This next entry is probably the most frequently-adapted Christmas story of all time. In the tradition of ghost stories told this time of year since the days before a Christmas holiday became a thing, this tale has been told on screen since 1901. From live-action to animation and muppets, this story will endure forever.
2. A Christmas Carol – 1951
Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story of penance and redemption is the only Dickens work I like. I have always found his stuff verbose and heavy-handed. But, A Christmas Carol is simple, straightforward, and heartwarming.
Reginald Owen set the standard in 1938 and Alistair Sim perfected it in 1951. George C. Scott was well, George C. Scott, in the 1984 version. Even Patrick Stewart has had a turn. There have been numerous adaptations and stage productions, animated versions, dramatic readings, radio presentations, and the Muppets. Recently, Jim Carrey and Guy Pearce have taken up the mantle in various forms.
We all know the story. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, nasty, bitter businessman is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner Jacob Marley on one cold, blustery, lonely Christmas Eve. Scrooge is warned that he needs to change his ways and learn to keep Christmas and that he will be visited by three spirits to teach him these lessons.
Overnight, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future drop in on Scrooge, who is reminded of and shown who and what he once was, why he is the way he is, and what he will become (spoiler alert: it’s not good).
The triumvirate of specters is successful and by the end of the story, Scrooge makes a sizable donation to charity, makes up with his estranged nephew, rehires and gives a raise to his assistant, and pledges to provide the funds for his assistant’s son’s medical treatment.
Again, we know the story as Tiny Tim delivers one of Charles Dickens’s most memorable and iconic lines.
My favorite is the 1951 version with Alistair Sim and it is a must-watch. To me the three versions I mention here are the essentials. I don’t care for the animated versions and I have never seen the Muppets version. I don’t like the musical version. I think Sim really captures who and what Scrooge is and he is very believable as he finally sees the light.
As a person who has been described as someone who went bitter at an early age, I can certainly identify with Scrooge. However, it can never be said that I don’t know how to keep Christmas and those close to me know that I can be charitable.
12 Days of Knaak Christmas
On the 12th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Twilight Zone Episode
On the 11th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me An Animated Classic
On the 10th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me An Incandescent Nose
On the 9th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Sweet Backstory
On the 8th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Dose of Christmas Spirit
On the 7th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Modern Interpretation of A Classic Tale
On the 6th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Special Entertainer
On the 5th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Dr. Seuss Classic
On the 4th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me a Vacation
On the 3rd Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me A Holiday Memoir
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