Over the Christmas holidays I watched three versions of Dickens, A Christmas Carol. First, I watched the version with Alistair Sim playing Scrooge. Next, a film made in 1935 with Seymour Hicks playing Scrooge. Third, George C. Scott playing Scrooge.
I cast my vote for Alistair Sim playing Scrooge. He was a superb actor and had a wonderful cast playing all the parts. Kathleen Nesbitt who played Scrooge's housekeeper stole every scene she was in. In the other versions the housekeeper had no part. I don't know who cast her and made sure she had a good part to play should have a pat on the head and a raise in salary. If you have time, you're sure to find A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim available.
The 1935 version was well done. Seymour Hicks had an evil countenance to start and played Scrooge as a miserable, man who bullied his employee Bob Cratchit and made his life as miserable as possible while allowing him to have Christmas Day off. The film was simply made but the message was clear. Change is possible when Scrooge had three ghosts revealing his life, making him understand how badly he had treated his sister, his sweetheart and his nephew. In 1935 the film makers didn't have fancy tricks to move the story along. A great film version, worth watching.
George C. Scott made a fine Scrooge in brightly filmed version of A Christmas Carol. His Scrooge pulled out all the stops especially the scene where the Ghost of Christmas Present flipped his gown open to reveal two pitiful starving children, one is ignorance - I forget the other, but the scene was a show stopper. Scott was excellent but the cast of supporting characters could not match those in the Alistair Sim version.
Miles Mallenson (probably spelled wrong)as the character buying the bed draperies from and other items stole from Scrooge's home after he'd died. Wonderful acting. Of course, the housekeeper, was perfect as she passed the items to be appraised. Just watch the two of them bartering.
To see acting of a high calibre, download a copy of, "A Christmas Carol,"starring Alistair Sim. Enjoy.
2014 is with days of coming to life. Enjoy the Old Year ending and the New Year beginning.
Enjoy being alive and continue reading. Reading is good for the soul.
Anita
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