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<i>By T.L. Stanley, Los Angeles Times</i><br>
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Ebenezer Scrooge was a heartless miser in desperate need of reinvention. It should come as no surprise, then, that he eventually found his way to Hollywood for numerous makeovers spanning more than a half century.<br>
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Charles Dickens reportedly dashed off the story, "A Christmas Carol," as a way to quickly pay some debts, dreaming up the tight-fisted businessman in 1843. But the writer had more than money on his mind. He was ruminating on heavy issues like consumerism, morality and redemption. He called it "a ghostly little book" to raise "the ghost of an idea." He did much more than that.<br>
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The central concept -- three specters guide Scrooge through his past, present and future -- has proven irresistible to the creative community. There have been countless remakes of the classic novella across film, TV, theater, opera and radio, with cartoon characters Scrooge McDuck and "The Jetsons'" Cosmo Spacely and British actors Michael Caine and Alastair Sim taking on the title role.

'Christmas Carol' is a gift that keeps on giving

By T.L. Stanley, Los Angeles Times

Ebenezer Scrooge was a heartless miser in desperate need of reinvention. It should come as no surprise, then, that he eventually found his way to Hollywood for numerous makeovers spanning more than a half century.

Charles Dickens reportedly dashed off the story, "A Christmas Carol," as a way to quickly pay some debts, dreaming up the tight-fisted businessman in 1843. But the writer had more than money on his mind. He was ruminating on heavy issues like consumerism, morality and redemption. He called it "a ghostly little book" to raise "the ghost of an idea." He did much more than that.

The central concept -- three specters guide Scrooge through his past, present and future -- has proven irresistible to the creative community. There have been countless remakes of the classic novella across film, TV, theater, opera and radio, with cartoon characters Scrooge McDuck and "The Jetsons'" Cosmo Spacely and British actors Michael Caine and Alastair Sim taking on the title role.

Comments (13)

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Lewis Long at 11:19 AM December 28, 2011

A fun, but by no means exhaustive list. It leaves out the obvious George C. Scott version (mentioned in discussing another, later edition), and misses a slew of others: An American Christmas Carol, with Henry Winkler, A Diva's Christmas Carol, with Vanessa Williams. A Christmas Carol is a reasonable bet for the story most often produced for TV, stage and screen.

Mr Mark at 9:19 PM December 25, 2011

Alastair Sim's version is far and away the best. It's been rereleased this Xmas in a 60th-Anniversary BluRay that is just spectacular. Perfect casting right down the line.

I also found the Disney Jim Carrey version to be very dark and outstanding, damn the critics. It is incredibly true to the original, has amazing special effects (Marley's Ghost and Xmas Past are particularly well done), and Carrey does a fine job. The only problem are a few "action" scenes tossed in to appease the kids. Plus, if you skip the end credits, you don't have to suffer through Bocelli's strained singing!

I'd also mention the CBS "Shower of Stars" version from 1954 starring Fredric March as Scrooge with Basil Rathbone as Marley's Ghost. The music is by Bernard Hermann. It's a compact version at 50 mins, but well worth owning. The DVD will run you $5.

I have never seen what the fuss is about the totally overblown versions by George C Scott and Albert Finney. Scott is obviously "acting" the whole way through. Stiff and unconvincing. Both versions make mince meat of the story's simplicity. I don't believe either actor for an instant, and their supporting casts pale when compared to the perfection of the Sim version.

Kelsey Grammer's version is awful. Unwatchable.

I used to ignore the Mr Magoo version with music by Jule Styne, but having watched it again this year after a 25-year hiatus, it wasn't bad.

Gaston B at 9:49 AM December 25, 2011

I agree with the other posting that Finney's 'zest for a second chance' is wonderful - but for overall dramatic impact I prefer Scott. And I liked the set and costume decisions to make him appear prosperous and clean - he looks like successful cheating businessman, and spouting all of the Tea Party's messages until he is transformed by fear of his own lonely death. How timely.

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