Variations of a theme: Which "Christmas Carol" version is the best?

It's that time of the year again, and I haven't blogged for so long, I felt that this would be a good time to post up about one of the most shown and re-made Christmas tales of the modern age: "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

I could spend a week going over every adaptation that has ever been since the original was published in 1843, but I will stick to a few film and television versions in this blog.

If my memory holds true, I believe that the first version I viewed in childhood was the 1938 film which starred Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, and Kathleen Lockhart. For me, this ranks high in my personal favorites due to the acting, scenery, and for being an indelible part of my childhood.

Public Domain Image, found on Wikipedia.com

Before I go to another great adaptation, let's hit the sewer. I'm talking about one of the most recent film versions, and it's from Disney. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I went to the theater to see the 2009 version that "starred" Jim Carrey.

Image (c)2009 Disney, shown under Fair Use Rules

I like Disney, really. I'd be hard pressed to find a feature that I really didn't like before this one. My problem wasn't the animation, the motion-capture, or that Jim Carrey was Scrooge. No, it was a combination of things that just made me wonder "Why did they go through with this??" 

The only saving grace was that my spouse and I saw this on New Year's Day, and we were the only people in the theater. 

This was just not good at all. I can't really say it any other way.

A bit better version is the 1970 musical starring Albert Finney. While this wasn't the worst, it's rather high on the cheese, and...it's a musical. You know it's going to be something to witness just from that angle. 

Image from 2nd First Look

As musicals go, it's not bad. The local community theater troupe performs this every year, and they do a bang-up job. That said, this film was...ok. Finney's portrayal of Scrooge was a bit darker than usual, and near the end, we see something that isn't usually shown in film and television adaptations, and that's Scrooge going to Hell for a short time, wearing that chain he made in life. Interesting, but it was something of a distraction. 

In 1999, a television version came 'round that starred Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. Well, this one got the attention of ST:TNG fanboys for this reason alone. 

(c) 1999 RHI Entertainment. Fair Use Rules

To be fair, Sir Patrick was a Shakespearean actor before going boldly, so this wasn't a stretch for him to go from the future to the past. His performance in this version was really good, and the scenery was excellent. There was just one little thing, though: 

He's either happy to be alive, or having a grabber...

(c) 1999 RHI Entertainment. Fair Use Rules

This bit was just...weird.

There was this version in 1984 that starred George C. Scott as Scrooge. To my memory, it was a rather faithful version, and well-acted. What threw me off was seeing "Patton" as Scrooge!! That is Scott's iconic role, and it's difficult for me to separate one from the other.

"When you put your hand into a puddle of goo that moments ago was a figgy pudding, then you'll know what to do!" 

(c) 1984 CBS/1999 Fox Video Fair Use Rules

So, let's get to one that may make people wonder what I was on while watching it. I'm referring to "Ebbie", the 1995 TV version starring Susan Lucci as the titular character.
I know, what was I on? There was something oddly endearing about this version, even if it's a cheese-laden re-imagining.

(c) 1995 Hallmark Fair Use Rules

Sure, the acting isn't top-shelf, and there are some narm-tastic moments, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this version. I think it's due to my love of cheesy entertainment in general. It's not a good version, to be sure, but it's far from the worst. The gender-swapping was a good touch, and didn't distract from the overall story in the least.

"Scrooged", a comedic take on the story from 1988, puts Bill Murray in the second-best Scrooge in this blog. I don't think a single performer in this version was mis-cast or phoning it in. This was spot-on and funny!! There might be one or two moments of nightmare fuel, but that depends on the viewer.

(c) 1988 Paramount Pictures. Fair Use Rules

Finally, the best of the best. I have looked over several lists, and they all seem to be of the same mind when it comes to this version. 

No source or copyright information given. Fair Use Rules

"A Christmas Carol", released in 1951, has Alastair Sim as Scrooge. Of the actors who have portrayed Scrooge before and since, this man perfected the role, and played it perfectly. To this, the entire cast played their roles as if born to them. I look forward to watching this version every year, and I think I may have it on DVD. As I have several hundred DVD's...it seems to have gotten lost in the library.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading! I will try to get more articles posted as time allows! Happy Holidays!!

--Nerikull