Directed by Henry Edwards
1935/UK
Twickenham Film Studios
First viewing
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
This was the first sound film adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Seymour Hicks) is all business and thinks Christmas is a humbug. His deceased business partner Jacob Marley has learned differently and sends the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to teach Scrooge a lesson in what Christmas is all about.
It would take a lot to top the 1951 Alistair Sim version of this story in my estimation and this film does not have what it takes. That said, Seymour Hicks makes a very credible Scrooge and this is a pleasant enough entertainment. It does suffer from a bit of over-earnestness in what is already a pretty melodramatic story. It also spends a puzzling amount of time in a 75 minute movie dwelling on atmospheric Christmas scenes that have nothing to do with the story. Not a must but also not unworthy of a viewing.
Preview
You are watching a Christmas movie in May? I have not seen this one but have seen the Alistair Sim version which is the standard as far as I’m concerned. Sim was a strange actor, the word “fey” comes to mind. If he lived in a later generation he would have been a free spirit who dropped acid and went to Woodstock.
If it’s from 1935, I’m watching it in May! I love Alistair Sim. He is wonderful in Green for Danger. He also was one of the few things I liked about The Ruling Class.