► Scrooge and Dickens' A Christmas Carol ► http://http://j.mp/ScroogeCarol "Scrooge" is a 1951 film adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843). It starred Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge and was directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, with a screenplay by Noel Langley. It was released as "A Christmas Carol" in the United States. Vintage Christmas Films and Cartoons! ▻ http://XmasFLIX.com ▻ http://facebook.com/XmasFLIX ▻ http://twitter.com/XmasFLIX The film also features Kathleen Harrison in an acclaimed turn as Mrs. Dilber, Scrooge's charwoman. George Cole stars as the younger version of Scrooge, Hermione Baddeley as Mrs. Cratchit, Mervyn Johns as Bob Cratchit, Clifford Mollison as Samuel Wilkins, a debtor, Jack Warner as Mr. Jorkin, a role created for the film, Ernest Thesiger as Marley's undertaker and Patrick Macnee as young Jacob Marley. Michael Hordern plays Marley's ghost, as well as old Marley. Peter Bull serves as narrator, by reading portions of Dickens' words at the beginning and end of the film; he also appears on-screen as one of the businessmen cynically discussing Scrooge's funeral. Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) is seen leaving the London Exchange on his way to his counting house on Christmas Eve, 1843. Scrooge tells two other men of business that he has no intention of celebrating Christmas. He refuses leniency to a debtor who owes Scrooge money. Back at his place of business, Scrooge refuses a donation to two men collecting for the poor, suggesting that prisons and workhouses are sufficient for maintaining the poor, and that those who won't go would be better off dead. Scrooge's nephew, Fred (Brian Worth), invites Scrooge to dinner the next day, but Scrooge refuses, disparaging Fred for having married. Scrooge reluctantly gives his poor clerk Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) the day off with pay, but expects him back all the earlier the day after. After Scrooge dines alone in a seedy restaurant (where he refuses more bread when told he has to pay a halfpenny more for it), he goes home for the night. Scrooge sees the door-knocker turn into the face of his seven-years-dead partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern). Scrooge's supper of gruel is interrupted by the ringing of bells before Marley appears as a ghost. Scrooge believes he is hallucinating until Marley howls in anguish and frustration. Marley warns Scrooge that he must repent or suffer Marley's unbearable fate: condemned to walk the earth forever, bound in the chains he "forged in life" by his greedy ways. He warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits; the first will arrive when the bell tolls one. Marley leaves to join other ghosts suffering the same torment. Frightened by the sight of the damned, Scrooge takes refuge in his bed. At one in the morning, the Ghost of Christmas Past (Michael Dolan) arrives to show Scrooge scenes from his past. A young Scrooge (George Cole) is alone at school, unwanted by his father. His sister Fan (Carol Marsh) arrives to take him home, claiming their father has changed. Next, the Ghost shows Scrooge the annual Christmas party thrown by his fondly remembered employer, old Fezziwig (Roddy Hughes). Scrooge witnesses his proposal to his girlfriend, Alice (Rona Anderson). He is reminded that the lure of money from the sarcastic Mr. Jorkin (Jack Warner) seduced him to abandon his loyalty to Fezziwig. Scrooge relives the death of Fan; as she lay dying, he angrily walked away and refused to look after her son, Fred. The older Scrooge is overcome, and begs for her forgiveness. In partnership with Jorkin, young Scrooge befriends a young Jacob Marley (Patrick Macnee). Scrooge and Marley buy out Fezziwig's business and turn his warehouse into a counting house. Alice breaks off her engagement to Scrooge, feeling that love of money has replaced his love for her. Years later, Scrooge and Marley offer to rescue Jorkin's company after Jorkin embezzles the company's funds; they take control of the business and add it to their own. On Christmas Eve, 1836, Marley lay dying, but Scrooge will not visit his only friend during business hours. When Scrooge finally arrives, Marley, aware he will face eternal punishment for his avarice, tries to warn Scrooge before he dies. The Ghost reproaches Scrooge for taking Marley's money and house. Just some of the actors that have played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge include: Alastair Sim, Seymour Hicks, George C. Scott, Albert Finney, Jim Carrey, Patrick Stewart, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Kelsey Grammer, Tim Curry, Jack Palance, Simon Callow, Walter Matthau, Rich Little, Buddy Hackett, Robert Morse, Ray Coulthard, Mark Strickson, Kenny Doughty, Russell Thorndike, Kristopher Milnes, Vincent Fegan, Vanessa Williams, Bill Murray and so many more.

• published: 24 Dec 2015
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