Favorite moments?
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jibberish66 — 16 years ago(December 24, 2009 11:40 AM)
I like the look on Scrooge's face when he apologizes to Fred's wife. That sheepish smile is priceless. I also like the part where Tiny Tim looks in the window and is laughing until someone buys the toy ship, and then he saddens. Strong Stuff.
Rik-You know "Summer Holiday" by Cliff Richard?
Suggs-If you hum a few bars, I'll smash your face. -
novastar_6 — 16 years ago(December 24, 2009 03:59 PM)
"I don't know anythingbut now I KNOW that I don't know anything, singing I don't know anything, I never did know anything, but now I know that I don't know, all on a Christmas mornI must stand on my head, I must stand on my head!"
"I don't deserve to be so merry! .but I just can't help it laughs I just can't help it!" -
lroy77 — 15 years ago(December 25, 2010 09:17 AM)
Try You Tube.
I like it when old Marley and Scrooge are in the board meeting and offer to buy 51% of the company from their own private funds.
I also like the festivities the Crachetts have during the Ghost of Christmas Present part.
Brits-ARE there people today with the surname of Crachett? -
Profondorosso75 — 15 years ago(December 06, 2010 08:14 AM)
scrooge telling marley's ghost that he is likely "a bit of undigested beef"
when scrooge wakes from his ordeal his transformation is the best he seems so genuinely happy it makes you laugh along with him.
"everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die" -
nitacul — 15 years ago(December 10, 2010 11:07 AM)
Favorite moment? When an embarassed, wisened Scrooge laments so sincerly to Fred's wife "Can you forgive a pig-headed old fool with no eyes to see with and no ears to hear with all these years?" - all with the poignant strains of Barbara Allen playng as background.
Next favorite? When Scrooge first hears his dying sister imploring him to care for her infant son - the words he missed when he angrily stormed from her bedside moments before she spoke them. Scrooge's realization of his dishonor to his sister and his disservice to his innocent nephew was very moving. -
anasella — 15 years ago(December 07, 2010 10:18 PM)
One would definitely have to be Scrooge's giddy transformation acted out spectacularly by Alistair Sim on Christmas morning. It warms my heart and produces the same hearty laughter every time I watch it.
Another was when Scrooge and the Spirit of Christmas past were outside of Scrooge's boyhood residence. The Spirit declares that the solitary boy deserted by his friends is inside still, and scrooge responds, "I know." It wasn't just the look on Sim's face that made the scene, but it was how he convincingly expressed it. It really makes us realize how Scrooge still, in his older age, feels the emotion of the state he was in. Very powerful!
A third would be the way Sim marvelously keeps us on the edge of our seat in how he will break the news of coming to his senses to Bob Marley! And the look on Marley's face, done magnificently by Mervyn John's, is priceless!
And finally, no doubt, my most favorite scene was Scrooge at his nephew's house. Other film versions have Scrooge too giddy in the wrong places. Here, Sim sensitively plays out the role of a man who has found redemption but is still in need of acceptance. As he looks into the eyes of his Fred's wife, Sim hesitates for just a second and asks for forgiveness. It brings tears to my eyes even as I write it. A marvelous scene, capped off by an brilliant shift to the two of them dancing and the rest joining in! Wow! -
rdawsoniii — 15 years ago(December 08, 2010 09:02 AM)
So many to choose!
The opening scene on the steps of the Exchange, particularly the line: "Did I ask you for more time to lend you the money? Then why should you ask me for more time to pay it back?"
Marley's Ghost. Hordern's performance is still the Gold Standard.
Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past, when talking about the cost of Fezziwig's parties.
Scrooge waking up Christmas morning.
Scrooge and Mrs. Dilber on the staircase.
Scrooge and Mrs. Fred
Scrooge and Cratchit on the day after Christmas.
Aw heck..just the WHOLE MOVIE. -
vmacek@mindspring.com — 14 years ago(December 12, 2011 04:06 PM)
anasella said:
"how he will break the news of coming to his senses to Bob Marley!"
Hee hee, I like that! "Well, we'll talk it over later, Bob - over a hot bowl of ganja, hmm?"
It is a great sceneI like how, when he declares his intent of helping his family, adds "if you'll let me." Lovely bit of humility there. -
moira99 — 14 years ago(December 12, 2011 08:28 PM)
Love all the scenes mentioned above!
There's a wonderful bit in the scene where Scrooge finally goes to visit the dying Marley, asking "have they seen to you?" When Scrooge asks if there's anything else he can do for Marley, Marley nods and Scrooge assumes an "oh sh!" expression, then asks, "What is it particularly?" I love that "particularly'" as in "get to the point and let me out of here." Scrooge is actually trying to be decent, but can't pull it off, especially when Marley want's to get personal with "we were wrong."
Another quote: Ghost of Christmas Present says, "You've never seen the like of me," to which Scrooge responds, "No, and I wish the pleasure had been indefinitely postponed.
I love the way that, after he's terrified her by dancing around and trying to stand on his head, Scrooge has to chase Mrs. Dilber downstairs, and try to calm her so she doesn't really scream for the beadle.
What's the coin in her hand for? "To keep me mouth shut."
Scrooge already actually has the beginnings of a good relationship with Bob Cratchit, but his approach to his nephew shows he's finally able to risk being hurt again. Love the silent exchange with the maid at the door of course, and how he asks his nephew and the nephew's wife for forgiveness, and how they're thrilled by this. Also love how Fred's friend calls for the pianist to play a polka right now, so they won't have everyone burst into tears. -
marty099 — 15 years ago(December 10, 2010 07:11 AM)
I agree and love all of these, but "Forgive me Fan", The nod from the unknown maid is great, she is so memorable! and of course when he shamefully addresses Fred's wife apologizing and asking forgiveness for being a pig headed old fool without the eyes to see etc"
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kartoon-1 — 15 years ago(December 11, 2010 11:01 PM)
1st. When he wakes up Christmas morning and realises he's been given a second chanceand scares his poor housekeeper into thinking he's flipped his wig.
2nd. He cracks up again in front of Bob Cratchit and while Bob takes it a little more calmly, like the housekeeper, he accepts the transformation!
All the other scenes mentioned are also scenes worth mentioning as they are all priceless moments in a priceless movie. -
Ambrosia-I — 15 years ago(December 14, 2010 12:43 PM)
Other than all of it? Today I've seen the film for the first time at the cinema. I've watched it on TV and on DVD many times, but to see it at the GFT was an absolute birthday treat for me! My favourite line was to Bob Cratchit near the end:
"No, Bob, I haven't taken leave of my senses, I've come to them."
The way he giggles and says:
"I don't deserve to be so happy!"
The funniest moment for me was when he does a headstand on the chair and Kathleen Harrison shrieks and runs out of the room with her pinny over her head.
Alastair Sim must be the most accomplished comic actor of all time. In this film, he always gives me the wonderful experience of laughing and crying at the same time. Needless to say, it took me a while to pull myself together today! -
angmc43 — 14 years ago(December 04, 2011 03:08 PM)
Okay, here goes:
-Scrooge walking past the three urchin singers.
-"Scrroooge!" Sim pausing with his mouth open and dropping his spoon.
-Michael Hordern as Marley, especially
A) "Jacob Marley"
B) Scrooge freaking out when Marley freaks out.
C) "But might have shared on earth!"
D) "Business!?!"
E) Scrooge watching the other ghosts as Marley vanishes.
-Scrooge's subtle reluctance about Christmas Past's aerial intentions. "Through the window?"
-"I know."
-Fan making her entrance to "Barbara Allen"
-"Forgive me, Fan"
-The 1835 scene where Scrooge and Marley witness the bankers' strait with calculated mirth.
-Scrooge running through the streets and stopped cold by the entry hand of Christmas Yet-to-Come.
-The gestures of Christmas Yet-To-Come.
-The gravestone, Scrooge's cry/his humble begging of repentance.
-Happy Scrooge freaking out the charwoman.
-Scrooge's humble entry to Fred's house to "Barbara Allen"
-Repentant Scrooge making an attempt to frown about his undeserved happiness. -
stomaino — 14 years ago(December 04, 2011 04:58 PM)
"Forgive me, Fan" & the nod from the maid, certainly. I love almost every scene in the movie.
I'll add another.
When Scrooge first walks into his living room transformed by the Ghost of Christmas Present, looks at the splendid ghostand then turns around to try to escape back to his bedroom. That's just Sim at his best.
Sam Tomaino -
double_c — 14 years ago(December 06, 2011 09:25 AM)
There's a similar scene to the one above at the Cratchett's when Bob proposes the toast to Scrooge and Scrooge throws his hands up and tries again to get away, this time in shame. It's a great indication of how he's coming along.
My personal favorite scene is the one between Scrooge and Fred's wife. They are both so touching and the scene and I also completely enjoy how it's the scapegrace Tupper who knows just what to do to lighten the mood and make a happy scene of it.
Elvis is DEAD -
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vmacek@mindspring.com — 11 years ago(December 08, 2014 05:05 PM)
I was just thinking of that very scene at the Cratchett's! Nice character shading there where the Ghost of Christmas Present, the bringer of jollity, a smile on his face, stops Scrooge from turning away and makes him take his medicine.
Another of my favorite laughs - "Mrs. Dilber - I am
not mad!
[frizzes out his hair]even though I
look
it!"
Incidentally, I owe you for introducing me to the word 'scapegrace'. I shall try to be the embodiment of the word. -
jeff-134 — 14 years ago(December 12, 2011 01:57 PM)
Such a great filmone of the very best ever made. I agree with so much of what has been written, especially "Forgive me, Fan." It's such a key line, and so powerful. And I love the use of "Barbara Allen" as the link to Fan, and Scrooge's terrible loss.
I also like the scene where Scrooge sees what his lost love, Alice, does with her life: she's essentially a volunteer who helps the poor. Her theme music is also the very beautiful: "My Love's an Arbutus"
A good part of what makes this film so great, is the use of these old ballads in such key, emotional roles.
And, while I find Michael Horden as Marley's Ghost a bit "over the top," I still am very amused by his line: "I see it notwithstanding" in response to Scrooge waving his toothpick around to see if the ghost is really interacting with him.
I can't wait to see the film (presumably restored) on TCM tonight!
Merry Christmas!