Customer Reviews

A Christmas Carol

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

This "Christmas Carol" is an early TV version from 1954 with Fredric March as Scrooge (he won an Emmy) and Basil Rathbone as Marley. It's not a bad effort for TV for the time, but rather dated by today's standards. (Scrooge even tries to refer to hell, but was not allowed to say the word on TV at that time which leads to an unintentionally funny moment.)
The background music is by Bernard Hermann (of Hitchcock Psycho fame) and is the best part about this version (listen to the spooky chorus underneath Jacob Marley's scene). But the actual songs (also by Hermann) are less than memorable (especially the song of Christmas Present). However, the two original carols, sung by the outstanding Roger Wagner Chorale are great (if not time-appropriate to the story).
As for the acting: Fredric March was an outstanding actor, but he's trying too hard (and there are several gestures thrown in over the hour that are over the top). However, I think it was well received at the time (winning an Emmy). The story is rather bare bones (this version is only an hour--with songs), but still makes it's point.
This version is basically for those old enough to remember it, or those interested in TV of the time (or perhaps Bernard Hermann fans--who knew he did TV?). Perhaps also for those who are Christmas Carol completists. Look for Bonnie Franklin's first TV acting role (as one of the Cratchit kids).
This version, however, should not be the only version of this story you have.

This is a surprisingly delightful take on the classic Dickens' tale. Shot in the late fifties (and in color, I believe, although this DVD is not in color), the production values are extremely good for the time. Fredric March makes a wonderful Scrooge - despite a ridiculously big nose. The doubling of the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present with Scrooge's lost lady-love and nephew Fred playing the dual roles is a nice innovation. Basil Rathbone makes for a haunting, understated Marley with chilling music underscoring his post-mortem agonies.

And speaking of music the real "star" of this treasure of the early years of televison is the wonderful score by the wonderful Bernard Hermann. As hinted at by another reviewer on this board, the Tiny Tim song is one of the most beautiful, tender and touching Christmas songs ever written. The lyrics equal the melody and both combined truly touch one's heart. The other songs are also memorable, especially the song for the opening sequence. And there is an extended shot of Scrooge's face (with the Tiny Tim song sung by full chorus to accompany the shot) that was very brave on the director's part and shows an incredible range of emotions playing across Scrooge's face as he reflects on years wasted and the reborn years to come. Fredric March displays truly great acting in this daring, imaginitive, non-verbal, extended moment. It is a moment totally unique to all other Scrooge adaptations. And this entire version concludes with a fantastic shot that will definitely move you - unless you are made of stone. There are faults: Tiny Tim isn't tiny and the American accents are distracting to the time and place being depicted. But these are small matters. This is 50 minutes of pure gold from the Fifties - and for the low price of the item, you can't miss. Highly recommended!

This is a television program probably shot on video tape. The technical quality is surprisingly good for being over fifty years old.

They had to cut out many of my favorite portions to make it fit in 30 minutes of story with the 20 minutes of singing solos and duets to make a total of 50 minutes. Most dramatizations are 60-90 minutes long without any singing interludes. One example of things cut out is the late partner's face on the front door where the knocker usually was. Another is the dressing gown hung on the wall and looking like it was occupied.

This is a US television production and lacks the "Britishness" of the original book and British dramatizations of the book.

All in all well worth the time to watch it once, but it may not stand the test of time for you if you have some of the British productions on DVD.

When I was in elementary school in the early 70's, 2 or 3 years in a row our school rented (or maybe they owned it??) this film and brought all of the grades into the gym together and we sat on the cold floor and watched this version and I remember as a child loving his bed because it had curtains all the way around it and has since become my dream bed. Then as an adult I got to thinking about seeing this version again and several years ago had a good friend record all the Scrooge/Christmas Carol type productions she could find on cable at Christmastime and sadly after watching all of them, none of them were this one from school. So imagine my surprise coming across it again here at Amazon. I was so thrilled to see it again and watch it every Christmas now. You'll love it and especially if you like productions in black & white.

Very interesting version of the Scrooge story. Originally done on the CBS SHOWER OF STARS in 1954, a monthly series that alternated with CLIMAX. It has a great cast; March and Rathbone were both major stars from an earlier era who had matured into wonderful character people. Bernard Herrmann did the score, a couple of years before the first Hitchcock
film. The adaptation is just like all the rest, very faithful to Dickens. It's really great to finally get to relive this thing. I think CBS ran it two times, but I hadn't seen it since '55.
Now, somebody needs to find the original live-action version of the musical version,THE STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN, from NBC in '56?. Here, Rathbone is Ebeneezer, and the rest of the cast is really impressive. And the score is really nice. I have the lp. A cd was supposed to appear a few years ago, but it didn't show up. The is an animated version, which sues the title and some of the songs, but it isn't as effective.

The online info for this movie did not say that it is a musical version made for tv, which is stated on the case. The music is overdone for our tastes, and some of our favorite scenes were altered or missing.

This version of "The Christmas Carol" did not show some of the original scenes. Example: Excluded the part when Scrooge comes home and looks at the door knocker and sees Marley's ghost. This was not in there. Seems like they left out scenes from what it orignally was supposed to be. The price was right but overall disappointed.

WOW!! What a gret job of enhancing this video! From black and white to color and it looks like it was originally done. I am so impressed with this video, one of my favorites of all time. Thanks for having it available and at such a low price.

This TV musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol is one of my treasured childhood memories from 1955. For me, Frederic March and Basil Rathbone will always be the definitive Scrooge and Marley (though March's brilliant performance could have done without the all-too-obvious oversize fake nose). The Bernard Herrmann score is delightful and features one absolute gem in Tiny Tim's solo, "And Bless Us Every One."
I have just one critical comment about this DVD edition. The original "Shower of Stars" intro, commercial break to display the new 1956 Chrysler models, and conclusion--all with William Lundigan--have been edited out. These segments were included in the previous VHS edition of this show and added much to my enjoyment, giving the production an unmistakable 1950's TV feel. (By the way, despite the "in color" announcement at the beginning, this edition is in black & white--the way 99.99% of us saw it in 1955 anyway!)
I guarantee, however, you won't be disappointed by March's Scrooge and the tuneful score. This show might well become for you, as it is for me, a most beloved Christmas tradition.

I purchased this version of The Christmas Carol to add to my collection. It did not live up to my expectations and has been put in File 13.