External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. Foul weather didn't know where to have him. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. They often "came down" handsomely, and Scrooge never did.
My personal favorite of the Scrooge actors - George C. Scott.
Who is your fave?
19 comments:
It's hard to pick just one, as there have been some amazing performers. I'm partial to Patrick Stewart's take, though Scott is almost a dead-tie. Those two rise above the rest for me, and I'm down with watching either during the Christmas season.
Even though he isn't technically Scrooge, I have to mention Bill Murray in "Scrooged", who provided a fun alternate version of the classic tale.
I like to judge them by who would be the boss I would most fear working for...
totally agree about Murray too. Love that movie.
Gotta go with Michael Caine in A Muppet Christmas Carol. He's the Scrooge I grew up with, and is my favorite. That movie also has my favorite version of the Ghost of Christmas Future.
By the way, was I the only kid who would sit through each new interpretation of A Christmas Carol (local theater, animated versions, movie versions, etc.) anxiously waiting to see what their Ghost of Christmas Future looked like?
haha...all haunters must be the same... same here..would sit and wait to see that ghost..and I'd judge it accordingly on its hand!
If I recall, the Patrick Steward version had a female hand! I was horrified it wasn't bone or something ghostly and dark! I dismissed the entire event as a result!
Here are some earlier posts where your fave is pictures with Caine.
http://pumpkinrot.blogspot.com/search/label/a%20christmas%20carol
Can't lie, my favorite Scrooge is Fred Sanford in the Sanford and Son Christmas episode.
Lamont is the ghosts! "Follow me....!"
Ha! That's why i love the Scooged movie. When Bill Murry opens the Future Ghost's robe- all those rubber creatures!
I thought Patrick Stewart did a bang up job as Scrooge. Captured the meanness and bitterness of him perfectly, but also the loneliness and tragic aspect of the character.
I agree that I judge most versions of the tale by how spooky the Ghost of Christmas Future is!
Alistair Sims, 1951, I think it's the creepiest version
Albert Finney. "I like life, life likes me, I make life a perpetual spree ...."
definitely George C. Scott--love his voice and despite the somewhat dodgy British accent, he completely personified what I always envisioned Scrooge to be. and, of course, the Ghost of Christmas Future's 'twig' hand is simply perfect.
Albert Finney version. Love it, thank ya very much.
Mr. Magoo. Seriously.
I am a Christmas Carol connoisseur, and I traditionally implore all to give old Ebenezer Scrooge a break. I feel I know and understand him better than most. I don't consider him a bad guy. Yes, he's a shrewd business man. Yes, he's a loner. Yes, he's not a family-man. Yes, his heart had been broken, and he is no longer interested in romantic love. Smart man, I say!
But. But. BUT! Patrick Stewart's Scrooge...is...beyond all this forgivable curmudgeoness and business skills. Patrick Stewart’s Scrooge is…an ASS! He's horrible; A bad, bad man. A Scrooge I never before encountered.
How can this be? Stewart utters the very same lines that my beloved Finny, Scott, Curry, Grammar, Sim and Caine speak. But, Stewart – sweet Louise - Stewart paints these standard lines with such malice, such hatred and bile, that I blushed.
Stewart’s final transformation was subdued, yet powerful. It was not joyous and silly. He didn’t dance around in his night cap, kissing old chambermaids and clicking his heels. It was an internal, profound change; one I could feel, without a chorus line of merry villagers. The moment Scrooge first struggled to laugh was at first, horrifying; then cathartic. How long has it been since he laughed? Has laughter really been stifled in his bowels for all these long years?
So, what I’m trying to say is – Patrick Stewart was the epitome of Scrooge – although Michael Cain, and the Muppet Christmas Carol, remains my favorite
Superb comment.
I have such a love of the Albert Finney version that admittedly, I barely give the others a chance. I love the music, the perfect sets, the impeccable GOC Past, the astonishing aging make up job done on AF, Sir Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley, I could go on. I recognize there are flaws, the uninspired GOC Present, the scenes in hell which are kind of over the top, a couple moments that drag a bit, but overall this is my favorite. I admit to having never watched the Stewart version, just can't buy him in the role and the Scott version drives me insane if only due to the non existent accent.
Patrick Stewart. But if you ever get a chance to see his one-man stage version... GO! (Or at least listen to the Audio Book...) All the Best!
George C Scott is my favorite too, he just had it down, everything from Scrooge's grumpiness and frustration to his sadness and loneliness - you just got that he had been that way for many reasons from his past.
I'm way late to this game but I thought I'd add that I have just recently listened to A Christmas Carol on cd. I adore Jim Dale's reading of it. I was hanging on his every word. Best part is that he reads the whole.thing. Because he is just that good. I believe he did Harry Potter as well. Love it. The book really is just the best version (of course) .
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