It probably sounds silly, but this is my all-time favorite version of Dickens’ tale. Not only does Michael Caine create a brilliantly convincing Ebenezer Scrooge, it’s just so darn funny. Whenever we watch it, the boys and I go around for days singing, “We’re Marley and Marley…WoooOOOOOoooo!” I really need to get it on DVD…we’re still watching the video I bought before Zach was born. And we’ll watch it again this weekend.
It’s going to be kind of hard to watch it this year, though. I know someone who, for two years now, has cast a decidedly Scrooge-like pall over our celebration. It’s taking all I have within me to hold tight to the joy and peace that the season is supposed to bring us. I wish more than anything that their eyes could be opened as Scrooge’s were; that they could see the chains dragging them down, and realize that Christmas has nothing to do with greed or malice, but is about love and giving, and making other people happy.
Anyone know where I can hire three ghosts to do the job?
“A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!” cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew…
“Bah!” said Scrooge, “Humbug!”
“Christmas a humbug, uncle!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “You don’t mean that, I am sure.”
“I do,” said Scrooge. “Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”
“Come, then,” returned the nephew gaily. “What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”
Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said “Bah!” again; and followed it up with “Humbug.”