A Christmas Carol (1951)

An old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when he is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve...

Director:

Brian Desmond Hurst (as Brian Desmond-Hurst)

Writers:

Charles Dickens (adapted from "A Christmas Carol"), Noel Langley (adaptation)

Stars:

Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alastair Sim	...	Ebenezer Scrooge
Kathleen Harrison	...	Mrs. Dilber
Mervyn Johns	...	Bob Cratchit
Hermione Baddeley	...	Mrs. Cratchit
Michael Hordern	...	Jacob Marley
George Cole	...	Young Ebenezer Scrooge
John Charlesworth	...	Peter Cratchit
Francis De Wolff	...	Spirit of Christmas Present (as Francis de Wolff)
Rona Anderson	...	Alice
Carol Marsh	...	Fan Scrooge
Brian Worth	...	Fred
Miles Malleson	...	Old Joe
Ernest Thesiger	...	The Undertaker
Glyn Dearman	...	Tiny Tim
Michael Dolan	...	Spirit of Christmas Past

Storyline

Stingy businessman Ebenezer Scrooge is known as the meanest miser in Victorian London. He overworks and underpays his humble clerk, Bob Cratchit, whose little son, Tiny Tim, is crippled and may soon die. He also has nothing to do with his nephew, Fred, because his birth cost the life of his beloved sister. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge has a haunting nightmare from being visited by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. He is visited by three ghosts and is given one last chance to change his ways and save himself from the grim fate that befell Marley.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | ghost | miser | redemption | change of heart | 

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Taglines:

Now! The story that has brought joy to millions! A new screen triumph!

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Christmas Carol

Filming Locations:

8 Scandrett Street, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

George Minter Productions,Renown Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min 74 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Fezziwig's lad (who appears twice in the movie with a short line each time) is played by Tony Wager, the child actor who played young Pip in another Dickens classic, Great Expectations (1946). Wager could thus legitimately claim to have appeared in two of the best adaptations of Dickens' work ever filmed.

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Goofs

In the "Ghost Of Christmas Past" sequence, Scrooge revisits the night Marley passes away. Scrooge says to Cratchit that he probably wants the entire day off, which is Christmas Day, and Cratchit replies with "If it's quite convenient". Scrooge gives Cratchit a smug smile and tells him that he says that every year. But, in the present on Christmas Eve, Scrooge replies with "It's not convenient, and it's not fair" without the smile or extra comment. It seems like it would have been a new thing in the past, and then Scrooge talking about it with recognition in the present.

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Quotes

Mrs. Dilber: Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge! In keeping with the situation!

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest Christmas Moments (2004)

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Soundtracks

Barbara Allen
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played as background music during film and sung by guests at Fred's Christmas party

User Reviews

the classic version

I have not seen Albert Finney's nor George C. Scott's portrayal of Scrooge, so I cannot say definitively that Alastair Sim 'owns' this role, but I sure have trouble imagining anyone topping him; he is superb, the nitpicking comments of TinMan-5 notwithstanding. This version will always have a special place in my affections, and I am glad to see I'm not alone in holding this opinion.