Posted on 12/24/2019 5:55:35 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Bah Humbug. Bah Ha-Ha. Bah Horror.
When it comes to Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” how do you like your Scrooge served?
Are you partial to the dramatic British version starring Alastair Sim, which has brought a tear to many a viewer’s eyes? Or maybe you prefer your Scrooge spiked with a dose of merry mischief like Bill Murray delivers in “Scrooged.”
“A Christmas Carol” performed by puppets never fails to charm, as evidenced by the huge popularity of “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” It’s hard to resist the scenery-chewing Scrooges of George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart in their respective versions. Mickey Mouse’s Christmas Carol has plenty of devoted fans. Even Hallmark’s gender-twisted “It’s Christmas, Carol!” featuring the dynamic duo of Carrie Fisher and Carson Kressley (of “Queer Eye” fame) has its admirers.
Dozens and dozens of film adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” have been produced in a variety of genres — dramatic, comedic, musical. Among them: “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” “An All Dogs Christmas Carol” and “A Diva’s Christmas Carol.” The gallery of Scrooges includes Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer, Reginald Owen and Scrooge McDuck.
Adding another yule log to the fire, FX just unveiled its dark-toned “A Christmas Carol” with Guy Pearce (“Memento”) as Scrooge, sprinkled with F-bombs and bloody images. It repeats Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. and Christmas at 4 p.m. (Best keep the kiddies away from this one.)
And that’s not counting the voluminous number of TV shows that have put their spin on the tale in holiday-themed episodes. The story is so embedded in our culture that almost everyone has a favorite go-to version. Here are a few of ours.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Watching the Alastair Sim version right now. Best ever
Completely agree!
I don’t know anything, I never did know anything...
Few can listen to the duet by Meredith Braun and Michael Caine "When love is gone" without getting a bit misty eyed.
Not just the best version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, but the best film adaptation of Dickens, period.
Need some George C. Scott Christmas carol. I love the Christmas carol. Favorite! The grinch who stole Christmas is second.
There is no close second.
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Rabid leftists at the LA Slime ranking Christmas carols. Is this a joke? Leftists do not even recognize Christmas. Go home to your “happy holidays,” whatever they are.
I like the 1951 Alistair Sims version the best. Very faithful adaptation.
Personally, Albert Finney as “Scrooge!” is the best version. Great music, and Finney is brilliant as Ebenezer. Add in Alec Guinness playing a comedic Marley, and it ranks above the others in my book.
Really that one is a masterpiece. I’ll lay odds anyone voting for another has not seen the Alistair Sims version.
You know what’s interesting, though, to read about the life of Charles dickens.
He wasn’t what you’d think he was.
My favorite was with Patrick Stewart.
My #1 also. And I just watched it too.
Second best: Mickey's Christmas Carol.
I watch both every year as far back as I can remember.
My list:
Alistair Sim
George C. Scott
Albert Finney/Mr. Magoo
Patrick Stewart
The new one with Guy Pearce was gut wrenchingly awful. Complete rubbish on all accounts.
Agreed!
(Mr magoo is up there too.)
The Muppet Christmas Carol is superb.
Caine could have just mailed in his performance but instead he delivered my favorite Scrooge ever.
It’s an excellent film in every respect and remains surprisingly faithful to the book.
F-bombs? What the dickens...
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