Carol for Another Christmas (1964)

Daniel Grudge, a wealthy industrialist and fierce isolationist long embittered by the loss of his son in World War II, is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who lead him to reconsider his attitude toward his fellow man.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writer:

Rod Serling

Stars:

Percy Rodrigues, Sterling Hayden, Ben Gazzara

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Percy Rodrigues	...	Charles
Sterling Hayden	...	Daniel Grudge
Ben Gazzara	...	Fred
Barbara Ann Teer	...	Ruby
Steve Lawrence	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Eva Marie Saint	...	WAVE Lt. Gibson
James Shigeta	...	Japanese Doctor
Pat Hingle	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Robert Shaw	...	Ghost of Christmas Future
Peter Sellers	...	Imperial Me
Britt Ekland	...	The Mother

Storyline

Presented without commercial interruptions, this "United Nations Special" was sponsored by the Xerox Corporation, the first of a series of Xerox specials promoting the UN. Director Joseph Mankiewicz's first work for television, the 90-minute ABC drama was publicized as having an all-star cast (which meant that names of some supporting cast members were not officially released). In Rod Serling's update of Charles Dickens, industrial tycoon Daniel Grudge has never recovered from the loss of his 22-year-old son Marley, killed in action during Christmas Eve of 1944. The embittered Grudge has only scorn for any American involvement in international affairs. But then the Ghost of Christmas Past takes him back through time to a World War I troopship. Grudge also is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future gives him a tour across a desolate landscape where he sees the ruins of a once-great civilization.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | christmas eve | ruins | redemption | war medal | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz' Carol for Another Christmas

Filming Locations:

Michael Myerberg Studios, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Telsun Foundation Inc., Xerox Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally intended only to be shown on a one-time basis,"A Carol for Another Christmas" remained unseen for 48 years, until broadcast in December 2012 on Turner Classic Movies. It has since had subsequent showings on TCM.

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Goofs

The Andrews Sisters recorded "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" for Decca Records, not RCA Victor.

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Quotes

Fred: [just before walking out the front door and leaving his uncle's home] 'Peace on earth, good will to men' - to *all* men, by the way.

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Alternate Versions

The version shown on Turner Classic Movies eliminates any mention of composer Henry Mancini, and replaces the opening 'Carol for Another Christmas' theme with a reprise of the choral music played over the closing credits.

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Connections

Version of The Christmas Carol (1949)

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Soundtracks

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree
Words and music by Lew Brown (uncredited), Charles Tobias (uncredited) and Sam H. Stept (uncredited)
Recreated by The Andrews Sisters

User Reviews

A great film

I actually saw this unique film on its one and only broadcast. I was in high school at the time and was very impressed. As a fan of The Twilight Zone, I never missed anything by Rod Serling. Not much detail sticks in my mind after 35 years, but I would enjoy an opportunity to see it again