..Charles Dickens was an English writer whose novels depicted and criticized social injustice.
..Un-doubtly the most notable character created by Dickens (or anyone for that matter) was Ebenezer Scrooge, from "A Christmas Carol."
Nearly 165 years later, writers of books, films and TV are still using this horrible, cold-hearted, selfish, lonely, Christmas hating, tyrant, as a metaphor to remind us of how precious our family,
..AND the Holiday season, truly is.
..With that in mind. ;)
What is your favorite version, or spin, on A Christmas Carol?
2007-12-24 15:10:05 · 8 answers · asked by MotherNature 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I love this story so much that I like to watch every screen version I can find. The best, of course is Alistair Sims, but for sheer fun some of mine are; A Carol Christmas with Tori Spelling, Scrooged with Bill Murray, Ebbie with Susan Lucci, the musical with Kelsey Grammer. I try to catch the others; Patrick Stewart, George C. Scott, and there is one other one, an old one, but I can't remember the stars.
2007-12-24 22:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by older is wiser 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The book - A Christmas Carol - is my absolute favorite, because all of the movies leave something out and change other things. You can't possibly do it better than Charles Dickens did.
Next to that, the favorite version of A Christmas Carol I've ever seen was a one-man play performed by Gerald Dickens (a descendant of Charles Dickens). Gerald Dickens played all the parts, and he was fabulous.
As far as movies go, I think the Alastair Sim version is the best, because Sim was the absolute best Scrooge. However, I think the scenery is the best in the George C. Scott version (and Roger Rees was the best nephew and that tiny Tim was the best-he was really small, cute and had a deep voice for such a little one), and there were other things I really liked about the Patrick Stewart version. Patrick Stewart made a very good Ebenezer Scrooge, too, but I liked that version's Ghost of Christmas Present the best and they also showed the spirit taking Scrooge around to various places and countries where they were celebrating Christmas.
All told, as far as movies go, here's my order:
1. Alastair Sim version
2. Patrick Stewart version
3. George C. Scott version
However, there were things that I enjoyed about other versions like the Sir Seymour Hicks 1935 movie version. The modern day version called Ebbie with Susan Lucci was cute. Mickey's Christmas Carol was a cute animated version. I'm not as great a fan of the musical versions, though.
BTW: Patrick Stewart used to perform a one-man show of A Christmas Carol, too. I wasn't fortunate enough to SEE that, but I heard it on audio CD and it was really good. (I wish they would put either his or Gerald Dickens' play on DVD...preferably both. That would be awesome.)
If you have one, which is your preference?
2007-12-24 23:56:13 · answer #2 · answered by ck1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favorite Scrooge is the one I see with my mind's eye when I read Dickens' story (helped, I admit, by John Leech's illustrations)---I read A Christmas Carol at least once or twice every year to myself, and usually aloud to friends.
My favorite dramatized versions range from the interpretations of Alastair Sim, to George C. Scott, to Mr. Magoo, to Michael Caine and the Muppets (Gonzo makes an intriguing Charles Dickens, by the way)---a favorite adaptation was a recording made in the late '50's or early '60's with Sir Ralph Richardson as Scrooge, narrated by Paul Scofield---marvelously evocative!
And I do a rather good Scrooge myself!
2007-12-24 23:25:53 · answer #3 · answered by Palmerpath 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me,the definative version is the early 5o's british version that stars Alastair Sim as Scrooge.His performance alone carries the film although the supporting players are also superb,it's his show from the start and as many times as I've seen it, it doesn't get stale.The true definition of a "Classic"
TL
2007-12-24 23:49:59 · answer #4 · answered by TL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol, 1962. Animated fun and sing-along songs!
A hand for each hand was planned for the world,
why don't my fingers reach?
millions of grains of sand in the world,
why such a lonely beach?
where is a voice to answer mine back?
where are two shoes to click to my clack?
I'm so alone, in the world.
(refrain from Alone in the World)
2007-12-25 00:25:24 · answer #5 · answered by HBVmmvii 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alastair Sims, followed by Patrick Stewart
2007-12-24 23:14:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alistair Sims. I love the classics!
2007-12-25 02:34:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I liked the Kelsey Grammer one. Haha.
2007-12-24 23:20:55 · answer #8 · answered by pepsi_chugger8899 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋