Favorite moments?
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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! -
Kizmet_9 — 14 years ago(December 22, 2011 04:53 PM)
I like the very beginning -
"Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail and this must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate."
I also love the scene between Marley and Scrooge when Marley says -
"I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it."
"Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
There is a certain eerie poignancy about these lines that I really love. -
jamesg2380 — 13 years ago(December 12, 2012 08:09 AM)
I always tear up at the scene when he sees fan and he opens his arms to hug her as she runs right through him to his younger self. Thats the first real emotion that we see from scrooge besides his anger and actions in the beginning of the movie among his business associates and the dismay, fear, and disbelief he expresses upon seeing marley's ghost and the ghost of christmas past. When he sees Fan we're suddenly reminded that his is human and has feelings like the rest of us and that one time he was capable of receiving love and giving love. Plus, as a person who has lost numerous loved ones, I would react the same way if I was able to go back and time and see my family members.
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joelcindyclark — 13 years ago(December 18, 2012 05:47 AM)
There are so many wonderful moments. Thank you all for listing them!
One subtle bit of acting that sums up Scrooge's redemption is right after he opens his window, but before the boy arrives. The church bells are ringing, and Scrooge looks all around and inhales the crisp air, smiling. He's taking in the joy of Christmas morning for the first time ever. That small moment always touches my heart.
-Cindy -
TwoThousandOneMark — 12 years ago(December 05, 2013 03:26 PM)
I've always loved the nighttime scenes in Scrooge's bedroom. It's not often that such a suspenseful movie can feel so enticing at the same time.
Marley's 1-1 with Scrooge is probably high on my list, as is the Ghost of Christmas Past & Present who interact within Scrooge's rooms.
I suppose I can chalk those choices up to the fact I've made the movie a midnight Christmas Eve ritual- those moments occurring at the same time & atmosphere as while I'm sitting there watching it. -
MammothPicturesReturns — 12 years ago(December 25, 2013 12:33 AM)
- When Tiny Tim sees all of the toys in the window. The longing in his little face gets to me. Then when the boat is sold, and his faces falls, I start to cry. Then when he sees the clown and his face lights up again, I smile. And I want to buy him every toy in that shop.
- When Mrs. Dilber says to Scrooge, "A guinea? What for? To keep me mouth shut?" I laugh every time she says that line. And then when she says, in an incredulous tone, "A Christmas present? For me?" I get teary eyed again.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.