# What's Your Favorite 'A Christmas Carol'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718 "2018-06-25T17:37:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/1 "2018-06-25T17:37:26Z")
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? 🙂 🙂 🙂 ---
**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:** [June 25, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/2 "2018-06-25T17:44:00Z")
A Muppet Christmas Carol. Because Muppets. I also like the different version of Scrooge by Scott. Also the Ghost Of Christmas Present aka The Equalizer meets Dickens. Scrooged because of the different takes on all three Ghosts. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/3 "2018-06-25T18:09:34Z")
Ooooh, wonderful topic. I’m drawn. Either the Aalistair Sims version from 1951 Or the Jim Carrey version from 2009 Probably the 1951 version. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/4 "2018-06-25T18:10:55Z")
_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.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/5 "2018-06-25T18:11:12Z")
Alastair Sim. No contest. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/6 "2018-06-25T18:12:08Z")
I guess it is six months until Christmas. It seems like it takes a lot longer to get from December 25-June 25 than from June 25 until Dec 25. [Here’s my 11 year old thread on this same topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=448069) ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/7 "2018-06-25T18:17:58Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I guess it is six months until Christmas. It seems like it takes a lot longer to get from December 25-June 25 than from June 25 until Dec 25. > > [Here’s my 11 year old thread on this same topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=448069) Merry [Half christmas](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Half%20Christmas) ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/8 "2018-06-25T19:50:02Z")
I like the musical Albert Finney version best, thank you very much. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/9 "2018-06-25T19:59:21Z")
We’ve done this before, I’m quite sure. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/10 "2018-06-25T20:05:53Z")
Another vote for _Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol_. Did you know it’s older than the Rudolf, Charlie Brown, and Grinch specials? Why? Because of the excellent music. “LA! LA!” etc. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/11 "2018-06-25T20:25:26Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > Why? Because of the excellent music. “LA! LA!” etc. Not to mention Jim Backus’s performance. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/12 "2018-06-25T20:27:56Z")
The one I grew up with was probably “Mr. Magoo.” 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!” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/13 "2018-06-25T20:33:31Z")
[No love for “Mr. McGrew’s Christmas Carol”?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUmL0SOPUG8) ---
**Author:** ![BlueInfinity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BlueInfinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueInfinity)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/14 "2018-06-25T22:04:01Z")
The Muppets, but I enjoy several versions each year. It isn’t Christmas without Mickey or Alistair Sim. However, if you want to get a bit more obscure and off-script, may I recommend the Rich Little version? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/15 "2018-06-25T22:06:35Z")
George C. Scott version; outstanding supporting cast. Sim is slightly better as Scrooge, though. You know what’s coming next, don’t ya? As in, “Rogue One,” they’ll CGI Sim into the Scott version for a new “holiday classic.” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/16 "2018-06-25T22:08:15Z")
Definitely the Alastair Sim version. And not colored. It’s the only one that successfully conveys the deep, dark parts. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mr.Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Me)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/17 "2018-06-25T22:12:01Z")
The one I watch every year is [Blackadder’s Christmas Carol](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094754/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1). Turns the whole story on it’s head. 😃 > [@IMDB.com](#): > > After a genial spirit shows the benevolent Ebenezer Blackadder visions of his unscrupulous ancestors, he resolves to mend his generous ways. ---
**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:** [June 25, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/18 "2018-06-25T22:19:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/19 "2018-06-25T23:48:36Z")
My opinion has not changed from 11 years ago: The Reginald Owen 1938 version is by far the best and I don’t like the Sims version. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2018, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718/20 "2018-06-25T23:51:31Z")
The 1951 Alastair Sim version, for several reasons. 1. It was my mother’s favorite. She used to wait every year until that version was on TV. She loved the scene when he scares the maid. 2. Sim was an amazing actor who made Scrooge incredibly human. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-a-christmas-carol/816718.md?page=2)