Animated Movie Review: **^ Micky's Christmas Carol. (1983)

 A Disney short cartoon version of A Christmas Carol.  The interesting thing is the different Micky Mouse characters taking on different roles.  Scrooge McDuck is Scrooge, Micky Mouse is Cratchit, Donald Duck is the nephew Fred.  Goofy is the ghost of Marley, the giant is Christmas present, Jiminy Cricket is Christmas past.  Daisy Duck is Belle.  I really goes fast so each ghost only presents one scene.  It sort of skips are being able to see the change in Scrooge.  

Christmas Movie Review:*** Scrooge (1935)

Scrooge (Seymour Hicks) starts out a very scary man with his white unkempt hair and his grouchy attitude.   This movie is shorter than most, so skips some very important parts.  It does have his nephew (Robert Cochrane) inviting him to dinner.  Christmas past shows him his old girl friend (Mary Glynne) and his terrible stinginess.  He put a couple out for shipping to different places.  Christmas present shows him the family of his employee, Bob Cratchit (Donald Calthrop).  They find happiness in Christmas despite being very poor.  It isn't until the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-be when he finally finds the Christmas spirit.  This ghost shows him how he will not be missed when he dies if he does not change his ways.  And when he does he makes a hearty turnaround.  

Christmas Carol Movie Review: ****Spirited (2022)

 This version of Christmas Carol is available on Apple TV.  It is a musical version and some of the songs are very catch.  Here is a unique take on "A Christmas Carol" from the view point of the ghosts and what goes into making a good changing intervention; even for unredeemable persons.  Big twist towards the end in the version which I will not reveal.  The plot centers around converting an unredeemable, Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds) into a better person.  Christmas Present (Will Ferrell), Past (Sunita Mani), Yet-to-Come (Loren Woods) and Jacob Marley (Patrick Page) all embark on this endeavor.  Briggs' decisions and ruthless business nature are ruining his niece, Wren (Marlow Barkley) his administrative assistant, Kimberly (Octavia Spencer) and his brother Owen (Joe Tippet) with his ruthless win-at-all-cost nature.  He was very callous at his sister's death.  He is a very hard nut to crack.  

Animated Movie Review: ***^Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)

 A made for Netflix movie.  This is a new animated retelling of the beloved story "A Christmas Carol."  In this movie not only did Marley die at Christmas, but also Scrooge's sister, at the birth of his nephew.  He has for ever since hated Christmas, and his nephew.  However he had developed his miserly ways before this.  

The story hits on the theme that we cannot change the past, but we can improve the future by focusing on what we can do today.  Netflix did a good job with the animation.  However there are parts--especially Christmas yet-to-be that would be a bit too much for children.  Scrooge is voiced by Luke Evans,

More Christmas Movies 2018

***^ Shoelaces for Christmas  (2018) This is a Christmas Carol type movie with a major twist, the scrooge is a spoiled teenage girl who has some growing up to do when her mother gets sick with cancer.  Jennifer Miller (Mia Topalian) is only focused on her friends and fashion, planning a trip to Paris with her best friend.  However a homeless shelter intervenes, at the insistence of her father.  Jennifer grows up, and even forms attachments with people at the shelter; which relationships change her focus on life.  It is directed by Craig ClydeThis could be considered a Mormon movie and made in Utah movie.  t was on BYUtv.

***^Finding Father Christmas  (2016) After her mother passes away, Miranda (Erin Krakow) embarks on a mission to find her biological father.  All she has to go on is an old picture leading to a town.  There she discovers her father is a famous actor who has also passed away.  But he sponsors a Christmas Carol every yer in his town where he lived with his wife.  Miranda’s mother was a interim affair.  The family eventually accepts her, on the premise that things be kept secret.  More importantly, Miranda finds a love, Ian (Niall Matter).  In this case Father Christmas refers to Miranda’s birth father who also had a special place in his heart for Christmas.  She is returning to her job in the city, with a promise to return next Christmas. Hallmark

***Engaging Father Christmas  (2017)  We are back for more, and Miranda has been true to her word of keeping things secret; except for divulging her father to her ex-boyfriend who encouraged her to seek him out.  She is over heard by a reporter, and this revelation could ruin everything.  Of course her stepmother is disappointed; but she realizes the truth cannot hurt them, but the divulge this to another reporter who has been writing a story about the family; and of course Miranda and Ian become engaged.  Hallmark

***Marrying Father Christmas (2018) The wedding would go off without a hitch, except the venue (Her father’s old home) may not accommodate everyone, and another man has entered the picture, Miranda’s uncle whom she has never met.  I enjoyed this series of feel-good Christmas movies. Hallmark

*** The Santa Incident (2018)  This show starts with a very nice premise, two kids hop on Santa’s sleigh and go for a ride.  When they reveal themselves they scare Santa enough that he crashes the sleigh, the reindeer get away, and Santa loses not only his bag of toys but also his magic Santa hat.  Mrs. Claus always told him to take a spare.  So the kids are about to be left hundreds of miles from home, when they join Santa on a quest to get the toys, hat and everything and save Christmas.  In the meantime Santa ends up in jail for abducting two children.  The kids have to find what is needed.  Kurt Russel portrays Santa Claus, and this Netflix movie is very cute.  However the elves are short and mean and sort of ruin the spirit of the movie.  Santa rocks out in jail and the elves rescue him.  Of course first the kids had to get Santa through the sack to inform them of Santa’s plight.  This is a Netflix movie.

****The Christmas Secret (2015) This is one of those Hallmark type movies with lots of coincidences.  Christine’s (Bethany Joy Lenz) life is falling apart.  Her ex is threatening to take the kids, he does not pay child support.  She gets an eviction notice.   Social services in on her case, she loses her job, everything is headed downhill.  However a man, (she initially thinks he is spying on her for her ex)  Jason (John Reardon) turns out to be a keeper.  He is tasked with finding the lady who saved his mother from death when she had a heart attack.  He cannot find her anywhere.  It is saving her that caused Christine to lose her job, but she finds a new job at a bakery.  Jason befriend Christine’s kids, but is known as “clutch” to them.  Eventually everything comes together.  And turns out that the person who hired her at the bakery is actually Christine’s grandmother on her father’s side.  She had just a locket from her father, and the bakery owner has the key.  The woman who was saved runs a toy store, so the kids are spoiled for Christmas.  And she gives her money for back rent.  And then Jason and Christine have a thing going on.  Hallmark

**^Romance at Reindeer Lodge  (2017) Her is a movie where romance is the key word.  We have a young couple, hoping to see reindeer, which have not visited for some years, and a new couple who start off as rivals, but are forced into the same room.  Romance is bound to happen.  Hallmark

***Christmas Dance  (2012) This is a Hallmark movie.  It is also known as “Come Dance with Me.”  It stars Andrew McCarthy as the business executive, Jack, who is putting together a purchase of a building for his company, and Michelle Nolden as the dance teacher, Christine,  whose studio is in the same building.  They clash on one level, but on another level Jack is taking lessons from Christine so he can impress the boss’ daughter to whom he has intentions of marriage.  However, as their relationship blossoms into love rather than just professional, or a way to get ahead, Jack is left with a conundrum.  He wants to save the dance studio, while also looking good for his boss.  Hallmark

Hallmark Christmas Movies: 2018

I just love the Hallmark Christmas movies.  Here are a few I has watched this year.

***Once Upon a Christmas (2000)

Santa is discouraged due to a lack of Christmas spirit.  His daughter is tasked with getting a family from the naughty to the nice list to save Christmas.  Kristen Clause (Kathy Ireland) has a pretty big task.  Especially since her sister, Rudolfa (Mary Donnelly Haskell) is intent on changing the Holiday to Christmas Fools Day.  In the end the sacrifice Kristen is called upon to make may be larger than she is prepared to do.  This movie was fun.  Ruldolfa is an evil soul but her father gets back at her in the end.

***^Twice Upon a Christmas (2001)  Her is a sequel with Kristen and Ruldolfa still at it.  However, as a result of the first movie Kristen has lost her memory of her life with the Clauses as well as her immortality.  Ruldolfa comes back from her banishment with the goal of selling the North Pole.  In this way Christmas will be done.  She sends pieces all over the world.  She even plans to sell the real estate to Donald Trump for a Trump Tower.  And without her memory Kristen is not likely to intervene; although she knows something is not quite right.  It is a doll that they kids have gotten as part of the pole that jogs her memory and puts Kristen into action.  Here is a sequel with a bit more magic than the original.

****A Town Without Christmas (2001)

Peter Falk plays the role of the magical manipulator who is getting everyone together.  In the end, two people, a writer and a reporter, (Rick Roberts and Patricia Heaton) who are both in Seacliff, Washington pursuing the story of a boy Chris, who has sent a note to Santa hinting at suicide.  They have different motivations however, as the writer has received some paintings which portray the past and the future and include a picture of the letter.  However their two pursuits merge and leads to a romance.  However the big question is finding and saving Chris. 

***^A Town Christmas Forgot (2001)  When the Bensons (Rick Roberts and Lauren Holly) at stranded with their two children due to car issues in Nowhere, Colorado, they come upon a town that is dying due to the loss of the coal mining industry.  The people are depressed, many having left, and the mayor has failed at finding any other business to come to town.  No one will finance a ski lift up the mountain behind town.  But in the end they find likeable people, and even though their car is fixed so they can travel on to the fancy resort they have reserved, the turn around to join the locals for the Christmas Eve Pageant.  And the Bensons are in position to help the town with their problems. 

****A Christmas to Remember (2016)

I think this is my favorite of the Hallmark movies I have watched.  The romance just seems to jump off the screen more.  This is the story of a woman, Jennifer Wade (Mira Sorvino) TV personality, cooking show, who needs to get away.  She is headed to a rural Colorado, and while doing so, she slides off the road and bumps her head, and loses her memory.  She has no memory of who she is.  She is taken in by a single man and his family.  John Blake (Cameron Mathison) and his children are still dealing with the death of his wife and the kids’ mother three years prior.  Even though she does not remember her name, she still remembers her cooking and domestic skills.  Through these skills the family begins to heal, as well as herself.  A romance ensues; but this is interrupted when someone recognizes her and she is forced back to her urban life.  However Jennifer has other plans.

***Santa Incident (2010)  Santa (James Cosmo) is shot down by the Air Force, and he is found with a cracked skull by two siblings who are taking a restricted short-cut to school.  The little girl’s smile is very infectious.  She believes in Santa, while her brother is not sure.  Santa was gathering supplies and Christmas is coming.  On his tail are two people from Homeland Security who pursue Santa as a threat to national security.  Santa has enough magic to make toys.  He sets up shop in an abandoned warehouse where the older brother likes to spend time.  However he still needs to be rescued by the elves.  The eventually show up with the restored sleigh and Christmas is saved.  However not before Santa sparks a romance for their mother.  Father ran away a couple years prior. 

***^A Carol Christmas (2003)  Carol Cartman (Tori Spelling) is the diva of the talk show scene.  Everyone is scared of her and she doesn’t hesitate to fire those who displease her.  That is until she is visited by four ghosts.  First her Aunt, who mentored her in the business to be sure everyone is always waiting for you, and treat everyone as you inferior.  She even chased off her love interest.  Then the Ghost of Christmas Pat (Gary Coleman) and the Ghost of Christmas Present (William Shatner)  And of course the Ghost of Christmas Future.  When they are through with her, Carol is a changed woman.  The mood of her show is changed from being cynical to being uplifting.  She even offers to pay for all her cast to travel to Hawaii.

Theatrical Review: Scrooge: The Musical, Temple Hill (2016)

Let me start by saying that this is not my favorite musical of "A Christmas Carol."  However I enjoyed it more than the movie.  Second, it was obvious this was presented by amateur actors, with busy lives outside of acting.  However it has lots to recommend it.  The dancing was superb, and the sets were fantastic.  Greg Casper, who direct Pageant they year we were in it, portrayed Christmas Present.  Dwight Long from our Stake Broadway Review played Fezziwig, and did a marvelous job, leading the song, "December the 25th."  However, most of the music here was forgettable; that is just the way it was written.
The love songs just weren't quite love songs, as they talked about happiness rather than love.  There is some emotion in the song Scrooge sings, looking back at his failed opportunity for love.  You...you were my only love.  It is touching.  The other song I like is the redemption son "I'll Begin Again" and Scrooge did.  His life is remarkable changed, that is why I so much enjoy this story. 

Movie Review: ****An American Christmas Carol (1979) Henry Winkler

This is an American version of A Christmas Carol.  There are a few differences in the plot.  Henry Winkler who portrays Benjamin Slade (instead of Scrooge) is a finance man, and is in the habit or repossessing many items he sells so he can sell them again to somebody else.  He is ruthless in what he does, even collecting many items on Christmas Eve.  Winkler portrays himself many times in his life, young man, middle aged and old man, and does an excellent job.  By morning his transformation is complete after visits from his old partner as well as ghosts of Christmas past present and future.  He returns Christmas Day to return the items repossessed, as well as leaving Christmas presents.  He also commits to reopening the quarry after previously saying he would not reopen it.  This would give hope for the future.

Movie Review: ** Ms. Scrooge (1997)

This is a twist on the Christmas Carol story.  It is set with an African American woman, who lost her father to fire, and her mother to heart ache, and her brother to the Viet Nam War.  Ebenita Scrooge's (Cicely Tyson) only surviving relative is her nephew (Michael Beach), who is a preacher at a local church.  She treats her employees with contempt, and hoards her money in  vault in her room.  This is not my favorite.  The first three ghosts, seem to have little effect on her.  Her former partner, Maude Marley (Katherine Helmond) as well as Christmas past or present, scarcely have any effect, rather than to make her feel bad.  She doesn't seem effected until she sees some of her future decisions, if she doesn't change.  The change from the next morning, seems false.  They go through the story and the motions, but something is missing for me.

Christmas Movie Review: **^Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)

This is a 1962 made for TV animated feature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Xhl0M0eXs This is the Christmas Carol, as portrayed by Mr. Magoo (Jim Backus (of Gilligan's Island)).  It starts with a silly piece of Mr. Magoo arriving late for his Broadway performance.  He says he never misses an entrance, even though he is half an hour late.  Mr. Magoo is miserly, not sharing coal with Bob Cratchit.  He makes several jokes about his sight, and then the ghost jokes about his sight as well.  Mr. Magoo is too cheap to purchase glasses.  The ghosts come in a different order, Marley, then Christmas present before Christmas past and then Christmas yet-to-be.  The music is entertaining, but not that memorable.  Antics about his sight is what makes Mr. Magoo.  He shakes the turkey's hand, talks to the horse and the snowmen, thinks a statue is his reflection,  No nephew in this show, and I missed him.

Movie Review: ****The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Michael Caine stars as Scrooge in this version of Muppet Christmas Carol in which most of the characters are Muppets, and even the vegetables sing.  This is a very enjoyable version.  Rizzo and Gonzo (as Charles Dickens) narrate, Piggy and Kermit are the Cratchits, and the grouchy old men are Marley and Marley.  There are several enjoyable songs, but the song on the theme of "God Bless Us Everyone" is my favorite:
Bless Us All

Life is full of sweet surprises, every day's a gift
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my sprit
It fills me up with laughter, it fills me up with song
I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong
Bless us all, who gather here
The loving family I hold dear
No place on Earth, compares with home
And every path will bring me back from where I roam
Bless us all, that as we live
We always comfort and forgive
We have so much that we can share
With those in need we see around us everywhere
Let us always love each other
Lead us toward the light
Let us hear the voice of reason
Singing in the night
Let us run from anger
And catch when we fall
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please
Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years
With noisy games and joyous tears
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all
I enjoyed this movie and it is one of my favorite.  Of course the best scene is the next morning, and they do a very good job with this.  James Caan is very good as Scrooge.

Christmas Movie Musical Review: **Scrooge 1970

  This is a musical version featuring Albert Finney and Alec Guinness.  When I realized it was a musical, I had my doubts, and those doubts were confirmed.  How could Scrooge be a singer?  Although I enjoyed hi "I hate people."  I did not like the songs at the end, "I love Christmas" which turned into a big production numbers, just to have one it seemed.  Scrooge played Santa to the Crachetts, which didn't work for me as it was too drastic a change.  The anonymous Scrooge is more to my liking.  Alec Guinness lived up to his being a master of disguise, but his character seemed like a robot rather than a ghost.

Movie Review: *^A Christmas Carol (2008)

*^A Christmas Carol 2008, animated.  This movie is shorter, and just misses the feeling of the story.  It had animated animals portraying the parts, and was two immature for my taste. 

A Christmas Carol: Summary (23 reviews)

My take on 21 versions of "A Christmas Carol"

***** A Christmas Carol: A New Musical (2011)

****^ A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004 Kelsey Grammer)

**** Spirited (2022)

**** A Christmas Carol (Patrick Stewart, 1999)

**** A Christmas Carol: Scrooge (1951 Alastair Sim)

**** A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

 
****An American Christmas Carol (1979) Henry Winkler

***^ Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022) A made for Netflix animated version which mostly hits the mark

***^ A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott, 1984) 

***^ A Christmas Carol (1938)

***^ A Christmas Carol (Central Washington U)

*** Christmas Carol (Jim Carrey, 2009, Disney)

*** A Christmas Carol (1971) animated short

***  Scrooge (1935)  Seymoour Hicks as Scrooge

**^ Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962) animated
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/03/christmas-movie-review-mr-magoos.html

**^ A Micky Christmas Carol (1983). Scrooge McDuck as Scrooge

** A Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001) 

** Scrooge, (1970 Albert Finney, Alec Guiness)

** A Christmas Carol (1969) animated

** A Christmas Carol (animated 1994)

**Ms Scrooge (1997)

*^ A Christmas Carol, (animated, 2008)

* Scrooged (1988, Bill Murray)

Audio Book: A Christmas Carol
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2013/12/audio-book-christmas-carol-from-ldsorg.html

Christmas Movie Review: ***^A Christmas Carol (1938)

This version of "A Christmas Carol" stars Reginald Owen as Ebenezer Scrooge.  This telling has a bit of a different twist, presenting the nephew first, and his sliding on the ice.  In this story, the nephew is engaged rather than married, waiting for better financial prospects before he marries.  Interesting June Lockhart (Lost in Space) is one of the Cratchit children.  Her parents play her parents is this film, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit.  Scrooge converts to liking Christmas earlier in this presentation, as he is reminded he once liked Christmas before turning to ingratitude and greed.  Part of his repentance he offers his nephew a partnership, and Bob a raise.  This paves the way for his nephew to marry, and his employee to provide for his family.  It again ends with the famous line for Tiny Tim, God bless us everyone.

Audio Book A Christmas Carol from lds.org

There is a free audio book presentation of "A Christmas Carol" available from lds.org.  It is very enjoyable and produced by the church.  Sometimes the background noises interfere with hearing the book, but other than that it is very good.  The noise and music is to give some flavor to the reading.   I don't know for how long it be available but it is there now.
http://www.lds.org/media-library/audio

Christmas Movie Review: ****^A Christmas Carol: The Musical

A Christmas Carol Musical  This is a movie version of the Broadway Musical.  This is a delightful find.  It stars Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge and Jason Alexander as Jacob Marley.   Yes Kelsey Grammer has a singing role, and he does a very good job with his gruffy voice.  Most of the singing is carried by the background characters, and very well done.  It is not overly dramatic with its large production numbers.  Most of the action takes place outside at the beginning, rather than in the office.  The ghosts are people he meets upon the streets that day, and entertainer, a beggar, a blind lady.  The transformation takes place with each of the visits.   

There is a song in this production which is very beautiful and stays with me, “God Bless us Everyone”

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LiyE8-MokY

Let the stars in the sky
Remind us of man’s compassion.
Let us love till we die
And God bless us, everyone.

In your heart
There’s a light as
Bright as a star in Heaven.
Let it shine through the night and
God bless us, everyone.

‘Til each child is fed,
‘Til all men are free,
‘Til the world
Becomes a
Family

Star by star in the sky
And kindness by human kindness,
Let me love ‘til I die
And God bless us everyone.

Theatrical Review: ***^ A Christmas Carol: Central Washington U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqrnHCsPwE
I enjoyed this theatrical version of "The Christmas Carol."  The reaction of Scrooge the next morning are especially delightful and stand out in my mind.  "I am lighter than air, I am flying, I am a baby, what do I do?"  It is worth watching this version just for the next morning.
The only thing I didn't care for in this version is that the old Scrooge took a role in the ghostly shadows, dancing at Fezziwig's party.  Other than that, a delightful presentation.

Movie Review: A Christmas Carol (1994) animated

This is an animated version of "A Christmas Carol" which really doesn't have much to make it stand out than the other animated versions.  It tells the story adequately, but just so.

Christmas Movie Review: ***^A Chrstmas Carol 2009: Jim Carrey

This is the Disney version of "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carrey.  The characters are so real with their animation, which is their strength and down fall.  It is just too much over done with the new animations.  It makes the characters scary, much to scary for children, and sometimes for me.  I cannot watch this with Tony.  Gary Oldman plays Bob Cratchit and Colin Firth the nephew, Fred.