"A Christmas Carol" Campbell Playhouse's Holiday Tradition
First broadcast in 1938, Campbell Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol stands as one of the most iconic radio interpretations of Dickens’ classic.
Directed and narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore in one of his most memorable roles, the production transports listeners to Victorian London through expressive performances, atmospheric orchestration, and masterful audio craftsmanship. This adaptation captures the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge with warmth, wit, and haunting dramatic tension. This presentation examines the episode’s historical context, production style, vocal performances, and its lasting legacy as a cornerstone of American holiday radio tradition.
CAST:
Directed and narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore in one of his most memorable roles, the production transports listeners to Victorian London through expressive performances, atmospheric orchestration, and masterful audio craftsmanship. This adaptation captures the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge with warmth, wit, and haunting dramatic tension. This presentation examines the episode’s historical context, production style, vocal performances, and its lasting legacy as a cornerstone of American holiday radio tradition.
CAST:
- Lionel Barrymore as Ebenezer Scrooge (lead role)
- Orson Welles — Narrator / Host (also directed the production)
- Everett Sloane as Jacob Marley (Marley’s Ghost)
- Frank Readick as Bob Cratchit
- Erskine Sanford as Fezziwig
- George Coulouris as Ghost of Christmas Present