MovieChat Forums > An American Christmas Carol (1979) Discussion > One of the best of this classic

One of the best of this classic

posted 8 years ago by cosmos323232
9 replies | jump to latest

I have 5 versions of this classic from 38'-51'-84'-99' but this 79' version is one of my favorites. Very few have ever seen it. It's a slight change to an American setting, but powerful acting from Winkler, who is so much more than the Fonz. You see so much more of his past than any other version, so you really get to know why he is as he is. Old, grumpy, angry, lonely and depressed needing to bring all around him down---and then redemption ....... Try it, you might actually like it ;)----Todd H

[–] gpicto 8 years ago

I agree. My fave is still the 1951 version but I always enjoy this one, too.

Slade: In this bag are presents----
Sarah: For us???
Slade: Is it alright if I finish? (Sarah shrugs)

LOL

Marriage is between one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others.

[–] dga23 7 years ago

Liked how they had a black person as an authority figure (Christmas Future).

"She let me go."
~White Oleander

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 6 years ago

I don't think of it as the best but as different. It made for a great period piece. PS: For the record: I have 58 different versions of "A Christmas Carol". When my wife and I were married 23 years ago, it was around Christmas and we just started picking them up since.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8289) 6 years ago

58 different versions? Is such a thing possible?

I wasn't aware that it had been adapted that many times.

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 6 years ago

I think there are over 75 different versions but not all are available: The first was in 1901 but it doesn't exist anymore. Oldest I have is a 15 minute short from 1911. I'm also including cartoons like Looney Tunes, Vege Tales, Mr. Magoo, and the Flintstones. Plus there are non traditional ones I have like "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past". Currently I'm trying to find a copy of "John Grin's Christmas" from 1986 with Robert Guillaume.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8289) 6 years ago

Ah, I see.

I know that if you get off the beaten path and start counting episodes of TV shows that used the storyline and other non-traditional versions then they can start adding up pretty quickly.

Of the traditional, feature-length versions, I can only think of a handful:

1935, 1938, 1951, 1970, 1984, 1999, 2009. I believe there may have been one also in 1950 or so with Vincent Price, but I've heard it's terrible so I've never sought it out.

I wonder how long before the next major adaptation. And by major, I don't necessarily mean theatrical, it could be made-for-TV like the '99 version with Patrick Stewart. A new one seems to come around every 15 years or so on average, it seems.

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 6 years ago

Thankfully I draw the line at the TV episodes. That could run into the hundreds or more. The Vincent Price one is kind of dry. A number of the TV movies are very good. The George C. Scott TV movie version from 1984 is probably one of the best renditions I've ever seen.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8289) 6 years ago

Just out of curiosity, if a new adaptation was announced would you be eagerly anticipating it, or do you think the story has been done to death?

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 6 years ago

Ice Cube supposedly has one coming out soon that I'm interested in seeing.