Yep, another classic Christmas movie has an anniversary this year. There are lots of variations on A Christmas Carol set in modern day, but very few that clicked. This is one that definitely did. In 1988 we saw this movie in theaters, and loved it. This is the movie that made people realize Bill Murray was more than just SNL or Ghostbusters, and this would my favorite holiday movie I’ve ever seen in a theater. Until The Santa Clause came along anyway. Now normally when I do these kind of articles I nitpick flaws in good movies. But since it’s the 30th anniversary, here are five reasons I love “Scrooged”.
Direct by Richard Donner and released November 23, 1988 this movie is a real surprise. I should hate it, but I don’t. Why? Let’s see….
Music
The soundtrack is pretty haunting Who did that? It sounds like a Danny Elfman score. Oh, yeah, it is! Before “Batman” but after “Beetlejuice”. The score is especially effective in the beginning before any ghosts arrive. It’s amazing how well that music works, there’s almost no need for dialogue! But the big song to come from this was “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”. This is one of those sons that sounds like a Christmas song even tough it isn’t. It’s not even original, but hey hearing it played a million times throughout the movie makes it work. And of course the cover by Annie Lennox and Al Green.
The Ghosts
The ghosts were brilliantly cast! Christmas Past is David Johansen having a ball in the role. He is so much fun every second he’s on the screen. But not so goofy we don’t take him seriously. Present of course is Carol Kaine. If you didn’t know her from Taxi, you knew her after her off the wall performance. But as nutty, and violent, she is Kaine manages to hit the sentimental notes very nicely when she has to. And OK Christmas Future isn’t that original but I love the segment of the film. It’s quick but effective. Donner really knows how to get the most of a quick scene. And of course John Forsythe plays the Jacob Marley analog and is great as always.
The Cast
Bill Murray is just fantastic in this, being such a bastard in the start and so wonderful in the end. What I like the best is that he isn’t giddy and skipping or anything. He’s the same guy, just a little more relaxed. A lot more realistic than some other Scrooge versions I could name. His arc is strong her than in “Groundhog Day” because in that movie he was a jerk, here he’s a bastard! So his turn around is a joy in the end. The rest of the cast is pretty damn good to. Hey any movie that can make Bobcat Goldwait not only likeable but sympathetic is doing something right! We also have Karen Allen as the love interest, and her scenes with Frank in the past segments are so cute. You can tell they really did have feelings for each other. After that there are cameo’s aplenty from such people as Buddy Hacket and Mary Lou Retton. This would also be one of John Houseman’s final roles. And while I have no idea what Robert Mitchum is doing he does a good job. But even more astounding is the very young looking John Glover. Yes that’s him!
It’s Really Funny
I gotta tell you, that final bit when Bill Murray broke the fourth wall and starts talking to the audience was hysterical if you saw it in an actual theater. There are are lots of little gags like that. Like the parody of Christmas specials in the beginning (you know, when Santa’s workshop gets bombed and Lee Major has to save the day?). And of course we get constant reminders of the classic story framed around Frank’s experiences which really work. The only lame gag is the restaurant scene where the ghost is truing to get Frank out of there by making him see things. That scene is almost a big alligator moment, since it’s immediately forgotten and never mentioned again. Overall the movie is really funny when it needs to be, and when it needs to be dark? Well…..
It’s Dark..but it works
So I did my discussion before about what an anthem to Christmas Eve this movie is. So let’s discuss this instead. For a Christmas movie, it’s kinda dark. In fact Roger Ebert roasted this movie when it came out. One time when I disagree with him. Because honestly, that kind of works for the movie. It’s a dark comedy but an effective one. People forget that “A Christmas Carol” has some pretty dark elements in it also. My favorite is during the Present segment, instead of seeing Claire we instead see what happened to one of the bum’s that Frank had run into earlier. Not to spoil it, but it’s a chilling…and effective scene. It’s very disturbing but it really works! Almost more than it would have to just see Claire at work. The best part is the ghosts vanishes for that scene, because she isn’t needed. Point made! The past stuff is good to, as I said we can tell Frank and Claire really did love each other. And then there’s the future, and what a lot they do in such a quick time. We get Grace’s son in a mental ward, a very bitter and nasty Claire, and we see Frank died before his time in coffin scene which rivals ANY of the traditional Christmas Carol’s in my opinion. And finally, I love how everything is wrapped up with Frank giving a big speech. Rather than Frank visiting everyone individually. It’s the kind of movie where the light is there, you just have to look a little bit to find it. It’s still a solid Christmas movie, even if thinks Christmas EVE is the holiday. The best comes at the end when Gracey’s son says the immortal lines NO version can be without. God Bless Us, Everyone.
Not gonna lie this is more of a guilty pleasure for me. I love it but there are movies I love more. But I do enjoy watching and I really can’t believe that it’s been thirty years since I first saw it. What about you guys? Comment and let me know. I’ll leave you with this :
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