Scrooge

Plot synopsis:
Five children sing before doors in 19th century London. Scrooge sends them away without any money.His nephew Fred enters his countinghouse, and suggests that 7PM on Christmas Eve is too late to be working. Mr. Cratchett mumbles, "Hear, hear!" but Scrooge threatens him with the loss of his job. Fred invites him to dinner the following evening, but Scrooge refuses and Fred leaves.As the clock strikes seven, Cratchett leaves his desk and asks for his wages. Scrooge gives them with an ill grace and also reluctantly allows Cratchett to have the following day, Christmas, off.The scene switches to a toy shop window where Tiny Tim is watching the mechanical toys. Bob meets them there and, flush with his 15 shillings of wages, they buy preparations for their Christmas meal. Meanwhile, Scrooge meets two gentlemen as he locks his counting house. They ask him for a contribution to feed the poor, but Scrooge refuses. On his way home, he stops by several merchants to demand overdue loan payments, also accepting samples of their merchandise as no more than his due. The children follow him home, taunting him by calling him "Father Christmas." and steal his top hat.As he reaches home, the door knocker turns momentarily to the face of his old partner, Jacob Marley. Disbelieving, Scrooge enters his rooms, where he sees a ghostly carriage go past. He sits down by the fire to eat his supper, when all the bells in the house start to ring. They rise to a deafening crescendo, then stop abruptly. Scrooge hears a clank of chains coming up the stairs, and locks his door, but the locks unbolt themselves and the ghost of Jacob Marley enters. Scrooge asks him to sit down, and the ghost does so, although missing the chair. Scrooge tells the ghost he does not believe in him, whereupon the ghost rises in the air, moaning and banging his chains. Scrooge, terrified, admits belief. The ghost explains he wears the chains he forged in life, and that Scrooge has forged one equally as long. The ghost takes him out into the sky, where dozens of phantoms float, and warns him that he may share their fate. The ghost explains that the visit of three ghosts may allow Scrooge to avoid this.When the clock strikes one, the first ghost appears. She takes Scrooge back to his boyhood school, where most of the children are off for a Christmas party. Young Scrooge, however, is left behind. At another Christmas, however, Scrooge's sister Fran comes to take him home, and at a third Scrooge's old master Fezziwig prepares a party with the help of the apprentices. Scrooge doesn't join the dancing, however, as he doesn't know how. But Old Scrooge points out that the money Fezziwig had spent was minimal compared to the happiness that he had brought. He had planned to wed Fezziwig's daughter, and a series of flashbacks occur showing them enjoying time together. The ghost asks why he let her go if he loved her, and they view a final Christmas where she leaves him.Back in his bedroom, Scrooge is ready to pass the whole thing off as a dream, when he hears laughter from the next room. A tall, bearded figure is there with light and a large feast. He offers Scrooge a drink of "The Milk of Human Kindness", which he enjoys greatly. The ghost shows Scrooge how to enjoy life, and takes him on a journey to see Bob Cratchett's house. Cratchett proposes a toast to Scrooge, which his wife at first refuses to make, thinking him stingy, but eventually she relents due to the day.When Scrooge asks if Tiny Tim will die, the ghost repeats his words back to him: "Best that he do it and decrease the surplus population". They then go to Scrooge's nephew Fred's house, where he is hosting a party. Fred proposes a toast to Scrooge, and says he doesn't think Scrooge is all bad. Scrooge watches the dances and games and wants to get involved, although the ghost gets quite sleepy. Afterwards, Scrooge, nostalgic, wanders back to his house.He wakes in his cold, dark, rooms, and is confronted by the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. They find a crowd of people outside Scrooge's countinghouse, where everyone is very excited and joyful, much to Scrooge's delight. Happily, he gets up to give a speech, not realizing that his own coffin is being taken out of his house behind him. The coffin is taken down the street with a debtor dancing on it, Scrooge never realizing the true cause of the crowd's joy. Before he finds out, the ghost transports him to Bob Cratchett's house, where the family is working on a grave blanket for Tiny Tim. Scrooge asks to be taken to Tim and the ghost obliges by transporting him to a graveyard where Bob lays a flower on Tim's grave.The ghost points Scrooge to his own grave. He falls in, and down a tunnel into a Netherworld. Marley meets him there to show him to his quarters. Marley confirms that Scrooge is dead, and leads him to an icy cold office, with rats. Several devils bring Scrooge's enormous new chain to him, and wrap it around him. As Scrooge shouts for help, Marley leaves, and once again Scrooge awakens in his bedroom.Thrilled to find himself alive, Scrooge rushes out into the street in his nightshirt, and tells a passing boy to order a huge turkey from the butcher. He then proceeds to the toy store where he purchases almost everything in the store. He takes several presents to his nephew, before dressing as Father Christmas and giving out many toys to the street urchins. Next he goes to Bob Cratchett's to distribute presents, including a large mechanical carousel for Tiny Tim. He then tears up his entire debt ledger and gives 100 guineas to the charity workers. In the end he fastens a beard and Santa hat to the door knocker, telling it that he has to go have Christmas dinner with his family.

Tags: flashback

Review:
The fact that this version is an English production also helps considerably in the credibility department - the accents are authentic.Aside from the scene in "hell", this film is admirably true to the spirit and content of Dicken's text, with some inevitable cuts which frankly, I didn't miss.
By contrast, Albert Finney's portrayal is a joy to watch - you cannot help but both love and hate the miserable old creature, which makes his transformation at the end all the more joyous.
Highlights...The clever use of songs like "Father Christmas" and "Thank You Very Much" to convey very different sentiments at the end of the film than they do when first introduced in eaarlier scenes - marvelous!Albert Finney, as the hilariously miserable Scrooge, singing "I hate People"Alec Guinness as a truly original ghost of Jacob Marley - fantastic!Kenneth More's Ghost of Christmas Present - what presence, what a costume!Laurence Naismith as the exuberant Fezziwig - exactly as he should be, and a good dancer too!Edith Evans (Elderly Ghost of Christmas Past), in response to Scrooge's "You don't look like a ghost", primly replying "Thank You!".Mrs. Cratchhit's scream of shock when she realises who is delivering the enormous turkey to her door!
Moore in one of the last roles before his untimely death, clearly enjoying hamming it up as the ghost of Christmas present carrying the miserable scrooge along for the ride of his life whilst singing `I like life!' is a joy to see.But Finney's performance is the standout.
At a time when he was making films like Charlie Bubbles and Gumshoe, and with a reputation of being one of Britain's foremost angry young men this role was as unexpected as it was wonderful.As a side note I was lucky enough to be able to see Anthony Newley as the miser in Bricusse's early nineties theatrical revival, and although good was no where near as cutting or humorous as Finney.A must see at Christmas time, you too will be singing `I like life' and `thank you very much'  for days afterwards!.
In this delightful musical adaptation of The Charles Dickens' classic, Albert Finney is cast as Ebenezer in `Scrooge,' directed by Ronald Neame, who successfully manages to put a fresh face on the familiar tale.
At 7:00 on Christmas Eve, Scrooge finally tears himself away from his counting house and makes his way home, commenting along the way (in song) that `I Hate People,' only to be greeted at his front door by the apparition of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness).
In addition to the music and songs, there are a couple of scenes that consign this presentation of `A Christmas Carol' the stamp of uniqueness.
It's really a beautiful scene.I love to watch this movie at any time of the year.
Bob Crachit was outstanding and so tender and the ghost of Christmas Present was so fun.I attempted to watch the latest musical version with Kelsey Grammar, I really tried.
At only 12 years of age, the scenes of the Ghost of Christmas Future were quite vivid.However, the movie made such an impression on me that it influenced my entire Life philosophy.
This joyful movie filled with wonderful songs that bring me the Christmas Spirit every year.
I know some people are not musical people, but each song is catchy and some like "I Hate People," "I Like Life," "December the 25th," and the best "Thank You Very Much" will possibly remain in your head days after having seen the film.
Because of its status as a tale of redemption and forgiveness and the possibility each of us have in changing our lives, A Christmas Carol(Scrooge) gets little recognition for being one of the greatest ghost stories ever written.
I HAVE NO AGENDAIn this Charles Dickens classic filled with pathos, hope and redemption, a cold old miser named Scrooge (Albert Finney) is forced by the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future to take a good, long look at his life.
The critics panned the film but I enjoyed it and thought it was different to see a musical version of "A Christmas Carol".
''Scrooge'' a lavish musical version of Charles Dickens ''A Christmas Carol'' is also one of the best yuletide films ever made.
There are other fine adaptations out there, most notably ''Magoo's Christmas Carol'' (with it's terrific score), and Alastair Sim's ''Scrooge'', a somewhat darker version, but this one can stand with the best of them.
As an English teacher who has taught Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol for many, many years, this is truly one of the most inspirational versions of the story I have come across.
It follows the traditional Dickens story (with the exception of an additional scene set in hell) to perfection and depicts the change in Scrooge's character from the mean, miserly, solitary, almost pitiful man, to the reborn, repentant and quite hilariously newly improved Scrooge superbly, and it shows with great conviction the hardships and suffering of the London working class of the era.You really do feel for all the characters you meet, from the very important Bob Cratchit, right through to the much lesser Tom Jenkins, the hot soup seller on the market stall, who later sings the irritatingly catchy song "Thank You Very Much." They all come alive and they all have their own spotlight.The songs are very catchy yet not overwhelming, as some musicals can be.
from the very wicked "I Hate People" to the "Happiness Is Whatever You Want It To Be" (when he touchingly loses the love of his life, Isobelle) right through to "I Like Life" in his final scenes as the jumpy, energetic, magnificently comical new persona.Alec Guiness is fantastic as the deceased Jacob Marley and the scene flying through the sky meeting the other 'phantoms from hell' is quite something!!
In 1860, the stingy and cranky Ebenezer Scrooge (Albert Finney) that hates Christmas; loathes people and defends the decrease of the surplus of poor population runs his bank exploiting his employee Bob Cratchit (David Collings) and clients, giving a bitter treatment to his own nephew and acquaintances.
Scrooge finds that life is good and time is too short and suddenly you are not there anymore, changing his behavior toward Christmas, Bob, his nephew and people in general.This musical adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens to the screen is one of those optimistic films that follows the style of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life".
The redemption of the mean Ebenezer Scrooge in a Christmas Eve is one of the most known worldwide novels and in this version, Albert Finney one of his finest performances surprisingly not nominated to the Oscar.
I fell in love with this movie back in 1970, when I saw it, numerous times, during the Christmas Holidays, at Radio City Music Hall.
My favorite part of the movie is when Scrooge meets the ghost of Christmas Present.
it had the perfect film crew as well.The excellent casting includes Dame Edith Evans, whom plays the ghost of Christmas past like the quality actress she always has been.
And Anton Rodgers deserves a special mention for singing one of my all-time favourite musical numbers, 'Thank You Very Much', which is a rollicking sing-along song.We get this DVD out every Christmas Day, even though the kids are grown up now, and watch it again with as much pleasure as when I was a child watching it.
My kids absolutely love this colorful musical version of "A Christmas Carol".
It ranks up there with "A Christmas Story" and is one of the Christmas movies both me and my husband like the best.It is beautifully filmed with very authentic British scenes & the musical episodes are great.
Best are the "I Hate People", "I Like Life", "Thank You Very Much" & the grand finale at the end of the movie.
The songs are great, with lyrics like "I hate life, life hates me." I think it was one of Albert Finney's best films in his career!
The music is the slightest bit one-dimensional, as the New York Times mentioned at its' release, but the lyrics are wonderfully clever.While clever, imaginative, and true to the spirit of the story, it does have a dark side and I wonder if the darkness drives people toward more uniformly cheerful versions.I recommend this to anyone who enjoys good acting, a faithful rendition of the storyline, good sets and a nice rendition of the characters.Who can resist Dame Edith Evans, portraying the Ghost of Christmas Past, responding to Scrooge's observation that her resplendent dress as not looking as if she were a ghost, saying "Thank you."The best telling of the story, I think..
Here, he has to contend with two of his main actors probably challenging Lee Marvin for the award for worst singer in a major production, being Albert Finney and Alec Guinness, but despite this palpable drawback, the movie works well.The evocation of mid-19th Century London is splendidly achieved (in sets apparently left over from the recently completed "Oliver!") with no stinting on cast numbers per scene either.
The songs are happy singalong and yet suffused with the personality of the singer, thus Scrooge's "I Hate People" and later the crowd, led by Anton Rogers, singing "Thank You Very Much" to Scrooge for dying.The special effects aren't that great, especially when you see a white-painted Guinness as Marley's ghost float up and away on wires but they're tolerable for the time.Finney is very good even buried away under more pancaked makeup than Shrove Tuesday, Guinness a lot less so in a part in which he's obviously ill at ease.
The songs are so catchy that you'll find yourself humming tunes like "Thank You Very Much" and "Father Christmas" as you walk down the street.A wonderful film, this particular version of a Christmas Carol should not be missed..
Albert Finney Gives a masterful performance in this musical version of the Dickens classic.
The catchy "Thank You Very Much" number where Scrooge is dancing in the street with the villagers- totally oblivious to the fact they were celebrating his demise-was probably one of the most memorable scenes in the movie, as I have never forgotten this scene, along with the "hell scene", deleted from most TV airings over the years.I have to admit, though Alistar Sim had always been my favorite Scrooge, Albert Finney's incarnation was more diabolical, which truly enhanced the film.
I did not care for Edith Evans version of the Ghost of Christmas past, as there was nothing ghostly or ethereal about her.Overall, most of the movie stayed true to the Dicken's story, with a few minor differences.
Purists won't be too happy with whatever omissions were made in the Dickens tale to include some harmless songs by Leslie Bricusse, but ALBERT FINNEY (in age make-up) hams it up with a sense of humor as Scrooge--and with a cast including EDITH EVANS, KENNETH MORE and ALEC GUINNESS (as Marley's Ghost), you can't go too far wrong.The atmosphere is good, the color cinematography captures merry old England in all its Victorian splendor, and the songs are brisk and somewhat charming in all their simplicity.
Taken from the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" and set to what I consider wonderful music.
You know that Christmas really has arrived when you see this fun musical on television - featuring Albert Finney (an inspired choice) in the lead, with Edith Evans (Christmas Past), Kenneth More (Christmas Present), David Collings (Cratchit), Michael Medwin (nephew), and Anton Rodgers (who gets the most memorable number as he leads the townspeople in a dance of celebration for the demise of their hated oppressor).The songs are joyous, touching, and clever, and Finney really is a joy as both young and old Scrooge.
'A Christmas Carol (heck They even made a musical version starring with Mr. Magoo as well).This is nice some songs that you remember...
A Christmas Carol has been done time and time again, but no other version can compare to this delightful musical that boasts marvelous acting, lavish sets, and splendid storytelling.Albert Finney portrays a perfectly gnarled and twisted Scrooge (though he was, in fact, only in his early thirties when the film was made).
The story is very true to Dickens' text, and the masterly musical numbers add a sense of merriment to the unshakable holiday spirit that the book so openly promotes.Finney is accompanied by a fine supporting cast, including Kenneth More as the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present (his "I Like Life" song presents a rather thought-provoking philosophy), Dame Edith Evans as Christmas Past, and Sir Alec Guiness as the haunting, and slightly humorous, Jacob Marley.Scrooge is the Christmas Carol to end all Christmas Carols, a charming musical adventure that warms your heart and makes you ponder the true meaning of Christmas.
It used to be my favorite version of "A Christmas Carol" but after seeing the other film versions that have been made, as well as stage and radio versions, I have to sadly admit that it now ranks as one of the weaker ones overall because the flaws are simply more evident than they used to be.To me, the problem isn't the songs which I still enjoy overall (especially "I Like Life", "Happiness") but rather the very weak screenplay in which Leslie Bricusse has sadly removed much of the things that makes Dickens' story truly wonderful for the sake of either weak humor or overblown production numbers.
Are there no workhouses?"  The scenes that really elevate the story in Dickens original and in superior movie tellings like the 1951 version with Alistar Sim are the ones that have sadly been sacrificed, and I think had they been retained, the musical would have been much better..
I really love the way Finney transforms the Scrooge character at the end of the movie.
Nominated for four Oscars for set design, music and costumes, it garnered a Golden Globe for Albert Finney for Best Actor.I was leery of Scrooge as a musical, but it is a story that I love, and it had great special effects.Dame Edith Evans is the Ghost of Christmas Past, and she really brings something to the role.
In fact, all three ghosts bring something to the role that is lacking in earlier productions.Every thing is great about this film, from Albert Finney to the huge turkey.Maybe they could have left out the songs..
I watched it in color, though I believe it was originally in black and white, and it would have been just as good in that form.The songs are pretty good, but what I really enjoyed was how much personality Scrooge (Albert Finney) had.
are Albert Finney in SCROOGE and Alastair Sim in the 1951 version, black and white, titled A Christmas CAROL.
This is one of the best Christmas Musicals ever performed and by far the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol." - Albert Finney portrayed Scrooge in unbelievable fashion.
What Albert Finney does for Scrooge in this musical is bring him totally to life and gives Scrooge a persona that is believable in his progression from the nasty, mean old miser to the kind, generous and thankfully redeemed man whom his nephew had known all along was "waiting to get out." I think one of my favorite scenes is during the Ghost of Christmas Past's visits and his re-action to Tom Jenkins tribute to Scrooge in "Thank you Very Much." A humorous and ironic moment for Scrooge, quite unaware of his own demise.
My favorite Christmas movie and by far the best "Scrooge" adaptation.
The film succeeds the most though as Albert Finney (in his finest role) and company bring forth the true spirit of the Dickens story and the Christmas Season.
It's not easy to choose which of the many film adaptations of 'Scrooge', or, "A Christmas Carol" is the best.
Albert Finney does a remarkable job as Ebenezer Scrooge and the cast and music in this production are brilliant.
Ronald Neame directed this entertaining musical version of "A Christmas Carol" based on the Charles Dickens novel that stars Albert Finney as cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is forced by his deceased partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas' past, present, and future to examine his life in an effort to redeem his soul before it is doomed for Eternity.
Albert Finney is quite good here, both before and after his transformation, with a superb supporting cast and fine songs like "Father Christmas" & "Thank You Very Much".
I watch this musical version of "A Christmas Carol" every so often, and have always found it exhilarating and moving.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present tells Scrooge to "come here you weird little man", I just love it.
I completely disagree.The music is what I love the most about this film...however, Albert Finney's performance, the supporting characters, the production design and set decoration and art direction are all first-rate as well.
The song, "You Were Good For Me" moves me every time I hear it...it is filled with a wistful longing that describes quite adequately how Scrooge became the man he is today...bitter and jaded.Another scene I liked immensely was the opening walk through the streets of London, set to the tunes "Christmas Is For Children Young and Old", "Father Christmas" and "I Hate People".
i love its a wonderful life and i really enjoy the versions of a christmas carol with george c.
i think the i love life song the ghost of christmas present sings is especially painful.
Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol" set to music.
Other then that, this is a film you should watch at Christmas, like Its A Wonderful Life, it will teach you the true meaning of the holiday and leave you with a warm feeling in your heart..
This is Christmas, and movies, and the musical combined at their absolute best.