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Oct 16, 2014mswrite rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Over the years I have seen some wonderful productions of this classic Charles Dickens tale (including the delightful 1962 animated version that features the Mr. Magoo character), but Alastair Sim's performance as Scrooge makes this one the definitive. In the first part of the story Sim radiates a sneering self-satisfaction that makes his Ebeneezer Scrooge especially despicable. But his heartlessness makes his redemption all the more emotionally satisfying as he seeks to convince his nephew Fred and long-suffering employee Bob Cratchit of his new goodwill and sincerity. The moment in this movie that always get me is the Christmas morning encounter between Scrooge and his Cockney housekeeper, played by Kathleen Harrison. Mr. Scrooge has just emerged from his long night of reckoning with the spirits, and is now filled with hope and excitement. The first flesh and blood person Scrooge encounters--he is still in his dressing gown, his hair wild and disheveled--is the hapless Mrs. Dilber. He is so giddy with happiness and new-found charity he terrifies her--this is NOT the Mr. Scrooge she is accustomed to dealing with. He tries to hug her and she recoils, fearing the master has gone mad. She struggles to get away. That pained expression on Sim's face. It is almost unbearable to watch as Mrs. Dilber's fear registers and Scooge realizes what her frightened disbelief says, not about her but about him--the man he has been and the shabby way he has always treated her. He gently assures her he is quite sane and presses into her hands more money than he has ever given her, more probably than she has ever seen in her life. Mrs. Dilber stares at Scrooge, trying to understand. As it dawns on her that he is in earnest her face becomes radiant; now she is the giddy one; she is almost beside herself with joy. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge," she cries, adding as she rushes down the stairs "--in keeping with the situation!!"