Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
A Christmas pause: As I have done now for several years on Christmas day, I bring you the classic 1951 version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring Alastair Sim. Still by far the best adaption of the book and a truly wonderful movie.
And as I noted in a previous year:
Dickens did not demand the modern version of charity, where it is imposed by governmental force on everyone. Instead, he was advocating the older wiser concept of western civilization, that charity begins at home, that we as individuals are obliged as humans to exercise good will and generosity to others, by choice.
It is always a matter of choice. And when we take that choice away from people, we destroy the good will that makes true charity possible.
It is also most important that we all heed the words of Christmas Present: ‘This boy is ignorance, this girl is want. Beware them both, but most of all beware this boy.’”
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Thank you for this. I confess I was introduced to the classic by Mr Magoo!
Gary: The Magoo version is actually pretty good too. And it has a few really good songs that should not be forgotten.
Thank you, Bob. But I’ll always regard the 1938 MGM version, starring Reginald Owen, as my favorite. His conversion on Christmas morning is sublime. And the young actors (Barry McKay and the exquisite Lynne Carver) playing Fred and Bess are delightful. Likewise Gene Lockhart as Bob Cratchit and Terry Kilburn as “Tiny” Tim. It’s one of the studio’s masterpieces. Still, I also hold a warm place for “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol.” And you’re right, some of the songs are lovely. Albert Finney’s “Scrooge” is a bit overblown but has some excellent moments as well.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God bless us, every one!
Yes, this version is The One. We watch it every year. Besides Sim’s perfect performance, it includes one of the most startling and bloodcurdling screams in cinematic history!
A Christmas Carol (1910)
https://archive.org/details/AChristmasCarol1910
“Marc McDermott stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in this silent film version.”