The 1960 adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" from Caedmon Records boasts a couple of British heavyweights to carry the project.
I understand that they were most noted for their stage work in England, but they both made their marks in movies that helped their recognition with American audiences.
Sir Ralph Richardson (he had been knighted way back in 1947) was in a lot of British movies in the 1930s. A couple of them, "Things to Come" (1936) and "The Four Feathers" (1939), both Alexander Korda productions, are still fairly well-known in America.
I presume his acclaimed work in the British film "The Fallen Idol" (1948) was what led to his high profile role in "The Heiress" (1949) for which he snagged a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
He played Scrooge on a 1951 television adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" on the TV series "Fireside Theater," but I don't know if that's available for viewing.
He also did a fair amount of radio work over the years, so by the time this production rolled around in 1960, he was ready to go!
He was 58 years old at the time, which seems like a pretty good age for Scrooge, but he uses an old man voice to sell the role. I think he does a great job.
Paul Scofield as a name is kind of like a word association thing to me. You say "Paul Scofield" and I say "A Man for All Seasons." In the U.S. at least, he's known for winning the Best Actor Oscar for that 1966 movie, but not much else. Still, the name alone adds retro class to the project.
I like his narration quite a bit. He does sound like he's telling the story to us rather than just reading it.
I don't recognize any of the other actors credited on the album, but they do a uniformly good job.
So, a solid album all the way around!
I presume his acclaimed work in the British film "The Fallen Idol" (1948) was what led to his high profile role in "The Heiress" (1949) for which he snagged a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
He played Scrooge on a 1951 television adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" on the TV series "Fireside Theater," but I don't know if that's available for viewing.
He also did a fair amount of radio work over the years, so by the time this production rolled around in 1960, he was ready to go!
He was 58 years old at the time, which seems like a pretty good age for Scrooge, but he uses an old man voice to sell the role. I think he does a great job.
Paul Scofield as a name is kind of like a word association thing to me. You say "Paul Scofield" and I say "A Man for All Seasons." In the U.S. at least, he's known for winning the Best Actor Oscar for that 1966 movie, but not much else. Still, the name alone adds retro class to the project.
 |
| Paul Scofield compares BAFTA awards with Dame Edith Evans! |
I like his narration quite a bit. He does sound like he's telling the story to us rather than just reading it.
I don't recognize any of the other actors credited on the album, but they do a uniformly good job.
So, a solid album all the way around!
No comments:
Post a Comment