Farnhamia
13-12-2006, 21:51
There are way too many for a poll, but here's a list from the Font of All Knowledge (Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Carol)):
A Christmas Carol has been adapted to theatre, film, radio, and television countless times. According to the Internet Movie Database, various movie adaptations of the story were filmed as early as 1910.
Perhaps the most popular and critically-acclaimed film adaptation of the story was made in Britain in 1951. Originally titled Scrooge (and renamed A Christmas Carol for its American release), it starred Alastair Sim as Scrooge, and was directed by Brian Desmond-Hurst with a screenplay by Noel Langley.
Most modern adaptations refer to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as the "Ghost of Christmas Future" instead.
Adaptations of the story include:
Scrooge (1935) starring Sir Seymour Hicks as Scrooge.
A Christmas Carol (1938) starring Reginald Owen as Scrooge and Gene and Kathleen Lockhart as the Cratchits.
Scrooge (1951) starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge and Mervyn Johns and Hermione Baddeley as the Cratchits, this adaptation is recognized as one of the most popular Christmas adaptations in film history.
A Christmas Carol (1954), a live television adaptation starring Fredric March as Scrooge and Basil Rathbone as Marley, on the series Shower of Stars. The first version in color.
The Stingiest Man in Town (1956), the first musical adaptation, starring Basil Rathbone and Vic Damone as the old and young Scrooge. A live episode of the television series The Alcoa Hour.
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962), an animated television special featuring the UPA character voiced by Jim Backus, with songs by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.
Scrooge (1970), a musical film adaptation starring Albert Finney as Scrooge and Alec Guinness as Marley's Ghost.
A Christmas Carol (1970 original stage adaptation written by Ira David Wood III), performed for the last 31 years on stage at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium. Theatre In The Park, in Raleigh NC, has produced the show since its premiere. Wood's "A Christmas Carol" is the longest running indoor show in NC theatre history.
A Christmas Carol (1971), an Oscar-winning animated short film by Richard Williams, with Alastair Sim reprising the role of Scrooge.
Rich Little's Christmas Carol (1978), a television special in which impressionist Rich Little plays several celebrities and characters in the main roles.
The Stingiest Man in Town (1979), an animated made-for-TV musical produced by Rankin-Bass. Stars Walter Matthau as the voice of Scrooge and Tom Bosley as the narrator. This had originally been done as a live-action musical on television in 1956.
An American Christmas Carol (1979), an adaptation starring Henry Winkler at the height of his fame from the television series Happy Days, where the story is set in Depression era New England, and the Scrooge character is named Benedict Slade.
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol (1979), an animated television special featuring the various Looney Tunes characters.
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), an animated short film featuring the various Walt Disney characters, with Scrooge McDuck fittingly playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. This version was based on a 1972 audio musical entitled Disney's 'A Christmas Carol'. Most of the cast remained unchanged, however, in the audio version, the Blue Fairy (from Pinocchio) and the Queen (from Snow White, in her hag guise) portrayed the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future, respectively (the Present Ghost, like in the film version, was portrayed by Willie the Giant).
A Christmas Carol (1984), a television movie version starring George C. Scott.
The Gospel According to Scrooge (1986), a stage musical that emphasizes the religious elements of the story, often performed by American Christian churches.
X-mas Marks The Spot (1987) was an episode of the animated series, "The Real Ghostbusters" that spoofed the Dickens classic, depicting the heroes accidentally capturing the three spirits and ruining Christmas for the future.
Scrooged (1988): a remake in a contemporary setting with Bill Murray being a misanthropic TV producer who is haunted by the ghosts of Christmas. Directed by Richard Donner.
Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988): a parody where philanthropist Ebenezer Blackadder becomes a bad guy after a visit by the Spirit of Christmas.
In 1991, the Focus On The Family children's radio program Adventures In Odyssey produced an episode entitled "A Thanksgiving Carol", in which the gang at Whit's End produces the show for Kid's Radio. Bernard Walton (Dave Madden) becomes Ebenezer Stooge, Eugene Meltsner (Will Ryan) becomes Bob Wretched, Connie Kendall (Katie Leigh Pavalovich) takes on the roles of Cheerful Lady (the portly gentlemen rolled into one), Mrs. Wretched, and Teeny Tom. Officer David Harley (also voiced by Will Ryan) becomes Jacob Arley, and Whit (the late Hal Smith) becomes Terence Clodbody, all three Spirits of Christmas rolled into one.
Alvin and the Chipmunks adapted the basic storyline in a 1992 TV Special, Alvin's Christmas Carol. Alvin becomes a Scrooge-like chipmunk who only views Christmas as a time of getting. But Dave, Theodore and Simon show him that Christmas is a time of giving. Incidentally, Alvin's elderly neighbor on his paper route has a cat named Ebenezer.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) featuring the various Muppet characters, with Michael Caine as Scrooge.
Scrooge: The Musical (1992), a British stage musical adapted from the 1970 film and starring Anthony Newley.
The Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994), animated adaptation featuring Fred Flintstone as 'Ebonyzer Scrooge', Barney as 'Bob Cragit' and Mr. Slate as 'Jacob Marbley'
Ebbie (1995), a television movie in which the role of Scrooge is played by a female with Susan Lucci as Elizabeth "Ebbie" Scrooge, the cold-hearted owner of a department store.
A Solstice Carol (1996), a holiday episode of Xena: Warrior Princess that replaced Scrooge with a miserly king and replaced the three spirits with the three fates of Greek Mythology.
Beavis and Butt-head has a parody adaptation of the story where Beavis played as a cruel manager at Burger World, and went through the revealations of the three ghosts, that came out of the TV while he was trying to watch a porno. Although the story ended up being a dream and Beavis is still the same as ever.
Focus On The Family Radio Theatre adapted the story in a 1996 production hosted by David Suchet, narrated by Timothy Bateson, and with Tenniel Evans as Scrooge. This production expands on the events of Scrooge's past and takes a few other liberties with the storyline, especially after Scrooge's awakening from his encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. It emphasizes the underlying Christian themes of the story.
Ebenezer (1997), a Canadian TV production Western-themed version starring Jack Palance and Rick Schroder.
A Christmas Carol (1999), a television movie starring Patrick Stewart, inspired by his one-man show, but featuring a full supporting cast. This was the first version of the story to make use of digital special effects.
The Family Man (2000) Though not a direct adaptation, this film's story, involving a wealthy, but cold-hearted businessman (Nicolas Cage) who learns the true meaning of Christmas through a supernatural misadventure, recalls Dickens' novel.
A Christmas Carol (2000) A modern-day version starring Ross Kemp as Eddie Scrooge, an unscrupulous loan shark.
A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000), a humorous adaptation starring Vanessa Williams as bitchy diva Ebony Scrooge who is transformed into a kind-hearted soul.
A Carol Christmas (2003) Made-for-TV adaption on the Halmark Channel. Stars Tori Spelling as "Scroogette." William Shatner makes a special appearance as the ghost of Christmas Present.
Christmas Carol: The Movie (2003) an animated version produced by Illuminated Films (Christmas Carol), Ltd/The Film Consortium/MBP; screenplay by Robert Llewellyn & Piet Kroon; with the voices of Simon Callow, Kate Winslet, Nicolas Cage, Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans, Michael Gambon, and Juliet Stevenson.
Steve Nallon's Christmas Carol (2003) theatrical adaptation starring the noted impressionist, as a number of famous people.
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Christmas Carol (2003) a BBC Radio 4 parody in which the curmugeonly Ebeneezer Scrumph (played by the curmugeonly chairman of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, Humphrey Lyttelton) is visited by three ghosts played by the regular panelists.
A Christmas Carol (2003 film), an Animé animated version of the Dickens's classic, distributed in the United States by Goodtimes Entertainment, written by Jack Olesker, directed by Toshiyuki Hiruma Takashi, animation by Amisong Productions among others, with the voices of Tony Ail, Nathan As well, and Cheralynn Bailey
VeggieTales released a parody entitled "An Easter Carol" in 2004, with the zucchini Nebby K. Nezzar in the Scrooge role.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004), starring Kelsey Grammer.
Caroll's Christmas (2004), in which modern versions of the three spirits visit the wrong man's house on Christmas Eve.
An IESE Christmas Carol (2005) at Google Video, a short business school version by the IESE theatre club in which Scrooge is played by women.
A Learning Carol (2004), a three episode podcast by The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd (ep. 205-207)
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (2006), a direct to DVD special featuring Oscar the Grouch in the Scrooge role.
Bah Humduck! (2006), a Looney Tunes spoof of the classic with Daffy as Scrooge.
A Camden Christmas Carol (2006), a multimedia stage adaptation by Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts in Camden, NJ supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation.
A Christmas Carol (2006)
A Christmas Mikey (2006 television episode) Final episode of Season 1 of Kappa Mikey, pitting Ozu in the role of Scrooge, and three Ghosts who resemble Japanese samurai.
Weebl and Bob (2006) A Bob cartoon parodies A Christmas Carol.
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - In part of the epsode "A Lost Claus", Bloo parodies this in order to squeeze more presents out of Mr. Herriman. Bloo, essentially, gets the ghosts wrong: Bob Marley instead of Jacob Marley; the Ghost of a Christmas present instead of the Ghost of Christmas Present; and as the Ghost of Christmas Future, he dresses up as a deadly robot. Bloo completely skips over the Ghost of Christmas Past.
In addition, others have noted that the classic film It's a Wonderful Life is essentially A Christmas Carol in reverse. That is, instead of a miserly and selfish man changing his ways with a supernatural experience on Christmas Eve, the film depicts the story of a compassionate businessman who sacrificed his dreams to help his community and feels he is a failure. In the depths of despair, there is a supernatural occurrence to show him that his choices were more than worthwhile.
I like the Reginald Owen version (#2) but I think the best version is the George C. Scott one (#15). Which ones have you seen and liked (or disliked)?
A Christmas Carol has been adapted to theatre, film, radio, and television countless times. According to the Internet Movie Database, various movie adaptations of the story were filmed as early as 1910.
Perhaps the most popular and critically-acclaimed film adaptation of the story was made in Britain in 1951. Originally titled Scrooge (and renamed A Christmas Carol for its American release), it starred Alastair Sim as Scrooge, and was directed by Brian Desmond-Hurst with a screenplay by Noel Langley.
Most modern adaptations refer to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as the "Ghost of Christmas Future" instead.
Adaptations of the story include:
Scrooge (1935) starring Sir Seymour Hicks as Scrooge.
A Christmas Carol (1938) starring Reginald Owen as Scrooge and Gene and Kathleen Lockhart as the Cratchits.
Scrooge (1951) starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge and Mervyn Johns and Hermione Baddeley as the Cratchits, this adaptation is recognized as one of the most popular Christmas adaptations in film history.
A Christmas Carol (1954), a live television adaptation starring Fredric March as Scrooge and Basil Rathbone as Marley, on the series Shower of Stars. The first version in color.
The Stingiest Man in Town (1956), the first musical adaptation, starring Basil Rathbone and Vic Damone as the old and young Scrooge. A live episode of the television series The Alcoa Hour.
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962), an animated television special featuring the UPA character voiced by Jim Backus, with songs by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.
Scrooge (1970), a musical film adaptation starring Albert Finney as Scrooge and Alec Guinness as Marley's Ghost.
A Christmas Carol (1970 original stage adaptation written by Ira David Wood III), performed for the last 31 years on stage at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium. Theatre In The Park, in Raleigh NC, has produced the show since its premiere. Wood's "A Christmas Carol" is the longest running indoor show in NC theatre history.
A Christmas Carol (1971), an Oscar-winning animated short film by Richard Williams, with Alastair Sim reprising the role of Scrooge.
Rich Little's Christmas Carol (1978), a television special in which impressionist Rich Little plays several celebrities and characters in the main roles.
The Stingiest Man in Town (1979), an animated made-for-TV musical produced by Rankin-Bass. Stars Walter Matthau as the voice of Scrooge and Tom Bosley as the narrator. This had originally been done as a live-action musical on television in 1956.
An American Christmas Carol (1979), an adaptation starring Henry Winkler at the height of his fame from the television series Happy Days, where the story is set in Depression era New England, and the Scrooge character is named Benedict Slade.
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol (1979), an animated television special featuring the various Looney Tunes characters.
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), an animated short film featuring the various Walt Disney characters, with Scrooge McDuck fittingly playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. This version was based on a 1972 audio musical entitled Disney's 'A Christmas Carol'. Most of the cast remained unchanged, however, in the audio version, the Blue Fairy (from Pinocchio) and the Queen (from Snow White, in her hag guise) portrayed the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future, respectively (the Present Ghost, like in the film version, was portrayed by Willie the Giant).
A Christmas Carol (1984), a television movie version starring George C. Scott.
The Gospel According to Scrooge (1986), a stage musical that emphasizes the religious elements of the story, often performed by American Christian churches.
X-mas Marks The Spot (1987) was an episode of the animated series, "The Real Ghostbusters" that spoofed the Dickens classic, depicting the heroes accidentally capturing the three spirits and ruining Christmas for the future.
Scrooged (1988): a remake in a contemporary setting with Bill Murray being a misanthropic TV producer who is haunted by the ghosts of Christmas. Directed by Richard Donner.
Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988): a parody where philanthropist Ebenezer Blackadder becomes a bad guy after a visit by the Spirit of Christmas.
In 1991, the Focus On The Family children's radio program Adventures In Odyssey produced an episode entitled "A Thanksgiving Carol", in which the gang at Whit's End produces the show for Kid's Radio. Bernard Walton (Dave Madden) becomes Ebenezer Stooge, Eugene Meltsner (Will Ryan) becomes Bob Wretched, Connie Kendall (Katie Leigh Pavalovich) takes on the roles of Cheerful Lady (the portly gentlemen rolled into one), Mrs. Wretched, and Teeny Tom. Officer David Harley (also voiced by Will Ryan) becomes Jacob Arley, and Whit (the late Hal Smith) becomes Terence Clodbody, all three Spirits of Christmas rolled into one.
Alvin and the Chipmunks adapted the basic storyline in a 1992 TV Special, Alvin's Christmas Carol. Alvin becomes a Scrooge-like chipmunk who only views Christmas as a time of getting. But Dave, Theodore and Simon show him that Christmas is a time of giving. Incidentally, Alvin's elderly neighbor on his paper route has a cat named Ebenezer.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) featuring the various Muppet characters, with Michael Caine as Scrooge.
Scrooge: The Musical (1992), a British stage musical adapted from the 1970 film and starring Anthony Newley.
The Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994), animated adaptation featuring Fred Flintstone as 'Ebonyzer Scrooge', Barney as 'Bob Cragit' and Mr. Slate as 'Jacob Marbley'
Ebbie (1995), a television movie in which the role of Scrooge is played by a female with Susan Lucci as Elizabeth "Ebbie" Scrooge, the cold-hearted owner of a department store.
A Solstice Carol (1996), a holiday episode of Xena: Warrior Princess that replaced Scrooge with a miserly king and replaced the three spirits with the three fates of Greek Mythology.
Beavis and Butt-head has a parody adaptation of the story where Beavis played as a cruel manager at Burger World, and went through the revealations of the three ghosts, that came out of the TV while he was trying to watch a porno. Although the story ended up being a dream and Beavis is still the same as ever.
Focus On The Family Radio Theatre adapted the story in a 1996 production hosted by David Suchet, narrated by Timothy Bateson, and with Tenniel Evans as Scrooge. This production expands on the events of Scrooge's past and takes a few other liberties with the storyline, especially after Scrooge's awakening from his encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. It emphasizes the underlying Christian themes of the story.
Ebenezer (1997), a Canadian TV production Western-themed version starring Jack Palance and Rick Schroder.
A Christmas Carol (1999), a television movie starring Patrick Stewart, inspired by his one-man show, but featuring a full supporting cast. This was the first version of the story to make use of digital special effects.
The Family Man (2000) Though not a direct adaptation, this film's story, involving a wealthy, but cold-hearted businessman (Nicolas Cage) who learns the true meaning of Christmas through a supernatural misadventure, recalls Dickens' novel.
A Christmas Carol (2000) A modern-day version starring Ross Kemp as Eddie Scrooge, an unscrupulous loan shark.
A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000), a humorous adaptation starring Vanessa Williams as bitchy diva Ebony Scrooge who is transformed into a kind-hearted soul.
A Carol Christmas (2003) Made-for-TV adaption on the Halmark Channel. Stars Tori Spelling as "Scroogette." William Shatner makes a special appearance as the ghost of Christmas Present.
Christmas Carol: The Movie (2003) an animated version produced by Illuminated Films (Christmas Carol), Ltd/The Film Consortium/MBP; screenplay by Robert Llewellyn & Piet Kroon; with the voices of Simon Callow, Kate Winslet, Nicolas Cage, Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans, Michael Gambon, and Juliet Stevenson.
Steve Nallon's Christmas Carol (2003) theatrical adaptation starring the noted impressionist, as a number of famous people.
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Christmas Carol (2003) a BBC Radio 4 parody in which the curmugeonly Ebeneezer Scrumph (played by the curmugeonly chairman of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, Humphrey Lyttelton) is visited by three ghosts played by the regular panelists.
A Christmas Carol (2003 film), an Animé animated version of the Dickens's classic, distributed in the United States by Goodtimes Entertainment, written by Jack Olesker, directed by Toshiyuki Hiruma Takashi, animation by Amisong Productions among others, with the voices of Tony Ail, Nathan As well, and Cheralynn Bailey
VeggieTales released a parody entitled "An Easter Carol" in 2004, with the zucchini Nebby K. Nezzar in the Scrooge role.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004), starring Kelsey Grammer.
Caroll's Christmas (2004), in which modern versions of the three spirits visit the wrong man's house on Christmas Eve.
An IESE Christmas Carol (2005) at Google Video, a short business school version by the IESE theatre club in which Scrooge is played by women.
A Learning Carol (2004), a three episode podcast by The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd (ep. 205-207)
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (2006), a direct to DVD special featuring Oscar the Grouch in the Scrooge role.
Bah Humduck! (2006), a Looney Tunes spoof of the classic with Daffy as Scrooge.
A Camden Christmas Carol (2006), a multimedia stage adaptation by Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts in Camden, NJ supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation.
A Christmas Carol (2006)
A Christmas Mikey (2006 television episode) Final episode of Season 1 of Kappa Mikey, pitting Ozu in the role of Scrooge, and three Ghosts who resemble Japanese samurai.
Weebl and Bob (2006) A Bob cartoon parodies A Christmas Carol.
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends - In part of the epsode "A Lost Claus", Bloo parodies this in order to squeeze more presents out of Mr. Herriman. Bloo, essentially, gets the ghosts wrong: Bob Marley instead of Jacob Marley; the Ghost of a Christmas present instead of the Ghost of Christmas Present; and as the Ghost of Christmas Future, he dresses up as a deadly robot. Bloo completely skips over the Ghost of Christmas Past.
In addition, others have noted that the classic film It's a Wonderful Life is essentially A Christmas Carol in reverse. That is, instead of a miserly and selfish man changing his ways with a supernatural experience on Christmas Eve, the film depicts the story of a compassionate businessman who sacrificed his dreams to help his community and feels he is a failure. In the depths of despair, there is a supernatural occurrence to show him that his choices were more than worthwhile.
I like the Reginald Owen version (#2) but I think the best version is the George C. Scott one (#15). Which ones have you seen and liked (or disliked)?