User Reviews

Oddly, the copy of this film that I saw said copyright 1897, but this was clearly wrong. Not only were the costumes more like those of 1912, but this complex a story and the camera-work clearly isn't from 1897, but represents a newer generation of film. Additionally, the film was shorter than the 15 minutes listed on IMDb, but this difference could be explained, in part, by the varying speeds at which silent films were cranked (between 16 and 22 frames per second for most films).

As for the story, compared to the usual fare from 1912, this is an exceptionally complex and satisfying story--one that actually is a bit reminiscent of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", believe it or not. The film begins with two families living in a duplex. One consists of a poor but happy mom and dad with their five children. The others are Mr. and Mrs. Gilton who are older and better off financially. Like the Grinch, Mr. Gilton is a grouchy guy and never seems very pleasant in his dealing with his neighbors. However, by the end of the film, a nice but unexpected change comes over him as he visits his poor neighbors with a Christmas turkey.

Despite being very sentimental, the overall product comes off pretty honestly and isn't the least bit schmaltzy. Exceptional production values and good acting (by 1912 standards) make this one well worth watching.

A very delightful 1912 Edison Company film about a scrooge character who is changed by the simple act of love from an innocent child on Christmas Day. The story is about two families who live beside each other in a duplex. A family of 5 children and their mother and father live beside a miserable, greedy older man and his long-suffering wife who tries to cajole him out of his ill-tempered ways to no avail. Always grouching at the kindly family next door, he even blames them for his dogs death. Christmas Eve arrives and the excited children gather around their tree and presents while the loving parents look on. Meanwhile the grumpy neighbour has gone out into a snowstorm to bring home a Christmas turkey, he accidentally enters his neighbours home. The little girl immediately mistakes him as Santa Claus and the confused man gives up his turkey. Her father explains who he is and the child gives him her Teddy Bear to take the place of his beloved dog. The wife enters to see her husband a changed man. This early silent film is well acted, with high production values for the time, the cinematography is outstanding. Well worth watching for anyone who loves early silents and sentimental Christmas tales.

"A Christmas Accident" is an American 15-minute short film from the year 1912 (the year the Titanic sank), so this one is already over 100 years old and nobody should be surprised that it does not have sound or color. But it does not need either of the two to succeed. The director is Harold M. Shaw and the two writers are Bannister Merwin (scenario) and Annie Eliot Trumbull (story). This is the story of two families. One rich couple, already older, lives in one house and a younger couple with a handful children lives next door. While the rich older woman likes their neighbors, the old man struggles with them on several occasions and the negative highlight is when the old man's dog dies and he suspects the ones to blame are his neighbors. The beef part felt a bit random, but I liked everything else about this film. It is one of my favorite Christmas films and definitely worth checking out (not only during) the holidays. The depiction of the poor family celebrating without a great Christmas tree and only with very few parents is kinda sad, just like the comment that Santa is poor this year. But it also sends the original message of Christmas out to the people and they are happy that they have each other and are at good health. I especially liked one girl's child performance. Her eyes are so long it melted my heart. But the actor who played the scrooge was pretty good too as was his makeup. The ending is an emotional highlight too and I liked that they did not send a new dog to him, but something much more appropriate. Finally everybody is united and in harmony and that's the way it should be. A silent film classic. Highly recommended.