I agree that Michael Caine is simply magnificent - but I wonder what you think of George C Scott? He's probably my fav, but that's mostly because that's the version we always watched when I was a kid. But I do think he and Caine are close in their interpretations. I particularly enjoy his dry, somewhat mean spirited wit in the early parts of the film - this seems the best way to make scrooge more bad, as he is obviously the kind of man who takes pleasure in casual, day to day cruelty and biting sarcasm. (Also the ghost of Christmas present is absolutely terrifying in this film, in all the best ways!)
Anyway, I remarked to my wife that I would be content to just watch various adaptations of A Christmas Carol for the whole season and nothing else, I enjoy it so much!
Thank you for this, Laura. We watched Home Alone 2: Lost in New York last night. This conversation between Kevin and the Pigeon Lady also connects (for me) with the Lewis quote you shared.
Kevin McCallister: Did you have any kids?
Bird Lady: No. Oh, l wanted them. But the man I loved fell out of love with me. That broke my heart. And whenever the chance to be loved came along again, I ran away from it. I stopped trusting people.
Kevin McCallister: No offense, but that seems like sort of a dumb thing to do.
Bird Lady: I was afraid of getting my heart broken again. You see, sometimes you can trust a person, and then, when things are down, they forget about you.
Kevin McCallister: Maybe they're just too busy. Maybe they don't forget about you, but they forget to remember you. l don't think people mean to forget. l think it just happens. My grandfather says if my head wasn't screwed on, I'd leave it on the school bus.
Bird Lady: I'm just afraid if I do trust someone, I'll get my heart broken again.
Kevin McCallister: I understand that. l used to have this really nice pair of rollerblades. l was afraid if l wore them, l'd wreck them. So l kept them in a box. Do you know what happened?
Bird Lady: No.
Kevin McCallister: I outgrew them. I never wore them once outside. l just wore them in my room a couple times.
Bird Lady: A person's heart and a person's feelings are very different than skates.
Kevin McCallister: Well, they're kind of the same thing. lf you aren't going to use your heart, then what's the difference if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose.
Bird Lady: A bit of truth in there somewhere.
Kevin McCallister: I think so. Your heart might still be broken, but it isn't gone. If it was gone, you wouldn't be this nice.
I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment (it's an uneven film to say the least), but I'd argue that the core of courage and vulnerability is still present in Stephen Knight's version; the difference is that there is no earthly reward for Scrooge's pennance. In most versions, as you point out, Scrooge loses the safety of his wealth and loneliness, but gains in return love, acceptance, and happiness. He may be as good a master as the good old city ever had, but he is still a master. Knight's Scrooge, on the other hand, remains despised, feared, and unforgiven. Whether this works dramatically will depend on the viewer, but I found something meaningful in the idea of repentance without anything to show for it, nor any guarantee of salvation - a sort of existentialist Christmas Carol. I also found it quite refreshing that Knight's version tries to explore what exactly Scrooge-as-businessman does (which as you point out, is left vague in the novel and not much clearer in many adaptations). It isn't necessarily something that *needs* explaining, but it ties Scrooge's social Darwinism more explicitly to the colonial and industrial exploitation of the period. It's an adaptation that takes some big swings, and I appreciated that even when they missed the mark.
I’m a huge fan of ACC too, Laura. Have you ever read the book JACOB T MARLEY? It tells the story from Marley’s perspective. The book is good. However, the audiobook is GREAT if you ever get a chance to listen to it.
Laura, just came across this and thought you would be interested. Louisa May Alcott wrote a Scrooge-inspired story under a pen name. This is breaking news in Boston!
What a great essay on the Muppet Christmas Carol. An excellent meditation going into 2024 as a single finance bro :D
Thank you!
I agree that Michael Caine is simply magnificent - but I wonder what you think of George C Scott? He's probably my fav, but that's mostly because that's the version we always watched when I was a kid. But I do think he and Caine are close in their interpretations. I particularly enjoy his dry, somewhat mean spirited wit in the early parts of the film - this seems the best way to make scrooge more bad, as he is obviously the kind of man who takes pleasure in casual, day to day cruelty and biting sarcasm. (Also the ghost of Christmas present is absolutely terrifying in this film, in all the best ways!)
Anyway, I remarked to my wife that I would be content to just watch various adaptations of A Christmas Carol for the whole season and nothing else, I enjoy it so much!
I like him too! I just think Caine has a slight edge.
Thank you for this, Laura. We watched Home Alone 2: Lost in New York last night. This conversation between Kevin and the Pigeon Lady also connects (for me) with the Lewis quote you shared.
Kevin McCallister: Did you have any kids?
Bird Lady: No. Oh, l wanted them. But the man I loved fell out of love with me. That broke my heart. And whenever the chance to be loved came along again, I ran away from it. I stopped trusting people.
Kevin McCallister: No offense, but that seems like sort of a dumb thing to do.
Bird Lady: I was afraid of getting my heart broken again. You see, sometimes you can trust a person, and then, when things are down, they forget about you.
Kevin McCallister: Maybe they're just too busy. Maybe they don't forget about you, but they forget to remember you. l don't think people mean to forget. l think it just happens. My grandfather says if my head wasn't screwed on, I'd leave it on the school bus.
Bird Lady: I'm just afraid if I do trust someone, I'll get my heart broken again.
Kevin McCallister: I understand that. l used to have this really nice pair of rollerblades. l was afraid if l wore them, l'd wreck them. So l kept them in a box. Do you know what happened?
Bird Lady: No.
Kevin McCallister: I outgrew them. I never wore them once outside. l just wore them in my room a couple times.
Bird Lady: A person's heart and a person's feelings are very different than skates.
Kevin McCallister: Well, they're kind of the same thing. lf you aren't going to use your heart, then what's the difference if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose.
Bird Lady: A bit of truth in there somewhere.
Kevin McCallister: I think so. Your heart might still be broken, but it isn't gone. If it was gone, you wouldn't be this nice.
Bird Lady: Thank you. . . <scene continues>
Oh so moving! Thank you!
I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment (it's an uneven film to say the least), but I'd argue that the core of courage and vulnerability is still present in Stephen Knight's version; the difference is that there is no earthly reward for Scrooge's pennance. In most versions, as you point out, Scrooge loses the safety of his wealth and loneliness, but gains in return love, acceptance, and happiness. He may be as good a master as the good old city ever had, but he is still a master. Knight's Scrooge, on the other hand, remains despised, feared, and unforgiven. Whether this works dramatically will depend on the viewer, but I found something meaningful in the idea of repentance without anything to show for it, nor any guarantee of salvation - a sort of existentialist Christmas Carol. I also found it quite refreshing that Knight's version tries to explore what exactly Scrooge-as-businessman does (which as you point out, is left vague in the novel and not much clearer in many adaptations). It isn't necessarily something that *needs* explaining, but it ties Scrooge's social Darwinism more explicitly to the colonial and industrial exploitation of the period. It's an adaptation that takes some big swings, and I appreciated that even when they missed the mark.
I’m a huge fan of ACC too, Laura. Have you ever read the book JACOB T MARLEY? It tells the story from Marley’s perspective. The book is good. However, the audiobook is GREAT if you ever get a chance to listen to it.
I didn't know about it! Thank you!
Laura, just came across this and thought you would be interested. Louisa May Alcott wrote a Scrooge-inspired story under a pen name. This is breaking news in Boston!
https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/909302
Oh cool!!!