Speaking of Victorian Christmases, I was reading "The Blue Carbuncle" by Conan Doyle and watching the 1984 TV showing featuring Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. NEVER do Holmes and Watson wish anyone a "Merry Christmas." They say "compliments of the season." Which is now my go-to greeting for this time of year.
I watched the Muppets Christmas Carol on Disney the other night. It is really the best version for me. Michael Caine is a revelation as Scrooge and the writing is really great. Who knew Michael Caine could sing?
And of course Kermit was born to play Bob Crachit.
Cool piece, Stephen. I am immediately reminded of the creative, funny, and moving Ira David Woods community musical version i saw for the first time this year. I laughed, I cried, I felt renewed. And regretted not discovering this local gem decades ago. But it’s never too late.
My grown daughter and I share a particular love for Scrooged, the 1988 version of the Dickens classic starring Bill Murray, with a great supporting cast. Co-written by Michael O'Donoghue, it's a very wry, modern look at the Dickens story and delightful in every way.
Thank you, Stephen, for this beautiful piece. A Christmas Carol is a masterpiece, and truly a classic, because its theme is as relevant today as it was in Victorian England. Happiest of holidays to you and yours!
Thanks for this. The Sim version really is the best, with my main man Miles Malleson helping a couple of harpies to estate sale Scrooge's bedding. I also like the Balzac like details of how Scrooge rose, and the collection of 19th century toys in the window of the shop during the titles. But what really stops me in my tracks are Want and Ignorance; sadly at large today.
Nice write up Stephen. I think one thing Dickens was also trying to impress upon his readers-some covetous old sinners among them surely-that *no one is beyond redemption*, even at Scrooge's age. There is always time to turn it around, a lesson I think we all can take to heart as we try to interact with people in our own time we've labeled beyond hope. Otherwise, what is the real point of A Christmas Carol?
I wonder if the draft versions included the Ghost of Christmas Past Imperfect.
Or a version where Marley, when alive, was visited by the ghosts and was all “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts” and went back to sleep. I could see Hollywood adding more sequels and an extended universe because there is some money out there the studios don’t have yet.
Speaking of Victorian Christmases, I was reading "The Blue Carbuncle" by Conan Doyle and watching the 1984 TV showing featuring Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. NEVER do Holmes and Watson wish anyone a "Merry Christmas." They say "compliments of the season." Which is now my go-to greeting for this time of year.
I watched the Muppets Christmas Carol on Disney the other night. It is really the best version for me. Michael Caine is a revelation as Scrooge and the writing is really great. Who knew Michael Caine could sing?
And of course Kermit was born to play Bob Crachit.
You should check out “Little Voice.” He can sing.
Thank you, Stephen, for a great piece about a great Christmas story.
Given the times we live in, with a multi-billionaire oligarchy of Scrooges having taken over the country, a Christmas Carol is as timely as ever.
Cool piece, Stephen. I am immediately reminded of the creative, funny, and moving Ira David Woods community musical version i saw for the first time this year. I laughed, I cried, I felt renewed. And regretted not discovering this local gem decades ago. But it’s never too late.
Rehearsal video:
https://youtu.be/IJ9pUhGDQq8?si=os6iUU7HKd-wwxnI
My grown daughter and I share a particular love for Scrooged, the 1988 version of the Dickens classic starring Bill Murray, with a great supporting cast. Co-written by Michael O'Donoghue, it's a very wry, modern look at the Dickens story and delightful in every way.
I like a lot of the retellings of the story, but "Scrooged" is 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘳 my all-time favorite!
Loved this piece. Great lesson too. When we give we also receive and you can choose which one but make your choice very wisely.
I love this literary analysis.
Thank you, Stephen, for this beautiful piece. A Christmas Carol is a masterpiece, and truly a classic, because its theme is as relevant today as it was in Victorian England. Happiest of holidays to you and yours!
Thanks for this. The Sim version really is the best, with my main man Miles Malleson helping a couple of harpies to estate sale Scrooge's bedding. I also like the Balzac like details of how Scrooge rose, and the collection of 19th century toys in the window of the shop during the titles. But what really stops me in my tracks are Want and Ignorance; sadly at large today.
Nice write up Stephen. I think one thing Dickens was also trying to impress upon his readers-some covetous old sinners among them surely-that *no one is beyond redemption*, even at Scrooge's age. There is always time to turn it around, a lesson I think we all can take to heart as we try to interact with people in our own time we've labeled beyond hope. Otherwise, what is the real point of A Christmas Carol?
I wonder if the draft versions included the Ghost of Christmas Past Imperfect.
Or a version where Marley, when alive, was visited by the ghosts and was all “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts” and went back to sleep. I could see Hollywood adding more sequels and an extended universe because there is some money out there the studios don’t have yet.