Sleigh bells ring, are ya listenin'?
With winter coming and the holiday season moving in faster than St. Nick going up a chimney, beloved traditions will fill our thoughts for the next few weeks. So, before you start roasting chestnuts on an open fire and find Jack Frost nipping at your nose, we’ll give you our own gift of "Twelve Nights of Christmas Films."
For the first film of Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)
The first major Muppet production after the passing of the great Jim Henson hit theaters almost exactly 28 years ago. It originally was supposed to be a TV special but moved to the big screen. It follows the Charles Dickens story, using our beloved foam-and-felt-covered players.
The remarkable Sir Michael Caine plays Ebenezer Scrooge. He told producer/director Brian Henson (Jim’s son) that he would play the role as if he were with the Royal Shakespeare Company, which was highly encouraged. In fact, Caine would mention he felt this was the most memorable role he played in his stellar career.
Gonzo and Rizzo narrate the movie as they stay true to the original novel. Adults will love that aspect, and children will love all of their favorite Muppets dancing and singing along. There's some fun and laughter (leave the comedy to the bears), but also some poignant moments (especially the coughing of Tiny Tim). The film sometimes goes a little darker than one might expect from a G-rated film, as it stays with the theme of the story. In the end, the lesson is straightforward, but giving the rats coal might lead to a little confusion (it is really a gift).
The 85-minute film is fun for all, well because … God blesses everyone. It can be found on Disney Plus or Prime for $2.99.
The second film for Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
“A Christmas Carol” (1971)
This one might come out of left field because it is hardly known and rarely shown on television. In fact, you may only be able to see it via YouTube or Vox. However, rest assured, the 25-minute animated short film is highly worth it. It is the only version of this story to win an Oscar and the only TV special to ever win one. It was shown briefly theatrically, which allowed for a nomination, but the rules would be changed afterwards, making it the rarest of rarities.
Alastair Sim voices Scrooge (more about him shortly) and the great Michael Redgrave narrates. The film’s hand-drawn animation is nothing short of spectacular and Dickens’ story is treated wonderfully. Pull it up during a lunch break and enjoy, it is worth every second.
The third film for Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
"Scrooged" (1988)
Richard Donner (“Superman” and the “Lethal Weapon” series) takes his turn at the Dickens classic, but gives viewers an amusing spin on the tale. Bill Murray is Frank Cross, a television executive who is similar to Scrooge in that he is self-centered and selfish, even setting up a live production of “A Christmas Carol” on Christmas Eve.
The film is rated PG-13, but a word of caution, it is not a family-friendly movie. It is much more adult-oriented and probably won’t appeal to a younger audience anyhow. It does have some very funny parts (it is Bill Murray after all), and a lot of references and cameos will add to the entertainment value. Much like other versions of this story, there is a lesson at the end and the music is fitting. The 101-minute film is good for an evening in, but better after the kids have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.
It can be found on Prime for $2.99.
The fourth film for Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
"A Christmas Carol" (1951)
Sixty-nine years ago, the made-for-TV movie first came to the small screen, with a powerful cast and excellent moments.
Alastair Sim (yes, the guy from the animated film) performs the live version of Ebenezer Scrooge. He brings the character to chilling life, but it is Brian Desmond Hurst’s use of shadows and other tricks for the ghosts that will draw viewers in. The black-and-white film may be a little hard to see, but the cinematography is very good. Again, not really a family film, but a fantastic tribute to the late writer and one that sets the bar for all other adaptations.
The film is not rated (it was a TV movie), but I would place it in the PG-13 range (though children won’t be interested in it). The 86-minute film is on Prime for $1.99.
Next week, we’ll give you four more, as we count down to Santa’s arrival.
Before I go though, I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to perhaps the most recognized character in films over the last 50 years and the person who played it.
In memoriam
On Saturday, Nov. 28, David Charles Prowse, an English bodybuilder, passed on due to complications from Alzheimer’s and COVID-19. He stood out at about 6-foot-6, but he was bigger than that … he was a gentle giant and beloved by the many people lucky enough to know him. Though you may not recognize the name, his onscreen character is the most noted villain of the 20th century – the one and only Darth Vader.
Personally given the choice between playing Chewbacca and Vader by George Lucas himself, Prowse went with the latter, quoted as saying, “Everyone remembers the villain.” We certainly do, and though it was the first recurring character to be played by three different actors at the same time (body, voice and face), Prowse was the man who gave us the ultimate movie bad guy (who like Scrooge, redeems himself at the end). May you rest in peace; the Force will be with you, always.
• Jim Stockwell is a tenured instructor of film and broadcast journalism at McHenry County College, teaching Introduction to Film, Advanced Film and Introduction to Public Speaking.