Movies You Might Have Missed Mondays – Christmas Edition

I’ve not met too many people who share my fondness for dry, 19^th Century, English novels.

Well, I don’t think they’re dry.

Jane Austen, Robert Louis Stevenson, William Makepeace Thackeray, the Bronte sisters, Lewis Carroll, Henry James. Yes, they used a lot of words, but they used them masterfully, and the stories have lasted decades.

Well, one of those wordy authors wrote one of the most well-known, modern-day Christmas story ever told – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, first published in 1843.

One reason it’s so well-known is that it’s been interpreted into film so many times, beginning almost at the same time the medium of film did. The Muppets even did a version in 1992 – that is awesome. But it’s not my favorite version.

I was in fourth grade when George C. Scott starred in a 1984 television version of A Christmas Carol. This production is crafted so well, it would have won Oscars galore had it been a movie. Being television, Scott did garner an Emmy nomination, but didn’t win. Still, I doubt that made any difference to him – he famously did not show up to accept the Oscar he did win for Patton (another classic, fabulous performance, indeed.)

Anyway, many have attempted to portray the iconic character, Ebenezer Scrooge, and many have done him justice. But none like Mr. Scott.

He grumbles, scowls, crinkles his eyes, barks, quivers and cowers with such conviction, surely even Charles Dickens applauds.

Aside from Scott’s performance, I love the story because it’s one of second chances, repentance, and best of all, redemption.

Have you seen it? Recently?

Though this version of A Christmas Carol is well-known, many of us haven’t had a chance to or taken the time to watch it.

It would be a good one to see this season as we celebrate the birth of Redemption.

Or you could catch the Muppet one. It’s good too. J

It’d be criminal if I didn’t also recommend checking out Scott’s other awesome performances including the aforementioned Patton, Rescuers Down Under in which he voices the evil poacher McLeach, and my personal favorite Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. His priceless General “Buck” Turgidson cracks me UP and shows Scott’s remarkable sense of humor and comedic timing, a refreshing change since so many of his known characters are gruff and grumpy.

But you can get to those after Christmas. Only 12 more days!

Have a great week, Dry Ground friends!

(photos by photobucket.com)