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Rating:  - BEAUTIFUL DVD
DVD PICTURE EXTREMELY CLEAR. ARRIVED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND THE TIMELESS STORY.
Rating: - Albert Finney Sings!
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker
Musical: From Broadway to Hollywood
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
Charles Dickens' classic tale, A CHRISTMAL CAROL, has been performed innumerable times on stage, screen, radio and television. Gifted actors like Lionel Barrymore, Alastair Sim, Reginald Owen, Fredric March, George C. Scott and even Bill Murray have all played miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who after a night of ghostly visits, becomes a new person who embraces life and is kind to his fellow man.
My favorite rendition of Dickens' story is SCROOGE (1970), a musical in the tradition of OLIVER! (1968).
Albert Finney is marvelous in the title role, playing to perfection both the elderly Scrooge and also the money lender as a young man, who chooses his quest for wealth over the one love of his life.
Alec Guinness co-stars as Marley's Ghost, Edith Evans is the Ghost of Christmas Past and Kenneth More plays the Ghost of Christmas Present. Also in the talented cast are Laurence Naismith, Michael Medwin, David Collings, Anton Rodgers and Suzanne Neve.
The score by Leslie Bricusse is very hummable, particularly "December the 24th," "Thank You, Very Much," "I Love Life" and "Begin Again".
Finney is no Sinatra, but his singing voice is equal to his material.
Ronald Neame directed this colorful, joyous production.
© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
Rating: - Ya Gotta Get This One
Bought this on for my wife and cannot for the life of me figure out how I ever missed seeing this movie. The cast was wonderful, and refreshing to both watch and listen to. I also have the Reginald Owen and the Alistair Sims versions of A Christmas Carol but this one is in a class by itself. You will love it.
Rating: - Thank ya very much!!! Great reviews!
If you've never seen this film... AND you love Scrooge movies... AND you love the Spirit of Redemption that "A Christmas Carol" can bring to the depths of your soul... then buy this movie. I don't think I've ever seen such a mismatch between what the "all-knowing critics" have to say about a film and what the fans have to say about a film! Miserly critics always damn this movie with faint praise! Well--the praise for this film (around 400 5 star reviews!) ain't faint! I saw this movie in the theatre when I was twelve and I absolutely loved it... Finney is terrific. No matter the Scrooge move, I always love the transformation that take place at the end of the film. Well--the end of this film is spectacular--and very moving. The fans of the film have it right. Buy this film, enjoy, and be redeemed!
Rating: - Best Scrooge musical
Memorable songs, familiar characters, wonderful imagery and special effects, all add up to a great musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. Finney's querulous old miser is very well done. Scrooge is written as more than just a master of high finance: he is a local money-lender as well, and all the little people who owe him money are portrayed with warmth and sympathy. His sips of the "milk of human kindness" brings an appropriate warming to his cold heart, and his sorrow and later redemption warm the audience's heart as well. Turn up the music, and enjoy the show!
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