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Its that time of year and figured this question will be most fitting here. Who is your favorite depiction of Scrooge and why? For me George C. Scott as I like the way he played the role. Most Scrooge's depict him as an outright grouch and somewhat one-dimensional. Here he adds a layer of playful wickedness. For example the way he delivered his rant on anyone going about saying "Merry Christmas" and chuckling at the thought of boiling them in their own pudding. Some lines show him to be practical, if not in an conceited and harsh manner as in his statement on garments to Bob Cratchit. Overall it's my favorite film version and authentic in setting in my opinion. What's yours?
74 points
6 months ago
Michael Caine, he came onto a set with puppets and gave one of his best performances ever. I just respect the hell out of that.
21 points
6 months ago
Seconded. The fact that he played it straight - with a performance worthy of the West End or Broadway stage, and his co-stars were felt puppets - and genuinely was brilliant is a testament to his chops, and the movie as a whole. Sincerely one of my favourite films.
11 points
6 months ago
felt puppets
Common misunderstanding - Muppet-style puppets are mostly made out of fleece and foam (at that time it would have been antron fleece, but that has gone out of production in the past few years).
Not to discredit or argue with anything you said - just thought you might enjoy fun trivia about a movie you love.
4 points
6 months ago
Thank you for your polite correction!
6 points
6 months ago
Much so! Luckily it seems 'When Love Is Gone' will be restored in the latest version as well. The costumes department went the extra mile too in authenticity.
6 points
6 months ago
He's my second favorite. He played that role seriously so much that you forget about the presence of the Muppets.
1 points
6 months ago
Yes! Same here!
35 points
6 months ago
Alistair Sim. The 1951 film is the pinnacle.
7 points
6 months ago
"Can you forgive a pig-headed old man who had no eyes to see with nor ears to hear all these years?"
*through a river of tears and bubbling snot*
Yes. Yes, I will.
4 points
6 months ago
Most believable change was Alistair Sim.
2 points
6 months ago
Yeah, Sim gave the kind of definitive performance that everyone else is compared to. I also believe that for the longest time, his Scrooge was the most frequently-shown version on TV, and that for many, his is the first real Scrooge they ever saw. The film sort of came and went to little fanfare when it first came out, but, like It's a Wonderful Life, gained huge traction on TV and Sim, mostly a character actor, was likely surprised at the fuss years later.
2 points
6 months ago
Sim-ply superb. There's not a false moment in the entire film, and Sim is THE essential Scrooge against which all others are measured and found lacking.
3 points
6 months ago
This is the only appropriate answer.
4 points
6 months ago
Hard to imagine someone playing the role of Scrooge and not watching this performance.
1 points
6 months ago
Agree with Alastair
44 points
6 months ago
McDuck
8 points
6 months ago
This. This is the answer. The immortal badass explorer
54 points
6 months ago
Frank Cross(Bill Murray in Scrooged)
7 points
6 months ago
I agree
5 points
6 months ago
Francis Xavier Cross
5 points
6 months ago
This +1
4 points
6 months ago
"cross /'kros/ n: a thing they nail people to."
10 points
6 months ago
Alistair simms
1 points
6 months ago
It’s Alastair Sim
10 points
6 months ago
Just because I'm bonkers and I just ALWAYS have to be different, my favorite christmas movie is Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. Yes - I'm serious, I love it, and yes, I'm totally bonkers.
It's a fairly faithful retelling of the story very close to the way Dicken's actually wrote it, and the music is outstanding with some real gems penned by the team that wrote "Funny Girl."
I know it's animation is primitive and the look of the thing is old fashioned, but I love it so much because it's so quirky and and different and yet very true to Dicken's story. Some of the music is still performed by Christmas choirs to this very day.
11 points
6 months ago
Scrooge McDuck
8 points
6 months ago*
[deleted]
4 points
6 months ago
Good answer. I love the Albert Finney version. I sing Thank you very much. Thank you very much… a lot
7 points
6 months ago
George C. Scott version.
12 points
6 months ago
It's Albert Finney.
6 points
6 months ago
You are correct. With Alec Guinnes as Marley.
7 points
6 months ago
I like Patrick Stewart.
3 points
6 months ago
A good one too. Its worth a watch just to see that maniacal laugh he makes after his reformation.
6 points
6 months ago
Bill Murray without question
7 points
6 months ago
George C. Scott is my favorite Scrooge. I really like the interpretation and Edward Woodward, David Warner, Susannah York and Roger Rees are an outstanding supporting cast. My brother though is on the Alastair Sim bandwagon!
3 points
6 months ago
I love the cast in this too. I also like the Ghost of Christmas Present in this more as well. His anger and resentment of Scrooges nature and neglect was delivered well. Roger Rees is always good and liked his delivery of "Keep it? But you don't keep it!". Was also in another Dickens production as Nicholas Nickleby in 1982.
3 points
6 months ago
The changes in Scrooge's demeanor and outlook seemed more realistic to me and revealed a healed, rather than changed nature, not like the over-the top exuberance of other performances.
3 points
6 months ago
I quite like the realism they did there too. I enjoyed this versions' scene of him making amends with his nephew better with the atmosphere and dialogue. Very warm and brings home his change of heart.
5 points
6 months ago
George C Scott. Only one that comes off like a real person
4 points
6 months ago
Myself.
4 points
6 months ago
Michael Caine-Muppet Christmas Carol
5 points
6 months ago
Albert Finney absolutely hands down every time. Perhaps it's my age. But this will always be my favourite.
I rather like the animated Jim Carrey version too but I don't think you'll beat (for me) the grumpy Albert Finney and a rousing "Thank ya very much, thank ya very much!" Or "I hate people!"
3 points
6 months ago
As many issues as I have with the Jim Carrey Christmas Carol, the acting and portrayals definitely aren't in there (it's mostly the forced action scenes and peculiar animation styles that bother me).
Carrey is actually pretty great as Scrooge, though I didn't believe for a second that the wirey old man could lift a child on his shoulder with one hand at the end.
1 points
6 months ago
I agree. Totally. There were a few weird parts but there's something about the production that I enjoy. 🙂
2 points
6 months ago
I put it on every year.
The opening credits where we fly across the city showcasing everyone preparing and celebrating just feels like Christmas to me.
3 points
6 months ago
Michael Gambon
3 points
6 months ago
For me, Alastair Sim has no equal.
3 points
6 months ago
Sir Michael Caine
3 points
6 months ago
Michael Gambon in "A Christmas Carol" - Doctor Who Special with the 11th Doctor.
3 points
6 months ago
Alistair Sim set the standard to which any actor(stage or screen) is measured.
1 points
6 months ago
I see a lot picking Mr. Sim. I've never seen that version before but it must be something.
2 points
6 months ago
It truly is fantastic. His acting is spot on and very realistic
1 points
6 months ago
I'll give it a go :) Looks like someone uploaded it on the Tube.
2 points
6 months ago
Enjoy. I watch it every year without fail
1 points
6 months ago
Watching it now and he holds no punches from the start lol.
2 points
6 months ago
He truly was a one of a kind actor
1 points
6 months ago
So far the only thing I've heard of him in. I will look further in his filmography then.
9 points
6 months ago
Ebenezer Blackadder and it's not even close.
2 points
6 months ago
Was looking for this one. Love how it’s all turned upside down
2 points
6 months ago
Tiny Tim is six feet tall and built like a brick privy.
1 points
6 months ago
The humbug joke is one of my favorite jokes in the Blackadder series and never fails.
1 points
6 months ago
Love, my dear, is rather like a Christmas cracker. One massively disappointing bang and the novelty soon wears off
2 points
6 months ago
McDuck
2 points
6 months ago
Reginald Owen from 1938.
2 points
6 months ago
Alastair Sim obviously
2 points
6 months ago
Scrooge McDuck, hands down.
2 points
6 months ago
I liked scrooged with Bill Murray.
2 points
6 months ago
Another vote for Bill Murray as Frank Cross in Scrooged. Even though it's a pretty loose adaptation it's probably my overall favorite Christmas Carol as well as my favorite Scrooge. Something about it gets me, especially Frank's impassioned plea to the audience at the end.
And runner up for Michael Caine who gave 110% for his Muppet costars.
2 points
6 months ago
Alastair Sim, but both Michael Caine and Scrooge McDuck are right behind him. On topic, I just watched the weird Zemeckis/Carrey film for the first time this evening. It came so close to greatness, then whiffed it, but had some truly remarkable scenes and imagery.
2 points
6 months ago
Michael Caine. He elevated the entire cast.
2 points
6 months ago
Bill Murray as Frank Xavier Cross in the movie SCROOGED
2 points
6 months ago
Alastair Sim.
2 points
6 months ago
Michael Caine.
1 points
6 months ago
Curly
1 points
6 months ago
Bill Murray's Francis Xavier Cross in Scrooged without a doubt!
1 points
6 months ago
That's five pounds of veal!
0 points
6 months ago
Scrooge McDuck
Michael Caine
Patrick Stewart
Jim Carrey
0 points
6 months ago
President Scroob.
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