[ church bell tolling ] [ tolling continues ] [ man narrating ]old marley wasas dead as a doornail. this must bedistinctly understood or nothing wonderfulcan come of this storyi am going to relate. ♪ [ lively ] ♪ on christmas nightall christians sing ♪ ♪ to hear the newsthe angels bring ♪ thank you, sir.
♪ [ music box ] merry christmas. merry christmas! ♪ [ band: christmas carol ] [ man ] lovely, lovely holly! get your christmas holly! there you go. one, two three. [ woman calling out,indistinct ] let's see this one.
[ woman ] finest in the city! ♪ [ continues ] [ chattering continues ] seven years agotoday. what's that you say? mr. marley diedseven years agothis very day. would it be too much to ask that you return to the work... for which i pay you so handsomely? mr. cratchit!
the fire's gone cold,mr. scrooge. [ sighs ] come over here,mr. cratchit. what is this? a shirt. - and this?- a waistcoat. - and this?- a coat. these are garments,mr. cratchit. garments were inventedby the human race asprotection against the cold.
once purchased, they maybe used indefinitely for the purpose for whichthey are intended. coal burns. coal is momentary,and coal is costly. there will beno more coal burntin this office today. - is that quite clear,mr. cratchit?- yes, sir. now, pleaseget back to work beforei am forced to conclude that your servicesare no longer required. yes, sir.
♪ [ whistling ] - merry christmas, bob cratchit.- and the same to you,mr. fred. merry christmas,uncle. i saidmerry christmas, uncle. [ laughing ]humbug. christmas, a humbug,uncle? - surely you don't mean that.- i do. what's christmas,but a time for buying things for which you have no need,no money?
time for finding yourselfa year older,not an hour richer. [ chuckles ] if i could work my will, every idiot who goes aboutwith "merry christmas"on his lips should be boiledin his own pudding and buriedwith a stake of hollythrough his heart. - come now, uncle.- nephew-- you keep christmas in your wayand let me keep it in mine. - but you don't keep it.- let me leave it alone then!
much good it may do you.much good it has done you. there area great many things from whichi might have derived good... from whichi have not profited,i daresay. christmasamong the rest. but i've always thoughtof christmastime, when itcomes round, as a good time, a kindlier, forgiving,charitable time, a time when men and womenseem by one consent... to open theirshut-up hearts freelyto their fellow creatures. and so, though it has neverput a scrap of goldor silver into my pocket,
i do believethat it has done me good. and i say, god bless it. another sound from you, and you'll keep your christmasby losing your situation. you're quitea powerful speaker, sir. i wonder you don'tgo into parliament. please don't beangry, uncle. come. dine with ustomorrow. dine? [ laughs ]i'd see myself in hell first.
it would be a great joyto me... and to my wife. yes, your wife. i'm told she brought very littleto the marriage-- a poor girl. i love her,and she loves me. love. good afternoon, nephew. i want nothing from you.i ask nothing of you. why can't webe friends? you are wasting my time.
i'm sorryto find youso resolute. we've neverhad a quarrel,so far as i know. and so i shallkeep my good humorand wish you a merry christmas. good-bye. and a happy new year. how's that finefamily of yours? well, sir. very well. good. you'll give themmy best wishes? i shall. thank youfor remembering them.
good-bye, cratchit. good-bye, sir. [ fred ]and a merry christmas. idiot. ♪ [ watch tinkling ] and he's made melate to boot. i'm offto the exchange. don't lock upa moment early. no, sir.
you'll wantall day tomorrow,i suppose? if it's quite convenient, sir. it is not convenient.and it's not fair. if i were to hold backhalf a crownfrom your pay for it, you'd think yourselfill-used, i'll be bound. but you don't think meill-used when i paya day's wages for no work. christmas comesbut once a year, sir. poor excusefor picking a man's pocketevery 25th of december. but i supposeyou must have it.
be here all the earlierthe next morning. yes, sir, i shall. - make sure.- yes, sir. and a merry christmasto you, mr. scrooge. humbug! bah! [ door opens ] merry christmas,mr. scrooge. don't begon this corner, boy. i'm not begging, sir.
i'm tim. tim cratchit.i'm waiting for my father. hmm.tim cratchit, huh? then you'll havea long wait, won't you? humbug. ♪ our savior christand his lady ♪ ♪ on christmas dayon christmas day ♪ ♪ on christmas dayin the morning ♪ clear the road! out of the way.let me through.
♪ [ continues ] [ baby wailing ] ♪ pray, wither sailedthose ships all three ♪ ♪ his reason weakhis anger sharp ♪ ♪ and sorrow all his pay ♪ ♪ he went to churchbut once a year ♪ merry christmas, sir. ♪ and that waschristmas day ♪ ♪ so grant us alla change of heart ♪
♪ rejoicefor mary's son ♪ ♪ pray, peace on earthto all mankind ♪ ♪ god bless us every one ♪ [ chattering ] pay 80 for january!pay 80 for january! any open market?any open market? buying. buying here. ah, ebenezer, we were afraidyou weren't coming. it's almost closing, sir.
well, i'm here,aren't i? i said you'd be here. didn't i say ebenezer scroogewould be here?i knew you'd change your mind. you're right.i have changed my mind. then you'll take our bid? the price has gone up. gone up?but that's not possible. if you want my corn,gentlemen,you must meet my quote. plus five percentfor the delay.
that's outrageous, scrooge. you'll be leftwith a warehousestuffed with corn. that's my affair, isn't it? but if we pay your price,sir, bread will be dearer. the poor will suffer. buy the corn someplace else.good day, sir. scrooge, a moment. we'll take your corn at the priceyou quoted yesterday.
too late.wait until tomorrow, it'll cost youanother five percent. damn it, scrooge!it's not fair! no, but it's business. i'll give you a momentto make up your minds. [ whispering ] all right, scrooge.done and done. very good, gentlemen. now make sure that the draughtfor the entire amountof this transaction...
is deposited with my clerk. i don't ship untili have the cash in hand.good day. uh, mr. scrooge,i presume? indeed you do, sir. you don't know us. nor do i wish to. my name is poole,and this is mr. hacking. excellent. now ifyou'll allow me to pass. let me explain, sir.
at this festive seasonof the year, it seems desirable thatthose of us with means shouldmake some slight provision... for the poor and destitute, provision? are youseeking money from me? many thousands are in wantof common necessaries. hundreds of thousandsare in wantof common comforts. are thereno prisons? plenty of prisons. the workhouses--they still in operation?
they are.i wish i could saythey were not. the treadmill, the poorhousesstill in full vigor? all very busy, sir. [ chuckles ] i was afraidfrom what you said that somethinghad stopped themin full force. a few of us are endeavoringto raise a fund to buy the poorsome meat and drinkand food and warmth. what can we put youdown for, sir? nothing.
- you wish to be anonymous?- i wish to be left alone. since you asked mewhat i wish, gentlemen,that is my answer. i don't make merry myselfat christmas, and i can't affordto make idle people merry. my taxes help to supportthe public institutionswhich i have mentioned, and they cost enough. those who are badly offmust go there. many can't go there,and many would rather die. well, if they would rather die,perhaps they had better do so and decreasethe surplus population.
surelyyou don't mean that. with all my heart. now, if you willgo about your business and allow me to goabout mine. good day. father! tim.you must be frozen. i'm all right now. could we go home by cornhilland watch the boys and girlsplay in the snow? of course we can.
tim, i'm to havethe whole day off tomorrow. we'll be together,the whole family,for the entire day. hurrah for christmas,the best day of the year! ♪ he strove for silverin his heart ♪ ♪ and gold in all his days ♪ look. they're havingsuch fun, father. [ laughing, chattering ] - go on, catch it!- [ chattering continues ]
you'll be there one day,playing with the other children. i'm quite sure i will. i feel i'm getting strongerevery day. [ chattering,laughing continue ] we must go home now.your mother willbe waiting for us. yes.it's time to go home. ♪ the widow in her chair ♪ all right,here we go. ♪ he takes morethan he really needs ♪
♪ forgets how briefhis stay ♪ ♪ and stands a-jinglingof his change ♪ ♪ in churchon christmas day ♪ [ dogs barking,yapping ] [ garbled whispering ]scrooge. ebenezer scrooge. who's calling me? someone call my name? scrooge.
marley? [ door unlocks ] [ man's voice ]scrooge. [ wind whistling ] [ clanging ] [ chains rattling ] [ rattling continues ] [ footsteps ] [ footsteps advance ]
it's humbug!i won't believe it! what do you wantwith me? much! - who are you?- ask me who i was. [ chuckles ]you are particularfor a ghost. who were you then? in life i was your partner,jacob marley. well, can you sit down? i can.
well, do it then. you don't believe in me. i don't. what evidence would you haveof my realitybeyond that of your own senses? i don't know. why do you doubt your senses? because a little thingaffects them-- a slight disorderof the stomach. you might be a bit of bad beefor a blot of mustard...
or a fragmentof an underdone potato. there's more of gravythan of grave about you,whatever you are. humbug! [ shrieking ] mercy. dreadful apparition,why do you trouble me? man of the worldly mind,do you believe in me or not? i do! i must! but why do spiritswalk the earth?why do you come to me? it is required of every man...
that the spirit within himshould walk abroadamong his fellow men... and travel far and wide. and if that spiritgoes not forth in life, it is condemnedto do so after death. it is doomed to wanderthrough the world and witnesswhat it cannot share-- [ sobs ]but might have shared... and turned to happiness. you're chained.tell me why. i wear the chaini forged in life.
i made it link by linkand yard by yard. is its pattern strangeto you, or would you know the weightand length of the strong coilyou bear yourself? it was as full, as heavy, and as long as thisseven christmas eves ago. you have labored on it since.it is a ponderous chain! i see no chain. mine were invisible until the dayof my death,
as yours shall be. jacob. t-tell me more.speak comfort to me. i have none to give. [ sobbing ]my spirit never walkedbeyond our countinghouse. in life, my spirit never rovedbeyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole. no doubt of that.you always werea good man of business.
business? mankind was my business. the common welfarewas my business. charity, mercy,forbearance and benevolencewere all my business. the dealings of my tradewere but a drop of water in the comprehensive oceanof my business! i'm sorry for you, jacob.is there anythingi can do for you? for me? nay. it is too late.
but i have come for your sake, ebenezer. have you? well, you always werea good friend. as part of my penance, i have been sentto warn you. and so you have. and to offer youa hope and chanceof escaping my fate. you will be hauntedby three spirits.
three spirits?is that the chanceand hope you mention? it is. well, in that case,i think i'd rather not. expect the first tonight when the bell tolls 1. couldn't they all comeat the same time, jacob,and have it over? expect the secondon the stroke of 2. the third,more mercurial, shall appearin his own good time.
look to me no more. look that youmay remember what has passedbetween us. [ marley groaning ] [ spirits shrieking,screaming ] [ shrieking, screamingcontinues, fades ] something i et. [ church bells pealing ] [ pealing continues ]
♪ [ tinkling ] [ bell strikes once ] 1. what was it marley said? just a dream, then. are you the spirit whosecoming was foretold to me? i am. who and what are you? i am the ghostof christmas past.
- long past?- no. your past. perhaps you woulddo me the favor of placing upon your headthat cap which you holdin your hand. i bring the light of truth. would you use this capto put it out? i beg your pardon.i had no intentionof offending. what businessbrings you here? it is for your welfarethat i appear. well, i can thinkof no greater welfare
than a nightof uninterrupted sleep. [ ghost ] be careful,ebenezer scrooge. i speakof your reclamation. well, if it's reclamation,then, let's get on with it. come. [ ghost ]we shall be invisible and silent as the grave. you will now see a child,a youth. you will see yourself,ebenezer.
the air is so clean.how different from the city. do you knowwhere you are? [ horse whinnies ] [ chuckles ]of course, i-- i was bred here.i was a boy in this place. that's daniel costas.and robert estes. hello, daniel. the big one there,that's david tyler. david, look here!it's ebenezer!
[ ghost ]i told you, ebenezer.they can't hear you. how happy they all seem. that's right.they do. yes, well,it's time to move on. come along, ebenezer.you know the way. [ scrooge ]i could walk itblindfolded. [ ghost ]your school. i remember. [ ghost ]and it's christmas day.
[ scrooge ]there's a boy in there,neglected. the boy is desertedby his friendsand his family. his mother is dead.his fatherholds him a grudge. why does his fatherhold him a grudge? she died in childbirth. his birth. weep for the boy,if the tears will come. he has his friends,even on this day-- from his beloved books.
his ali baba.[ chuckles ] dear oldhonest ali baba. and the sultan's groomturned upside downby the genie. but not a real childto talk to, not a living person. robinson crusoenot real?[ chuckling ] and friday? andthe parrot with green bodyand yellow tail? not real? [ scoffs ] he made do, this boy.
let us seeanother christmas daywhen you were a youth. [ scrooge ]fan. fan! dear, dear brother! i've cometo bring you home,dear brother. to bring you home. home! home, little fan? yes.
home, for good and all. father's much kinderthan he used to be. he spoke to me so gentlyone day and night that i was not afraidto ask once moreif you might come home. he said yes, you should,and sent me in a coachto bring you. you are quite a woman,little fan. and you. you are to be a man now. and nevercome back here.
come along. we mustn'tkeep father waiting. [ horse whinnying ] there, boy, down.stand still now.let me look at you. they haven't beenoverfeeding you,that's certain. i've-- i've grown,i think. yes. most boys do. fan has told you you won'tbe moving back here. it's time you madeyour way in the world. i've arrangedan apprenticeship for you.
you'll move intomr. fezziwig's establishment in three days' time. three days, father? i'd hoped we'd havemy brother home for longer. longer? three days is quite long enoughfor both of us. don't you think, ebenezer? quite long enough. - you finished back there?- [ driver ]all safe and secure, sir.
into the carriage, fan. be on our way.into the carriage, boy. [ carriage door closes ] giddyap! [ snorts ] fan pleadedfor more time, but my father wasa very... stern man. and fan-- she died a young woman.
she hadsuch a generous nature.yes, too young. old enoughto bear a child. one son. fred, your nephew. fred holywell, yes. who bearsa strong resemblanceto your sister. does he? hmph.i never noticed. you never noticed? i'm beginning to thinkyou've gone through life
with your eyes closed. open them.open them wide. [ ghost ]you know this man. [ scrooge ]it's old fezziwig. hmm?oh, yes, my dear. would you ask mr. peuringto refer that matterto mr. scrooge? thank you, my dear. [ ghost ]and you know this place. [ scrooge ]know it? was i notapprenticed here?
yoo-hoo! pay attention, everybody!dick? ebenezer? pens down. no more work tonight, boys.it is christmas eve. [ chuckles ]so close those ledgers down,ebenezer and dick. clear away in here, everybody.we need the room. [ students chattering ] here we go, lad. you'll enjoy yourselftonight, master ebenezer. that is an order.
yes, sir. i'll try. you willput your heart in it. you put enough of yourselfinto your work, and i havenothing but praise for the way you'vedischarged your duties. but you're young, eh? there's more to lifethan bolts of clothand musty old ledgers. [ excited chattering,laughing ] [ scrooge chuckling ]it's mrs. fezziwig
and the three daughtersand their suitors. welcome, children!and a happy christmasto you all! and belle. [ scrooge ]i had forgottenhow beautiful she was. [ chattering continues ] hello, belle. [ fezziwig ]music, maestro! hello. [ cheering, applause ]
would you like to dance? [ cheering,applause continue ] ♪ [ jig ] [ gasps ] how longsince you've danced,ebenezer? a waste of time,dancing. you didn't think so then. there was a reason then. there'sbeen a change in you
since you've cometo fezziwig's. you were so gloomy. i thinki should warn you,miss belle. i am ofa serious bent of mind. i consider seriousnessto be an admirabletrait of character. but it can be overdone. i shall take heedof your advice, ma'am, and go through lifewith a grin on my face. ♪ [ ends ]
come along, you two!they're striking up"sir roger de coverley." time enoughto sample the punch when you're oldand fat like me. oh! i'd best partner my wife before that young scampgoes dancing off with her. oh, what a differenceit makes, ebenezer, to travelthe rough road of life with the right femaleto help bear the burden. eh? [ laughing ]what a lucky man i am!
shall we jointhe others, ebenezer? my pleasure,miss belle. old fezziwig. a silly man. silly?wh-- [ chuckles ]why silly? what did he do, after all,to deserve the praisesof those apprentices? spent a few pounds?danced like a monkey? beamed a great smile? well, the happinesshe gives-- uh, gave...
was quite as greatas though it had cost â£1,000. just small things. belle. are you in love,ebenezer? mmm. the thoughthad occurred to me. she's too good for you. one day,when i've made my fortune, then i'll deserve her.
it was a nightnever to be forgotten. never. [ ghost ]but you did forget.often. oh? another christmas eve,delayed by the pressureof business. do you remember? no. [ ghost ]now do you remember? i'm sorry i'm late.
i thought you might not come.i know how busy you are. well, the time of yearand the natureof my business-- it's important nowthat i use my timeand opportunities wisely. another idolhas displaced me. what idolhas displaced you? a golden one. all your hopes have mergedinto a master passion: profit. the thought of moneyengrosses you.
perhapsi've become wiser. but i've not changedtowards you. [ belle ]our contract is an old one. it was made when we were youngand our prospects limited. how often i've thoughtof those times. if there had beenno understanding between us, would you seek me outand try to win me now-- a dowerless girlwith nothing but myselfto bring to a marriage? you have no answer?
you thinki would not, then? oh, ebenezer, what a safeand terrible answer. so characteristicof the careful man. ebenezer, i release you. you are a free man. i let you gowith a full heart. may you be happyin the life you have chosen. i almostwent after her. "almost"carries no weight,
especiallyin matters of the heart. and you did have a heart,didn't you, ebenezer? why didn't youfollow her? upon his death, my father left me a small inheritance. belle wished to be married, insisting that we couldget along on very little. but i wanted somethingmore for both of us. so i lent out that money,
laid the foundationsfor financial success, which i have achieved,i may add. hmm. congratulations. and i'll thank younot to sneer. spirit, show me no more.conduct me home. you have explainedwhat you gained. now i will show youwhat you have lost. [ scrooge ]belle. yes, belle.
[ scrooge ]and those are her children. oh, darling, he's wonderful.isn't he? [ scrooge chuckles ]oh, lord, what a brood. [ excited chattering ] hello, hello.hello, my dear. hello, papa.where's my present?where's my present? you will have towait until tonight.all of you. presents on christmas eve,as usual. fancy.they might have been mine.
the same thoughtoccurred to me. i saw an old friend of yoursin the city this afternoon. who was it? guess. i can't. [ laughs ]i don't know. ebenezer scrooge? mr. scrooge it was. i passed his office window,and it was not shuttered.
he had a single candlelit upon his desk. his partner, jacob marley,lies on the point of death,i hear. and there he sat,ebenezer scrooge, alone. quite alone in the world,i do believe. poor ebenezer. poor, wretched man. spare me your pity.i have no need of it. they can't hear you. and as for you,
i've had enough of yourpictures from the past. leave me! haunt me no longer! [ ghost ]truth lives. truth lives! [ grunting ] [ coughs ] a nightmare. a horrible nightmare.
[ groans ] god, let me sleep. let me sleep in peace. peace. [ bell strikes twice ] [ grumbling ] two. well, jacob marley--
where is this spiritof which you spoke so glibly? you did sayat the stroke of two,didn't you, jacob? [ sighs ]mistaken in death-- [ grunts ] as you were in life,old partner. [ chuckles, sighs ] [ ghost ]ebenezer scrooge! ebenezer scrooge! come in!
i intend to. [ ghost cackling ] come in andknow me better, man! [ laughing ] you've never seenthe likes of me before, eh? that's quite true.i have not. you never walked forth with any ofthe younger membersof my family? no. not that i remember.
nor anyof my elder brothersborn these later years? no, i'm--i'm afraid not. no. do you have many brothers,spirit? [ chuckling, laughing ] over 1,800! [ laughing continues ] a tremendous familyto provide for. take hold of my robe,ebenezer scrooge. what day is it now?
don't you know? christmas morning. [ bells continue pealing ] [ vendors, customersshouting, chattering ] [ animals squawking ] yes, please. there's a lot of buying,isn't there? oh, ebenezer,is that all you can see? follow me, and i'll show youto what good use...
these wares can be put. is there some peculiar powerwhich emanates from your torch? oh, yes, there is. do you knowthis house? no, i can't say i do. it is the houseof bob cratchit. is it?he does very wellon 15 bob a week. shall we go in? i wouldn't wantto disturb them.
as with christmas past, we shall be invisibleand unheard. i wonder what'skeeping your father. he's probably stoppedto talk to the parson. father always likesto compliment himon his sermon. i do hope the pudding'sa success this year. no onemakes a better puddingthan you, mother. peter, save somefor the rest of the family. - just testing the cooking.- i'm sure they'll managevery well without your help.
- hello, mother!- hello, mother! smell the goosecooking, martha. yes, it makes my mouth water. - mine too.- i can't wait. well, you'll just have to.run along with martha and helpbutter the bread. thinly. here they are! merry christmas,everyone. you're late, bob cratchit. oh, and you'requite like an icicle, tim.you've been dawdling.
father had a long talkwith the minister. thought as much. come, tim.listen to the puddinghissing on the fire. it's like a giant snakeinside the copper. [ bob ] go along with yourbrother and sister, tim.i'll begin the wine. off you go then. come on. [ children giggling ] how did he behavein church?
as good as gold.better. mother's very worriedif it'll turn outall right. look how theysupport him. what did you say? nothing.it's, uh... nothing. somehow he gets thoughtfulsitting by himself so much. he thinksthe strangest things. he told me coming homethat he hoped the peoplein church saw him becausehe was a cripple
and that it might bepleasant for them toremember on christmas day who it was that madelame beggars walk and blind men see. it seems to me thattim is getting strongerevery day, that his limbs are growing,that he's in better spirits,it seems to me. yes, bob.i'm sure you're right. he is getting stronger. well, we're all here.that's the important thing. belinda, help mewith the goose.
yes, mother. peter, i havesome good news for you. i met, by chance,this morning at church,a fine gentleman. fred holywell by name.he's a nephew of ourown mr. scrooge. and he rememberedthat i have a soncoming of working age, and he told me thathe had a position open starting atthree shillings and sixpenceevery week. three shillingsand sixpenceevery week? so if you are agreeable,you may start workon monday next.
now i can beginto help you and mother. more important, you shall be embarkingon a fine career. to start a boy at threeand sixpence a week.tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. eh, it's typicalof my nephew. no wonderhe's never been ableto put by a penny. perhaps he's "put by"more than money. fred?[ scoffs ] he's doing thisto spite me, you know.
employing the sonof my employee at anexorbitant wage. hmm! [ child ]come and get it! [ children shouting ] quiet, quiet.quiet, children. quiet. [ children gasp ] a wonderful goose. enoughfor an army. it's so brown and crisp. mother, you'veoutdone yourself.
is it all right then? hurry, father.cut the goose.i can't wait. [ chattering stops ] haven't we forgotten something? lord, we thank youfor the bountyyou have placed before us. we thank you for this dayof love and joy. we thank you for allowing usto be together, to share with each otherand with youthe fullness of our hearts on this special day.
- amen.- [ all ] amen. - amen.- [ softly ] amen. what? did you say something? - no, no.- no? oh, i thoughti heard you-- no, i said nothing. oh. uh, peter. alice. tim. thank you.
[ bob ]belinda. - potato, alice?- it's a very small goose. it's all bob cratchitcan afford. [ bob ]me. are we all served? yes.thank you, father. then let's begin. and a merry christmasto us all. [ all ] a merry christmasto us all.
and god bless us every one. tell me, spirit,will he live? i see a vacant placeat this table. i see a crutch without an owner,carefully preserved. if these shadows remain unalteredby the future, the child will die. no. say he willbe spared. if these shadows remainunaltered by the future,
none other of my specieswill find him here. but if he is to die,then let him die you use my own wordsagainst me. so perhaps in the future,you will hold your tongue until you have discoveredwhat the surplus population is and where it is. it may well bethat in the sight of heaven, you are more worthlessand less fit to live than millionslike this poor man's child.
[ cheering ] [ blowing ] a triumph, my dear.another triumph. i told you so, mother. oh, it's a success. what a relieffor mrs. cratchit. now their feast is over. not quite. just one moreceremonious moment.
now i would liketo propose a toastto mr. ebenezer scrooge, the founderof our feast. mr. scrooge. huh! the founderof our feast indeed. i wish i had him here. i'd give him a pieceof my mind to feast upon and hope he hada good appetite for it. my dear, the children.it's christmas day. it should be christmas day
when one would drinkto the health of such a stingy, odious,mean, hard, unfeeling man as mr. ebenezer scrooge. my dear, have some charity. well, well. i'll drink his healthfor your sake, and the day's sake,but not for his. long life,mr. ebenezer scrooge. a merry christmasand a happy new year.
i have no doubt his christmaswill be very merry,and he'll be very happy. - mr. scrooge.- mr. scrooge. hmm. he's made a point,bob cratchit has. without me,there would be no feast,no goose at all. my head for businesshas furnished himemployment. is that all you've learnedby observing this familyon christmas day? well, no. not all. but one must speak upfor one's self, for one's life.
[ children laughing ] oh, here it is. ♪ here we come a-wassailingamong the leaves so green ♪ ♪ here we come a-wanderingso fair to be seen ♪ ♪ love and joy come to youand a merry christmas too ♪ ♪ and god bless you and send youa happy new year ♪ ♪ [ singing continues ] we have some time left.take my robe. ♪ [ singing fades ]
[ carolers ]♪ the holly and the ivy ♪ ♪ when they areboth full grown ♪ where are we now? just a street. any street. this house.we'll go in here. ♪ the risingof the sun... ♪ i think it might amuse you. i'm in no moodto be amused.
[ chattering, laughing ] dear husband, do you findmy playing so amusing? oh, i'm sorry, my love.i was thinkingof his face yesterday. "humbug," he said."humbug." he said that christmaswas a humbug.he believed it too. i'd very much liketo meet your uncle, sir. the droll waywhich you portray himtickles my heart. he's a comical fellow. but not so pleasantas he might be.
his offenses carrytheir own punishment. dear brother-in-law,it's said he's very rich. yes, that is very true,but his wealth isof no use to him. he doesn't do any good with it.he doesn't even make himselfcomfortable with it. i don't squander itif that's what you meanby comfortable. you mustn't arguewith those we visit.it's useless and even tactless. tact is a qualityi despise. that i can see. i have no patience with him.
well, i have,and i feel sorry for him. sor--[ scoffs ]sorry for me? [ scoffs ] who suffers from his ill whims?himself. always. he takes it in his heartto dislike us and not comeand dine with us. and he losesa very good dinner indeed. the reason i talkabout my uncle so is that my mother,god rest her saintly soul, was very fond of him. she loved him.
it's true. fan loved me and i her. dear fan.i wish you were alive today. fred looks very like her. yes, i've... been reminded of thatjust recently. i was only going to saythat the consequences of histaking a dislike to us and not making merrywith us is that he losessome pleasant momentswhich could do him no harm.
and i mean to give himthe same chance every yearwhether he likes it or not. [ chuckles ]and every year he'll say,"christmas--" [ all ]"bah, humbug!" [ guests laughing ] come, my dear.we must see to our guests. would you likesome nougats? [ guests chattering ] so much noise. i can't hear myself think.
well, they seem to be happy. [ scrooge ]well, i suppose thatfree food and drink would be an occasionfor pleasure to most people. happy in each other'scompany, i mean. everyone, hush there.we shall have a game--a word game. yes. a game. what shall it be? [ woman ]let's all play simile. [ fred ]does everyone knowthe rules to simile?
all right, everyone,you shall each havefive seconds to answer. i'll ask the question.mr. topper,you'll keep count. oh, well,i shall do my best. ah, ah. you'll eachhave five secondsto answer. if you fail to givean acceptable answerwithin that time, then you must eachstand behind your chair. last one who's seatedwins the prize. fred, fred, don't go on so.just begin. i'm sorry, my love.yes, i shall. [ laughs ]yes, i shall.
and now-- um-- - proud as?- proud as a peacock. peter. dry as? as a bone. good. [ woman ]ohh! plump as? my wife.
- [ guests laughing ]- sorry, my dear.just a little joke. - um, plump as--- one-- two seconds. two-- - a partridge.- [ laughing ] [ clears throat ]quick as? oh, um-- wind. no!
[ all ]one, two, three, four, five. - she's out.- a wink, you idiot. ebenezer, shh. you said they couldneither see nor hear us. that's quite true. oh, yes, yes. sorry. [ chuckles ] even i forgetthe regulations sometimes. after all, i-- i do notcome back very often.
shh. i'm tryingto listen to the game. modest as? a maiden. well, i'm sureit's a well-known simile. well, i was thinkingof "modest as a violet." [ sighs ]fred. [ guests exclaiming ] however, i will acceptyour answer. janet? attend. tight as?
tight as-- a drum.anyone knows that. - tight as.- [ exhales ] not very bright,my nephew's wife. tight as youruncle scrooge'spurse strings. no, darling,that's quite wrong.and your time is up. you've lost and you muststand behind your chair. "tight as a drum."that's what i was thinking of. mm-hmm. good for you, fred.boy's got a headon his shoulders.
and as for the laughterat my expense, spirit, i'm inclined to overlook itin view of the general gaietyof the evening. it is now time to leavethis pleasant scene. we have one more visit to makebefore my time is done.take hold of my robe. [ fred ]sly as? [ man ] a fox! [ fred ]yes! red as? [ woman ] red as a rose. yes. silent as?
[ man ]the night. a mouse! not at all. i know, i know.the grave. where are we now?i'm sure i don't knowthis place. the name would meannothing to you. it's a place,like many in this world. do we have enough woodfor the night? aye, it'll last through.
at least there's one thingstill free in this country. marry, a pieceof it cooked. [ hisses ]they're too hot. it'll be cold soon enough. where did youget these, father? i didn't steal themif that's what you're saying. - she didn't sayyou stole them, ben.- she should have some respect. don't berate the girl. they fell from a cartinto the road.
your father'snot a thief, girl. not yet. why are these peopleout here? men and women in rags.children eating scraps. there are institutions. have youvisited any of them, these institutionsyou speak of? no. i'm taxed for them.isn't that enough? is it?
ben, come backto the fire. look at these hands, meg. they're hard hands.they've done hard work. i want to work. i want to have breadfor my children. it's not rightthat there's no work. we're together, ben.that's the important thing. i love you, meg.i love the children. tomorrow take the childrenand go to the parish poorhouse.
no. no. i'd rather we alldrowned in the river than go to oneof those placesand be separated forever. until i get work. ben, we're a family.we stay together. come.come back to the fire. why do you show me this?what has it to do with me? are they notof the human race? look here...beneath my robe.
look upon these. - what are they?- they are your children. they are the childrenof all who walkthe earth unseen. their namesare ignorance and want. beware of them... for upon their browis written the word "doom." they spellthe downfall of you and all who denytheir existence. have they no refuge,no resource?
are there no workhouses? are there no prisons? cover them.i do not wish to see them. i thought as much. they are hidden. but they live. oh, they live. well... time has come for meto leave you, ebenezer scrooge.
leave? leave me here? oh, yes. well-- well, you cannot.take me back to my bed. [ chuckles ]it's too late. it's cold. the place is strange.don't leave me. [ laughing fades ] spirit? come back.
[ echoing ]come back, come back. i wish to talk! [ echoing ]to talk, to talk. perhaps i-- i have made a mistakehere and there, talked too quicklyabout matters to whichi gave no great thought. very well, we-we'llhave a give-and-take, come to some meetingof the minds. ah! i--i'm a reasonable man.
spirit! [ echoing ]spirit, spirit. have pity on me. don't leave me. what have i done... to be abandoned like this? what? are you the spiritwhich jacob marleyforetold would visit me? then i'm in the presenceof the ghost of christmasyet to come, am i not?
you're about to show methe shadows of the thingsthat have not happened but will happenin the time before us. is that so? i fear you... more than any specteri've seen. but i am preparedto bear your company. will you not speak to me? very well. lead on. the night is waning fast.time is precious to me.
[ voices murmuring,echoing ] this place,i know it very well. the exchange is likea second home to me. [ murmuring,echoing continues ] no, i don't knowmuch about it. either way,i only know he's dead. when did he die? last night,i believe. what happenedto his money? left it to his company, perhaps.
who else did he have? [ men laughing ] it'll likely bea very small funeral. supposing we volunteeredand form a party. i'll go if lunchis provided, but i insist on being fedfor the time i'll waste. have these menno respect for the dead? [ man #1 ]i should go,i suppose. after all,we did considerablebusiness together.
[ man #2 ]well, i must goand find the price of corn. why was i privyto that conversation? what purposecould it have for me? [ thunderclap ] merciful heavens,what is this? spirit. this is a fearful place.i-i wish to leave it. no, i will not.this you cannot make me do. i say i understand you.that is sufficientto the moment.
furthermore, there must besomeone in this city who feels some emotionbecause of this man's death. i demand to see that person! [ woman cackling ] [ cackling continues ] this is a most foulpart of town. you must have madea mistake,taken a wrong turn. [ people chattering ] [ man coughing ]
[ woman ]give us a swig, charlie! [ chattering, shouting ] in there? i have no businessto transact in there. [ laughing, chatteringcontinue ] [ man ] give that away!come on! come on, love! come on!come on, love! well, open it up,mrs. dilber. am i to pay you for goodsi haven't seen? you'll not ask mehow i came by these?
every person has a rightto take care of himself.that's my motto. well, he always did. and who's the worse forthe loss of a few things? hmm. - not a dead man, i suppose.- no, indeed. if he wanted to keep 'emafter he was dead,the wicked old screw, why wasn't he more naturalin his lifetime? mm-hmm. if he had been,he'd have had someoneto look after him
when he was struckwith death, instead of lying theregasping out his last, alone-- yeah. by himself. [ ticking ] [ man chuckling ] those are my things. she's stolen my things.i'll have her beforea magistrate. what do you call these?
bed curtains. you don't mean to sayyou took 'em down? rings and all,with him lying there? - why not?- [ laughing ] and don't get waxon his blankets. his blankets? i hope he didn't dieof anything catching. i wasn't so fond of himas i'd loiter about if he did. [ both laughing ]
[ laughing stops ] [ clears throat ] well, what'syour offer then? oh, two, four,six, nine, three-- sixteen, four--[ mumbling ] those are not my things. yes, they are similar, but-- but the person she speaks of,that could not be me. a similarity perhaps, but--
let's see now. one pound, five and three. not a penny moreif i was to be boiled for it. you're a hard one, joe,and no mistake. i'm always kind to the ladies. that's the way i ruin meself. spirit, what perversity is this? i ask to see some emotionin connection withthis man's death,
and you show meonly greed and avarice. let me see some tenderness,some depth of feeling! there must besome confusion. your fellow spiritbrought me here earlier. very well. you're devilish hardto have a conversation with. "suffer the littlechildren to come unto me,and forbid them not, "for such isthe kingdom of god. "verily i say unto you,
"whosoever shall not receivethe kingdom of god "as a little child, he shall not enter therein." this color hurts my eyes. it's better now. this work makesmy eyes red, and i wouldn't showred eyes to your fatherwhen he comes home. not for the world. - must be nearly his time.- past it, rather.
i think he walks slowerthan he used to these lastfew evenings, mother. yet i've seen himwalk home with-- with tiny timon his shouldersvery fast indeed. and so have i. but he was very lightto carry. and your fatherloved him so that... it was no trouble. no trouble. there is your father now.
[ children ]hello, father. [ bob ]hello, my dear. hello, my dear ones. you're late.we were worried about you. i'm glad you're home,father. i am too. ohh! you've becomequite a little armful. the reason that i'm late is because i walkedby there today.
today? i couldn't keep away. it's so quiet and green. you shall see it on sunday.we shall all go on sunday. i promised himthat every sundayi would walk-- my little child. my little, little child. father,please don't grieve so. oh, i'm sorry.i have all of you.[ sniffles ]
a blessingto be thankful for. do you know who i sawin the street today? mr. scrooge's nephew, fred. and he greeted mein his usual cheerful way. and, uh, he sawthat i was a little sad. he asked mewhat was distressing me, and when i told him, he said that he washeartily sorry for it, and-- robert.
tim is partof all of us. but for his sake,we must go on living. so long as we loveone another, he will always be alive. yes, of course,my dear. but however and whenever... we are partedfrom one another, i'm sure that none of uswill ever forget poor tiny tim. [ children ]no, never. never.
and when he recollecthow patient he wasand how mild, although he was buta little, little child, i'm sure that we will noteasily quarrel among ourselves. i am a happy man. i am a truly happy man. i asked for tendernessand depth of feeling, and you've shown me that. nothing more i need to see. take me home.
i thought we had agreed thatyou would transport me home. specter, something informs me that... the moment of our partingis at hand. i know it,but i know not how. tell me. what man was thatwho we saw lying dead? no, before i drawnearer to that stone,answer me this: are the things you have shown methe shadows of the thingsthat will be?
or are they the shadowsof the things that may be only? men's courses willforeshadow certain ends. i-- i accept that. but if those coursesbe departed from, the ends must change. tell me that is soby what you show me. [ sobbing ]dear me, i am not the man i was. i will not be the mani must have beenbut for this visitation. why show me thisif i am past all hope?
good spirit, your natureintercedes for meand pities me. say that i maychange these thingsby an altered life. i will honor christmasin my heart and tryto keep it all the year. i will live in the past,the present and the future. the spirits of all threeshall strive within me. i will not shut outthe lessons that they teach. tell me.[ sobbing ] tell me that i may sponge awaythe writing on this stone.
spare me. spare me.[ sobbing ] spare me. spare me. my own room. i'm alive. oh, thank you, spirits. i will keep my promise. i will live in the past,present and future. the spirits of all threewill strive within me.
oh, heaven and christmastimebe praised for this. i say this on my knees,jacob marley. on my knees. 9:00. and daylight. but what day? - hello! you there, boy!- me, sir? yes, you, my good fellow.what day is today? today? why, it'schristmas day, of course.
christmas day. i haven't missed it. the spirits did itall in one night. well, they can doanything they like.of course they can. - um, hello, my fine fellow!- hello! do you know the poulterersin the next street but one,on the corner? - i should hope i did.- intelligent boy.remarkable boy. do you know if they'vesold the prize turkeythat was hanging there? what, the oneas big as me?
[ chuckles ]delightful boy.a pleasure talking to him. - yes! the one as big as you.- it's hanging there now. well, go and buy it.yes, go and buy it. and bring them aroundso that i may tell themwhere to deliver it. come back with the man,i'll give you a shilling. come back in lessthan five minutes,i'll give you half a crown! oh, my, my.i must dress myself.so much to do. i don't want to lose any time. [ chuckling ]i'm as lightas a feather!
[ chuckling ] i'm as happy as an angel.[ chuckling ] i'm as merry as a schoolboy![ chuckling ] ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh. i'm as giddy as a drunken man.[ chuckling ] merry christmasto everybody... and a happy new yearto the world! if this be a prank, boy,i'll box your ears. he was in that window.i swear it.
ah, there you are. this boy here says you wishto purchase this turkey. yes, quite right. here's your half crownfor service well rendered. splendid boy. now, here is an addressand the priceof the turkey. you'll take this fine birdto bob cratchit in camden. the directionsare all written down. leave immediately,this very moment.
and you'll say onlythat it comesfrom a friend. and it mustbe there in timefor christmas dinner. it will be, sir. good fellow.here's a little somethingfor your trouble. oh, thank you, sir. here. not at all.off with you. wonderful day.[ sighs ] good morning.merry christmas to you. like angels. yes, exactly.
you singexcellently well. here. it is i who thank you... for that glorious musicon this gloriouschristmas day. ♪ the present manis full of flame ♪ ♪ he rusheshere and there ♪ good morning. ♪ he turns awaythe orphan child ♪ oh, gentlemen.good morning to you.merry christmas to you. yes, that is my name.i fear it is notpleasant to you.
allow me to beg your pardons,and please accept my pledgeto the poor and needy for, uh-- lord, bless me! my dearmr. scrooge! are youquite serious? if you please,and not a farthing less. there are a great manyback-payments includedin that, i assure you. what can i sayto such generosity? don't say anything. but, dear sir.
will you come and see me? we will. oh, we will indeed. thank you. and i amvery much obliged. thank you 50 times. thank you. thank you, sir. thank you. [ both speaking, indistinct ] yes?
bob cratchit? this is for you. well, there must besome mistake. you are bob cratchit? well, there ain'tno mistake. i didn't order this. this here prize turkey was bought and paid forby a gentleman to be deliveredto bob cratchit and family
in time forchristmas dinner. - what gentleman?what's his name?- anonymous. he wishes to remain anonymous. anonymous, you said? that's what he said.an anonymous gentleman. well, who couldhave sent it? i have no idea. perhaps it's a mistake. that's what i thought.
it's got our nameand address on it though.what should we do then? i say we cook itand eat it and have the bestchristmas feastwe've ever had in our lives. and i say,mrs. cratchit, what a splendid idea. and god bless us all,every one. and god bless us all,every one! oh, fred.oh, it's muchtoo expensive. but do you like it?
oh, i love it. why, it's the mostbeautiful thingi've ever seen. well, then, it belongsupon your wrist, my darling. oh, fred, i do love you. oh, and notjust for this. i know. i know. [ knocking ] well, who can that be? well, no one'sexpected this early.
my god.it's uncle ebenezer. your uncle?what in the worldwould he want? open the door, mary. i'm sure i don't know. - fred.- uncle ebenezer. - may i come in?- yes, come in. uh, please. do come in. good afternoon, madam.merry christmas to you.
merry christmas to you. oh, uncle ebenezer,this is my wife janet. janet, this isuncle ebenezer. eh-- it's a pleasure. more like a surprise,wouldn't you say? well, that too. well, that is quite true.quite honestly,it is a surprise. when we spoke yesterday,you made it quite clear,it seemed to me, at least, that you hadno intention of acceptingmy annual invitation.
i made other thingsclear too, didn't i, fred? that christmas was a humbug,a waste of time and money, a falseand commercial festival devoutly to be ignored. yes.basically, that was it. [ chuckles ]well, i've comefor three reasons. first, to beg your pardon for the things i saidabout christmas. that was a humbug, fred.
- was it?- mm-hmm. i didn't know it then,but i know it now. secondly, i've cometo meet your wife. well, here she is. and a very beautifulwoman she is too. i, uh--i was in love once. would you believe that? but i possessedneither the couragenor the optimism, nor perhapsthe depth of feelingthat you two have.
thirdly, if the invitationto dine with you todayis still in force, i accept. of courseit's still in force. hurrah!i was sure that one day-- you were sure, were you?well, apparently,you were right. yes, i should like to dinewith you and your friends. oh, you'll be morethan welcome. you like games, don't you? yes. yes, as a matterof fact, i do. uh-huh. do you everplay, uh, simile?
[ chuckles ]it's oneof our favorites. well, perhapswe could play today. quite possibly. i'm very good at it.and should the phrase"tight as" be thrown out, the answer is...a drum. why, yes. so it is. [ chuckles ]good. you'll forgive mefor saying this, but i see the shadowof my sister in your face.
i loved your mother,fred. for a time there,i forgot just how muchi loved her. perhapsi chose to forget. well, now,if it isn'ttoo much trouble, i should like to samplesome of that punch forwhich you're so famous. of course. you've madeus both very happy,uncle ebenezer. have i? god forgive mefor the time i've wasted. ♪ [ humming ]
9:00.late again, eh, cratchit? [ chuckles ]we'll see about this. [ exhales ] mr. cratchit! yes, sir? - do you knowwhat time it is?- yes, sir. what time is it? eighteen minutespast the hour, sir. eighteen and a half minutespast the hour.
what do you mean coming hereat this time of day? i'm sorry, sir.i am behind my time. yes, i think you are. step this way, sir,if you will, please. it's only once a year, sir.it shall not be repeated. i was makingrather merry yesterday. hmm. well,i'll tell you, my friend. i am not going to standfor this any longer. therefore--
therefore, i am going to... double your salary! [ coins jingle ] - double my salary, sir?- [ chuckling ]yes, bob. yes.[ laughing ] a merry christmasto you! i'll double your salaryfor a start, and i'll endeavorto assist your familyin any way i can. and tim?tim will walk again.
and growstronger and stronger.upon my life he will. well, we'll discussthe particulars this afternoonover a christmas bowl. hmm? well, what isthe matter with you? nothing, sir. well, it's just that-- you're welcome,my good fellow. make up the firebefore we freeze to death. buy some more coal... before you dot another "i,"bob cratchit.
[ narrator ]ebenezer scroogewas better than his word. he became as good a friend,as good a master, as good a manas the old city knew. and to tiny tim,who did not die, he was a second father. it was saidof ebenezer scrooge that he knewhow to keep christmas well. if any man alivepossessed the knowledge, may that be truly said of us,and all of us.
and so as tiny tim observed, "god bless us every one." [ singers ]♪ the past of manwas cold as ice ♪ ♪ he would not mend his ways ♪ ♪ he strove for silverin his heart ♪ ♪ and gold in all his days ♪ ♪ his reason weakhis anger sharp ♪ ♪ and sorrow all his pay ♪ ♪ he went to church but once a year ♪
♪ and that was christmas day ♪ ♪ the present manis full of flame ♪ ♪ he rushes here and there ♪ ♪ he turns awaythe orphan child ♪ ♪ the widow in her chair ♪ ♪ he takes more than he really needs ♪ ♪ forgets how brief his stay ♪ ♪ and stands a-jinglingof his coins ♪ ♪ in church on christmas day ♪
♪ so grant us alla change of heart ♪ ♪ rejoice for mary's son ♪ ♪ pray, peace on earthto all mankind ♪ ♪ god bless us every one ♪ ♪ the man to comewe do not know ♪ ♪ may he make peace on earth ♪ ♪ and live the gloryof the word ♪ ♪ the message of the birth ♪ ♪ and gatherall the children in ♪
♪ to banish their dismay ♪ ♪ lift up his heart among the bells ♪ ♪ god bless us ♪ ♪ every one ♪
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