DECEMBER 2024
"SCROOGE" (1951 Film)
A Holiday Favorite
Merry Christmas!
By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos
Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843) has been portrayed on film and stage in many variants. This timeless classic story of businessman Ebenezer Scrooge finding spiritual renewal through a mystical transformation at Christmas has featured both men and women (!) portraying the protagonist. Film buffs and classic TV fans will recall seeing George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Henry Winkler and others as Scrooge while female variants of this character have been portrayed by Cicely Tyson, Susan Lucci and Vanessa Williams to name just a few. Yet when it comes to naming the favorite or most well regarded, most Baby Boomers cite the 1951 British film "Scrooge" (released as "A Christmas Carol" in the United States). New York Times Critic A.O. Scot cited this film as the best adaptation of the Dickens classic. Patrick McNee (star from the 1960s TV show "The Avengers") portrayed a young Marley (Scrooge's business partner) in this film and later in life hosted special screenings annually on television that helped create increased popularity as McNee was quoted as saying it "truly seems to capture the essence of the Dickens novel."
> Clarity and concision. At less than 1-1/2 hours, viewers are able to view a person's entire lifetime told in flashbacks while bearing witness to a miraculous spiritual transformation that leaves the audience filled with joy, optimism and love.
> Film Noir look. The Black & White film provides a somber look at human suffering and the harshness of the world as described by Dickens. Positive and negative aspects of humanity are shown with equal sharpness.
> Time Travel. This was cleverly done by Dickens on the printed page and it translated well into film. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future enable Scrooge to travel back-and-forth in time so he is able to understand the missteps he has made during his life's journey while still offering hope for finding renewal in the Spirit of Christmas.
> Excellent Music. The time travel sequences are greatly enhanced by the Christmas and Holiday themed music (singing and instrumental) heard in the background. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the opening credits, "I Saw Three Ships," "Silent Night," plus the English country dance "Sir Roger de Coverley" and the tragic folk song "Barbara Allen."
> Superb Acting. Alistair Sim as Scrooge and Glyn Dearman as Tiny Tim are inextricably connected with these characters. The depth and conviction of these portrayals literally jump off the screen and into our hearts and minds as we get to know them both. To see Scrooge transformed into a kind, generous soul and become a second father to Tiny Tim -- thereby saving the child's life who otherwise would have died prematurely -- clearly touches our hearts deeply. We, the viewers, are also transformed by witnessing Scrooge finding renewal in Christmas and filled with the Holiday Spirit as Tiny Tim proclaims "God bless us every one!" exemplifying the kindness and love that is truly Christmas.
We at Galaxy Nostalgia Network join Tiny Tim in expressing this very same sentiment to each of you, the members of our wonderful GNN audience. What are your special memories of watching different film versions of "A Christmas Carol"? Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page (and liking us) or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com
