The Christmas Carol is a 1949 low-budget, black and white television special narrated by Vincent Price. Compressing Charles Dickens' classic 1843 story into a half-hour, it is stated to be "the oldest extant straight adaptation of the story" for television. It was originally produced as a syndicated production for airing on 22 stations across the United States on Christmas Day in 1949. It was sponsored by Magnavox and represented that company's first use of television advertising. In 1952, the show was acquired by Consolidated Television Sales for further syndication.
The production is considered primitive by modern standards; it is also noted for misspelling Ebenezer Scrooge's name as "Ebeneezer" in the opening credits and on the headstone of his grave. The cast is led by Taylor Holmes as Scrooge and includes an early appearance by Jill St. John, then age 9 and billed as Jill Oppenheim, who plays one of the Cratchit daughters.
Cast
Taylor Holmes as Ebeneezer Scrooge
Patrick Whyte as Bob Cratchit (as Pat White)
Robert Clarke as Fred
Earl Lee as Ghost of Marley
Nelson Leigh as Ghost of Christmas Past
Joe Battista as Boy Scrooge
George James as Ghost of Christmas Present
Queenie Leonard as Mrs. Cratchit
Mike Miller as Peter Cratchit
Karen Kester as Belinda Cratchit
Jill St. John as Missie Cratchit (as Jill Oppenheim)
Robert Hyatt as Tiny Tim (as Bobby Hyatt)
Constance Cavendish as Martha (as Connie Cavendish)
Jack Nestle as Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Paul Maxey as Fat Gentleman
Leonard Carey as Thin Gentleman
Ann Howard as Caroline