A Christmas Carol

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

8.8K

YOUR RATING

Terry Kilburn and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)

Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video

Play trailer2:45

2 Videos

83 Photos

Holiday Family Drama Family Fantasy Holiday

An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

8.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos2

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
June Lockhart's film debut.

Goofs
When Scrooge is eating in the tavern on Christmas Eve, he is reading a book with the spine label "Bankers Book". Charles Dickens' depiction of this book is that it is Scrooge's property, possibly a ledger. Yet in the film, Scrooge stands, receives his change from the innkeeper, and leaves - leaving the book behind him on the table.

However, just because this is a change from the book does not make it a mistake. There is no reason in the film to suggest it has to be Scrooge's book.

Quotes
Ebenezer Scrooge: [to Marley's ghost] We'll soon see how real you are.
[Calling out the window]
Ebenezer Scrooge: Watch! There's an intruder in my room!
Leader of watch: Right up, sir - law and order!
Jacob Marley's ghost: It was for your welfare that I made this visit, Ebenezer Scrooge.
[He disappears]
Leader of watch: [unable to find him] Your intruder seems to have extruded, if I may say so, sir.
Ebenezer Scrooge: He was here! He was a spirit!
Leader of watch: [laughing] Of course, sir! A fine night for spirits - of one form or another, sir!

Alternate versions
Also available in a computer colorized version.

Connections
Featured in A Fireside Chat with Lionel Barrymore (1938)

Soundtracks
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
(1856) (uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1840)
Lyrics by Charles Wesley (1730)
Arranged by David Snell
Sung by an offscreen chorus during opening credits

Hard to Believe this was a rushed production

This is one of the fastest films ever to reach the screen. It started shooting in October and was in theaters in December. This production however is the standard in which all other versions since have copied.

This was the first production to have the "Spirits" come in one night! It also fleshed out Bob Cratchit family more. This is also one of those film that the older it gets the better the film becomes.

In case you don't know the story "Scrooge" is a cranky old man. He hates Christmas and people in general. He has more in life than the people that surround him and yet he is poor.

This 1938 film is in black and white and that seems like a huge asset. The cast is perfect!

If you have never seen this version then what are you waiting for?