Charles Dickens Scrooge in Film Adaptations
Dickens' Classic Novel A Christmas Carol a Great Movie Source
Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, one of the greatest classic novels for the Christmas season, has been a great resource of films and television. There have been previous and other adaptations but Hollywood studios are ever on the look out for future Scrooges.
Famous Film Adaptations of Dickens' Scrooge
1. Scrooge, 1951 (Actor, Alastair Sim)
Alastair Sim is widely regarded as one of the most well-known film adaptations of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In addition to the movie's being faithful to Dickens's story, Sim's transition from the cold and hateful miser to the cheerfully reformed human being at the end is remarkable. He digs into the innermost emotions of Scrooge and warmly emotes them extremely well. Top movie critics have ranked this version as one of their top favorites.
2. Scrooge, 1970 (Actor, Albert Finney)
This movie is a musical. The versatile Albert Finney was just 34 years old, said to be the youngest Scrooge ever, he also sings. Some say that the songs have lingered long enough as well as Finney's fine performance. Directed by Ronald Neame, with songs written by Leslie Bricusse, Jacob Morley was played by the great actor Alec Guinness.
3. An American Christmas Carol, 1979 (Actor, Henry Winkler)
Scrooge is played by Henry Winkler, the popular "the Fonz" of his Happy Days fame on television. His character is Benedict Slade in this adaptation. The Yuletide action takes place during the Depression in the United States. Slade, a cold, New England industrialist, heartlessly repossesses items from the poor on Christmas Eve, that is, before he is visited by the three Christmas ghosts. The new settings work.
4. Scrooged, 1988 (Actor, Bill Murray)
Scrooge, played by Bill Murray, a modern day Scrooge, Frank Cross, who is TV network president and television programming executive. Wealthy, powerful and successful, he is also conceited, cruel and heartless. In the opening scenes he can be seen working out in a room with a wallpaper border that reads "Cross: A thing they nail people to." Opinions are divided on Bill Murray's performance, but his seemingly improvised final speech has a lot of heart. It also provides some laughs.
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992 (Actor, Michael Caine)
Released in 1992, this is the fourth feature film to star The Muppets, with film adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is played by Michael Caine. In this adaptation, it is Christmas Eve in 19th century London. The story is narrated by Dickens himself, played by The Great Gonzo with occasional commentary of Rizzo the Rat. Scrooge's loyal book-keeping staff, Kermit the Frog, pleads with Scrooge to have a day off during Christmas since there won't be any customers anyway. Scrooge won't hear of it, until the visit of the ghosts of Christmas. The film did not make much of an impact during its release, having to face stiff competition from other blockbuster movies including Home Alone 2.
6. A Christmas Carol, 1999 (Actor, Patrick Stewart)
This adaptation is known to be heartwarming as well as powerful, one of the best. Aside from the star-studded cast, it is known for its special effects. Scrooge is played by Patrick Stewart, already famous to many Star Trek fans for being Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise. He also regularly performed a one-man live stage version of A Christmas Carol before being tapped to appear in this 1999 film version. Therefore, it makes him one of the most experienced Scrooges. Stewart shows his affection for the mean-spirited miser, before he takes his altering journey of transformation from the visit of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Readers may want to check out History of Children Film Musicals.
Charles Dickens' Scrooge, A Christmas Carol
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