THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992)
What better way to start this adventure than with the Muppets? This mixture of muppets and humans, most notably the great Michael Caine, is pitch perfect on so many levels. Sure, there are some Muppet additions (“Having a Heat Wave”, for example), but for the most part this is a very faithful adaptation of the story. They’ve added Dickens (Gonzo) as the narrator, and given him a sidekick in Rizzo the Rat. “Light the lamp, not the rat. Light the lamp, not the rat” and “thank you for making me a part of this” are classic lines not found in Dickens’ original text. And the Ghost of Christmas Present doesn’t have any tough love for Scrooge. But these are quibbles.
The Belle scenes are great, and heartbreaking. Miss Piggy is very funny as Mrs. Cratchit, but she also breaks your heart in the future scene after Tiny Tim has passed. Most of the Muppets are used at some point, which is great for fans. And Fozziwig played by the great Fozzy the Bear. And then there are the musical numbers that add to the whole.
Truly a movie for the whole family, A MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL is a great way to start the challenge. What Muppet use do you think is the most inspired? Fozziwig? Sam the Eagle? Emily Cratchit?
[…] a lot. A couple of years ago I blogged about various versions, and rated them. Like Jamie, I am a Muppet Christmas Carol fan. I also like Scrooge, and the George C. Scott version. And I was fortunate enough to see […]