Considering that this was made at MGM several years after their successful adoptions of "A Tale of Two Cities" and "David Copperfield", this version of Dickens classic seems sadly second rate even though it is quite a good version. The problem is much of the detail has been taken out and it has been edited down to a 70 minute length is that takes away much of the impact of the story. some of the details of the actual book to have been altered for this version in which veteran character actor Reginald Owen has a rare lead, replacing radio regular Lionel Barrymore who was set to star in this but had to back out.
When I first started watching classic movies nearly 40 years ago, every time I watched an MGM movie, it seemed to have Owen in it, whether it being "Mrs. Miniver" or "National Velvet". He is greatly made up to appear much older than he is, not quite looking like he did some 30 plus years later in "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", but certainly age appropriate for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. His character isn't perhaps as menacing as Alistair Sims in the famous British version or later George C Scott for TV or Albert Finney in the musical version. He seems just like an old tightwad who has lost the zest for life and thus has a lack of interest in anything surrounding a holidays. Because of that, this comes off sweeter and less malevolent than other versions, with Leo G Carroll playing Jacob Marley as pathetic and regretful rather than horrifying.
Gene Lockhart upon first appearance seems a bit too old as Bob Cratchit but considering that his young daughter June is one of the Cratchit children, that idea is easily dismissed. See if you are luckier than me and trying to spot her. Of course the June Lockhart I'm talking about is of course the latest star of TV's "Lassie" and "Lost in Space". Ann Rutherford, cast as the Ghost of Christmas Past, is younger than most of the past ghosts I've seen, but that adds sort of a sweet innocence to her performance. Lionel Braham is feisty and funny as the Ghost of Christmas present. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is seeing only very briefly and this doesn't make the impression that it does and longer and more frightening versions.
Still, coming three years after the 1935 Seymour Hicks version, which was even shorter, this has a gloss to it that even the haunting 1951 version couldn't compete with. It wasn't until the Albert Finney musical version that one came along that looked lush and filled with zest. Even with many details of the original story overlooked, the point is made and because of that, this is a regular Christmas viewing for me that stands the test of time and makes the story fresh air regardless of what version I happen to choose to watch along with it.
When I first started watching classic movies nearly 40 years ago, every time I watched an MGM movie, it seemed to have Owen in it, whether it being "Mrs. Miniver" or "National Velvet". He is greatly made up to appear much older than he is, not quite looking like he did some 30 plus years later in "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", but certainly age appropriate for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. His character isn't perhaps as menacing as Alistair Sims in the famous British version or later George C Scott for TV or Albert Finney in the musical version. He seems just like an old tightwad who has lost the zest for life and thus has a lack of interest in anything surrounding a holidays. Because of that, this comes off sweeter and less malevolent than other versions, with Leo G Carroll playing Jacob Marley as pathetic and regretful rather than horrifying.
Gene Lockhart upon first appearance seems a bit too old as Bob Cratchit but considering that his young daughter June is one of the Cratchit children, that idea is easily dismissed. See if you are luckier than me and trying to spot her. Of course the June Lockhart I'm talking about is of course the latest star of TV's "Lassie" and "Lost in Space". Ann Rutherford, cast as the Ghost of Christmas Past, is younger than most of the past ghosts I've seen, but that adds sort of a sweet innocence to her performance. Lionel Braham is feisty and funny as the Ghost of Christmas present. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is seeing only very briefly and this doesn't make the impression that it does and longer and more frightening versions.
Still, coming three years after the 1935 Seymour Hicks version, which was even shorter, this has a gloss to it that even the haunting 1951 version couldn't compete with. It wasn't until the Albert Finney musical version that one came along that looked lush and filled with zest. Even with many details of the original story overlooked, the point is made and because of that, this is a regular Christmas viewing for me that stands the test of time and makes the story fresh air regardless of what version I happen to choose to watch along with it.