Once again this year, the Alastair Sim version of this story, arguably the
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nitacul — 15 years ago(December 03, 2010 07:20 PM)
I have a soft spot for "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" (1962). This was the first of the children's Christmas specials made for TV. I hated the Magoo character in general, but loved him as Scrooge in this wonderful cartoon version of the classic. The score is catchy and warm - Jule Styne's work. When "Magoo" IS aired on TV, they always cut it up mercilessly, so I bought the hard to find DVD a few years ago.
"A Christmas Carol " (1951) is the very best of the many versions. Alistair Sim's Scrooge breaks my heart when seeks the forgivensess of Fred and his wife. -
misspaddylee — 15 years ago(December 04, 2010 06:13 AM)
The score is catchy and warm - Jule Styne's work.
I've seen tributes to Jules Styne where they never mention this charmer. I think
Winter Was Warm
is a lovely ballad that is much overlooked.
"Madame meets many people, but she usually avoids the mad ones." -
nitacul — 15 years ago(December 05, 2010 07:21 AM)
I would agree totally - "Winter Was Warm" is a lovely tune that is often edited out when Magoo is shown on commercial TV. I suppose that since the character of Magoo is not longer part of any popular culture, the schedulers opt out of showing it.
But Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is quality work. It's really like a mini-broadway production that entertains both parents and kids, even if for different reasons. It was, in fact, my introduction to the Dickens' classic. -
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HansGruber88 — 15 years ago(December 06, 2010 12:59 PM)
"The Story Lady" with Jessica Tandy (a 1991 telefilm)and "The 3 Kings" with Lou Diamond Philips another telefilm from 1987
Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. - Fred Gailey & Doris Walker -
nitacul — 15 years ago(December 10, 2010 06:30 AM)
"Mickey's Christmas Carol" was another enjoyable, child's version. My kids were kids in the early 90s and we all watched it. We even have the book.
Another movie favorite that gets overlooked - "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant, David Niven and the gorgeous Loretta Young. -
TwoThousandOneMark — 12 years ago(December 06, 2013 04:15 PM)
I bought Mickey's Christmas Carol on dvd, one of the Mickey dvd volumes couple years ago. Alas, it did not include Donald Duck's snow fight- which used to open the special on tv.
Thankfully there's youtube & this post doesn't really matter
To those wondering, the dvd does include 'Pluto's Christmas Tree' which involves one of the most iconic Holiday animated moments ever: Chip & Dale playing around inside the decorated tree. -
lroy77 — 15 years ago(December 25, 2010 09:36 AM)
I grew up with Magoo but don't remember that one. Maybe because I was only four months old at the time.
That one I would like to see.
I notice The Little Drummer Boy doesn't get played every year. Once in a while, but you must look for it.
Thank God, most of these are now available on DVD so us poor middle-aged souls can relive our childhood memories. -
skohl632001 — 15 years ago(December 08, 2010 01:07 PM)
It's really a shame that, considering the sheer volume of tv channels, room can't be found for an occasional showing of any of these underappreciated classics.
What's really sad though is the feeling I have that, after all, the channels are just pandering to what people seem to want. Except for a small, diminishing segment, contemporary viewers, particularly younger ones, don't seem to have any interest in or ability to appreciate these older classics. -
nitacul — 15 years ago(December 08, 2010 06:49 PM)
I suppose the slapstick style or irreverent shows (National Lampoon's Christmas, The Santa Clause, Bad Santa, etc., etc) have some level of attraction to viewers. I never felt "warmed" by any of them myself - but admit to laughing at some Lampoon scenes.
The older specials and films, whether in color, B&W, or cartoon, were so much heartwarming. The children weren't usually brats, the parents weren't saps.
Just remembered another overlooked fave - "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant, David Niven, and the lovely Loretta Young. -
vmacek@mindspring.com — 15 years ago(December 13, 2010 04:03 PM)
[spoilers]
Just the movie I thought of when I saw this thread! The main character gets dumped by his girlfriend, and at movie's end is spending Christmas day at work, but it's a happy ending.
I always liked an adaptation of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" that ran on tv some decades back, featuring and narrated by Denholm Eliot.
Back in their network tv days, Disney played "From All of Us to All of You" this time of year - all excerpts from their animated movies and Christmas/winter themed cartoons. I hear in Sweden it's still a high-ratings must-see show on Christmas Eve. -
misspaddylee — 14 years ago(December 12, 2011 05:40 AM)
I always liked an adaptation of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" that ran on tv some decades back, featuring and narrated by Denholm Eliot.
Oh, that's a dandy!
"Tell me about the squares, Buzzie." -
vmacek@mindspring.com — 9 years ago(December 14, 2016 06:41 PM)
I'm a big fan of the old classics, I need to see Sim as Scrooge every year - but one recent one that's become a favorite is "Elf". It's silly and goofy, but Will Ferrell's Buddy, a man raised from infancy by Santa's elves, has a love for Christmas that's just infectious.
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kerryedavis — 13 years ago(December 16, 2012 02:14 PM)
I expect many would enjoy it, if they ever got the chance to SEE it. Too often, network execs make decisions based on what they assume the "target audience" will be interested in. Which means A Hello Kitty Christmas Carol? Shudder.
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cruisemama98 — 14 years ago(December 09, 2011 04:26 PM)
In addition to the Alastair Sim Scrooge, I have to see Christmas in Connecticut, The Shop Around the Corner, White Christmas, the original Miracle on 34th Street (which we watch at my sister's house on Thanksgiving night but I also have to watch it all by myself), and Holiday Inn. I'm not a fan of It's a Wonderful Life and I've never seen that movie about the boy who wants a bb gun (can't think of the name of it). I'd probably add Meet Me in St Louis which someone has decided is a Christmas movie but that's just because it it's on, I have to watch it!! Some of these are probably NOT overlooked but they're my favs.
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ajprice-1 — 12 years ago(December 15, 2013 09:01 AM)
Trust me.watch A Christmas Story (the bb gun movie.) It has the flavor and gentle humor of an old classic. I love the movies you listed, too, and think we might have similar tastes, so I'm pretty confident that you'll enjoy it.
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cruisemama98 — 12 years ago(December 15, 2013 09:35 AM)
The two reasons as to why I have never seen A Christmas Story are two scenes that probably everyone has seen: the tongue on the pole and when the leg lamp arrives. I think both of those scenes are nothing short of stupid. For those reasons I just can't bring myself to watch this movie.