dual personalities

We are closing in on December 25 and I have yet to blog about some of my very favorite Christmas movies! Isn’t that always the way? We haven’t had time to watch them either. Sigh. Well, I do want to mention our favorite version of the Charles Dickens classic, Scrooge (1951), directed by Brian Desmond Hurst. It is, in our humble opinion, by far the best interpretation and the most English.

Alistair Sim is pitch perfect as the old skinflint, Ebenezer Scrooge. He plays it so straight all the way through–never mugging or clowning his way–and then at the end, his over-the-top joy seems just right. He is wonderful and all the character parts are well-done too. We especially like Kathleen Harrison as Mrs. Dilber and Michale Hordern as Jacob Marley (scary!).

We must also note that we are terribly fond of The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) featuring Michael Caine as old Ebenezer.

Not Michael Caine

The Muppet version is admirably respectful of the original story and the Muppets are as always hard to resist. Kermit makes a pretty cute Bob Cratchit.

Somewhere in the 12 days of Christmas there must be time for: The Bishop’s Wife (1947), A Christmas Story (1983), Home Alone (1990), It’s A Wonderful Life (1946), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Miracle on 34th Street (1947)…So many movies, so little time! (Have I forgotten anything?)