With a choral rendition of Hark the Herald the Angels Sing, the movie opens in victorian times on Christmas Eve "more than a century ago". Men, women, and children are dressed in top hats and long coats as people hurry along doing last-minute errands for Christmas.
A man in a top hat, whom we find out is Ebeneezer Scrooge's (Reginald Owen) nephew, Fred (Barry MacKay), plays with the children in the street by sliding down a hill in the street as does each child, by trying to stay upright and not fall. This is where we meet Tim Cratchit (Terry Kilburn) and his older brother Peter (John O'Day). Tim is a poor boy who walks with a crutch and has a brace on his foot- for reasons unknown.
Peter informs the governor that the man his and Peter's father works for is not fond of children, causing them to shy away from visiting their own father on the eve of the holiday. This sets up a stark difference between Mr. Scrooge and the townspeople early on. Scrooge is known to be cold whereas Fred is kind, jolly, and playful (even delivering a message to the Cratchit's father for the children).
The difference between Mr. Fred and Ebeneezer Scrooge is further exemplified as Fred enters Scrooge and Marley's shop and finds Bob Crachit (Tim and Peter's father) working in a cold environment. Bob informs Fred that he's not allowed to add coal to the fire due to Scrooge's rules as Fred comments on the cold conditions. Fred explains it's Christmas time and offers Bob a drink. Emboldened by Fred's happy spirit, he adds some coals to the fire, going against Scrooge's orders.
Twill and Rummidge are a minor duo within the movie that represents the goodwill of the people. They arrive in seek of financial and material donations for the needy members of society. They are the representatives for a fund that was created for the poor. "to buy them food and drink, and means of warmth".
Scrooge's demeanor in the film is equal to the coldness of the wintertime the Holiday takes place of. He's unfeeling, unkind, and does not care for the circumstances his fellow townspeople may be experiencing. His only care? Money. He ruthlessly fires Bob on Christmas Eve all because Chratchit threw a snowball at Scrooge (unknowing it was him- bob was playing snowballs with the village children).
Scrooge is visited that night by four spirits: Jacob Marley, and the three spirits of Christmas: Past, Present, and Future.
It is the Ghost of Christmas Past that warns him of his ways and what may come to pass if he doesn't open his heart and learn to give and help those around him.
The three ghosts each represent a trait of humanity: Gratitude, Spirit, and Consequence.
At 1 am, the Ghost of Christmas Past arrives. A young maiden dressed all in white, blond hair in curls- the essence of purity. She is illuminated with the warming light of thankfulness and gratitude to others. She shows Scrooge what love was once in his life. But once she talks about him sharing that same love to those in his life now, he changes his attitude and gets angry. It is then that she gets upset and tells him: "My time grows short. I have yet to show you the black years of your life. Your gradual enslavement to greed. Your ruthlessness. Your ingratitude. Your wretched thirst for gold!"
Ann Rutherford as the Ghost of Christmas Past
At 2 am, the Ghost of Christmas Present arrives. He is a large jolly man. Dressed in a Santa-Esque robe with a crown of holly upon his head. He shows Ebeneezer what is happening in the town at the present time, with a special trip to the church. It is here that we finally meet Bess (Lynne Carver), Fred's Fiance, and it's quite evident how in love they are. We also find Bob Cratchit and Tim spending time there together as well. It is obvious that love is the meaning of the day.
Next, we follow along as Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present visit the Cratchit's home, where the family is terribly excited about having such a splendid meal and enjoying the simplicity of the day together.
Lionel Braham as the Ghost of Christmas Present At the stroke of 3 am, We meet the last spirit- The Ghost of Christmas Future. This ghost looks like the Grim Reaper- only without the scythe. This ghost, unlike the others, does not speak. Ebeneezer watches with the Ghost of Christmas Past as people of the town discuss him with such apathy. None of them really care that Ebeneezer has passed on in this future, with (very) few going to pay respects- more out of obligation, than of love or genuine emotion. It is with this Ghost that he finds out his fate- dying alone without anyone around or to care about his passing.
D'Arcy Corrigan as the Ghost of Christmas Future
Interestingly and opposite in temperament of Scrooge is Bob Cratchit (Gene Lockhart).
It is Bob that shows the audience the true meaning of Christmas. The Cratchits are of the poorer end of the town, and he's been fired on Christmas Eve. However, instead of getting down on his luck, he decides to take his week's pay and buys a feast worth of food for his wife and five children- a goose, apples, oranges, and chestnuts without worrying about where money will come from next.
Bob Cratchit fails to tell his family of his misfortune, and instead, treats his family to a nice holiday feast even when he knows that his income has dried up. He does not want to ruin the holiday for all. His family meanwhile is just thrilled with the simplicity of a good meal and having the whole family home for the holiday.
At just over an hour in length, this movie does well to remind us all of both the meaning of Christmas, but also how we should treat one another. As Fred mentions: Christmas is a kind, charitable, forgiving, pleasant time, and that"It's the only time when people open their hearts freely". We should all strive to do our best for both our families and our neighbors- and those around us.
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