Continuity mistake: During the scene where the younger Scrooge and Marley are addressing their business associates, Marley's hands keep changing their position between shots. When the scene shows the entire group, his hands are on either side of his lap with his thumbs hooked in his vest pockets. During the close-ups of him and Scrooge, his hands are clasped together on his lap.
Continuity mistake: The scavenger discussing Scrooge's bed curtains with the housekeeper lays the curtains down in his lap, then the next shot he is holding them up again.
Continuity mistake: In the beginning when Scrooge is approaching his business his scarf is around his neck. When he walks in it's now covering half his face.
Continuity mistake: When the Ghost of Christmas Present first meets Scrooge, his arm is on his knee, but the next shot his arm is raised.
Continuity mistake: When Jacob Marley's housekeeper is telling Bob Cratchit that Marley doesn't have long to live, Cratchit's ink quill pen disappears then reappears on the pages of his ledger.
Continuity mistake: The Ghost of Christmas Past and Scrooge are in young Scrooge's old school, where young Scrooge is standing about a foot from a window. However, the next shot shows young Scrooge leaning against the side of the window.
Continuity mistake: The Ghost of Christmas Present's right hand is resting on his right knee, then the shot cuts, showing the Ghost holding a lantern in his right hand.
Continuity mistake: When Scrooge sits down on the chair in his master bedroom with Mrs. Dilber, he is on the left side of the chair's edge, but the next shot shows he has pivoted in the chair further to his right.
Continuity mistake: When Mrs. Dilber delivers the news about Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit stands to the right of the lectern holding the ledgers, but the next shot shows Cratchit standing directly in front of the lectern and ledgers.
Continuity mistake: At his school, young Ebeneezer is close to the window with his head down, but the next shot his head is up when his sister is knocking on the door.
Continuity mistake: In the scavenger's parlor, while standing behind Mrs. Dilber, the undertaker's hands switch positions several times as the shot cuts.
Continuity mistake: Scrooge's handkerchief is down by his chest during Jacob Marley's visit, then close to his mouth when the scene cuts to Marley turning to leave.
Continuity mistake: When Fred is speaking with Scrooge, Scrooge's left hand is on the top fold of his ledger, then off further to the left when the scene cuts.
Continuity mistake: After the scavenger lays the bed curtains down, the next shot his arms change positions, his hand close to his mouth and his other arm supporting it.
Answer: In the original Dickens story, the Ghost of Christmas Past had a shimmery and constantly changing appearance, sometimes as a child, an old man, a young woman, and even a flickering candle that reflected Scrooge's memories and the people he once knew. The different movies chose just one of those looks for the spirit.
raywest ★