“Scrooge” is a 1935 British film directed by Henry Edwards featuring Seymour Hicks as Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser who hates Christmas. It was the first sound version of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, not counting a 1928 short subject that now appears to be lost.
Hicks had played the role of Scrooge on the stage many times beginning in 1901, and again in a 1913 British silent film version. The 1935 film differs from all other versions of the story in one significant way – most of the ghosts, including that of Jacob Marley, are not actually shown onscreen, although their voices are heard. Only the Ghost of Christmas Present (Oscar Asche) is actually seen in full figure – the Ghost of Christmas Past is a mere shape with no discernible facial features, Marley’s Ghost is seen only briefly as a face on the door knocker, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is just an outstretched pointing finger.
Why the film was made this way remains unclear; it is obviously not because British filmmakers could not achieve special effects, since we do see Marley’s face superimposed on Scrooge’s door knocker. Another aspect making this film different from other versions of the story is that Seymour Hicks plays both the old and young Scrooge, rather straining the credulity of the audience, since by this time, the sixty-four year old actor was visibly too aged to convincingly play a young man.
Maurice Evans appears briefly as a man harassed by Scrooge to pay his debts. Donald Calthrop portrays a Bob Cratchit who bears an uncanny physical resemblance to John Leech’s illustrations of the character in the original 1843 edition of the novel.
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Directed by Henry Edwards, produced by Julius Hagen, written by H. Fowler Mear
Charles Dickens (novel), starring Sir Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop, Robert Cochran, Mary Glynne, Garry Marsh, Oscar Asche, Marie Ney and C.V. France.
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Source: “Scrooge (1935 film)” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 26 June 2012. Web. 30 July 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrooge_(1935_film).
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I love these old B&W films for me they are the best.In these older movies we will find faces and characters that, like the Buffalo, they have vanished from the scene
I used to think this flicker was meant for Christmas,but it spins a tale of giving,,a state of mind,good any time or season. I for one am glad to see that so much of "Charles Dickens" was save on these older B&W flicks.
I think we may share an opinion that too is like the buffalo. Totonka
Tatonka was my thought exactly I'm using google chrome with auto spell check, It say Tatonka ? Hey I say Tatonka You say Totonka! I never check my in box I didn't know anyone commented on a thing I say.Thanks
My favorite, it isn't really Christmas without the old version- thank you.
Many thanks! My favorite!
Thank you for posting this . I have seen every other version and have never seen this one. My favorite is the Alister Simms version, however the Mickey Mouse and Mr Magoo were my first versions and will always hold a special place in my memory of this Dickens work.
Very fast paced, in comparison to other versions. I am glad I had this chance to watch this one.
My favorite, although "capt' Picard" was great too. ( sorry can't remember his real name.)
Does anyone know who the voice of Marley was, I would swear it sounds like Claude Rains
I didn't get the connection in the story with the toast to the Queen, and the scene on the ship. Were both scenarios referring to Scrooge's nephew? I got confused with this version. What did I miss?
I have this movie on tape, but the movie ends at the 1:16:46 point, it doesn't include the extra scene with Scrooge and Cratchit at the church. Also, why the hell was Marley invisible?
porque no lo traducen en español
This is my favorite of all the versions filmed, and I have read that it was truest to the book. This was a signature role for Seymour Hicks the same way that the King of Siam was for Yul Brynner and Te;yve (Fiddler on the Roof) was for Topol. It is also the only one where Marley could not be seen. To me, that just added to the atmosphere of the story and we were seeing it as Scrooge was. I have also read and agree that Donald Calthrop was the best Crachitt ever. Thanks so much for uploading this marvelous film.
Watch it every year. Thank you.
Greatest story ever. All the different versions have subtle differences in their story. This one is the only one I can recall that Mr. Scrooge goes with the boy to get the turkey. I like the simple things. Peace be with you and may your days be blessed. 420,stay thirsty my friends
There should be a porn version of this movie. Tiny Tim would be small and crippled, but in just one way he would NOT be tiny. Starring Seymour Dicks, Bob Crotchit, etc.
Richard basehart would have made a good Scrooge
I,intend to have, the next five day,s of different Scrooge movies finishing,with Alister SIM ,thank you so much ,19/12/16.???
Wonderful.
1935 and a nice job at that. Making the rounds and the old films are truly special.
Thank You for posting this Vid! And a Very Merry Christmas to you and yours.