flush Rimbaugh kool-aid has to insert Pres. Obama comments. stay on topic or please stifle yourself. . .
look for a very young Patrick MacNee ('The Avengers') as Scrooge's upbeat nephew this time…
Mr. Magoo will always be my scrooge.
alistair sim is the best- jacob marley was a great performance in this film also.However,bob cratchit overpopulated the world and caused much of global warming-he should have been sent to debtor's prison!
Ok, much as I liked Gene Lockhart, I have to say one of my major issues with this movie is Tiny Frickin' Tim. Where did they get that little alien zombie child? I know Tim is supposed to look…ill or something. But this kid didn't look quite human. As an occasional sci-fi geek, I kept thinking "Where's Torchwood when you need them?"
Not to mention that fact that the guys playing his brothers were about the worst actors I've ever seen.
This movie does have it's points of interest, but I still say my favorite is the 1971 animated version. Very creepy…
I hate to say it, but Gene just looks too chubby to be the long-suffering Cratchit to me. I agree with all the Sim love…look for his version here at about #3.
DH, if I can still call you that, this is the third or fourth time I've read your countdown and it's become just as much a part of the season for me as the movies you talk about.
I know you are busy as the editor n chief of Big Hollywood, but drop us old timers a bone every once in a while and write us a movie review of a current or even not so current movie. Pretty please? The folks you have doing reviews now are pretty good, but you write the best movie reviews ever. I know I can't be the only one who feels this way. What can we promise you to make it worth your while?
I like both movies equally and look forward to them every year.
And a Merry Christmas to you, too, sir! Ho ho ho ho!
Sim is great in everything. Unique face.
Downside to his CC – such a dark film. I would have liked a bit more joy. Just mho.
My favorite Christmas story since childhood (except the bible story, of course.) While I love most of the adaptations this one is by far my favorite. Have it on VHS and have just about worn it out. Probably should get it on DVD if possible because Christmas wouldn't be Christmas for me without the emotions it brings out in me this time of year. 0;)
Lot's of carbs in his diet, I suppose. Potatoes will do that to you!! 0;)
My Scrooges are tied between Reginald Owen and Alistair Sim. George C. Scott is terrific, and Kelsey Grammer is pretty good too.
Alaster Sim will always be my Scrooge
(This is almost as much fun as "Tom Baker will always be my Doctor Who")
Alistair Sim IS and always WILL be the quintessential Scrooge. No other actor ever came close to capturing Scrooge's transformation with such an endearing persona. His acting was impeccable and inspired!!!
Yes, I agree. Alistar Sim's performance is the penultimate Scrooge.
I do like this version. The children are way too giddy on Christmas punch. The friends of Scrooges' nephew are a little too happy. Bob is a little too grim singing at Church. I just like it. It's a movie that appreciates a merits of a good slide.
Reginald Owen is my favorite Scrooge. He was believable as both the crotchety old man (mean and comical) and the happy effervescent man–he nailed both sides of Scrooge. I know a lot of you like Sim, but his "happy" Scrooge was just too scary. Patrick Stewart's mean Scrooge wasn't believable, and George C Scott was too big for the role–as good as he is, all I saw was Gen. Patton. This adaptation is the least faithful and over the top with histrionics, but Owen is the best Scrooge.
How can he be plump and jolly when he has a wife and 4 kids living in poverty and he earns a penny a year?
I'll 2nd that for you Elizabethe. I too miss 'DH's reviews….maybe one a week would be nice DH!!! Pretty, pretty please? 0;)
You must be logged in to post a comment.