Who knew? I have to admit I love Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, just the idea that in a short period of time, like a few hours, you can change your entire life around. During this holiday season I’ve always been amazed at the number of different versions of this story are on Television. I’ve listed several , my current favorite version is the one with Patrick Stewart.
A Christmas Carol (1938), starring Reginald Owen as Scrooge and Gene Lockhart and Kathleen Lockhart as the Cratchits.
Scrooge (1951), starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge and Mervyn Johns and Hermione Baddeley as the Cratchits.
Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962), an animated musical television special featuring the UPA character voiced by Jim Backus, with songs by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.
Scrooge (1970), a musical film adaptation starring Albert Finney as Scrooge and Alec Guinness as Marley's Ghost.
An American Christmas Carol (1979), an adaptation starring Henry Winkler at the height of his fame from the television series Happy Days, where the story is set in Depression era New England, and the Scrooge character is named Benedict Slade.
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol (1979), an animated television special featuring the various Looney Tunes characters.
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), an animated short film featuring the various Walt Disney characters (including characters from Wind in the Willows, Robin Hood and The Three Little Pigs), with Scrooge McDuck fittingly playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Alvin and the Chipmunks adapted the basic storyline in a 1983 TV Special on NBC, Alvin's Christmas Carol. Alvin becomes a Scrooge-like chipmunk who only views Christmas as a time of getting. But Dave, Theodore and Simon show him that Christmas is a time of giving. Incidentally, Alvin's elderly neighbor on his paper route has a cat named Ebenezer.
A Christmas Carol (1984), starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge, David Warner and Susanna York as the Cratchitts, with Edward Woodward as The Ghost Of Christmas Present. Scott (who had played Fagin two years previously) received an Emmy Award nomination for his performance.
"A Jetsons Christmas Carol" (1985), Christmas themed episode of The Jetsons in which Cosmo Spaceley is the "Scrooge" visited by three robotlike "ghosts".
Scrooged (1988), a remake in a contemporary setting with Bill Murray being a misanthropic TV producer who is haunted by the ghosts of Christmas. Directed by Richard Donner.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), featuring the various Muppet characters, with Michael Caine as Scrooge. This adaption also adds a character named Robert Marley, who is Jacob's brother and was a second partner in Scrooge's business. He appears with Jacob as a ghost. Also with Gonzo as Charles Dickens, with Rizzo the Rat tagging along, being "just here for the food."
A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994), animated adaptation featuring Fred Flintstone as 'Eboneezer Scrooge', Barney as 'Bob Cragit' and Mr. Slate as 'Jacob Marbley'.
Ebbie (1995), a television movie in which the role of Scrooge is played by a female with Susan Lucci as Elizabeth "Ebbie" Scrooge, the cold-hearted owner of a department store.
Ms. Scrooge (1997), a television movie starring Cicely Tyson that aired on USA Network.
A Christmas Carol (1999), a television movie starring Patrick Stewart, inspired by his one-man show, but featuring a full supporting cast. This was the first version of the story to make use of digital special effects.
A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000), a humorous adaptation starring Vanessa Williams as bitchy diva Ebony Scrooge who is transformed into a kind-hearted soul.
A Carol Christmas (2003) Made-for-TV adaptation on the Hallmark Channel. Stars Tori Spelling as "Scroogette." William Shatner makes a special appearance as the ghost of Christmas Present, and Gary Coleman as the ghost of Christmas Past.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004), starring Kelsey Grammer.
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006) Looney Tunes adaptation featuring Daffy Duck as Scrooge.
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