Ebenezer Scrooge, a curmudgeonly, miserly businessman, has no time for sentimentality and largely views Christmas as a waste of time. However, this Christmas Eve he will be visited by three spirits who will show him the errors of his ways.
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Title: A Christmas Carol (1951)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Alastair Sim | ... | Ebenezer Scrooge | |
| Kathleen Harrison | ... | Mrs. Dilber | |
| Mervyn Johns | ... | Bob Cratchit | |
| Hermione Baddeley | ... | Mrs. Cratchit | |
| Michael Hordern | ... | Jacob Marley | |
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George Cole | ... | Young Ebenezer Scrooge |
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John Charlesworth | ... | Peter Cratchit |
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Francis De Wolff | ... | Spirit of Christmas Present (as Francis de Wolff) |
| Rona Anderson | ... | Alice | |
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Carol Marsh | ... | Fan Scrooge |
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Brian Worth | ... | Fred |
| Miles Malleson | ... | Old Joe | |
| Ernest Thesiger | ... | The Undertaker | |
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Glyn Dearman | ... | Tiny Tim |
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Michael Dolan | ... | Spirit of Christmas Past |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Stubbornly refusing to believe in Christmas, and to be separated from his inexhaustible wealth, the Victorian money lender and parsimonious recluse, Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim), can't be bothered with the poor and destitute at the most festive time of the year. Intent on spending the holy night alone, instead, the sceptical curmudgeon is visited by an unexpected and sympathetic friend, Jacob Marley (Sir Michael Hordern), who will pave the way for the inevitable visitation of the otherworldly spirits of Christmas Past (Michael Dolan), Present (Francis De Wolff), and Yet to Come (Czeslaw Konarski). But, what do the pale ghosts want? Can a wicked old miser admit the error in his ways, and embrace change? In the end, is Scrooge ready to love and be loved? Written by Nick Riganas
Taglines:
One of the world's most loved character actors, Alastair Sim, in a masterful portrayal of one of the world's best loved characters, Scrooge! See more »Parents Guide:
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[pause]
Ebenezer: No? Well, very well. Lead on.
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(uncredited)
Traditional
Played as background music during film and sung by guests at Fred's Christmas party
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Did You Know?
Trivia
This title and Oliver Twist are amongst the most frequently made films having been made some 21 and 18 times, respectively. See more »Goofs
When Scrooge walks into the room of his house and first meets the Ghost of Christmas Present, loud and boisterous laughter can be heard coming from the spirit. This is the kind of laughter that requires someone's mouth to be wide open, yet the spirit's mouth is mostly closed, with a toothy grin. See more »Quotes
Ebenezer: [to the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come] I am standing in the presence of the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come? And you're going to show me the shadows of things that have not yet happened but will happen? Spirit of the Future, I fear you more than any spectre I have met tonight! But even in my fear, I must say that I am too old! I cannot change! I cannot! It's not that I'm inpenitent, it's just... Wouldn't it be better if I just went home to bed?[pause]
Ebenezer: No? Well, very well. Lead on.
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Alternate Versions
In American prints of this film, some of the sound and music mix in the "Marley's ghost" sequence is different. See more »Soundtracks
Barbara Allen(uncredited)
Traditional
Played as background music during film and sung by guests at Fred's Christmas party
See more »
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
2 December 1951 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Christmas Carol See more »Edit
Box Office
Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$24Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
I have not seen Albert Finney's nor George C. Scott's portrayal of Scrooge, so I cannot say definitively that Alastair Sim 'owns' this role, but I sure have trouble imagining anyone topping him; he is superb, the nitpicking comments of TinMan-5 notwithstanding. This version will always have a special place in my affections, and I am glad to see I'm not alone in holding this opinion.