Scrooge (1935) (Abridged Version)

3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
Ghosts of Past, Present and Future appear taking Scrooge on a journey into the spirit of Christmas.
  • Starring: Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop
  • Directed by: Henry Edwards
  • Runtime: 1 hour 1 minute
  • Release year: 1935
  • Studio: Legend Films
 
  
 
 

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Product Details
Synopsis: Ghosts of Past, Present and Future appear taking Scrooge on a journey into the spirit of Christmas.
Starring: Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop
Supporting actors: Robert Cochran
Directed by: Henry Edwards
Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Runtime: 1 hour 1 minute
Release year: 1935
Studio: Legend Films
ASIN: B001LXJVKK (Rental) and B001LXGB5I (Purchase)
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Rental rights: 7 day viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD
Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 1935
  • Production Company: Twickenham Film Studios
  • Filming Locations: Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 104 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
This review refers to the 2002 DVD release on the "Image" label (orange and green jacket) with film elements from "The Blackhawk Films Collection."

SCROOGE is the first sound version of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," filmed in England in 1935. I think this is one of the best screen adaptations of the story. Ebenezer Scrooge is played with Fieldsian grouchiness and ad-libbed asides by Sir Seymour Hicks, who had played the role on stage for decades, and he's terrific! (I suspect that Dickens scholar W. C. Fields caught some of Hicks's performances.) Donald Calthrop is the best Bob Cratchit I've ever seen; Robert Cochran is enjoyable as Scrooge's nephew Fred, and Philip Frost is cute as Tiny Tim. Director Henry Edwards deserves a round of applause for his careful handling of the story. The period detail is amazing, and the entire production is atmospheric and impressive. This version also goes a little deeper into story detail than most film versions (it's the only version I know in which Tiny Tim is shown in repose -- it's handled tastefully and sensitively by director and actors).

For many years, all you could find on video was the abridged, hour-long version prepared for the educational market in 1941. (This shorter version is well edited and continues to be a budget-price video perennial.) Happily, this new DVD release derives from the original 1935 release, distributed theatrically in America by Paramount. There are about 20 more minutes of footage in this new restoration, and the picture and sound are excellent, definitely superior to the usual video versions that vary in quality. For those who are more familiar with the Alastair Sim and George C. Scott interpretations, give Sir Seymour a try. He'll make himself quite at home.

If you're interested in the shorter version, it has been colorized. Amazon offers it here: Scrooge.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There are several versions of this on DVD. This review is for the Front Row DVD. I'm happy to say that despite the cheap price, the disc is quite acceptable. There ARE a lot of scratches on the print, but the picture is sharp (for it's age) and the sound is very clear. Best of all, the film is complete. This same title is available from Marengo Films as a double feature, but it's missing 17 minutes of footage. (See my review for details.)
As for the movie, it's not the best version of the story, but it's good and worthwhile for any Christmas Carol collection. It contains scenes on a ship and in a lighthouse that are taken from the book, but rarely filmed. It also has one scene that isn't in ANY other version -- Bob Cratchit mourning over the body of Tiny Tim, upstairs in their home. It's in the book, but a real surprise on film. On the other hand all but one of the ghosts is invisible. Oh well. Buy it anyway, and Merry Christmas!
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Although I've seen and treasured some of the other film versions of Charles Dicken's 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL', I still have some heart to this, the first sound version. It bolsters some fine performances by Donald Calthrop as Cratchit and Sir Seymour Hicks as Ebenezer Scrooge (Hicks had also played the role in a silent film, and at sixty-four, is probably the oldest of the many screen incarnations). The photography and production gives out a convincing Victorian atmosphere to the proceedings, and while I didn't like the idea of making Jacob Marley an invisible ghost, the cinematography does give some interesting touches to the visuals, like Scrooge's head superimposed on a large shadow of himself in the 'Christmas Yet to Come' sequences (For some reason, although Scrooge is dressed in pajamas when first visited, the ghostly journeys have him in his business clothes!). It's too bad that most of the video versions edit this film from its 78 minute length to an hour, removing several key scenes (Christmas Past continuing his presentation to Scrooge of how others celebrate Christmas, Tiny Tim saying 'God bless us, everyone!', etc.). Still, an interesting adaptation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
NOT THE 78 MINUTE VERSION - INCORRECT PIC
The product received was of the 61 minute version not the full 78 minute one advertised here. Also the one received came as a double feature, the one advertised and picture here is... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Leeds
Scrooge
This is another great Christmas Carol. If you enjoy the real old version of Scrooge, you'll love this one. Read more
Published 3 months ago by ChihuahuaMom
cass
We have many versions of Scrooge. We were very happy to find this one. It was well remastered and we got it earlier then we expected. We got two and gave one as a present.
Published 4 months ago by Janet L. Gidius
A little known Christmas classic
I must admit that this was not my favorite version of a Christmas Carol, I have had the black and white VHS version in my collection for quite a few years. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr Bozzi
Both Versions for the Price of One!
Sir Seymour Hicks is brilliant in this film version of Charles Dicken's novel, "A Christmas Carol." This was probably the first feature length film version in sound in Britain. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sylviastel
Short Version
I love the colorized version, if only for seeing it in a different light.
The problem is that they chose to restore and colorize the short 60m version instead of the full 87... Read more
Published 6 months ago by greg hoffert
First Adaptation with Sound
Interested viewers should be aware that two versions of this film exist on DVD. One is the truncated one-hour version edited for US audiences. Read more
Published 6 months ago by NCMovie Fan
classic
this is a classic i used to watch as a little girl with my dad and now the tradition can continue with my children and grandchildren
Published 15 months ago by nonnas princess
Neither Beautifully Restored nor Enhanced
Skip this one unless you enjoy scratchy and dark video because that's what you'll get with this. It doesn't matter whether you watch the color or black-and-white version; they're... Read more
Published 16 months ago by dyannb
very enjoyable
We collect various "christmas carol" dvd's and really enjoyed adding this one to our collection. It's an oldie but a goodie. Very enjoyable and worth adding to your collection.
Published 16 months ago by Kellie D. Friedberg
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Help Find an old version of A Christmas Carol 10 Dec 28, 2011
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