A Christmas Carol (1938)

A Christmas Carol: Directed by Edwin L. Marin. With Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, Terry Kilburn. An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.

“The wretched life of a disagreeable old man is forever altered one haunted Christmas Eve…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCharles Dickensu0026#39; wonderful Yuletide story, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, is given the full MGM deluxe treatment in this superior Holiday film. The production values u0026amp; acting are both excellent, with just enough sentiment to appeal to the tenderhearted, and with liberal doses of horror u0026amp; hilarity stirred into the mix, until, like a fine Christmas punch, the result appeals to all.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe filmu0026#39;s rather short running time keeps the action moving along briskly, with one famous u0026amp; beloved episode after another coming alive before the vieweru0026#39;s eyes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eReginald Owen, in his best film role, is perfect as the grasping, clutching, tightfisted, covetous old sinner, Ebenezer Scrooge. Replacing the ailing – and highly respected – Lionel Barrymore, Owen makes the part his own, revealing the old miseru0026#39;s misery u0026amp; heartache, making the part thoroughly human. When he rejoices in his spiritual regeneration at the climax, so do we.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe roles of Bob Cratchit, Scroogeu0026#39;s amiable clerk u0026amp; Fred, Scroogeu0026#39;s friendly nephew, are both fleshed out more fully than in other versions. The acting skills of Gene Lockhart u0026amp; Barry MacKay turn them into something very memorable.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSpecial mention should also be made of Leo G. Carroll as Marleyu0026#39;s morose Ghost; Lionel Braham as an impressively jolly Ghost of Christmas Present; and Kathleen Lockhart u0026amp; Terry Kilburn as Mrs. Cratchit u0026amp; Tiny Tim. All add fine brushstrokes to the overall picture.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMovie mavens will recognize Billy Bevan as an officer of the Watch; Forrester Harvey as an ebullient Fezziwig; Halliwell Hobbes as a jolly Vicar; and young June Lockhart, in her film debut, as Belinda Cratchit – all uncredited.”