8mm Forum: A Christmas Carol

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Topic: A Christmas Carol

Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 26, 2014 05:13 AM

A couple of months ago I was perusing "Castle Films - A Hobbyist's Guide" and in the Christmas Films listing I came across #830, A Christmas Carol, issued between 1952 and 1957. I quote the details:-

"This adaptation of the 1951 feature Scrooge was a real challenge for the film editor who had to compress a famous nine-reel story into less than one-tenth of its original length. Castle rose to the occasion with a deftly edited one-reeler that is actually shorter than the standard digest length (it runs eight minutes.)"

As most members know, a lot of Castle titles made their way to the UK and were issued as GB Movie-Paks but I didn't recall that this title was issued, probably due to contractual reasons with Renown Films.

To my immense surprise the film was on the latest Steve Osborne list. I held my breath as I awaiting a return email to learn if it was still available. It was, and I have just been screening it.

It certainly is a superb cut-down, with Mervyn Johns, as Bob Cratchit, pleading for Christmas Day off from working for Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim.)

A delightful addition to my collection.

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Maurice

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David Ollerearnshaw
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012

posted September 26, 2014 10:08 AM

I seem to recall that when DCR Films released Scrooge on super 8 they had the exclusive rights for the UK. Columbia did a 400ft cut-down and an article in Movie Maker magazine stated that the Columbia version was not to be sold in the UK.

Could the same situation be with 16mm?

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I love the smell of film in the morning.

http://www.thereelimage.co.uk/

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David Guest
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1704
From: Lancashire, UK
Registered: Oct 2011

posted September 26, 2014 03:56 PM

I have a ex print of this on 16mm mounted on a 400ft spool complete with titles and end great sound and contrast .open to offers pm or email me on dwgdodgems@hotmail.co.uk
a full refund if you are not satisfied with this film
its on ebay place your bids

[ October 02, 2014, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: David Guest ]

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Tommy Woods
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 146
From: Scouser
Registered: Feb 2011

posted September 29, 2014 07:49 AM

I have a full feature of this in b/w sound,a family favourite at christmas,for me Alistair Sims best performance.

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Let there be light,so god created the projector

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David Guest
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1704
From: Lancashire, UK
Registered: Oct 2011

posted October 02, 2014 04:37 PM

a Christmas carol on ebay stars alastair sim

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