Byrdz Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios presented viewers with many a Classic Story re-written to suit their style. Their 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" continues this tradition. Reginald Owen plays Scrooge in this version.Not to say that the film is bad .. it's actually pretty good BUT ... it's often not really like the book. There have been several crucial changes inflicted on the plot.. adding some incidents and eliminating others. If other versions of the story have not been viewed, it might not be all that noticeable OR if the story were not so well known BUT( <-- there it is again ) it is just so "HOLLYWOOD" to have Scrooge fire Bob Cratchit on Christmas Eve. All that sliding on the ice and throwing of snowballs ... Dickens would have shaken his head.When they stick to the story, it's no worse than some of the other shorter versions. The actors all do what they were hired to do with no one standing out as outstanding. "Tiny Tim" is way too big to be carried about by his poor short rotund dad and is not an attractive child even on his better days.. but I have a problem with the "tiny" thing and the general robust condition of almost all of the "tims".Complete-ists. Go for it. It's Not all that bad, really.

mike48128 Where is Fezziwigs' party? Scrooge and Belle's break-up? Fen's childbirth? All missing from this fast-paced version of the all too familiar story. Leo G. Carroll does a fine job as Marley's ghost. Some humorous scenes including snowball fights and an ice "slide" in front of the church. Just as Scrooge's past life starts to bog-down, Scrooge makes blonde Ann Rutherford (dressed in a white flowing gown with a golden tiara) disappear! A very short past! Christmas present is a bit better. A church scene with Fred and his fiancé and Bob Cratchit's family replaces the miners singing in the earth quite nicely. A wonderful dinner with Bob and family. The grim reaper future ghost is mute here, not that scary at all. The ending is done quite nicely with everybody (Fred and Scrooge, etc.) all stopping by at Bob's house. Yes, Scrooge gives to the poor, Bob gets a raise, and Fred becomes Scrooge's partner. Of course we all know that Tiny Tim will be alright too! A great cast including 3 Lockharts and Reginald Owen plays a wonderful Scrooge. Only 69 minutes. Very short and sweet and well-worth your time. Others will point out the other "missing scenes" but it all makes for a very pleasant version that won't give the little ones bad dreams.

Marc Israel This movie seemed to be longer when seen as a kid, and on TV. It was interesting, sad and uplifting. On DVD 40 years later, for me, it was none of those things. It it obvious, characterized players with the outcome as obvious as was every Reginald Owens expression. He was as accessible as a sale at Nieman and Marcus. Pretentious and uninviting as a serious piece but a nice little snippet of straightforward stage performances to fill out the holiday schedule. My daughter plucked it off the shelf here in July to view, so the message is felt year round, even if old Ebeneezer is too mean to start and on lithium to finish. At least Tiny Tim is sympathetic.

utgard14 This version of A Christmas Carol is one of the better ones. Not the best, but top five for sure. Reginald Owen gives a decent, if somewhat exaggerated, performance as Scrooge. He's ably helped by a fine MGM cast, including Gene Lockhart, Leo G. Carroll, and the always-adorable Ann Rutherford as the (blonde!) Ghost of Christmas Past. British actor Barry Mackay makes a fine, jovial Fred. This film also features the screen debut of June Lockhart. There are several parts of the novel cut out, as well as a few new bits added. But, all in all, it works as a mostly faithful, fun adaptation. It's also barely over an hour so it doesn't waste a lot of time.