A Christmas Carol

Released Dec 16, 1938

1h 9m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

List

100%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Crotchety miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen) hates Christmas and mistreats his long-suffering employee, devoted family man Bob Cratchit (Gene Lockhart). But a visit from the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Leo G. Carroll) and three Christmas spirits (Lionel Braham, Ann Rutherford, D'Arcy Corrigan) might convince him to change his ways and become more kindhearted. This adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic became a holiday staple for decades.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

[A] typically polished MGM version of Charles Dickens's yuletide favourite.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 19, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Effective adaptation of Charles Dickens novel, well acted by Reginald Owen and the rest of the cast.

Rated: B

Jul 18, 2011

Full Review

Scott G. Mignola

Common Sense Media

A gentle, less scary version of the classic.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 2, 2011

Full Review

Steve Biodrowski

Cinefantastique

Although slightly corn-ball, this 1938 production...should appeal to fans of old-fashioned Hollywood-style filmmaking.

Nov 11, 2009

Full Review

TV Guide

A great and eternally heart-warming film that can stand an appreciative viewing every year through every decade.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 27, 2007

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

The movie is nothing if not sincere, which goes a long way in a sentimental tale like this one.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 23, 2005

Full Review

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Mitch C

Passable and entertaining enough. But future versions, specially the early 80s George C. Scott version, are far superior.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/07/24

Full Review

Steve D

One of the lesser versions.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

Connor S

This has become a staple in my family and somehow gets better every year. I look forward to watching this in February, April, October, you name it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

eabate3

The first and still the best although there are several good ones to watch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/19/23

Full Review

James F

This is an earnest and perfectly decent effort at telling the classic story. But of the versions I've seen, the George C. Scott version is stronger. Scott is just a stronger actor, and manages the "man transformed" far more smoothly. Here the transition is very abrupt to the point that it lacks credibility. I have yet to see the Patrick Stewart version, so take that for what it is worth. I do think the ensemble cast here was pretty uniformly excellent.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

Joel H

This 1938 film adaptation of A Christmas Carol is interesting. It is about 10 minutes shorter than the 1935 version, but it also seems to be trying to pad the runtime. For example, we get to see every course of the Cratchit family's Christmas dinner. In addition, the bald cap & makeup do not do Reginald Owen any favors as he tries to play Scrooge. I was never really convinced that he was an old man. Terry Kilburn gives a genuinely adorable performance as Tiny Tim, though, and Gene Lockhart is a very relatable Bob Cratchit. And is it strange I had a bit of a crush on the Spirit of Christmas Past?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

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Edwin L. Marin

Director

Reginald Owen

Ebenezer Scrooge

Gene Lockhart

Bob Cratchit

Kathleen Lockhart

Mrs. Cratchit

Terry Kilburn

Tiny Tim Cratchit

Barry MacKay

Fred

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Synopsis

Crotchety miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen) hates Christmas and mistreats his long-suffering employee, devoted family man Bob Cratchit (Gene Lockhart). But a visit from the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Leo G. Carroll) and three Christmas spirits (Lionel Braham, Ann Rutherford, D'Arcy Corrigan) might convince him to change his ways and become more kindhearted. This adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic became a holiday staple for decades.

Director: Edwin L. Marin
Screenwriter: Hugo Butler
Production Co: Loew's Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1938, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2008
Runtime: 1h 9m

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