"A Christmas Carol" - Vanguard Records (1958) - Part 4

So, after a reasonably thorough examination of Vanguard Records' adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" from 1958, the question is how does it rate?

I try to look at such questions from a few different perspectives.

First, how does it work strictly from an adaptational standpoint? Does it capture the flavor of the source material? Can you write a book report from it?

I think it does a pretty good job, but it has too many omissions of important events, especially considering it suns for more than 50 minutes.

The past sequence leaves out young boy Scrooge at school and apprentice Scrooge at Fezziwig's, which are vitally important as these sequences teach Scrooge some valuable lessons. And if this version was to be your introduction to the story, you'd be unaware of some iconic scenes. and wouldn't get a good grade on your book report!

I don't really mind all that much that the end sequence is changed a bit, as that happens in a number of versions, but I don't think it's handled well.

So, this adaptation does not meet the book report test! 

This leads to the next question, which is if you're already familiar with the story and don't mind a few changes, is it entertaining to listen to?

I think it is, as it's well-produced and well-acted. I don't think, however that it has any extra oomph to set it apart from the many other versions, especially those with a "star" Scrooge like Lionel Barrymore, Ronald Colman or Lionel Barrymore.

And I always try to think of how an adaptation compares to others from its general time period.

There were a few albums from around the same time as this one, although this is ahead of the crowd, having been released in 1958.

Right away, I think this one is better than the Frank Pettingell version that followed in 1959, but not as good as the Ralph Richardson version from 1960.

The fair fight is between this one and the Bernard Miles version from 1960. This one works better as an adaptation, but the Miles version offers a more varied listening experience.

Bottom line is that I find this recording interesting and worth a listen, but it's not definiivte.