A Christmas Carol (1951)

There have been many versions of this great story. I would safely say this is the most popular Christmas story of them all. This is the version that I like the most. The great Alastair Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge and he is the reason I like this so much. When I think of the Scrooge… I think of him. I like a lot of other renditions of this story but this one is my goto version.

The movie is in black and white which turns some people off but it makes it that much better to me. They do have a color version but trust me…watch the black and white version. It gives the movie a darker feeling.

The effects they use are obviously not CGI but they get the point across well and serve the story. I like the scene where the ghost of Jacob Marley is warning Ebenezer of being greedy…the two were not on the set at the same time…it looked really good for being 1951…or anytime for that matter.

So get some eggnog or hot butter rum and sit back and watch this great movie.

From IMDB…spoilers

Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) is a greedy businessman who thinks only of making money. For him, Christmas is, in his own words, a humbug. It has been seven years since his friend and partner, Jacob Marley (Sir Michael Hordern), died and on Christmas Eve. Marley’s ghost tells him he is to be visited during the night by three spirits. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Michael Dolan) revisits some of the main events in Scrooge’s life to date, including his unhappy childhood, his happy apprenticeship to Mr. Fezziwig (Roddy Hughes), who cared for his employees, and the end of his engagement to a pretty young woman due to a growing love of money. The Ghost of Christmas Present (Francis De Wolff) shows him how joyously is nephew Fred (Brian Worth) and his clerk, Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns), celebrate Christmas with those they love. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Czeslaw Konarski) shows him what he will leave behind after he is gone. Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, a new man intent on doing good and celebrating the season with all of those around him.

Cast

  • Alastair Sim (Ebenezer Scrooge)
  • Kathleen Harrison (Mrs. Dilber)
  • Mervyn Johns (Bob Cratchit)
  • Hermione Baddeley (Mrs. Cratchit)
  • Michael Hordern (Jacob Marley)
  • Glyn Dearman (Tiny Tim)

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

27 thoughts on “A Christmas Carol (1951)”

    1. I hope you had a great one as well! I’m sorry but the Spam filter got this one and a few others! I wasn’t ignorning you I promise!

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  8. My favorite version too and one I try to see annually. the rest of the family is partial to the newer, CGI Jim Carrey version, which is actually… good, to my surprise (anything with a big Jim Carrey on the front tends to make me wary to say the least but he does it well on this one) and looks great but doesn’t quite match up to this take on it. Truly the best version of the ultimate of Christmas stories

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    1. I like that one also. He has the tendency to go over the top! Well that is no secret. I like that one also but yea this is my goto version. I would think it’s the most covered story.

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      3. Speaking of WKRP…I just found this…look at this dude…I had NO clue! I copied the video at the time she is getting introduced…or the band she is singing in.

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  10. There’s just something special about black and white pictures. They create an atmosphere colored movies can’t quite accomplish. I also like movies that don’t need to rely on special effect after special effect but captivate with a great story and great acting.

    Can you imagine “Casablanca” in color and loaded with special effects? It would completely ruin that movie. You also don’t see much violence in this picture like you do in so many contemporary movies. It simplify isn’t necessary to support the plot.

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    1. Yes…CGI has gone out of control completely.
      I agree about black and white movies…Casablanca is a good example and Citizen Kane would be another. It gives you an atmosphere you can’t get in a color movie…you are right.
      They knew what and what not to show you.

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  11. I never met a Scrooge I didn’t like and didn’t feel sorry for. Hurt people hurt people and can do a lot of damage. Thank goodness Dickens has Scrooge redeem himself at the end. I like the Bill Murray Scrooged modernized version, but it’s been awhile since seeing it.

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