1992 - THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL, finally a version of A Christmas Carol I can get through

If you are looking for the definition of overexposed look no further then Dicken's A Christmas Carol.  I'm sure when Dickens wrote it he didn't expect it would probably be the story he would be remembered for.  A Christmas Carol is 182 years old and still going strong with many variations and that's putting it mildly.

 There is the stage version performed in my hometown at the Guthrie Theater which they role out every year a guaranteed fund raiser.  The actor Patrick Stewart does a one man version.  A musical version was performed on Broadway from 1994-2003. An LBGTQ version Scrooge and Marley apparently exists.  Mickey Mouse got into the act with Mickey's Christmas Carol.  Probably the best film adaptation is 1951's Scrooge with Alistair Sim which played up the horror elements of the story.  Believe me the list is endless.  I'm not even going to get into the other TV and film versions of this story although I will single out the Will Farrell version Spirited as particularly loathsome. 

 

Well let's get to The Muppet Christmas Carol which was filmed after the death of Jim Henson by his son Brian.  This is a surprisingly well thought out version which is mercifully under 90 minutes. Henson had the advantage of a supporting staff of technicians and performers who had been working together for quite a while.  The cast of these felt puppets assumed the various character roles.  Kermit the Frog is Bob Cratchit, Gonzo is Charles Dickens, the Marley's are played by Statler and Waldorf to name a few.  Paycheck actor Michael Caine takes on the role of Scrooge and if he's not exactly trying hard in the role at least he's British or in his case a Cockney to be precise.

The OK songs are by Paul Williams, the photography, sets and special effects are very well done and the idea of having these sock puppets play Dickens's characters really takes the sting out of a story that has been adapted more than it ever should have been.  

This version of A Christmas Carol was written by Jerry Juhl and old hand at writing material for the Muppets. The running time is 86 minutes.