Nothing puts the message of Christmas across quite like Dicken’s story “A Christmas Carol.” Gearing up for Christmas 2008 we rewatched all the different versions of “A Christmas Carol” that we own. Merry Christmas! Enjoy!

A Christmas Carol (1938) - Reginald Owen as Scrooge
Taking Liberties: This version starts off with a charming little scene between Fred and Tiny Tim (a remarkably healthy looking Tim). It continues to rewrite scenes freely. Fred is engaged, not married. Scrooge actually fires Bob for accidentally hitting him with a snowball in scene three. Scrooge tries to have the ghost of Marley arrested in the next scene. And so on . . . Reginald Owen makes a passable Scrooge; it is fortunate that they keep a night cap on him most of the time, because the makeup department decided to put a little “cupie doll” tuft of hair on the top of his head which is really annoying. Other than that, this is a really fun version to watch simply because of all the unusual variations they make on the story; for instance Fred and his fiancee taking a slide on the ice, and Scrooge as almost giddily ready for a change in his life . . . many reviewers on Amazon.com say this is their favorite version. [The DVD comes with a really weird anti-war cartoon called “Peace on Earth” where a grandpa squirrel tells the little ones about the end of humanity through war - some really kinda disturbing images.]

Scrooge (1970) : Albert Finney as Scrooge
This is one of two “musical” versions of A Christmas Carol that I have seen (the other one involves Muppets and doesn’t have nearly as strong of songs). There are a number of really memorable tunes: “Sing a Christmas Carol” “Thank You Very Much” “I like Life” and “Christmas Children” top my memory. Albert Finney plays a caricature of Scrooge: a ridiculous, “funny little man” (as the spirit of Christmas present calls him) - at times charming, at times just silly, but it is a musical after all. A couple of the songs could be cut to make it a tiny bit shorter, but that’s a perspective from 38 years after the film was made : we want everything trim and concise these days. I really do enjoy watching this version each year. The performance of Marley by Alec Guiness (before becoming Obi Wan Kenobi) is particularly filled with a wry sense of humor that is a departure from most other versions I’ve seen. Also, this version really gets Tiny Tim right, sunken eyes, spookily cheery grin and all.

A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - Michael Caine as Scrooge
The songs are hum-drum. Michael Caine is boring and passionless as Scrooge. There are too many time-killers. If they trimmed a half an hour off this one then I might be able to enjoy it. There are cute moments and some funny jokes, but the great moments would be more appropriate for a Muppet Show skit rather than a feature-length film. I do need to add that the child-like ghost of Christmas past is really a great combination of a good twist and some spectacularly well-done character creation and effects. Also, there are hundreds (literally) of reviewers on Amazon.com who disagree with my opinion and proudly proclaim it as their favorite Christmas movie.

A Christmas Carol (1984) - George C Scott as Scrooge
George C Scott plays Scrooge as if he were a real man. This Scrooge is someone you can believe might have existed and are sure still does somewhere in some form. Scott’s Scrooge is smug, self-righteous, thoughtless, constantly justifying himself and his actions. This is the Scrooge that Dicken’s actually wrote about, not a caricature of evil personified (or a bumbling fool that flies off the handle at the slightest provocation); instead we are given a view of a calculating but thoughtless man of business concerned with nothing but and able to justify anything with the ‘bottom line.’ If you want a really faithful telling of the tale, this is the one for you.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) - Scrooge MacDuck as Scrooge
I can still remember lining up to see this one when I was just 11 years old - it was quite the event. First of all, you have to know the story before you watch this one because it assumes that you do. This long “short” is roller-coaster ride through the major themes and events of the story much in the same way a ride at Disneyland would be. It is pure fun and a delight to the eyes, with inspired casting for each and every character taken from the pantheon of Disney classic animation.

Scrooge (1935) - Seymour Hicks as Scrooge
Perhaps it is because I love old things, or perhaps because Scrooge says to Fred, “You’re a noisy devil, that’s what you are sir!” upon parting, or that Seymour Hicks is as grisled and shriveled an old Ebenezer Scrooge as any man I’ve seen play the role . . . I love this production. Hicks’ portrayal of Scrooge is completely no nonsense to begin with - this is not one of the over the top Scrooges and reminds me a bit of the later portrayal by George C. Scott. Bob and Fred are very finely done. The scenes of Christmas Eve out and about London, from street beggars to the Mayor of London’s feast are fun to watch. When Scrooge enters his quarters, the fear in him is tangible. I have to say though I think an invisible Marley who says “only you can see me” is a bit of a copout, but may have had more to do with budget or technological constraints of the time. The music score is also a product of the time and is a bit silly, but that is forgivable. The ghost of Christmas past is a blob of light. Belle’s portrayal is raving, hysterical and melodramatic. The spirit of Christmas present is a gloriously plump character actor. The Cratchits are a fine brood, Mrs. Cratchit here though is not too proud to say that she is afraid for Tiny Tim when Bob expresses his confidence in the boy’s recovery. This Scrooge begins his repentance early in this version, like in the book, and does not resist change to the bitter end as some Scrooges do. One thing to watch out for is that you get the full version of the film when you watch it. There is 18 minutes of footage missing from most prints of this film. This Scrooge is the only DVD offering the whole film. The shorter version was prepared for the educational market and the copyright was not renewed; that’s the reason there are so many inexpensive copies of it to be found out there. Well worth watching, but get the full version for sure.

A Christmas Carol (1951) - Alastair Sim as Scrooge
This version has been hailed by critics as THE “Christmas Carol” and Alastair Sim as THE Scrooge. It does have many fine points and Alatair Sim is definately on his game in the final quarter when he makes his conversion to Christmas. Sim, among all the Scrooges is the only one to admit, “I don’t deserve to be so happy . . . but I can’t help it.” That is a wonderful moment. Still, the ghosts in this version I think lack flair and the ghosts are important too. Definately worth seeing despite this. My favorite bit that they have from the book that is ignored by most other versions (save the Patrick Stewart version, and not done there as well): Marley and Scrooge go to the window and look out over the ghosts seeking to help a poor woman and child outside in the cold, yet the spirits have lost their power to interfere in human afairs. I think that adds a bit to the message of Marley and the message of the story; now’s the time to help where we can.

An American Christmas Carol (1979) - Henry Winkler as Scrooge (Slade)
There are many things that make this my favorite “Christmas Carol” adaption. First of all, Henry Winkler shines as both an old Scrooge-like slade as well as an earnest young man striving to make his way in the world. Most people remember Winkler as the Fonz from Happy Days, but this movie proves the man can act. Hauntingly set in the bleak days of the depression, this adaption keeps the key elements that makes the story great, but effectively resets it in another era without any awkwardness. It also manages to add a few fine twists of its own. A really fine movie, and is to be had for under $5 at Amazon.com.

A Christmas Carol (1999) - Patrick Stewart as Scrooge
This version is such a toss up. For one, I love Patrick Stewart, and though there are a couple of awkward moments in this role for him, he generally does a very good job with Scrooge (after all, he did play the role over ten years in his own one man show). However, the casting is really half and half in this version. I like Bob and the rest of the Cratchits, but the Fezziwigs are ludicrously over the top. The ghost of Christmas past is absolutely glorious, but the ghost of Christmas present looks like something the cat dragged in (or worse). Scrooge’s long lost love is beautiful, but the ghost of Christmas future looks like an overgrown Jawa. There are some great visuals in this version and it definately pays attention to a few generally overlooked portions of the story. I love the way Marley’s hair flutters in the wind of another world, exactly as described in the book. My advice, put it on your Netflix que before buying. [Netflix - Only $4.99 a month! No Late Fees. Try it for Free!]