Product Description

A Christmas Carol! One of the most beloved and retold of all Christmas stories, this adaptation features Fredric March (The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit) as Ebenezer Scrooge and Basil Rathbone (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) as Jacob Marley. This version is great family entertainment and is sure to help capture the spirit of Christmas.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #972 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-10-13
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Customer Reviews

1954 TV Version
This "Christmas Carol" is an early TV version from 1954 with Fredric March as Scrooge (he won an Emmy) and Basil Rathbone as Marley. It's not a bad effort for TV for the time, but rather dated by today's standards. (Scrooge even tries to refer to hell, but was not allowed to say the word on TV at that time which leads to an unintentionally funny moment.)
The background music is by Bernard Hermann (of Hitchcock Psycho fame) and is the best part about this version (listen to the spooky chorus underneath Jacob Marley's scene). But the actual songs (also by Hermann) are less than memorable (especially the song of Christmas Present). However, the two original carols, sung by the outstanding Roger Wagner Chorale are great (if not time-appropriate to the story).
As for the acting: Fredric March was an outstanding actor, but he's trying too hard (and there are several gestures thrown in over the hour that are over the top). However, I think it was well received at the time (winning an Emmy). The story is rather bare bones (this version is only an hour--with songs), but still makes it's point.
This version is basically for those old enough to remember it, or those interested in TV of the time (or perhaps Bernard Hermann fans--who knew he did TV?). Perhaps also for those who are Christmas Carol completists. Look for Bonnie Franklin's first TV acting role (as one of the Cratchit kids).
This version, however, should not be the only version of this story you have.

Must See and Own.
Wonderful Cast for a 50's TV show.
See it for Tiny Tim's song.
This one is a keeper.

Musical version, not what we expected
The online info for this movie did not say that it is a musical version made for tv, which is stated on the case. The music is overdone for our tastes, and some of our favorite scenes were altered or missing.