SCROOGING AROUND Sim is no feather weight -- in fact, his portrayal of Ebenezer makes this film a classic

A Christmas Carol: Kobal Collection

A Christmas Carol

It was called ''Scrooge'' in England, maybe because it stars the actor many Cratchitphiles consider the all-time best Ebenezer: Alastair Sim. Sim plays the role with cold-eyed, deadpan understatement; his Scrooge is not wicked or dyspeptic, just cold and chillingly soulless. And when he's finally redeemed, his enthusiasm is more than a little scary. If a ghost story can be called realistic, then this one is, thanks in large part to the real-life London locations. ''It seemed as if the original illustrations had come to life before my eyes,'' said Alice Waley, Charles Dickens' granddaughter, upon visiting the set. ''How my grandfather would have loved this film!''