A Christmas Carol (1938): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch

Name: A Christmas Carol
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Family
Released: 1938
Duration: 69 min
Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Terry Kilburn, Barry MacKay, Lynne Carver

What A Christmas Carol Is About

Almost everyone knows the story: on Christmas Eve the miser Scrooge is visited by three spirits and shown his past, his present, and the end waiting for him if nothing changes. This is one of the older screen versions and runs barely seventy minutes. The part was meant for Lionel Barrymore; when he could not play it, Reginald Owen took Scrooge. The tone here is noticeably gentler than later adaptations, with the darkest passages trimmed. Fine for family viewing, less so if you want Dickens at full strength.

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Trailer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Christmas Carol about?

Almost everyone knows the story: on Christmas Eve the miser Scrooge is visited by three spirits and shown his past, his present, and the end waiting for him if nothing changes. This is one of the older screen versions and runs barely seventy minutes.

Where can I watch A Christmas Carol?

A Christmas Carol is available to watch on digital platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube. Current rent and buy options are listed in the "Where to Watch" section on this page.

How long is A Christmas Carol?

A Christmas Carol runs for 69 minutes (1h 9m).

When did A Christmas Carol come out?

A Christmas Carol was released in 1938.

Who directed A Christmas Carol?

A Christmas Carol was directed by Edwin L. Marin.

Who stars in A Christmas Carol?

A Christmas Carol stars Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Terry Kilburn, Barry MacKay.

What is A Christmas Carol's rating?

A Christmas Carol holds 7.5/10 on IMDb and 7.0/10 on TMDB. Its Pulse Score is 72 out of 100.