The funniest memory I have about A Christmas Carol comes from my days in Dublin. I worked in a cafΓ© and one night close to Christmas I and other three Italians were closing the shop on the late shift.
While cleaning up the hot counter, I could hear Roberta, Agnese and Daniele discussing in another room, but I didnβt hear what they were talking about. After a while, Roberta came over to help me close the hot counter. While cleaning up the tools, she asked me, βSarah, you know A Christmas Carol is a book, donβt you?β
βBy Dickens,β I said.
Roberta all brightened up. βI love you! Agnese and Dani were pestering me about that being just a film. I felt stupid.β
Well, thatβs a testament to the extreme popularity the story has gained on screen and to be honest, I myself thought for years it was just a film, before discovering it is actually a book, actually from the 1800s, actually by one of the most popular authors who ever wrote novels.
So Iβm not at all surprised to find this film adapting the story in 1910β¦ and apparently it isnβt the first one either.
This was filmed by Edison Production in Bronx country of New York City with some of the most complex and sophisticated special effects of the time.
Iβve always been fond of A Christmas Carol since the first time I watched it on tv when I was a kid, though not for the Christmas theme. Iβm afraid the ghosts were what won me out. And the story of redemption, which have always been my favourite.
I like watching different renditions. I enjoyed watching this too, although itβs sure choppy and quite superficial. It looks like the special effects were the main course (bit like today in some productions, isnβt it?). You donβt really get much other than the ghosts, thereβs very little in terms of charactersβ building, not to mention Dickensβs original social commentary.
Still there is something charming about it. Although definitely overly dramatic as it was the case in those early silent films, I think Marc McDermott is a pretty awesome Scrooge and the only character who really gives something to the viewer.
I also find the special effects fascinating and still quite charming. They must have been mind-blowing for people at that time.
So, let me wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy your family and friends. Eat well and plenty and have bountiful presents to give and receive.
RESOURCES
JB Kaufman – Film Historian/Author – A Christmas Carol (1910)
A.V. Club – Ghosts of Christmas Movies Past
16 Comments
Anabel
Happy Christmas, Sarah! My first introduction to A Christmas Carol was a cartoon version starting a character called Mr Magoo which (in my memory anyway) was on TV every Christmas Eve of my childhood. Have a lovely day.
jazzfeathers
Well, I suppose it’s time for wishing a Happy New Year π
First time I watched A Christmas Carol was a cartoon too, but it wasn’t Mr Magoo. It really hooked me.
Sue Vincent
Have a wonderful Christmas, Sarah π
jazzfeathers
Thanks, sue, it was a nice one. Hope yours was good too.
Now, let’s hope for a good 2016 π
Holly Gonzalez
Merry Christmas, Sarah π I hope you have a most wonderful holiday and a great new year!
jazzfeathers
The same to you, Holly. Wish you a 2016 full of health, satisfation and fulfilment π
Amy
One of my favorite stories of all time. God bless us all, Tiny Tim! π
jazzfeathers
It is a good story. I’ve always loved the message of hope and goodwill.
Lene Fogelberg
Merry Christmas Sarah and Happy New 2016!
jazzfeathers
The same to you, Lene! π
TP Hogan
Merry Christmas to you too. Enjoy fun with friends and family, and I hope 2016 is very productive for your writing. (Without the need for ghosts to show you the way π )
jazzfeathers
A very happy and fulfilling new year to you too! We have a rendezvous in March, haven’t we? π
Ali Isaac
I hope your Christmas was fabulous, Sarah, and that 2016 will be good to you! All the best, Ali xxx
jazzfeathers
Have a fantastic 2016, Ali. All the best to you π
Shaun | 8BitPickle.com
Too bad the video is broken. I am going to have to go out and find this one.
Thanks
jazzfeathers
Thanks for commenting, Shaun, so I had the chance to fix the link π
The film should be visible, now. It is a great one, don’t you think?