Time for the Great Christmas Carol Discussion!!!

[WtchyChick13]

Over the years I've noticed that there are certain topics that you don't discuss openly with people you like. Politics, religion and which version of A Christmas Carol is truly the definitive version. (Of course Linus would say the third is The Great Pumpkin! :D )

This had been brought up briefly in another forum (history) but since it really wasn't the topic, I thought I'd open it up for discussion here.

Sooooo, which version of the movie is YOUR favorite???


Personally, I'm a Christmas Carol junkie! I'm currently reading the book as I do every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I watch just about every version of the movie, with a few exceptions of course. (There's an animated version that is just, well, I don't even want to talk about it.) :p

My five favorites are: (listed by name of actor portraying Scrooge)

1. Alastair Sim
2. Sir Seymour Hicks
3. Albert Finney
4. Michael Caine
5. Patrick Stewart

Of course many will say they like the Reginald Owen version and I too watch it every time it's on...but it is not one of my favorites for many reasons that I will not get into here. However, I almost feel it's required to watch it whenever it's on! :D

Trivia: (Not including the Muppets.) Out of all the versions of A Christmas Carol, using real actors, what is the difference between the Albert Finney Scrooge and the others??? (Answer below.)

Take note: The Sir Seymour Hicks version just came out on DVD this year fully restored and if you ever get the chance to see it--DO! To me, it is the most frightening because much of it relies on your imagination rather than effects. Plus, he's just brilliant in the role.

To me, the Alastair Sim version, is truly the definitive Christmas Carol. It was the most true to the book because Dickens' grand-daughter was technical supervisor for the movie. She even gave Sim one of her grandfather's waistcoats to wear in the role!



So there ya' go people. A little trivia, a little opinion and a topic sure to get ya' in the holiday mood! LOL

You've heard my opinions--let's hear yours!!!



*****************************************

Answer to the trivia question: It was the only musical production.

[MzNeko]

I like a few of 'em, but there is always a soft spot in my heart (or is it my head?) for anything and everything Muppet!

[Cev'aq]

I've always been partial to the Mickey Mouse version... :lol:

[Witchy Cowgirl]

What about the version called
"SCROOGED"?
Gosh, me and the kids are thinking but can't remember the actors name.


thinking.....thinking.....thinking......thinking.....

[shnen]

muppets hands down... ;)

oh, and the original one :)

[Old Witch]

Originally posted by Witchy Cowgirl
What about the version called
"SCROOGED"?
Gosh, me and the kids are thinking but can't remember the actors name.


thinking.....thinking.....thinking......thinking.....

Wasn't it Jim Belushi? No. It was Bill Murray...............

[Mithrea]

You left out George C. Scott :(

[Mithrea]

Originally posted by Old Witch
Wasn't it Jim Belushi? No. It was Bill Murray...............

Yup. Bill Murray. I know all about all the versions because my mom's obsessed.

[Mithrea]

You also left out Mickey's Christmas Carol.

[Ryhla]

Originally posted by Mithrea
You left out George C. Scott :( The George C. Scott version so far has been the best one I've seen. I don't care much for him as an actor, but he did a wonderful job in his version. Not to mention, Michael Caine did the Ghost of Christmas Present (or is that presents ;) ).

[Flaire-FireStar]

Originally posted by Cev'aq
I've always been partial to the Mickey Mouse version... :lol:

Me too.....Me too. :lol:


It's either that, or it's the one my class put on in elementary school. :rotfl: I loved that one!

[MammaStar]

You forgot Mr. Magoo! That was hard. I picked Patrick Stewart. I just love him. But I really like the Muppets version too. And the original, scared the crap out of me when I was a kid.

[Azure]

Alasdair Sim, easily, followed by Albert Finney. I loved Patrick Stewart, but he's just still too much of a hottie to be Scrooge in my book. The muppets rock.

You know, Dickens great-grandson tours doing a one man reading/performance of the book. I'd give serious money to see that.

Another favorite of mine is from a parody we did at my theatre here last year, called "A Country Christmas Carol" which moved the story to London, Kentucky and had my friend Richard playing "Ebenezer Scruggs" and my friend Warren as "Bob Scratchitt" - Fred and his wife lived in a trailer. Probably the only version in which the majority of the characters had mullets and the three ghosts were Grampa Jones (remember Hee-Haw?), Dolly Parton, and Elvis.

[Psyche Ague]

I chose other because while I'm not a huge "Christmas Carol" fan, I adore my town's production of it. They have the same actor portray Scrooge every year and he is unbelievable! Movies don't do justice to what they do. My parents and I used to go every year. I've even had friends in the production (Tiny Tim, Crachet's children, etc.). I really miss going. Christmastime doesn't feel complete without it. :(

[Cinnamon Girl]

Hands down, no question about it, the Alistair Sims version! And I also love the Mickey Mouse version. :p

I'm with you WtchyChick ~ I watch practically every version, every time they show them over the holidays. Can't get enough! It drives my husband crazy! :D

[Lavender]

I picked the Alastair Sim version but I watch anything. My hubby always makes the same comment...don't you know the ending by now?! :lol:

[WandererInGray]

Yeah....Walter C. Scott....that's my fav.

[Azure]

George C. Scott? (another Mizzou theatre department person!)

Walter Scott is the guy who wrote "Ivanhoe."

[WandererInGray]

:T :T :T


Uh...yeah, George C. Scott that's the one. :D

[WtchyChick13]

See? I knew people would get into this!!! :lol:

To address a few of your comments:

A few of you mentioned that I "forgot" certain versions. Not true. I just wanted to start off with my favorites and then open the floor for discussion. :)

I didn't mention the George C. Scott version because frankly, it is the one rendition that I do not watch. I love him and I like those in the cast, but I personally feel that it's missing something. But hey, that's just me! ;)

I DO however absolutely LOVE Mickey's Christmas Carol and the Mr. Magoo one as well!!! As a matter of fact, we just got the Magoo version on DVD! LOL

The Bill Murray Scrooged is a classic as well! When that was released, I went to see it with a few of my friends. (Now, you must picture this to get the full beauty of the story.)

It was while I was in College and a theater major. We were working on a show and I was the only female on tech staff. We had been working hard and decided we needed a break so we thought we'd go see Scrooged.

Well, you had to see this. 4 HUGE guys--all 6ft and over and about 200+ each and me, 4'11" (no I will not put my weight here.). We sit through the movie absolutely loving it and at the end when the little boy says "God bless us everyone," I turned to see the 4 of them all teary-eyed and sniffling!!! Truly a site to see!!!

When the lights came up of course they all acted like nothing had happened, but since their faces were red and puffy, it was pretty obvious. Every time I see that movie I think of them and the big saps that they were! :rotfl:

[Witchy Cowgirl]

:D That's great WC! Don't cha love it when that happens!

[AmbivalentMirage]

I have to admit... I'm not much of an "A Christmas Carol" fan. =/ But, for the people who like it, I wish you all the merrier. ;)

[WtchyChick13]

Originally posted by Witchy Cowgirl
:D That's great WC! Don't cha love it when that happens!

Yeah, they are such saps aren't they? :lol:

[MammaStar]

I just remembered another version I like, only because I think they are gonna show it again soon.....

VH-1's "A Diva's Christmas" The one with Vanessa Williams. I LOVED that version. Okay, maybe cause the Spirit of Christmas Present is John Taylor from Duran Duran (he's sooooooooooooooooo dreamy), but really it's pretty good. I had fun watch.

Vanessa Williams is great in it. She's so pretty and I love her voice. Yes, she sings in it, which makes it even better.

[WtchyChick13]

I like that one too--they made Vanessa look just like she did in the 80's!

I saw one tonite that I had forgotten about (and I have the damn thing on video!). It's one from 1980 that was made for HBO starring Rich Little. He plays all of the characters but impersonating other people as the characters.

For example:

He's WC Fields as Scrooge
Paul Lynde as Cratchit
Edith Bunker as Cratchit's wife
Lt. Columbo as the Ghost of Christmas Present....etc.

It's really funny and the music is great.


Another Patrick Stewart note: This man used to travel the country doing his own one-man Christmas Carol. I have NO idea how he did it and he stopped doing it a few years ago (unfortunately because I never got to see it), but he said it just took too much out of him. (Gee, I wonder why? :lol: ) That's why he decided to do the movie. So that it would still be played as a Christmas tradition, but he could get a little rest too! :)


Incidentally, the Patrick Stewart Christmas Carol is on this Sunday on TNT (or TBS sorry) at 9pm. :D

[LadyTerra]

Come now. Who can resist Kermit and Robin? Please. They are perfect, along with the dry wit of the Muppets. As someone else said, Hands Down. Best Christmas Carol representation yet. =)

Your Partial Maiden, Lady Terra

[WtchyChick13]

Ever since I was a kid, whenever Robin sings...I cry. :p