Retro : A Dickens of a Scrooge

For anyone who grew up in the 1960s, watching “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” was probably an annual tradition.

Though such award-winning actors as Fredric March, George C. Scott and Albert Finney have played miserly Scrooge in various versions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” they were outdone by Mr. Magoo . . . actually, by the late Jim Backus, who provided the memorable voice for the befuddled, myopic Magoo.

Mr. Magoo as Scrooge? “Bah, humbug,” you say?

Doubting viewers can decide for themselves and baby boomers can wax nostalgic about their childhood Thursday when USA Network (cable) airs “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol.” (“Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” also is available on Paramount Home Video for under $15).