Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas
Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas
Special | 55m 25sVideo has Closed Captions
A retelling of A Christmas Carol.
Charleston, West Virginia 1885. It is Christmas Eve and Ebenezer Scrooge receives a package that will change his future. WVPB presents a retelling and reimaging of the Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas is a local public television program presented by WVPB
Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas
Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas
Special | 55m 25sVideo has Closed Captions
Charleston, West Virginia 1885. It is Christmas Eve and Ebenezer Scrooge receives a package that will change his future. WVPB presents a retelling and reimaging of the Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
How to Watch Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas
Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Merry Christmas Mr. Scrooge Bah humbug.
Merry Christmas, Uncle.
God save you.
Bah, humbug.
The holiday is a humbug, Uncle.
I hope that's meant as a joke.
I never joke, nephew.
If not Christmas, then maybe Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.
Or maybe something more exotic, like Bodhi Day or Diwali.
There are many festive ways to c lebrate with your fellow man, Uncle.
If you think you know the world merely because you#ve traveled.
Never mind.
Come wha Don't waste all day, nephew.
I wanted to wish you happy holid ys and to give you one l By Dickens, you called me out here for this.
Don't be cross.
What else can I be when such a world of fools as this?
Happy Christmas.
Out with Merry Christmas.
What is Merry Christmas to you.
Except the time to pay your A time to find yourself a year older, but not an hour richer.
If I could work my will.
Everyone that goes about with Me ry Christmas in his own pudding and buried wi h a stake of holly in his heart.
Uncle.
Nephew, keep Chris But you don't keep it.
Then leave it alone.
Then what good would it do?
What good has it done?
You?
There are many things which I have Christmas, I daresay, is among the rest.
I believe, though it has done me good and will do me goo And I say God blessed.
It's our first Christmas in our new Charleston awaits to celebrate with festive cheer I have long made my stance on mo ing the capital to Charleston, known to the world the sound pol tical process of northern business sense has been left behind to th whims of Charleston's frolicsome way.
Don't be angry.
You know t No more allowing Ohio, Pe to influence us, let alone Virginia.
Come join us for dinner tomorrow.
I'll dine alone.
Thank you.
But Why?
Why did you become a delegate?
Because I felt the state needed me.
And I need to be alone.
Good to.
Know.
But you never came to visit So why use that as an excuse now?
Out of kindness, even.
Kindness no doubt.
What is it you reall At this festive season of the ye It's withered and cold.
Yes.
Yes, it is.
And all the more It is more desirable to help the poor who suffer from the cold.
Many thousands are in want of comm Are there no debtors prisons?
There are.
And the workhouse is still They are.
I wish I could say they were not.
The poor are all still in full strength, then.
.
I'm glad to hear it from what you've said.
I thought they'd have to stop that operation.
They barely provide comfort of mind and body to many people.
A few of us delegates want to deliver funds to the poor, to help them have meat and drink and even warmth on Christmas Eve.
Do you wish to help us?
I wish you'd left it alone.
That is my wish.
That is my answer.
I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make lazy people merry.
I help support the establishments I've mentioned.
The poor must go there.
Many can't go there and many would rather d If they had rather die.
They better do it and reduce the surplus That is not my affair.
My business is my affair.
I am sorry with all my heart to find you so determined.
But I wish to keep Christmas and good cheer.
And I will keep that spirit to the last.
Merry Christmas, Uncle.
You could have succeeded in manufacturing, that way, You would have the funds to throw away on the poor Bah!
And happy New Year.
But the sovereigns say it didn't.
When we were gone astray a oh time for getting joy, comfort and joy.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.
The very best.
God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothin You dismay remember Christ our savior was born on Christmas Day Christmas Caro Singing your son are they?
We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas And a happy ne We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy Ne Happy Holidays, Scrooge!
Cratchit!
The candles are lit.
The fire is burnin No concern for the cost.
Cratchit you will find that your salary will be a few cents lighter.
Cratchit?
To the business of J. Marley.
Well, Marley's as dead as a doornail, though it might be best to say coffin nail.
A book!
If I wanted a book, I wouldn't h ve sold all of Marley#s Cratchit!
Where are you?
He's left me a note.
[Cratchit] Sir, the day's ended an Seeing as it is Christmas Eve... [Ebenezer] Christmas!
[Cratchit]...as it if it's quite convenient, I will be off all da I'll be here all the earlier, the next morning.
[Ebenezer] No, it would not be convenient.
Oh, what's my nightcap doing down here?
Mr. Cratchit... No, it is not convenient and it If I was to deduct half a crown from your salary for it, you would declare yourself ill used, would you not?
Still, you expect me to pay a day's wage for a day of no work?
Cratchit, is that you?
I predict it will be necessary for you and I to part company and for yo to seek employment elsewh Ebenezer Scrooge.
Cratchit?
You are not Cratchit.
A thief in my house.
What do you want?
Much.
Who are you?
Ask who I was.
Who were you?
In life...
I was your friend.
I have no friends.
Everyone knows this.
I was until seven years this night.
Ebeneezer Marley.
What are you doing here?
Do you think I forgave you?
It is not you who are to forg Then why are you here?
It wasn't by choice.
I am compelled.
I must wander the world and see what I can no longer share.
What I would not share when I walked where you do.
You#re a figment!
I am imagining you and your chains.
The chains?
Look at them, Ebenezer.
Study them.
Locks and vaults and gold and coins.
I forged these... Each link, each day when I sat in these chair Commanded these rooms.
Greed, Ebenezer Scrooge Wealth.
Feel them.
Know them Your#s was as heavy as this I wear seven years ago and you have labored to build it since.
It is late, the night is cold I wish to have my comfort now.
I have no comfort to give.
I know not how you see me this night, I did not ask it.
I have sat beside you many a day.
Invisible.
I am commanded to bring you a chan Heed it!
I choose not to.
Then you will walk where I do, and you will be burdened by your riches and your greed.
Tonight... you will b Expect the spirits soon.
Spirits mean nothing to me.
They will teach you the meaning of the holidays.
Or you will suffer as I have.
When the bell chimes midnight, you will be tested.
The holidays.
What use does one have for Chri There are many holidays, Ebenezer.
Christmas is but one.
If you do not learn of the varie celebrations you will be left alone.
[Ebenezer] Marley!
Don't read me.
Marley!
Marley!
Holidays.
I must now learn the meaning o Are you the spirit who's coming was foretold to me.
I am.
Who are you?
I am the Spirit Long past?
Your past.
Why are you here?
Your welfare.
Come, walk with me.
I cannot walk into a book.
I am still a living person.
As you read the poem, your past will come to you.
While for many winter can conjure up images of deco pine trees, houses covered in li hts and even snowy locations, this idea is largely based on a northern hemisphere centric, western and Christian ideal of the winter season.
Talking about winter holidays, groups, many For example, Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus, Jains, and six that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance.
While Bodhi Day celebrates the historic Buddha Ha nukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededicati n of Second Temple in Je and the miracle of candles staying lit for eight nights with only one day's worth of oil.
While Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American culture, based off many African first fruit or harvest celebrations.
These winter holidays have many shared aspects, including family, food, candies, charity gifts.
While they are similar in these attributes, they are each unique and should be recognized on their o It's important to note that Happy Holidays can be a great way to wish someone well whose religious and cultura pra But if you do know what holidays they celebrate, it's better to specifically recognize those holidays or recognize their lack of observance.
Hopefully this was a helpful guide to these winter holidays, but it is not exhaustive and is just a jumping-off point.
I encourage you to learn more about holidays you are not familiar with.
I was unaware there were so many holid so many observances.
Perhaps I should read some more about Here was one of Marley's favorites Twas the Night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
What flight of fancy is this?
Sugar-plums don't dance.
And if they did, I'm not so sure how that would work.
Not like the books of my youth.
Robinson Crusoe, Alibaba, the genie, I wonder.
Marley, Marley... Why must you infest everything?
Am I not past those childhood things?
My dreams.
Marley, my dreams.
They were a way to avoid all that.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mama in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long w When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the mat Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, threw up the sash, the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer With a little old driver so lively and quick I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came.
and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name Now Dasher, Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen.
On Comet, on Cupid, on Dunder and Blitzen.
That's not how I remember it.
Oh Fan.
Dear Fanny.
Oh, she used to come to my school and... How did that song go?
Now, Dasher.
Now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen.
on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.
That's the way I recall.
Do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?
I remember her singing.
Who is that?
Fan?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph.
join in any reindeer games.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say Rudolph with your nose so bright.
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
You#ll go down in history Let me watch her go Let me be happy for a moment.
A delicate, delicate child.
One breath might have withered her.
She passed... when my nephew was born.
Fan.
Don#t go!
[Off-Screen] Christmas, Ebenezer!
Yo-Ho there, Ebeneezer!
Ok, no more work tonight.
Let's have the shutters up before a m #Jack Robinson.# Mr Fezziwig!
My first boss.
A wonderful boss.
He had the power to make us happy, to make our service light or burdensome.
The happiness he gives us.
It's worth a fortune.
It's what a good boss does.
Can you love me, Ebeneezer Belle?
I bring no dowry w Only me.
Only love.
It is no currency that you can buy or s But we can live with it.
Can you?
I release you, Ebenezer for the love of the man you Will that matter with my love again now that he is free?
Belle, if only you had held me to it.
I did love you.
I could have been so much more.
We have never lied to each other.
May you be happy with the life you have chosen.
I read later that she married some solicitor named Harker.
Goodbye.
No, no.
It was not meant that way.
Is that me?
I remember this.
It was the day of Marley#s funeral.
I was the sole mourner.
My name alone was in the ledger.
And unfortunately, all the expenses fell to me.
Grave stone ceremony.
Marley was my only friend, if you call her...
Call us... friends.
At long last, I was alone.
Fan was gone.
Mr. Fezziwig Even Belle I pushed away my nephew.
Then Cratchit came.
You see, sir, it's...
It's my son.
He's very ill. And with Miss Marley's passing, I'd hoped that perhaps you'd need an assistant.
I'd gladly accept any wage.
You see that, sir?
I've done well for you, Mr. Cratchit.
Haven't I?
I just want to h I did hire him.
Something ab I wasn't there for Fred when his mother passed.
His father abandoned him.
I just shipped him off to the same school I was raise As my father did to me.
I visited Fan#s grave that day after Cratchit left.
I have not visited her since.
Leave me, spirit.
Haunt me no longer.
I have never sought release and I not do so now.
Where was I.
Now, Dasher, now Dancer, now Prance On Cupid.
On Donner and Blitzen.
To the top of the porch.
To the top of the wall.
Dash away, dash away, dash away all as the dry leaves before the wild hurricane When they meet with a So up to the house top the corsairs, they flew with a sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too.
Then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little h As I drew in my head and was turning around down the chimne Saint Nicholas came with a bound Santa!
Hello, Scrooge.
You can#t be, not Santa!
Do you see me as him?
Do you hear me as him?
I do.
No, Mr. Scrooge.
You've never seen the Are you one of those spirits Marley warned me about?
I am.
Who?
What are you?
I am the Spirit of Holidays Present.
You will see what you will see of me, Scroo this holiday season.
Even if you deny it#s existanc Will you walk with me this evening?
We are going outside this house?
We are traveling?
[Ebenezer] Where are you guiding me to?
[Santa] Church.
Church?
What church?
I have no connecti Your nephew Fred, does.
He said that ought to be boiled in his own pudding as I live.
That's a shame for him, Fred.
Well, he's a codgity old man, but I believe his own behavior is his own punish Well, he's very rich, at least you always told me that.
Yes, well, his wealth won't buy him everything.
But we can celebrate today.
We can Please sir, may I have more?
More?
Why, certainly.
It's Christm [Santa] As you can see, he cares a great deal to tend to his fellow man, even on a night of gre He has much faith like his mother did.
I could never summon such faith.
It ishis faith that makes him act as such.
It's his compassion.
Compassion.
Away with us.
Take me somewhere else.
To the home of Bob Cratchit.
I put him to bed.
Tell me, Good as gold and better.
You know, being alone so much, he gets to thinking the He told me today that he hoped people in church saw him and saw that he was sick and that they would be reminded th at healed be sick and made bl I do believe he's getting heartier, stronger.
Don't you?
Tiny Tim, my boy, to Mr. Scrooge, founder of the Th e founder of the feast, indeed.
I wish I had him here.
I'd give him a piece of my mind Keeping you at work at all hours, so greedy with his money.
He keeps our son weak and ill with our poverty.
A curse upon him.
A hex on Ebenezer Scrooge.
It#s Christmas, my dear.
Christmas Eve.
Spirit.
I have see Tiny Tim.
Will he live?
He's very ill.
Even the holidays wont keep him we But you haven't told me.
I see an empty chair next season If he's to die, he better do it and decrea Wouldn't you say Scrooge?
Is there no happiness in Christmas present?
There is.
Take me there.
It's at the home of Belle.
Belle!
You look just as the day you left me.
These are your phantoms, Ebenezer.
In the way you wish.
The way you remember o The same as how you see me as Santa.
Is it not the happiness you hoped for?
No.
Then there is none.
That isn't enough.
You must teach me.
What shadow of the present is over here?
This is the graves of your business partner, Marley.
Unattended, uncared for, unkem and unloved.
Is there no one to love her?
No one to care?
Why would anyone care?
She's dead as a doornail.
Wouldn't you say, Scrooge?
No.
I am ignorant in my words, my deeds.
Words, deeds.
They are no spirits.
They're real.
Hunger.
Igno Passing dreams.
They are real.
They walk your streets and they look to y You deny them- deny them not too long, Scrooge.
They will grow They will not remain children.
Have they no place to go?
No resource for help.
Are there no workhouses?
Are there no prisons?
But you haven't told me.
Go on.
Finish the poem.
As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney came Saint wi th a bound.
Dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, and his clothes with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had on his back , and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes - how they twinkled.
His dimples His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up in a bow, and his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he had clenched it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little rou belly that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf.
And I laughed wh A wink of his eye, a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to He spoke not a word, but went right to his work and filled the stockings and tossed with a jerk.
And laying his finger on the side of up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle and away they all flew like the down of the thistle.
But I heard him exclaim Merry Christmas to all and to all good night.
Am I in the presence of the Spirit of Holidays future?
So you are about to show me shadows of things that have not yet happened, but will happen.
Is that so, Spirit?
I fear you more than any specter or spirit I have s But I believe your purpose is good.
Well, it matters not.
I've read your book.
I know the meaning of the ho I am ready to be tested.
Where are we?
The future is unset.
It's a swirling pool of chaos and entropy.
Few things are set in stone.
How do I see this future?
You choose your own future.
How?
I know that place.
It's the courthouse.
Second home to me.
When did he die?
Last night I I thought he would never die.
Who gets his money?
Well, he hasn't le Going to be a cheap funeral.
I don't know who'd go to it.
Suppose we make up a party of I don't mind going if lunch is provided.
Tell me, spirit of the future.
Who can this poor wretch be that no one is moved to mourn his death?
Belle?
In my house What is she doing here?
I was fortunate.
He had no family, no friends, and his one employee had no money.
So I bought everything, pennies to the dollar including his home and curtains.
This is my house!
Who says I have no friends?
I ha e a nephew.
That's Cratchit and his child, Tim.
What's wrong with them?
We shall none of us forget.
poor Tiny Tim, shall we This, the first parting among us.
He died?!
No, no.
Spirit.
What happened that I and take care of Cratchit and the child.
Whose grave is that?
Heed them!
No!
It was me!
Yes, yes, I knew it and I I won't be able to help.
I won't.
Spirit, hear me.
I am not the man I was I am a changed man.
I have learned from your book.
I have learned from the ceremonies of Bodhi Day.
I myself may not have reached true enlightenment, but I now strive for that chance.
As Diwali celebrates, let me overcome my evil, my greed with good, my ignorance with knowledge.
Let me live alongside those who celebrate the values to cherish community, family and cooperative wealth.
Give me the chance to celebrate the and Christmas.
I can be a symbol of r that even an old miser can learn the joys of the ho Oh, tell me that I am not too late You cannot tell me that he has died for that future has yet to come.
I will not let it come.
I will be there.
I will be there.
I will, Sir?
...Sir.
Cratchit, my fine fellow.
What day is it?
What?
It's Christmas Day, sir.
Christmas Day.
I have not missed it, the spirits Did this all in one night.
My curtains!
They are not sold.
They are here.
I am here.
The shadows to come may be dispelled.
I know they will be.
Cratchit, my good man.
What are You usually What?
I was walk that the sign outside was broken and I just came in to see Take a note.
Take a m To Mr. Cratchit, I am tired of your requests to have Christmas Day off.
Therefore, I will have no more of this... and I will raise your salary.
Merry Christmas, Bob.
Now, away.
We have much Scrooge was better than his word.
He did it all and infinitely more And to Tiny Tim, who did not die.
He was a second father.
He became as good a friend, and as good a man as the good old ci ...and it was always said of Ebenezer Scrooge tha well if any man alive possess the knowledge.
May that truly be said of us and all of us.
And so God bless us, every one.
I wonder, Fred, if we were able o pull this off and save your uncle#s soul.
what can we do for Miss Marley?
God bless us everyone!
Ebenezer's Night Before Christmas is a local public television program presented by WVPB