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IMDbPro

A Christmas Carol

  • 19381938
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
22,385
2,637
Terry Kilburn and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer2:45
1 Video
77 Photos
DramaFamilyFantasy
An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.An elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
22,385
2,637
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Edwin L. Marin
    • Writers
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Hugo Butler(screen play)
    • Stars
      • Reginald Owen
      • Gene Lockhart
      • Kathleen Lockhart
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Edwin L. Marin
    • Writers
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Hugo Butler(screen play)
    • Stars
      • Reginald Owen
      • Gene Lockhart
      • Kathleen Lockhart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 110User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore

    Videos1

    A Christmas Carol
    Trailer 2:45
    A Christmas Carol

    Photos77

    Lionel Braham and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    D'Arcy Corrigan and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    June Lockhart, Lynne Carver, Terry Kilburn, Barry MacKay, and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    D'Arcy Corrigan and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Leo G. Carroll and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Leo G. Carroll and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Lionel Braham and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Gene Lockhart and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Terry Kilburn, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)
    Terry Kilburn, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, and Reginald Owen in A Christmas Carol (1938)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Reginald Owen
    Reginald Owen
    • Ebenezer Scrooge
    Gene Lockhart
    Gene Lockhart
    • Bob Cratchit
    Kathleen Lockhart
    Kathleen Lockhart
    • Mrs. Cratchit
    Terry Kilburn
    Terry Kilburn
    • Tiny Tim
    Barry MacKay
    Barry MacKay
    • Fred
    • (as Barry Mackay)
    Lynne Carver
    Lynne Carver
    • Bess
    Leo G. Carroll
    Leo G. Carroll
    • Marley's Ghost
    Lionel Braham
    Lionel Braham
    • Spirit of Christmas Present
    Ann Rutherford
    Ann Rutherford
    • Spirit of Christmas Past
    D'Arcy Corrigan
    D'Arcy Corrigan
    • Spirit of Christmas Future
    Ronald Sinclair
    Ronald Sinclair
    • Young Scrooge
    Bunny Beatty
    Bunny Beatty
    • Martha Cratchit
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Benson
      Billy Bevan
      Billy Bevan
      • Street Watch Leader
      • (uncredited)
      Ted Billings
      • Man on Sidewalk
      • (uncredited)
      Matthew Boulton
      Matthew Boulton
      • Second Charity Solicitor
      • (uncredited)
      Bob Carey
        St. Luke's Episcopal Church Choristers
        St. Luke's Episcopal Church Choristers
        • Singers - 'Adeste Fidelis'
        • (uncredited)
        • Director
          • Edwin L. Marin
        • Writers
          • Charles Dickens(novel)
          • Hugo Butler(screen play)
        • All cast & crew
        • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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        Storyline

        Edit

        Did you know

        Edit
        • Trivia
          June Lockhart's film debut.
        • Goofs
          When Scrooge is eating in the tavern on Christmas Eve, he is reading a book with the spine label "Bankers Book". Charles Dickens' depiction of this book is that it is Scrooge's property, possibly a ledger. Yet in the film, Scrooge stands, pays the innkeeper for the meal, and leaves - leaving the book behind him on the table.

          However, just because this is a change from the book does not make it a mistake. There is no reason in the film to suggest it has to be Scrooge's book.
        • Quotes

          Ebenezer Scrooge: [to Marley's ghost] We'll soon see how real you are.

          [Calling out the window]

          Ebenezer Scrooge: Watch! There's an intruder in my room!

          Leader of watch: Right up, sir - law and order!

          Jacob Marley's ghost: It was for your welfare that I made this visit, Ebenezer Scrooge.

          [He disappears]

          Leader of watch: [unable to find him] Your intruder seems to have extruded, if I may say so, sir.

          Ebenezer Scrooge: He was here! He was a spirit!

          Leader of watch: [laughing] Of course, sir! A fine night for spirits - of one form or another, sir!

        • Alternate versions
          Also available in a computer colorized version.
        • Connections
          Featured in A Fireside Chat with Lionel Barrymore (1938)
        • Soundtracks
          Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
          (1856) (uncredited)

          Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1840)

          Lyrics by Charles Wesley (1730)

          Arranged by David Snell

          Sung by an offscreen chorus during opening credits

        User reviews110

        Review
        Top review
        One of the Great Christmas Movie of All-Time!
        More that sixty years after it was made, MGM's 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" still ranks as one of the best adaptations of the Dickens classic ever.

        First, there's that terrific cast. Lionel Barrymore was to have played Ebeneezer Scrooge, when the accident that confined him to a wheelchair prevented it. Reginald Owen, whose career in US films alone spanned more than 40 years, was given the part, and, if not as vivid a Scrooge as Alistair Sim, he is more than up to the task. Terry Kilburn (The little boy who said "Goodbye, Mr. Chips!" the following year) goes perhaps a bit overboard with the cute stuff as Tiny Tim, but at least he tries. Gene and Kathleen Lockhart (And daughter June, making her film debut at 12) make as good a pair of Cratchits as you will ever see, with Gene Lockhart underplaying more than was usually his wont. Barry McKay and Lynne Carver (The latter perhaps best remembered as "Dr. Kildare's" girlfriend during the '40's) add just the right spirit as Scrooge's nephew, Fred, and his fiancee, respectively. And, speaking of spirits, there's Leo G. Carroll as probably the out-and-out spookiest Marley's Ghost there ever was, and Ann Rutherford (That's Polly Benedict to you "Andy Hardy" fans!) as probably the loveliest Ghost of Christmas Past.

        Atmospherically, the movie is as comfortable and heartwarming as an old Christmas card. As a director, Edwin L. Marin was, frankly, a hack, and, as such, usually handed a lot of forgettable "B" properties at MGM. With "Christmas Carol," though, he redeems himself. One wonders, though, if executive producer Joseph L. Manckiewicz wasn't responsible for at least some of the directing chores, as well. Hugo Butler's screenplay captures the feel of it all perfectly, and Franz Waxman's score is one of his best.

        A rare treat all around. Don't miss it. But do not, under any circumstances, see the colorized version. The black-and-white play of light and shadow in this film is essential to its' atmosphere.

        Incidentally, there's a substantial article, including an interview with June Lockhart, on this film in the book "AMC Presents the Great Christmas Movies."
        helpful•38
        8
        • BobLib
        • Aug 6, 1999

        FAQ11

        • What is 'A Christmas Carol' about?
        • Is "A Christmas Carol" based on a book?
        • Why does everyone address each other as "governor"?

        Details

        Edit
        • Release date
          • December 16, 1938 (United States)
        • Country of origin
          • United States
        • Official site
          • Official Site
        • Language
          • English
        • Also known as
          • Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
        • Filming locations
          • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
        • Production company
          • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
        • See more company credits at IMDbPro

        Technical specs

        Edit
        • Runtime
          1 hour 9 minutes
        • Color
          • Black and White
        • Aspect ratio
          • 1.37 : 1

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