Seymour Hicks' "Scrooge"

Scrooge is the 1935 version of the Dickens classic. It is the first surviving "talkie" re-telling the story and stars Seymour Hicks in the title role.

Watch it online via Youtube:

"Look well, Ebeneezer Scrooge, for only you can see me" is a good way to get rid of the need for special effects -Scrooge can just talk with the disembodied voice of old Marley. The Ghost of Christmas Past is but a rough shape, the Ghost of Christmas Present is fully present but a grouch, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the shadow of an arm and hand.

This is the only Christmas Carol movie I know of besides the Patrick Stewart version that has a scene with Dead Tim in it. Bob Cratchit mourns by dead Tim's bedside in both. It's interesting to note what doesn't change through these and to see what does change. The Patrick Stewart version does owe a debt to this one.

The New York Times calls it "A faithful, tender and mellow edition of his timeless Yuletide fable". Foster on Film doesn't like it at all.