"Good News of 1939" Episode 51 (December 15, 1938) - Part 2

Did you get a chance to listen to the portion of "Good News of 1939" containing the preview of MGM's 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol?"

I think it's pretty good. Lionel Barrymore could easily have played Scrooge here, as he sounds in good form, but since Reginald Owen stars in the film, he plays the part here and Barrymore is the narrator. I like his narration quite a bit.

We also have Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, Ann Rutherford and Ronald Sinclair reprising their roles from the movie.

Ronald Sinclair had a couple of snappy co-stars in "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry" (1937).

I notice that Ronald Sinclair is not "big" enough to be mentioned in the opening. I think he's a pretty good young Scrooge, though. He really only gets a couple of lines here.

Since this sketch is meant to promote the movie, it follows it pretty closely, although they have to cut a lot out.

Fred does not appear at all, although Bob mentions him at the end, and we don't have the charity solicitors. It's also interesting that in the Christmas present sequnce, we don't hear any of the Cratchits speak, so while we hear about Tiny Tim, we never actually hear him. That makes it a bit awkward when Lionel Barrymore quotes him at the end, but I bet most listeners didn't think much about it.

What we do get, however, is the sequence of Bob getting "sacked" for ruining Scrooge's hat, which really makes you know you're listening to an adaptation of the movie!

One thing to remember is that the "Good News" show is meant to promote MGM movies as in make you want to go see them, so this sketch ends with Scrooge pleading for a second chance. You have to go see the movie if you want to know how it ends!

Franz Waxman also did the score for "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935)!

All in all, I think it's a good representation of the movie. I recognized Franz Waxman's music, which was a plus for the movie and sounds really good here.

Next, some additional thoughts...