Bah! Humbug!
December 19, 2012 3:58 PM   Subscribe

Which film versions of "A Christmas Carol" or "Scrooge" should I absolutely watch in the next few days.

I developed a tradition of reading the novel in December a few years ago, but due to timing, I wasn't able to read it this year. So I would like to watch as many film versions as possible.

I have seen the following so far:

1935 w/Seymour Hicks
1951 w/Alastair Sim
1983 Mickey's Christmas Carol
1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol

There are sort of only a few hundred more. So of them, which are the absolute MUST SEES.

Thank you!
posted by zizzle to Media & Arts (23 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Scrooged. No doubt.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:00 PM on December 19, 2012 [10 favorites]


Last years version with Jim Carey was good, it scared my 7 year old!
posted by Youremyworld at 4:07 PM on December 19, 2012


The Quantum Leap episode A Little Miracle
posted by jozxyqk at 4:10 PM on December 19, 2012


You can't forget the George C Scott (1984) one!
posted by zabuni at 4:10 PM on December 19, 2012 [3 favorites]


Not to mention the Patrick Stewart/TNT version, which is paired with the George C. Scott version at our home.
posted by Gingercat at 4:18 PM on December 19, 2012 [3 favorites]


Scrooge, the musical version with Albert Finney, is our annual favorite.
posted by Cloudberry Sky at 4:38 PM on December 19, 2012 [8 favorites]


The Doctor Who Christmas Carol episode has a neat spin on it. Not sure of its appeal if you don't already know the show, though.
posted by davextreme at 4:40 PM on December 19, 2012


I'm partial to the underrated Albert Finney musical version, Scrooge. Strikes the right balance of scary and charming. Here's some highlights. As a matter of fact, it looks like the whole thing is on Youtube. Bonus flouncy Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley!

And on preview, I've fleshed out Cloudberry Sky's recommendation. Mazel Tov!
posted by KingEdRa at 4:47 PM on December 19, 2012




Another vote for the Finney version. It's an absolute classic. I suspect it's the version that most informs the Muppet one, so they pair pretty well.
posted by brennen at 5:14 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


I also suggest the Finney version. Unbeatable cast. Also Sim version for non-musical.
posted by Pudhoho at 5:23 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


For pure camp, nothing beats "A Diva's Christmas Carol" with Vanessa Williams as 'Ebony Scrooge.'
posted by BE ADEQUITE at 5:44 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


Another vote for the Finney version, but be warned -- there is a trippy hell sequence at the end that really messes with the pacing and charm, imo. This sequence was usually removed in the televised version, so if you grew up with it, you may be in for a surprise when you watch it on disc. The rest is great, though.
posted by Wossname at 5:46 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


I always watch the George C. Scott version, the Patrick Stewart version, and Scrooge more than once every year. In fact, I've got Albert Finney on right now. I've loved the music since I was a kid.

I find the differences between the productions fascinating. Scott's Scrooge is an educated, upper middle class character, and you can't beat the rest of the cast: Edward Woodward gives the Ghost of Christmas Present a really sinister twist, and David Warner is probably my favorite Bob Cratchit. (Try watching this movie and ST:TNG's Chain of Command back-to-back for a really ... creepy experience.) Stewart's Scrooge is much more of a working class one, with the production having a bleaker tone. Liz Smith is lovely as Mrs. Dilber in both versions. Finney's ... well, both the character and the musical are loony while not going over the top. Fantastically fun.

On preview: For the "pure camp" version, my vote has to go to Ebbie, with Susan Lucci.

Obviously, my Scrooge button has been pushed. I'm done now. :)
posted by worldswalker at 5:55 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


Mr. Magoo is the only version I'll watch. Amazon
It may be because it's the one I grew up with, but it has the best songs EVER.
It may even be free on Youtube by now.
posted by cccorlew at 5:55 PM on December 19, 2012


I wholeheartedly recommend this animated version by the Richard Williams studio, which won 1972's "Best Animated Short Film" Oscar. Hauntingly beautiful!
posted by theatro at 6:20 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


You need to drop everything and see the George C. Scott version ASAP.
posted by BurntHombre at 6:33 PM on December 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


How about W.C. Fields as Scrooge? Paul Lynde as Cratchit? Richard Nixon as Jacob Marley? Truman Capote as Tiny Tim? Then you don't want to leave out Rich Little's Christams Carol.
Not as bad as you would think (except for the laugh track) Here's a clip.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 7:44 PM on December 19, 2012


Another vote for the George C. Scott version. He's believable scary and nice.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:01 PM on December 19, 2012


I was imprinted with Mr Magoo at an early age, and always find satisfaction there but the little-known, unforgetable Richard Williams version is easily the most wonderful.
posted by Rash at 12:16 AM on December 20, 2012


For pure quality and faithfulness, Patrick Stewart. "A Diva's Christmas Carol," while campy, is surprisingly good, and I'll recommend it. Without spoiling, they way they do Christmas Yet To Come is a must-see.

And if you can hunt it down, why not watch the Real Ghostbusters episode "Xmas Marks the Spot" in which they accidentally bust Scrooge's three spirits and destroy Christmas? J. Michael Straczynski wrote it.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:11 AM on December 20, 2012


Another vote for the totally-over-the-top adaptation of Scrooged. Bill Murray is fantastic as the "Scrooge," in the persona of the mean & driven television executive Frank Cross, and the Ghosts of Christmas - especially "Past" and "Present"- are some of the wackiest interpretations I've seen.
posted by Ardea alba at 8:24 AM on December 20, 2012


Here's a short, silent adaptation from 1910.

What's fun about the 1972 animated version is that Alastair Sim reprises his role as Scrooge.
posted by girlmightlive at 10:09 AM on December 23, 2012


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