Scrooge

Alastair Sim is in his element here as the curmudgeonly miser who routinely spends his Christmas alone counting his fortune. Luckily for him, "Scrooge" receives a visit from his late but not so lamented partner "Marley" (Michael Hordern) who warns him that he is to receive three visitors this cold and snowy Christmas morning. These ghosts are to show him was has happened, is happening and might well happen if he doesn't mend his venal and selfish ways. Meantime, in a hovel nearby his clerk "Bob" (Mervyn Johns) is celebrating with his wife and five children - including the enthusiastic but poorly "Tim" (Glen Dearman). As the dawn approaches, perhaps "Scrooge" can find salvation from the home truths being presented to him? This version tells us more of the establishment of the character, aided by a joyous contribution from Jack Warner as his mentor "Jorkin" and also allows the supporters more of a role. Kathleen Harrison and Miles Malleson provide some light relief as "Scrooge" really does come to realise the contempt and disdain in which he's held by just about everyone - rich or poor. It's Sim, though, who has the character almost perfectly set here. He positively exudes the humbuggery of the role, his facial expressions convey menace, horror, joy and mischief enjoyably and by the conclusion you really do sense that he enjoyed the part as much as I did. The production captures both the emotional and physical frostiness and brutality of the scenario and it really is a reminder of no man being an island - or at least being happy as one. I wouldn't say Sim was better at the role than Sir Seymour Hicks, but he's certainly just as good.