A Christmas Carol/Old Scrooge |  | Director: Edwin Greenwood
Actors: Russell Thorndike, Nina Vanna, Jack Denton, Forbes Dawson
Studio: Jef Films
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $17.49
as of 11/24/2009 11:01 CST details
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Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 14315
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 0
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 68 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: MVDD51225D
UPC: 029502512255
EAN: 0029502512255
ASIN: B000VLPV0C
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: October 30, 2007
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Product Description
Studio: Music Video Dist Release Date: 10/30/2007 Run time: 68 minutes
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
 Ghost from the past February 14, 2009
Paul Lebrun (Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada)
This version of Dickens' Christmas Carol is so old it feels like Marley's Ghost directed it himself. It's a real present from the past. Some special effects could remind one of Melies' own way of working.
I truely enjoyed this double feature.
 Double Feature Silent Christmas Carol January 28, 2009
William M. Vaughan (Fort Drum, NY USA)
The only people I'd recommend these to are collectors of silent films and various versions of "A Christmas Carol."
The feature on this DVD entitled "A Christmas Carol" has some of the worst lighting I've ever seen in a movie.
The lighting in the feature entitled "Old Scrooge" is better, but the English in the text shots of both features is poor, and doesn't follow the original "Christmas Carol" novel very well. This should have been easy, since all the creators needed to do was transcribe it.
Both of these versions of "A Christmas Carol" are poor, even for being silent, black and white versions.
Lost Treasures November 16, 2008
Donald J. Wurzelbacher (Cincinnati, OH)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have always enjoyed "A Christmas Carol" and I also try to purchase most versions of this classic tale. When I learned that these two silent versions were available I quickly bought them and watched them. The entire running time of this DVD is about 68 minutes. I will talk about both films individually.
The first film is "A Christmas Carol" from 1923. It stars Russel Thorndike as Scrooge. This is a very short version of the story and leaves out many parts you would be used to see. In this version Scrooge is quickly introduced and soon afterwards sees Marly and the three ghosts. However, the Ghost of Christmas past only gives him a glimpse of "Bell" (Her name is not mentioned) who he did not marry due to his love of money. Christmas present gives him no visions at all. And the Ghost of Christmas Future shows very little as well. And it is all seen similar to a projector showing a film in Scrooge's living room. This version is definitely a poorer quality than the second version we are treated to, but still very watchable.
The second film "Old Scrooge" is a better quality film. It stars Seymour Hicks as Scrooge. This film runs closer to about 45 minutes. It's interesting that we have a short "biography" of Mr Dickens in the beginning. As a matter of fact, the first time I watched it I truly thought for a minute that I accidentally selected some kind of bonus feature about the life of Dickens. I soon realized it was part of the film. In this version we have a more detailed description of Scrooge. And it is Marley who shows Scrooge each of his visions rather than any of the other ghosts. It is also done completely in Scrooge's place of business rather than his home. And, similar to the first film, Scrooge watches his visions from his chambers as if he is watching a movie being shown. Also, it needs to be explained that "Old Scrooge" was actually made in 1913 rather than 1926 so it is an older film than the first but the quality is definitely better. Also, if you would like to watch this DVD then you would almost definitely want to purchase the "talkie" Christmas Carol DVD which also stars Seymour Hicks as he reprises his role.
These are two silent films that were long thought as being lost. But thankfully they have been found and we can enjoy the magic of very early film making. I am very happy to have this DVD in my collection. Sometimes when I watch these silent films I will put on Christmas music from other CDs while watching them which makes it a great way to watch.
Anyone who is taking the time to read about this DVD probably very much enjoys this story and also still enjoys silent films. You will not be disappointed.
One of the films is actually the 1913 Seymour Hicks version! September 20, 2008
Richard in Indy
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
As a collector of virtually all of the film versions of "A Christmas Carol" (that I can get my hands on), I was delighted to get this DVD. As noted by another reviewer, the film billed as a 1926 film titled "Old Scrooge" is actually the 1913 British film "Scrooge". Scrooge is portrayed by none other than Seymour Hicks who reprised the role in 1935. Originally released in Great Britian by Zenith Films, Pathe Films re-released the film in the U.S. in 1926 under the title "Old Scrooge". The Pathe re-release does not list any of the cast members on the screen. For more details on this film (including a couple of wonderful still pictures from the production) look up the book "A Christmas Carol And Its Adaptations" by Fred Guida with a forward by Edward Wagenknecht (available from Amazon). The video transfer is quite good considering the age of the source material. The DVD also offers a slide show using still pictures from both the 1923 and 1926(1913) versions. My only complaint about the dvd is the choice of the music that was used. The 1926(1913) film sometimes is accompanied by music that sounds like Glenn Miller or some dance band from the 1940's--totally wrong for the subject. So turn off the sound, sit back and enjoy two wonderful versions of the Dickens classic.[ASIN:0786428406 A Christmas Carol And Its Adaptations: A Critical Examination of Dickens's Story And Its Productions on Screen And Television]]
Original Seymour Hicks version! November 23, 2007
David Pinkerton (Mars, PA USA)
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
As a "Carol" lover I was pretty excited to see this recent release. Let me first say that both films are very interesting and in pretty good shape. "Old Scrooge" is even better than the 1923 "Christmas Carol" (which is remarkable for reasons I will explain later). The 1923 "Christmas Carol" runs roughly 30 minutes and differs from most other versions because all of the ghost activity takes place in Scrooge's chambers through visions presented by the spirits. "Old Scrooge" (which runs roughly 40 minutes) is very different indeed. Quite a bit of time is taken to introduce Scrooge himself as he walks the streets and as he ultimately ends up in the counting house for the day. Following the "quite convenient" part of the text, Bob Crachit leaves for the day and Scrooge enjoys his gold by the fireplace before falling asleep. Jacob Marley appears here (instead of in Scrooge's bed chambers) looking like a Japanese Kobuki actor and says that he is "representing" the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. He presents the usual visions to Scrooge, all within the counting house, which leads to Scrooge's redemption. The other three ghosts do not appear anywhere in this version. I found the following scene, in which Scrooge calls to the boy on the street, to be quite amusing. Instead of the usual exchange from the window to the street, the "boy" (who looks to be about 15 years old) is invited inside. Scrooge first asks him if Tiny Tim is still alive. He then asks him about the prize turkey to which the 15 year old replies, "the one as big as me?" I would have loved to have seen that particular turkey. Scrooge ends the scene by telling the boy to "take a cab and keep the change." All humor aside, as I was watching this version (not being able to find any information on it previously) I kept thinking that Scrooge strongly resembled Seymour Hicks (of the famous 1935 "Scrooge"). During a subsequent search I found that this film is actually the 1913 "Scrooge" (starring Hicks) which was re-distributed in the U.S. in 1926 as "Old Scrooge." Mystery solved and quite exciting to finally see this early version.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
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