One of our Christmas traditions is to watch Scrooge (A Christmas Carol). Since our family is somewhat divided on the relative merits of the older Alistair Sim version (1951) versus the somewhat newer George C Scott version (1984), we generally end up watching both. There are other versions, but it's between these two for us. You can watch the first ten minutes of the Sim version on YouTube. I am prevented from embedding it, but this link will take you there. I imagine that the whole film is available, one segment at a time.
As much as I like that version, I seem to prefer Scott's version as seems a little more updated for our times. I suppose it helps that it's in colour, but the older film can also be obtained in colour, so that's not the whole difference for me. In case you have never seen it, here is a clip from the film, the part where Marley's ghost appears. Although I could embed this one, I'll leave it up to you to view or not as I don't want to cram too many accessories into one blog.What I did want to say is that I really like the feature song from this film: God Bless Us Everyone. For a long time, I thought it must have been an old song that had gone out of fashion, but I eventually discovered that it was made for the film and hasn't gone anywhere since then. In fact, I've never heard it in any other context, and I don't know why since I think it's very good. I am presenting it to you below, and you can also hear it on YouTube although, apart from a static photo of Scott, there are no visuals.
Note: Music now archived until next year.
If watching Scrooge isn't one of your traditions, perhaps you might try watching one or t'other version this year and see if you think it should become one. There are other good Christmas movies such as It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle On 34th Street, but, as much as I like them, for me, they don't quite achieve the exalted Scroogian status for me.
I have told this story and presented this clip in other years, but what's the harm in repeating myself? Besides, I am primarily intending to present the song to you (which I have also done previously). I would like to offer more Christmas music from my library over the next few weeks.
I've never been too fond of Scrooge until I saw the Muppets' version. I absolutely loved that one and have seen several others since. The two you mentioned I've never seen though. I might give them a try, after all, I have about 120 other Christmas films...
ReplyDeleteThe 3 movies you mention are my Christmas favorites and a must see for me every year in fact I watched Scrooge only last night on TCM another favorite of mine especially at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.....:-) Hugs
I couldn't get your play button to work on this post so I went to You tube and yes I had heard it before and still love it....:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteI've seen so many scrooge movie variations that I don't watch any of them anymore. But I do love "It's a Wonderful Life" which I will watch every year. One of my more recent favorites is "Polar Express".
ReplyDeleteLove Di
I'm a big Scrooge fan and enjoy all the versions I've seen so far. Including the Muppets. I haven't seen the new Disney movie yet though, although my wife saw it and felt it was too scary for younger children who might be attracted by the Disney name.
ReplyDeleteI'm an undyed-in-the-wool alistair sims version fan. Having said that, I prefer reading to watching that story.
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas favourite is "A Christmas Story" with Peter Billingsey as the kid who wants the Red Rider special rifle with the compass in the stock for Christmas.
Not too fond of any of the Scrooge movies. Love the others you mentioned. I just watched Polar Express and that is marvelous. I like Elf too.
ReplyDeleteQMM
We always read "A Christmas Carol". I predate TV. It was always there in the piano bench to fish out read.
ReplyDelete