If you got a chance to listen to Ireene Wicker's 1949 adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," I'm sure you'll agree that it's an unusual interpretation!
I think her style is very engaging. It's like having a fun relative reading a story to you. If you had a relative who did such fun voices!
Since the record in question is seven inches and plays at 78 rpm, there's not a lot of room for content, only a little over three minutes, but she gets a surprising amount of details in there.
We start off in Scrooge's office with Fred inviting him to dinner, then Bob Cratchit wanting the next day off.
No time for Marley, however, so we go right to the "Spirit" of Christmas Past. The spirit shows Scrooge all the happy Christmases from his past. An interesting take in that Scrooge used to have happy times, but had forgotten.
Next, the Spirit of Christmas Present brings Scrooge to Fred's house where Fred says nice things about them.
They go next to Bob Cratchit's house to see the family having a good time. All of the Cratchit kids are accounted for: Martha, Peter, Belinda, the two younger ones and Tiny Tim!
Scrooge is worried about Tiny Tim's fate. The only special effect on the record is the filtered mike through which the spirit's voice comes.
When the spirit tells Scrooge that Tiny Tim will die unless the shadows of the future change, Scrooge reforms!
No need for a Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, so Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning, goes to Fred's house for dinner and raises Bob's salary!
Happy ending after a very quick but delightful run through the story!
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