A Christmas Carol: The True Meaning of the Holidays

By James Melzer on December 3rd, 2009

• Link to StumbleUpon
• 1 Comment

On December 16, 1938, MGM released what is now in the history books as one of the most timeless holiday movies ever. What I bet you didn’t know, is that A Christmas Carol underwent some drastic changes from the classic Dickens story to make it more family friendly. Let’s take a look then, at one of the most beloved films of all time.

The movie originally intended to star Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge, but he was forced to drop out because of arthritis. Filling his shoes was Reginald Owen, a well known British film and television actor. Husband and wife duo, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, played the Cratchits, and Terry Kilburn rounded out the main cast, starring as Tiny Tim.

While the film captured the essence of the Charles Dickens novel in terms of plot, some of the more grim aspects of the story were left out of the big screen version. There were no phantoms screaming and hollering outside Scrooge’s window when Marley’s ghost makes an appearance, and the two children that hid inside the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Present, Want and Ignorance, were left out as well.

Nowhere in the film version is it even mentioned that Scrooge had a fiancée that left him, nor does it refer to the two crooks who ransack Scrooge’s belongings after he “dies.”

When it comes to the holidays, I suppose people don’t want to be scared, or hear about the harsh realities that others go through (always someone else and never them). We want a feel good movie, an antagonist that sees the error of his ways and changes for the good of everyone, understanding the true meaning of Christmas. That it’s not about gift-giving or food-gobbling. It’s about love for your fellow man. Yeah, tell that to the shoppers lining up outside Target on Boxing Day.

Whatever we want out of the holiday season, A Christmas Carol managed to capture it perfectly, still resonating in the hearts and minds of people some 71-years later. I know a few bah-humbuggers out there that could use a visit from some holiday ghosts, but I don’t think they’ve ever seen the movie. Perish the thought. It’s become a tradition though, in most homes, to gather ‘round the television every holiday season, pop in the DVD or turn to the channel it’s on (maybe with some popcorn on your lap and egg nog by your side), and keep each other warm while A Christmas Carol runs out all of it’s 69 minutes. Two hours with commercials, of course. What was that meaning of Christmas again?

I know here at my house, we’ll be checking out Scrooge and Cratchit and Tiny Tim, and the rest of those Christmas Carolers for the first time as a family. See, I’m getting married next year, and inheriting a daughter in the process. There’s no better way I can think of to spend the holiday season than with my new family, huddled together with nothing but the warm glow of the television to light the room, and the smell of cookies in the air. That to me, is the true meaning of Christmas, spending time with family and loved ones. Scrooge eventually got it, and all you have to do is check out A Christmas Carol, and you’ll get it too.

God bless us, everyone.