User reviews

This 1914 version of Dickens' classic Christmas story lacks large swaths of the tale that is familiar to its many fans. That, of course, can easily be attributed to the fact that it is only 22 minutes long. Even a short novella, since as Dickens' book is, needs some trimming.

Among Shaw's cast is his wife, Edna Flugrath, the eldest of three sisters who became notable players in the silent era. All three were first at Edison as children. Now they were growing up. The other two, Viola Dana and Shirley Mason, had careers that extended to the end of the silent era. Miss Flugrath gave up the screen after 1923, although she lived until.1966, when she died at the age of 73.

The most interesting thing about this version is that the costuming and make-up seem to be almost identical to the 1951 Brian Desmond Hurst version. Was the latter influenced by this version, or had such issues been set in stone by decades of stage presentations?

It's pretty nigh impossible to condense this Dickens story into twenty minutes, but I think that they have made quite a decent fist of it here as Charles Rock takes on the role of the miserly "Scrooge". It's a bitterly cold Christmas Eve and poor old "Cratchit" (George Bellamy) can't even enjoy the carol singers outside of the window but his curmudgeonly boss chases them away. His journey home, via the inn for some unseasonal victuals, takes "Scrooge" to his chilly house where he encounters an apparition. The first of four, as it happens, with the others reminding him of his past, suggesting he appreciates his present and finally foretelling his future. Now on this point I'll admit to being no cinema historian, but I thought the way the production presented their ghostly presences on screen was really quite impressive for 1914! Thereafter, we heavily abridge the remainder of the story - which suited me as I have always (I know, bah humbug!) found the "Tiny Tim" sentiment just a little on the nauseating side. Bellamy makes for a decent Cratchit and Mary Brough a jolly wife for him, but it's really all down to Rock who manages to effectively deliver a myriad of emotions in a short space of time and hopefully encourage us to find a longer version. I felt a bit sorry for the butcher at the conclusion. He seemed to have an awful lot of unsold turkeys in his shop on Christmas morning!

I admit, one of versions who I like. For cards defining the scenes, for acting, for atmosphere and for a lovely form of honest resume of Charles Dickens masterpiece.

In same measure, it is very...energetic and, sure, nostalgia has good roots in this case, reminding the beautiful evenings of Christmas Eve, the three days of Christmas of childhood and the discover of book and the first reading.

In short, the temptation to define it just lovely for the good state and for the admirable job of actors, for holiday spirit and for charming end.

So, 22 minutes A Christmas Carol from 1914. Not ignoring political context of period , a beautiful gift.