The
Muppet Christmas Carol
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Few, if any, books can boast of so
many different screen interpretations as
"A Christmas Carol." One of the
most unusual versions has to be "The
Muppet's Christmas Carol," released
theatrically in 1992. With part of the
characters played by familiar Muppet
faces, and others by human beings, it is
a strange mix of reality and fantasy that
somehow works. |
| It is also the first screen version
to have Dickens himself narrating the
story... even if Dickens is played
tongue-in-cheek by Gonzo. This brings the
welcome addition of much of Dicken's
prose, heard throughout the film. The
comical bits and asides that he and Rizzo
the Rat sidekick add, supply much of the
humor in the film. |
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Scrooge is played with aplomb by
Michael Caine, and Steven Mackintosh
portrays his nephew Fred. Kermit the Frog
plays Bob Crachit, Miss Piggy as his wife
Martha, Robin as Tiny Tim (in a moving
portrayal), and Fozzie Bear as
"Fozziwig." The role of
Marley's ghost is split between the
balcony hecklers Statler and Waldorf, as
Bob and Jacob Marley. |
| In a wise move, the three Spirits are
new Muppet characters created for the
film. The Spirit of Christmas Past is a
floating, other-worldly young girl,
Christmas Present is an jolly, affable
giant, and Christmas Future a silent
specter with a large oversized, yet empty
hood, in a nice creepy touch. |
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There is a remarkable undercurrent of
spirituality that shines through, more
overtly displayed than in any of the
other more conventional films. The song
"Bless Us All" invokes the
blessing of God on their home, with
thanksgiving for what they have expressed
in the song "Thankful Heart,"
which is reprised in the finale. |
These are touching
moments, and makes me wish that some of the
others had been as open in expressing the
Christian spirit so prevalent in the original
story.
Tiny Tim (Robin)
Mrs. Crachit (Miss Piggy) and
daughters. They originally planned on having the
children be a hybrid of pig and frog, but
realised this was too bizarre, and wisely made
the girls to be pigs like Miss Piggy and the boys
frogs.
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MENU:
Introduction
Marley's Ghost
The First of the
Three Spirits
The Second of
the Three Spirits
The Last of the
Spirits
The End of It
A Christmas
Dinner
A Christmas
Present
1939 Radio
Broadcast
Other Radio
Broadcasts
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Related Links:
Extra
items and pages that are part of this site:
Christmas
Essays by Dickens
"Now, the
tree is decorated with bright merriment, and
song, and dance, and cheerfulness. And they are
welcome. Innocent and welcome be they ever held,
beneath the branches of the Christmas Tree, which
cast no gloomy shadow!"
-Charles Dickens
So writes Charles
Dickens concerning a tradition that even in his
day was precious. Enjoy his story, "The Christmas Tree," as he recollects the joy it brought to
his youth!
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"Who
can be insensible to the outpourings of good
feeling, and the honest interchange of
affectionate attachment, which abound at this
season of the year? A Christmas family-party! We
know nothing in nature more delightful! There
seems a magic in the very name of
Christmas."
-Charles Dickens
The family seated
around the Christmas dinner table is a treasured
time that becomes forever etched in our hearts.
Enjoy Dicken's story, "A Christmas Dinner," as he relates the joys it brings.
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"Lost
friend, lost child, lost parent, sister, brother,
husband, wife, we will not so discard you! You
shall hold your cherished places in our Christmas
hearts, and by our Christmas fires; and in the
season of immortal hope, and on the birthday of
immortal mercy, we will shut out Nothing!"
-Charles Dickens
In his short
story, "What Christmas Is
As We Grow Older,"
Dickens encourages us to not forget the past joys
and loves we have known, in order to shut out the
pain of loss. Rather, we defeat the loss by
celebrating the memories of times and people once
close to us.
"My dear
children, I am very anxious that you should know
something about the History of Jesus Christ. For
everybody ought to know about Him." -Charles
Dickens
Dickens never
forgot the Source of the holiday cheer he spread
with his writings, or the meaning of the silent
night in Bethlehem so long ago. In this excerpt
from his private story written for his children,
"The Life of Our Lord," Dickens
explains simply in his own words "The Christmas Story."
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Radio
and Film Versions
Information about the 1951 version with
Alastair Sim, with photos, comparisons to the
novel and excerpts from the soundtrack.
Information about the 1939
radio version produced
by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.
Information about the BBC radio version starring Michael Gough.Also the 1975
CBS Radio Mystery Theater version starring E.G.
Marshall!
Information about Disney's "A
Christmas Carol"
short animated feature
Information about "Scrooge," the 1970
musical version starring
Albert Finney
Information about the Muppet's
Christmas Carol
Information about the upcoming 2009 CG version starring Jim Carrey.
Information about Rich Little's one-man version
of "A Christmas
Carol."
New!
Information about the 1971 Chuck Jones animated film featuring Alastair Sim
as the voice of Scrooge!
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Artwork
Complete scan of "A Christmas Carol" comic book
adaptation from the
70's by Marvel Comics!
Enjoy scenes from the story in these antique
illustrations!
Classics Illustrated "A Christmas
Carol" cover #1.
Classics Illustrated "A Christmas
Carol" cover #2.
Pendulum's Illustrated Stories "A Christmas
Carol" cover.
A Dean Morrissey painting of Scrooge outside his London business. The print
can be bought here.
Montage of scenes from the novel by artist Jeffrey Bedrick made for a
puzzle, which can be bought here.
Other resources outside of this site:
Read the story
behind of the writing of this most-loved
Christmas story here, as originally published in Reader's
Digest.
Christmas
According to Dickens: A series of articles by
Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts.
Dickens and
Christmas: an excellent site!
View an
incredible table-top reproduction of Dicken's
London on this page.
In an essay on
his favorite Christmas videos, columnist C. W. Oberleitner examines the
best adaptations of "A Christmas Carol"
on film.
Alastair Sim's
film as viewed through the eyes of a horror movie
fan: A
Very Scary Christmas!
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