Hardhearted Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by his nephew's sincere desire to make a happy Christmas for him. The nephew, Fred, is rebuffed. A visit from charity collectors yields a similarly negative response from miserly Scrooge. The unhappy ghost of Scrooge's former partner, Jacob Marley, visits to warn him he must change his uncharitable ways. He offers a chance of preventing a fate like his if Scrooge will accept subsequent visits by spirits. Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past and begins to show a long abandoned softer side. We meet his generous former employer, Fezziwig, and his betrothed - kind and sensitive Belle. The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to Bob Cratchit's house. There Ebenezer Scrooge is brought face-to-face with the true meaning of Christmas - human kindness, charity and forbearance - as demonstrated by the Cratchit family at their own Christmas celebration. Scrooge's reclamation is complete after a visit by the Ghost of the Future. The spirit shows him the indifferent reaction of people to news of his death, and points to the heart wrenching demise of the child, Tiny Tim. When the scales finally drop from Scrooge's eyes he becomes a better man, "as good a man as the good old city knew."
—Karl Wells