Tags:
Film: Scrooge
Year: 1935
Director: Henry Edwards
Writer: H. Fowler Mear
Starring: Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop and Robert Cochran
Review:
This is a version of Charles Dickens classic take ‘A Christmas Carole’ that I didn’t necessarily know existed. I found this was considered horror on Letterboxd, so I decided to give it a watch as part of my Voyage through the FiVes as my 1935 film for the week for Journey with a Cinephile.
Synopsis: Ebenezer Scrooge (Seymour Hicks), a mean old miser, hasn’t a good word for Christmas, though his impoverished clerk Bob Cratchit (Donald Calthrop) and nephew Fred (Robert Cochran) are full of spirit. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by spirits of the past, present and future.
Now the synopsis does well in giving in the basic ideas of this classic tale. Where we jump into is with Ebenezer working on Christmas Eve with Bob. His employee is cold and tries to put coal into the stove when he gets scolded by Scrooge. Bob is told that since he doesn’t pay for it that he doesn’t realize how expensive coal is. What we’ll learn later is that despite his frugal ways, Scrooge is wealthy.
While at the office, we also get to meet Fred who invites his uncle over for Christmas dinner. Bob is looking forward to going out to spend time with his family, which includes his son Tiny Tim (Philip Frost).
That night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley (Claude Rains), who warns him of three impending ghostly visits: the Spirits of Christmas Past (Marie Ney), Present (Oscar Asche), and Future (C. V. France). Through these visions, Scrooge sees how his actions led to Belle (Mary Glynne) leaving him, the joy his employee finds in Christmas despite poverty, and the consequences if he doesn't change, prompting him to reconsider his life.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I’ll start is by saying that I went light on my recap since this is truly a classic tale that most everyone has seen or at least knows the story. This version is short. It ran 78 minutes and it flew by. There isn’t much in the way of filler. There are subplots that come through Scrooge making decisions which affect the lives of others. What I’ll say to end this section is a heartwarming tale that I rather enjoy.
Now that I’ve set that up, Hicks's portrayal of Scrooge as an ornery, coal-hoarding miser fits the character. He ignores Christmas invitations from his nephew and missed marrying Belle due to his frugality, a regret highlighted by seeing her later with her husband, Garry Marsh. Hick’s portrayal truly carries this film as he navigates this night.
Let’s then look at if this version is horror. I’d lean on the side that it's not. This Victorian gothic story centers on Ebenezer, a miser whose lack of charity will lead to a lonely death. This version, however, loses some impact by omitting Jacob and the Spirits of Christmas Past and Future. While the original concept may have intended unseen ghosts, the visible Spirit of Christmas Present is just a normal person, lessening the horror. The film prioritizes storytelling over scares, which is a fair artistic choice.
There isn’t much more that I need to delve into for the story so let’s shift to filmmaking. The cinematography effectively captures Victorian England, with well-executed lighting and framing. The use of shadows for spirits enhances the ominous tone. While effects are limited, the storytelling is prioritized. The sound design is also commendable, particularly Jacob's knocking. Despite limited techniques, the film is well-made.
All that is left then is the acting performances. I’ve already said that Hicks is good as our lead. He truly carries this. Calthrop, Cochran, Glynne, Marsh and Frost are all good as different elements that make Ebenezer rethink his ways. The spirits, Ney, France, Asche and Rains were solid. I’ll also say that the rest of the cast rounded this out for what was needed. They truly push Scrooge to where he ends up.
In conclusion, this offers a concise and engaging adaptation of Dickens' classic, notable for Hicks' strong portrayal of Ebenezer. While it leans more into its gothic narrative than overt horror, the film successfully captures the spirit of the story with solid cinematography and sound design, despite limited special effects. Ultimately, it's a heartwarming tale that stays impactful, driven by its performances and faithful adherence to the beloved source material.
My Rating: 8 out of 10