The Right to Be Happy is an American silent film from 1916 that draws inspiration from Charles Dickens' 1843 Novella, A Christmas Carol. This film was Universal's first attempt at making a feature film based on Dickens' novella. It was the first and only feature film adaptation of by an American or foreign film company during the silent era. The movie was directed by Rupert Julian and supported by a cast of Universal Bluebird players, including Rupert Julian, Claire McDowell, and Harry Carter.
narrates the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who receives a visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits representing Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. These supernatural visitations prompt a profound transformation within Scrooge, turning him into a more compassionate and benevolent person.
Like many film adaptations, it takes certain artistic liberties with the source material. This film carried Universal"s "Bluebird Photoplay" brand, designating a more mainstream feature and a bigger budget than a Red Feather production. Bluebirds were also known for distinctive artwork, as displayed in this page's Burton Rice movie poster. The movie was produced and distributed by Universal Studios. The film was released on December 25, 1916.
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Plot The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, where we meet Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser and curmudgeon. He lives in a London mansion that once belonged to his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Seven years earlier, Marley passed away on this very night, and Scrooge inherited the house. However, since the day of Marley's burial, Scrooge has not devoted a single moment to thinking about him. Instead, he has commemorated the occasion by continuing his regular business pursuits, showing no regard for his late partner.
Bob Cratchit, his faithful clerk, could go home early this Christmas Eve, but Scrooge declared he must come to work early the next day. Scrooge's nephew, Fred, extended his traditional Christmas Eve call to invite Scrooge for dinner, and Scrooge rejected the offer as usual. Kind-hearted collectors of charities requested donations, and Scrooge turned them away with a contemptuous sneer.
Ending the day, Scrooge retired to his home. He dines alone and then readies himself to spend the night in a dismal and cold room that would make anyone but Scrooge shiver. Scrooge was so penny-pinching that he refused to burn coal or use candles to eliminate the gloom. Although the cold outside was becoming more intense, he could still hear the merry voices of young and old spreading Christmas cheer. Scrooge was annoyed by the cheerful sounds.
Scrooge is startled by the sound of footsteps and clanking chains. Suddenly, he sees the spirit of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley scolds Scrooge for his uncompassionate behavior, then informs him that three Christmas spirits (Past, Present, and Yet to Come) will visit him over the following three nights.
Scrooge's first visit is by the Ghost of Christmas Past. The spirit reveals to Scrooge visions of his boyhood and early adulthood days. His employer, Mr. Fezziwig, and his wife are hosting a Christmas party, which he observes. He also reflects on the end of his relationship with his sweetheart. His relentless quest for wealth has steered him toward greed and delusion.
Next to appear is the Ghost of Christmas Present. The spirit reveals the events of Christmas Day. The miser's nephew, Fred, hosts a party where his uncle is the subject of mockery and disdain. Next, the spirit shows Scrooge how the Cratchit household has been faring. Bob Cratchit lives in a humble home with his wife and their son Tiny Tim. Scrooge learns that unless the future changes, the Cratchit's disabled son, Tiny Tim, will die.
The final spirit is The Ghost of the Future. This spirit shows Scrooge scenes of people discussing someone's death. The people in the room do not seem to care about the deceased. Scrooge suddenly realizes that he is the man whose death is celebrated. His demise is cheered by people like Caroline, who have unpaid debts, while others are indifferent. Then, he learns that Tiny Tim has also died. The spirit reveals that if he does not alter his disposition and outlook, he will perish, unloved and unmourned. After seeing these dreadful visions, Scrooge resolves to change his behavior and become a new person. He pleads for an opportunity to rectify his past conduct.
Upon awakening, Scrooge finds himself deeply shaken. To his astonishment, he discovers that all the spiritual visits occurred on Christmas Eve. He then realizes his encounters with the spirits were nothing more than a dream and that today is Christmas Day. The experience has transformed him into a kind-hearted older person, focusing on making up for his past mistakes by helping the less fortunate. Scrooge experiences a joy and fulfillment he had never known through his newfound kindness. As the days pass, the older man, who was defined by greed and coldness, is now a living testament to the power of redemption and the transformative spirit of Christmas.
Cast ActorRoleRupert JulianEbenezer ScroogeJohnnie CookeBob CratchitClaire McDowellMrs. CratchitFrankie LeeTiny TimHarry CarterJacob MarleyEmory JohnsonFred, Scrooge's NephewFrancelia BillingtonScrooge's SweetheartLydia Yeamans TitusMrs. FezziwigWadsworth HarrisGhost of Christmas PastRichard L'EstrangeGhost of Christmas PresentTom FigeeThe Ghost of the FutureRoberta WilsonCaroline
Production
Pre-production Before the debut of this picture, several short films showcasing had already made their way to the silver screen. These films were launched when the technology for feature films was not as advanced. However, these films integrated or into their titles, rendering them more suitable and tailored explicitly for seasonal viewing. Universal aimed to create a film that captured the essence of Christmas and had a title suitable for year-round viewing. There are five known screen adaptations preceding the release of : The first known screen adaptation of Dickens's story was the British Short film – "Scrooge, or, Marley's Ghost" directed by Walter R. Booth. The film was 6 minutes and 20 seconds in length and was released in November 1901. The photoplay was produced by Paul's Animatograph Works and became the first worldwide production of The YouTube website also stated It should also be noted this film was one of the first movies to use Intertitles. Only 4 minutes and 55 seconds survive of the original film, and the remnant can be viewed on YouTube "Scrooge, or Marley's Ghost" (1901). A second adaptation of the story was the American Short film – A Christmas Carol. This film was 15 minutes in length and was released on December 9, 1908. The photoplay was filmed in Chicago and produced by Essanay Studios. The film is presumed lost. The third screen reproduction was an American Short film – A Christmas Carol directed by J. Searle Dawley. The film had a running time of 13 minutes and was released on December 23, 1910. The photoplay was filmed in New York and produced by Edison Manufacturing Company. It is the second oldest surviving screen adaptation of the famous literary work. . A fourth film was another British Short film – Scrooge directed by Leedham Bantock. The 3-reel film was released in September 1913. The Zenith Film Company produced the photoplay. Several Black and white film scenes were color toned. The film was released in the United States as Old Scrooge in 1926 and can be viewed at . The final known adaptation preceding was the British Short film – "A Christmas Carol" directed by Harold M. Shaw. The 22-minute film was released on November 10, 1914. The London Film Productions produced the photoplay.
Development
Authors Charlie Keil and Shelley Stamp observe in the book – One aspect of this transition was the longer duration of films. Feature films were slowly becoming the standard fare for Hollywood producers. Before 1913, you could count the yearly features on two hands.
Between 1915 and 1916, the number of feature movies rose Two and one-half times or from 342 films to 835. There was a recurring claim that Carl Laemmle was the longest-running studio chief resisting the production of feature films. Universal was not ready to downsize its short film business because short films were cheaper, faster, and more profitable to produce than feature films.
Laemmle would continue to buck this trend while slowly increasing his output of features. In 1914, Laemmle published an essay titled - In 1915, Laemmle ran an advertisement extolling Bluebird films while adding the following vocabulary on the top of the ad.
In his book "The Universal Story - The Complete History of the Studio and its 2,641 films," Clive Hirschhorn states Carl Laemmle (-1939) produced around ninety-one feature movies in 1916. This total included fifty-four Bluebird films.
Casting Rupert Julian (born Thomas Percival Hayes) (1879 – 1943) was years old when he accepted the role as Ebenezer Scrooge.Thomas Percival Hayes was born in Whangaroa, New Zealand, in January 1879. He adopted the stage name "Ralph", eventually changing to "Rupert Julian". These name changes avoided confusion with a local personage, Percy Hayes, a convicted felon. Julian was already an experienced stage actor when he migrated from Australia to America in July 1911. After becoming an established stage actor in the New York theater district, he moved to Los Angeles and found work in the burgeoning movie industry.Julian had worked in close to 80 movies and directed 28 before accepting the dual role of director and leading role of Ebenezer Scrooge. After completing this film, he continued to find work as an actor, director, writer, and producer. Eventually, he acted in over 90 films, of which he directed 60. Julian's career waned with the advent of Talkies. He retired in 1936 and died in Hollywood at in September 1943. Johnnie Cook (born John Joseph Cooke) (October 1, 1874 – October 2, 1921) was an American actor born on October 1, 1874, in Manhattan, New York. Cooke was and a veteran character actor when he was selected for the supporting role of Bob Cratchit. Like most of the actors in this movie, he was a Universal contract player. He acted in over 30 films between 1914 and 1921. He died on October 2, 1921, in Los Angeles, California, at age 47, and was buried in East Los Angeles, California. Claire McDowell (born Claire MacDowell) (1877 – 1966) was an American actress. She was years old when this film was released. Her role in this movie was portraying Mrs. Cratchit, the wife of Bob Cratchit. She appeared in 350 films between 1908 and 1945. Frankie Lee (1911–1970), was an American child actor of the silent era born on December 31, 1911, in Gunnison, Colorado. Lee was years old when he appeared in this film as Tiny Tim. Lee made his acting debut in the 1916 Universal production of directed by Lynn Reynolds. This picture would be his second film. Frankie was also the older brother of Davey Lee, another child actor.Frankie Lee American Film Institute Lee would also make an appearance in the 1922 Emory Johnson-directed picture The Third Alarm. Frankie made his last film appearance in the 1925 production of The Golden Strain, which starred Hobart Bosworth and Madge Bellamy. He appeared in 56 films between 1916 and 1925. Harry Carter (born Harry Benjamin Carter) (1879 – 1952) was years old when he landed the role of Jacob Marley. Carter was an American actor who appeared in 84 films between 1914 and 1933.