I guess like most people, I am rather partial to the one made in 1984 by George C. Scott. But my reasons might surprise you.
Usually Ebeneezer Scrooge is old and frail. I am rather amused by the fact Scott plays one who is a big loudmouth.
Also, in 1970 Albert Finney came out with the musical Scrooge. I found that one very amusing. The set designs were innovative. But like many people, I was dismayed by the scene where Scrooge goes to hell. Nothing wrong with the scene per se. But it wasn’t part of the original story. Plus it was kind of stupid IMHO at least.
Actually the more recent one with Patrick Stewart was rather nice, I think at least. But no one ever talks about it even. The older black and white versions are nice. But someone always colors them:mad:. And again, I am dismayed when they deviate from the original story.
What is your favorite version of A Christmas Carol? Please give your reasons. And, heck, include plays you saw too. Why not?
Scrooged is my favorite, but I’m also partial to the Muppet version.
I remember Patrick Stewart plugging his one-man Christmas Carol on David Letterman’s show. When Stewart bragged about doing over 30 completely different voices in the performance, Letterman said, “I bet some of those voices sound a little bit similar.”
For me, the favorite for the longest time was Mr. Magoo’s ChristmasCarol from 1962
1.) It was the first version I ever saw
2.) It’s the first TV animated Christmas Special*, beating out both Rudolph and Charlie Brown
3.) The musical score is pretty good (unlike, for instance, the Rankin Bass version)
4.) It’s remarkably faithful.
I, too, like the George C. Scott version (probably the best-acted) and the Alistair Sim version (long the holder for “best”)
I have to mention two others, though – The made-for-TV version produced by Chuck Jones (CHUCK JONES!!!) and directed by the chronically underappreciated Richard Williams (who animated Who Framed Roger Rabbit, among others). They actually based many of their drawings on the original illustrations for the book. And, as an extra, they got Alistair Sim to reprise the role of Scrooge.
But I have to admit that I have a new favorite – the Robert Zemeckis /Jim Carrey version is far and away the most faithful to Dickens’ book, even more so than the other classic versions. It outdoes the Jones/Williams version in reproducing the original illustrations, and it moves with amazing life. I’m even willing to put up with the over-the-top slapstick and the obvious made-to-be-0sen-in-3D scenes for the sake of the rest. Carrey, by the way, does a helluva job in his multiple roles.
Rod Serling had is own take on it with the rarely seen ‘A Carol for Another Christmas’ (1964).
Related (somewhat): The voice of Simon Bar Sinister might have been modeled after Lionel Barrymore’s portrayal of Scrooge. I can actually hear Scrooge in Bar Sinister’s voice saying, “Cratchit, you know I’m paying you tooo muuuuch!”
The 1989 Whitney Young Junior High School version. Not that I’m biased or anything. The lead actor is somewhat obscure, but you’ve probably heard of him.
