I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Apologies to Variety for borrowing their headline (Styx Nix Hix Pix: a reference to cinema patrons in rural America objecting to the way they were portrayed by Hollywood) and adapting it to include the star of this film (Sir) Seymour Hicks. Primarily a man of the theatre this was his most famous role and he played it several times including this, the first 'talkie' version of the old war-horse. For the time it presents a solid adaptation and although it is structured around Hicks the rest of the cast are all up to snuff. Several reviewers here have expressed surprise that rather than end with Tiny Tim's verging-on-immortal @God bless us, everyone' the film ends with Scrooge taking a pew next to Bob Cratchit in church and joining him in a rendition of Hark, The Herald Angels Sing. That, however, may be splitting hairs.

Scrooge (the 1935 version) is marked by good story-telling, a comfortable pace and workmanlike acting performances. Considering the 1935 production date, the cinematography and special effects are commendable.I enjoyed that it included scenes that typically aren't part of other productions. For example, there is a scene involving an extravagant banquet where scraps are literally thrown out the window to the poor gathered outside the kitchen preparation area. Additionally, you'll see Tim lying dead upon his bed which likely was a surprise and shock to audiences of the day.There were some disappointments as well including Marley's ghost and Bob Cratchit. Although Scrooge can both see and hear Marley's ghost, the viewer can only hear the ghost (who according to the cast list is The Invisible Man, Claude Rains himself in an uncredited role). The meeting between Scrooge and Marley is often one of the story's most powerful scenes and not letting the audience actually see Marley was a mistake. As for the actor playing Bob Cratchit, he seemed a bit too old for the part and failed to generate the sympathy so strongly felt for the character in other presentations.Overall though, for those who love the story, this is a presentation that you can enjoy.

Some companies (Westlake Entertainment being one) have the complete version. 85% of the DVDs are the shortened 63 minute film. But the extra 15 minutes or so add some very touching moments, especially in the Christmas yet to come scene at the Cratchits. The editing process of the shortened version leaves gaps and unexplained situations. One is that Scrooge cuts his nose while shaving-waiting for the poulterer to bring the turkey for the Cratchits. The is why he has a cross of plaster tape on the tip of his nose. And of course the very ending of the film with Scrooge going to church is a nice touch. An excellent version and one of my top 3 choices of this beloved classic.

Being a big fan of the classic Dickens story, I have decided to watch all the movie and cartoon versions and share my views of them here starting with the first motion picture talkie version, this 1935 British movie starring Sir Seymour Hicks.Lets start out with the negatives of this production, starting with what's missing from Dicken's story. Much from the Christmas past chapter is missing and I find it to be the most important of Scrooge's visits from the spirits. There is no trip to Eb's old school and his love for discovering the classics, no Sister Fan's visit to take him home, and more importantly, no Fezziwig. Without the old Fezziwig party scene, we lose Scrooge remembering what it was like to feel joy again and how well his old boss treated him as opposed to how he treats his man Cratchit. Two points that make Scrooge's transformation much more believable.Christmas past does include the scene where the love of his life, Belle, lets him go, however this scene comes off as laughable. Instead of having a younger actor portray young Ebenezer, they put a dark haired wig on Hicks and have an older woman portray Belle. The acting in this scene is too over the top and the music is overbearing and silly.A big letdown in this version are the ghosts. Christmas present is the only one of them visible and his entrance contains the spirit devouring a turkey leg while speaking his lines. He's like a Shakespearian General Bulkhalter from "Hogan's Heroes". And although we do see Jacob Marley's face on the door knocker, for some reason he's invisible in Scrooge's chambers.One of the best points of the movie is in just about every scene included from the book, the dialog is very faithful. The only scene really where it is not is the Marley scene where they cut about a page of text. They take out the part where Marley puts the scare of Scrooge by moaning and rattling his chains until Scrooge believes in him. I think it is very important to the story.I also like very much the Cratchits in this one. Bob and his wife may be a bit older than they should be, but I think they play the parts well of a tattered and torn family just getting by and not letting their circumstances break their spirits.As for Scrooge himself, Seymour Hicks's acting overall is good. But I think he makes just an OK Scrooge. There's something about him- A bit Sterling Hollawayish that makes him a peculiar choice for the part.All in all, I barely gave it a 7. Points earned for close Dicken's text, Hick's acting, and for the Cratchits. On the minus side, a few points taken away for Marley's ghost and Christmas past.