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Title

A Christmas Carol

Plot

E.G. Marshall spotlights as Scrooge in this dramatic retelling of Charles Dickens' classic christmas radio show tale. A tightfisted old man is haunted by a trio of ghosts that reveal the wretchedness of his heart-- and his possible future should he refuse to repent his wicked ways.

Episode

0402

Air Dates

  • First Run - December 24, 1975
  • Repeat - December 24, 1976
  • Repeat - December 24, 1977
  • Repeat - December 24, 1978
  • Repeat - December 24, 1979
  • Repeat - December 24, 1980
  • Repeat - December 24, 1981

Actors

Writer

Listen

Rating

275
249     26


31 Responses to Episode 0402

The network radio versions sponsored by Cambell Soups, starring Lionel Barrymore and produced by Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre were top notch... and a staple of holiday listening back in the depression era. None-the-less, this version with the always delightful E.G. Marshall were nicely done, and on a shoestring budget/schedule to boot. What a national treasure the late Hiram Brown truly was. His economical and frantic production schedule sometimes produced uneven results, but overall, his programs were wonderful. His recent death seemingly went unnoticed. And THAT is a national tragedy. This version of the Dickens classic should become regular listening for everyone who loves this timeless story.

Mark Spangler

Love this episode. Love E G Marshall & all the other actors. Excellent job & classic story!!

yvonne

EG Marshall's only acting stint on the series. I'll spin it today!

Mike

I think E.G. Marshall did a terrific job as Ebenezer Scrooge. The only thing that could've been better is if they added more eerie & chilling music for Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christams Future. But, it's still a good episode. =0)

Russell

Good job with familiar material, only flaw is using of the standard CBSRMT music cues, took you out of the story momentarily, EG wasn't EG for most of this, excellent Scrooge

KIRK

I rate this episode 4 out of 5 cooked gooses. :) Classic tale including one magnificent classic actor. I love that EG was in the story!

Chris

Charles Dickens' radio classic performed by E. G. Marshall as scrooge. A miserly and bitter old man is visited By the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future who show Scrooge the effects of his actions, and the legacy he has created should he carry on as he has.

Dawn Elliot

We enjoyed listening to this episode on Christmas eve with all the family gathered 'round. My brother's kids thought this was a show from "before TV." The story was a familiar one, though, and everyone enjoyed it. I hope you did too. I like this version the best of any I've ever heard. E.G. Marshall was superb, as were all the cast. No second rate performances. Pleasant dreams...

Dan Lemuel J.

Listened to this one about 6 times over the holidays. I like it more and more with repeated listenings. Only gripe I have with their adaptation: When Scrooge is with the ghost of Xmas past, they visit the deathbed of a person she says is his Aunt who raised him. They then mention that she had one son--his nephew, Fred. In the book, of course, this person is not his aunt--it's his sister, Fern. Obviously, his Aunt's son would be his cousin, not his nephew. Why the change/screw-up?

Jhacy

The BEST radio production of Dicken's"A Christmas Carol" is The Campbell Playhouse production with Orson Welles and Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge. This one isn't very good- it's so-so. E.G. Marshall; while good as the host of CBSRMT and as actor on his own, isn't as crotchety and miserly sounding as Lionel Barrymore. Barrymore's role as Scooge is THE classic epitome of Ebneezer Scrooge.

Kristin

One Christmas Eve, my brother and I couldn't sleep, the house was dark, and warm, and we were teenagers. I think my brother had moved out but was home staying all night to celebrate Christmas. I had a Radio Shack Transistor radio, and all we could find turning the dial was christmas music, and then........Rochester NY came in quiet clear, and heard these blissful words 'Good Evening, my name is E G Marshall, welcome to the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, tonight I will not only be narrating tonights story, but acting in it as well......BAH Humbug' A Christmas Carol.....a christmas I have never forgotten to this day.....

Jim

Very nice memory! It\'s funny how we remember what radio we listened to the CBSRMT on. I had my grammas old RCA from the 50\'s that was molded light blue plastic with a glowing gold tuning knob. I can see (and hear) it now...

Robert

One Christmas Eve, my brother and I couldn't sleep, the house was dark, and warm, and we were teenagers. I think my brother had moved out but was home staying all night to celebrate Christmas. I had a Radio Shack Transistor radio, and all we could find turning the dial was christmas music, and then........Rochester NY came in quiet clear, and heard these blissful words 'Good Evening, my name is E G Marshall, welcome to the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, tonight I will not only be narrating tonights story, but acting in it as well......BAH Humbug' A Christmas Carol.....a christmas I have never forgotten to this day.....

Scott

What fun! I used to tune this in on Christmas Eve's back when they originally ran ... but always fell asleep before Jacob Marley showed up. What a delight to find this 40 years later and finally enjoy the full episode on a Christmas eve

Mike

EG Marshall is great in Christmas Vacation!

John

That good one really.

josh

that's my favorite too!

Noe

Very good acting throughout, but I agree it would've been nice to have different music cues.

Alec

I may be in the minority here, but a lot of the acting in this episode seems rather stilted and lacking in emotion. I don't know why, but everything about this particular adaptation seems rushed and a bit off somehow. (This is just my personal opinion.) I love CBSRMT in general, so I'm not criticizing the series, which is my favorite radio series of all time! But this particular episode is not one of my favorites. (I don't mind listening though.) Here's a thought, the actor on who often plays misers on CBSRMT would have made the best Scrooge ever! I can't remember his name, but he often plays cruel men who are in control of people's debts. He would have been the absolute perfect Scrooge, so I don't know why they didn't cast him in that role. Ralph Bell would have been my second choice for that particular part, since he is great at playing dark, sarcastic characters.

Amy

This was a fine adaptation, and it was cool to hear E.G. in the story instead of just introducing it. I haven't read the book, but I thought it was kind of strange that Bob Cratchit didn't mention the prize turkey to Scrooge or figure out where it came from.

BF

Leon Janney is the name of the actor I couldn't remember. He would have made an excellent Scrooge. Ian Martin would also have been a good Scrooge as well.

Amy

Another great Scrooge could have been played by Robert Dryden.

Amy

This is a great show! The acting and production is 5 star! And true to the book. Its worth listening to any time of the year.

Neil

On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge, a selfish, disagreeable London merchant, returns to his living quarters with no thought of celebrating the holiday season. When a request for charity is made of him in the name of his dead partner, he answers that the Christmas spirit is wasteful and foolish. Only after he goes to sleep and is visited by three apparitions does Scrooge change his mind.

Adam

At this time of the year I love to post how great this show is.

schind

at this time of year we welcome all to listen to this great Christmas present

jolly

I always love that show. I always stay up late hear that show.

James

Great production and acting, love listening to this every holiday season, a couple of times.

Tinny

For those of you who love to celebrate Christmas in July, (and you know who you are) here is the CBSRMT's Christmas Carol show! Everyone else can save this for December. Its a great rendition of the classic tale, done just perfect! 5 stars! Enjoy

A. Fan

Just a friendly reminder to CBSMT and Christmas fans alike, this Christmas Carol is a great holiday listen, I enjoy every year! I give it a listen during the holiday season, and always go to sleep on Christmas Eve listing to it :) Great holiday treat.

A. Fan

Absolute classic. I love this adaptation. E.G. Marshall is awesome as Scrooge. Ian Martin had to be the most talented actor, writer, and producer on CBSRMT. What a talent! Great show!

Bruce C.


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