Scrooge (1935), Starring Seymour Hicks: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title:  Scrooge

Adaptation:  Starring Seymour Hicks as  Ebenezer Scrooge - NOT to be confused with Old Scrooge (1913), which was re-released as A Christmas Carol in 1926, and also starred Seymour Hicks as Ebenezer Scrooge

Dates and Places of Earliest Release: 

TUE, 26 NOV 1935 U.K.

SAT, 30 NOV 1935 U.S.A.

My Rating:  ** (Substandard - Black and White)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  78 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 6, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $45 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes, this adaptation is reverent, including the hymn "Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing" and the phrase "God bless us, everyone!"

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

Yes. (See above.)

 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

(See above.)

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks it's "O.K."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

British English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well.

Fred goes to Scrooge's office, to invite him to Christmas dinner, but not before two gentlemen visit him, to ask for a charitable donation.

Scrooge visits his "usual, melancholy tavern," after work.

Jacob Marley's face appears, framed by Scrooge's door knocker, but when he appears to Scrooge, in Scrooge's chambers, he is invisible to the viewer, although his voice is audible.  He tells Scrooge that Scrooge is the only person who can see him.

The scene at Fezziwig's Christmas Ball is missing.

The scene at Belle's home, with her children and husband, when Marley is dying, is included.

Scenes of men celebrating Christmas in a lighthouse and at sea are included.   

Fred's Christmas Party is included.

A scene is added, in which Scrooge goes to the poulterer's house on Christmas morning, to buy his prize turkey, and send it to Bob Cratchit's house.  

The scene at Scrooge's office the day after Christmas is included, and Scrooge promises to raise Bob's salary, and to be like a second father to Tiny Tim; then he gives Bob another day off. 

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Original score by W.L. Trytel; music by Walter Meyrowitz... Several hymns and songs are included, including a version of "Ring Around the Rosie," in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, architecture, and art are poorly done, and sparse, but include several outdoor scenes, and plenty of background extras, at the Exchange, Fred's, and Belle's. 

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are adequate.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  N/A

There is an aerial shot, of London, presumably. 

 

What use is made of background extras?  

The use of background extras is inadequate, making the film seem low budget.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation?
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that Marley is invisible.  

 

It is also odd that Scrooge makes a trip to the poulterer's himself, after sending a boy, who returns empty-handed.

 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD?

No bonus material is included on this DVD.

Frank DeLima's Hawaiian Christmas Carol (1982), Starring Don Ho: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Title:  Frank DeLima's Hawaiian Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring Frank DeLima as Mr. Hu, "the Scrooge," and featuring Don Ho in a cameo appearance

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

1982 U.S.A.

My Rating:  * (Viewer Discretion Advised)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on  DVD

 

Runtime:  60 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 6, 2021, a copy of this title, in the form of a book, was available, online, for approximately $45e U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation is not reverent.  It includes a modified version of the song "Little Drummer Boy," about sucking a thumb.  It also includes a song, which includes the words, "Slant-eyed!  We are Oriental!" and suggests that it is better to be an Oriental with slanted eyes than an Arabian with a slanted nose.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

(Give specific examples.)

 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

T.B.D.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She finds it "odd," and didn't bother to watch it.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Hawaii, circa 1980.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation does not follow the original novel.  It's about a Japanese man who works as a cook in a stingy, old, Chinese man's restaurant, Mr. Hu's Chop Suey.

 

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural?  T.B.D.

Is this adaptation "framed"?    No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  Yes.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

(See above.)

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, architecture, and art are poorly done.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are adequate.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included? N/A  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

The lack of background extras makes this film seem low budget.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation?
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is the unabashed bigotry and cultural insensitivity.

 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD?

The only bonus material on this DVD is "Scene Selection."

A Christmas Carol (1938), Starring Reginald Owen: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title:  A Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring Reginald Owen as Ebenezer Scrooge

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

FRI, 16 DEC 1938 U.S.A.

SUN, 15 DEC 1940 Finland

 

My Rating:  ** (Substandard - Black and White)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  69 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 6, 2021, copies of this film on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes, this adaptation is reverent.  It includes the hymns "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!", "Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing," and "O, Come, All Ye Faithful!"

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

Yes.  (See above and below.)

 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

Yes, Tiny Tim ends the show by saying, "God bless us, everyone!"

What does my wife think of this adaptation?

She thinks it's "good."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian, England.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well, with a few interesting exceptions.  

It almost seems to make Barry MacKay the star, inn the role of Fred.  The first scene opens on the streets of London, on Christmas Eve, "more than a century ago," where the viewer finds Fred walking through the snow.  He reaches an icy place where children are sliding, and slides with them.  There he meets Tiny Tim, who introduces him to his big brother, Peter.  When the boys mention their surname, Cratchit, Fred verifies that they are Bob Cratchit's sons, and informs them that he's the nephew of their father's boss, Mr. Scrooge, and that he's on his way to see them.

Peter asks Fred to give Bob a shopping list from his mother, since the boys are afraid of Mr. Scrooge, and would rather not go to his office.  Fred understands, and is glad to do take the note to their father.

At Scrooge's office, Fred finds Bob alone.  He gives Bob the shopping list from his wife.

Bob apologizes for his sons making an errand boy out of Fred.  

Fred says he was happy to do it.

It's cold, so Fred asks Bob to put some coal on the fire, but remembers Scrooge doesn't allow it.  Fred then gives Bob a bottle of port wine.  Excited, Bob decides to put some coal on the fire after all.

Scrooge arrives just as Bob is about to take his first sip of port wine.

After Fred and the charity workers leave, Scrooge finally releases Bob a half hour late.  Scrooge also gives him the next day, Christmas, off.

Bob reminds him that his weekly wages are due, so Scrooge gives him fifteen shillings and six pence.

Bob gleefully leaves, and Scrooge pockets the bottle of port wine Fred left on Bob's desk.

Before shopping, Bob gets ambushed by boys who throw snowballs at him.  Good natured, Bob shows them how to pack a snowball tight with bare hands.  Then one of the boys announces a new target is approaching.  Bob hides, and, on the boy's signal, launches the hard packed snowball.

The snowball hits the target, which, unfortunately, is Scrooge's hat, which is knocked onto the icy street.  Unfortunately, before Bob can retrieve it, a horse-drawn carriage runs over it - first one wheel, then another.

Scrooge fires Bob on the spot.  Bob reminds him that their contract requires Scrooge to give him a week's notice.  Scrooge says his weekly wage will spare him the grief of enduring Bob another week, but, since his hat costs sixteen shillings and six pence, Bob owes him a shilling.  Bob hands over the shilling, and Scrooge heads for his "usual, melancholy tavern."

One of the boys apologizes for his part in Bob losing his employment.

Bob gently, sadly taps the boy on the shoulder, and staggers away in silence.

Then he cheers up, and goes shopping.

Long story short, Scrooge makes Fred a partner so he can afford to marry his fiancee, Bess, a.k.a. Elizabeth.  He takes Fred and Bess to Bob's house, where he promises to raise Bob's salary and hire Peter.

Tiny Tim says, "God bless us everyone!" and the final credits roll.

Gone is the scene of Mr. Fezziwig's Christmas Ball.  Instead, he gives young Ebenezer and Dick each a gold Sovereign on Christmas Eve, which, being one British Pound, is almost 130% of Bob's weekly salary years later.  Mr. Fezziwig also gives the boys Christmas off, but asks them to return for Christmas Dinner.

Also missing are any scenes or mention of Belle.  Instead, the Ghost of Christmas Past, in the form of a young, blonde woman, starts nagging Scrooge, so he puts part of her angelic garment over her face and starts to strangle her, only to wake up with his sheet around his pillow, instead of the girl's dress around her head and neck.

Also missing, of course, is the scene at Scrooge's office on the day after Christmas.

Another interesting turn in this adaptation, is that Mrs. Cratchit proposes a toast to Mr. Scrooge, with a hope that he'll increase her husband's wages.

A couple of the most interesting scenes, which are added to this adaptation, are at a church to which the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge on Christmas Day.  There the viewer sees Fred and Bess, singing "O, Come, All Ye Faithful!" together, sharing a hymnal, and obviously in love.  Bob and Tiny Tim also share a hymnal.

Outside, after the service, the priest is seen sliding on the ice, so Fred is able to persuade Bess to slide with him, until they fall into a snow bank where they take a few moments to smooch before they get up.

When Scrooge shows up at their Christmas Party, and informs Fred that he's making him his partner, the couple immediately decide to get married.  Then they accompany Scrooge to Bob's house, where Scrooge promises to raise Bob's salary, and, eventually, to hire Peter.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural?  Yes, it includes ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

(Music by Franz Waxman...  Carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!" and "Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing."  Fred, Bess, Bob, and Tiny Tim sing "O, Come, All Ye Faithful!" with a congregation at a church.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, architecture, and art are excellent, in spite of being in black and white.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are good, including aerial footage of London when the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge by the hand, and flies with him like Superman!

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included? 

(See above.)   

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use is made of background extras, on the streets of London, and in the church.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation?
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, the emphasis which is placed on Fred, as if his character were the main character.  Few adaptations, if any, add as much character development of Fred as this one does.  

Also, this is a rare adaptation in that Scrooge literally fires Bob.  In most adaptations, this is merely a constant threat.

 
What extras are included on the tape or DVD?

T.B.D.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017), Starring Christopher Plummer: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Title:  The Man Who Invented Christmas 

Adaptation:  Starring Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

FRI, 10 NOV 2017 Ireland

WED, 22 NOV 2017 U.S.A.

My Rating:  *****

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD and BluRay

 

Runtime:  104 minutes

 

Availability:  As of February 6, 2021, copies of this film are available on DVD and BluRay, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars

Is this adaptation reverent?  Yes.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

Yes. (See below.)

 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

Yes, Charles Dickens' father says it right before he's arrested and taken to debtors' prison. One of the children also says it, near the end of this film.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She watched it once, with me, in the theater, and she liked it well enough to watch it with me again, at home, on BluRay.  

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Although this adaptation begins with Charles Dickens' first trip to the U.S.A. in 1842, most of the action takes place in London, between October, 1843, when Charles Dickens was writing A Christmas Carol, and December, 1843, when it was published.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

British English

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

Not very closely! This adaptation is framed within a biographical yet fanciful dramatization of Charles Dickens' life in the months leading up to his publication of A Christmas Carol. However, characters from the novel are portrayed by actors such as Christopher Plummer, well enough to serve as a cinematic adaptation of the novel.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this adaptation is supernatural, featuring ghosts and imaginary characters who appear to Charles Dickens.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes. (See above.)

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

(Music by Mychael Danna... There is a little singing and dancing to inspire Dickens to write the scene about Fezziwig's Ball, but music isn't a major part of this film.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, architecture, and art are good, and seem very representative of Charles Dickens' London.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are well executed/edited; they are usually sharp cuts, but they are very effective, and seem seamless.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included? N/A  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Effective use is made of background extras, especially in the streets of London, as well as in a theatre in the U.S.A.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation?
The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is that it's framed in a biographical dramatization of Charles Dickens' struggle to write A Christmas Carol, as he receives inspirations from various mundane sources, such as stories his maid reads to herself, and others she tells his children, and chance meetings with a waiter at a restaurant, or a funeral at a cemetery. It also shows how Dickens' imagination might have brought his characters to life, as they are brought to life by the actors who play dual roles of people in Dickens' life as well as his literary characters, such as Ebenezer Scrooge.

 
What extras are included on the tape or DVD?

This DVD and BluRay set come in one, double jewel case. They both include a featurette titled "The Story Behind The Man Who Invented Christmas."

Subtitles are available in English and Spanish.

 

Review by William Mortensen Vaughan