# Poll: Your favorite version of "A Christmas Carol" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [December 25, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048 "2025-12-25T15:27:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/21 "2025-12-25T18:00:30Z")
Definitely 1984, followed closely by 1951. Unfortunately, no versions really combine everything I want and expect. THIS version omits “Walk-ER!” and then THAT version omits something else. Then THIS version renames characters…and so forth. Animated and other non-traditional versions are right out. Good movies overall, but not at all satisfying to me. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/22 "2025-12-25T18:19:12Z")
The Alistair Sim version for me. I saw the Reginald Owen version this week and was a wee bit disappointed. The Owen version omitted a lot- the death of Scrooge’s sister, Scrooge seeing his furnishings in the hands of someone who looted the house post mortem, Scrooge buying the firm from Fenniwick, the word game at the nephew’s party. Instead they kept in the totally lame sliding on the ice at the start of the movie. I also like the Scott version and will try to catch it before it leaves wherever it’s streaming. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/23 "2025-12-25T18:36:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Instead they kept in the totally lame sliding on the ice at the start of the movie. That’s the introduction of both Tiny Tim and Fred, and says important things about both their characters. Also, sliding on ice was a thing. Kids don’t do it anymore, because snow is cleared too quickly, but I remember turning snow patches into ice slicks for sliding-- we had to be careful where we made them, or adults would throw sand or salt on them by my time, and I think I was in the last cohort of kids that did this, but I think for an adult audience watching a movie in 1938, there were lots of fond memories of ice-sliding. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/24 "2025-12-25T19:46:04Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Scrooge buying the firm from Fenniwick This isn’t in the book. It’s was a plot point in the Sim version. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/25 "2025-12-25T20:25:41Z")
I went with _Scrooged_. I was already a fan of Bill Murray, and I also recognized several of the other actor’s as well (Bobcat Goldthwait, Karen Allen, Robert Goulet, Bryan Doyle-Murray, and John Glover). Having so many familiar faces in the movie made it an instant favorite. > [@Chefguy](#): > > As for the Muppet version, it’s just too frantic and busy. Kids probably like it, and I have respect for the puppeteers, but it’s not my cuppa. 😮 . I can barely tolerate the muppets as a middle aged man nearing 50. As a kid they completely freaked me out. There’s no way I’d rank that version as enjoyable. I haven’t seen all the ones on the list, but the Muppets are at the very bottom, even lower than the ones I haven’t seen. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/26 "2025-12-25T21:09:55Z")
Alastair Sim was my favorite Scrooge for most of my life. It’s the version that ran on cable tv. Bill Murray is my current favorite. 1. He retains his attitude even when confronted by the Ghosts. 2. The Ghosts have genuine personalities. Carol Kane is hilarious playing so cute and then slapping Bill around. 3. The ending is more clever. Bill doesn’t just buy a few presents. He goes on television and gives a great speech ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/27 "2025-12-25T21:26:14Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > My favorite is the 1938 MGM version where Reginald Owen replaced Lionel Barrymore at the last minute. Most true to the book, IIRC. The Muppet one is fun, no doubt. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/28 "2025-12-25T21:28:12Z")
I’d love it if more of the people who answered the first poll question would respond to the other two as well. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/29 "2025-12-25T21:32:05Z")
I can not remember which version was my first. Owen or Sim, most likely. It was B&W iirc. ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/30 "2025-12-25T21:34:34Z")
I know I saw an animated one as a kid, which would be too early for the 3 animated ones you list. ---
**Author:** ![WalterBishop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/aeb1de/32.png) [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/31 "2025-12-25T21:37:44Z")
Muppet Christmas Carol wins for me, if only for the _“Fozzywig’s old rubber chicken factory”_ gag! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/32 "2025-12-25T21:38:40Z")
Not my favourite, but you missed the Scrooge McDuck version. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uhfS2k_KCfw/maxresdefault.jpg "Mickey's Christmas Carol ❄️🎁🔔 | Full Episode | @disneykids") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhfS2k_KCfw) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/33 "2025-12-25T21:59:23Z")
I think I’d seen it on stage multiple times (and starred in it once) before I ever saw any complete film version. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/34 "2025-12-25T22:09:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I can not remember which version was my first. > Owen or Sim, most likely. It was B&W iirc. Same with the addition of McScrooge and Magoo. However, I do not remember which one I saw first or my reaction. T ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/35 "2025-12-25T22:15:56Z")
None of them? I hate the story, hate Dickens generally and find Christmas glurge boring at best and repellant most of the time. I don’t begrudge anyone their holidays/celebrations, but this one isn’t for me. If I had to vote, it would be for the Muppets. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/36 "2025-12-25T22:21:15Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > and find Christmas glurge boring at best and repellant most of the time So you think it’s humbug? ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/37 "2025-12-25T22:26:14Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I hate the story, hate Dickens generally and find Christmas glurge boring at best and repellant most of the time. Someone is getting visited by three ghosts tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/38 "2025-12-25T22:51:31Z")
As best as I can recall, _Scrooged_ is the only one of those I have seen all of. It is okay. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/39 "2025-12-25T23:30:12Z")
Nobody likes Public Polls. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048/40 "2025-12-25T23:31:41Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > you missed the Scrooge McDuck version. Mickey’s Christmas Carol is the first version I saw. I remember liking Scrooged a lot when I was a teen, but I was less enthused when I saw it again as an adult. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-favorite-version-of-a-christmas-carol/1026048.md?page=3)