Scrooge

Although most of us are familiar with the 1951 Alastair Sim version of Dickens' Christmas classic, or the 1984 George C. Scott version, or the 1992 Michael Caine/Muppets version, or the 1999 Patrick Stewart version, or--ohmigod, I forgot Mr. Magoo! Suffice to say that we have a surplus of adaptations to choose from (and I didn't even mention the Albert Finney, Bill Murray, or Vanessa Williams versions), and now we have one more: Henry Edwards' well-regarded 1935 British production starring Seymour Hicks as the crochety miser who turns over a new interpersonal communications leaf after he's visited by a trio of spirits over the course of a long, sleep-broken night before Christmas. Given the fact that the story is almost foolproof--narratively speaking--Scrooge is a wonderful viewing experience…or would be, were it not for the fact that the DVD transfer is very disappointing: an often shimmering mess full of digital artifacts that make the film's numerous night scenes look murkier than a bowlful of figgy pudding (more the pity since the print itself is excellent, fully restored to its original length of 78 minutes and handsomely cleaned up). Optional. (R. Pitman)