The Muppet Christmas Carol is the fourth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first produced after the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson. Released in 1992, it is one of many film adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The movie follows Ebenezer Scrooge who is a cruel and ruthless money lender. His immoral business practices cause bring a lot of hardship to London's Camden town, the film's setting. During the night of Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by three ghosts; the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. He discovers the errors of his ways and becomes an honest and charitable man. The film is a musical with seven songs in the original theatrical release.
Plot
In this adaptation of the Christmas story narrated by Charles Dickens himself (played by Gonzo the Great) with the occasional commentary of Rizzo the Rat, it is Christmas Eve in 19th century London. The merriment is not shared by Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), a surly money-lender who is more interested in profit than celebration. So cold to the season of giving is he that his book-keeping staff, including loyal employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), has to plead with him just to have the day off work during Christmas by pointing out that Scrooge would have no customers on the holiday and that it would waste coal to sit alone in the office. Scrooge's nephew, Fred, arrives to invite his uncle to Christmas dinner and two gentlemen also come to Scrooge's offices, collecting money in the spirit of the season. Scrooge rebuffs his nephew and complains that it isn't worth looking after the poor, as their deaths will decrease the surplus population. Fred is shocked at his uncle's uncharitable and cold nature, but repeats his invitation, makes his own donation and departs.
Later that evening, Scrooge finds himself face to face with the spirits of his former business partners, Jacob and Robert Marley (Statler and Waldorf) who have been condemned to shackles in the afterlife as payment for the horrible deeds they committed in life. They warn him that he will share the same fate, only worse, if he doesn't change his ways, and foretell the coming of three spirits throughout the night.
Mr. Scrooge is first visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, a child-like spectre who takes Scrooge on a journey back through time to his youth. He recalls his early school days, during which he focused on his studies; meeting of a young woman named Belle (Meredith Braun), with whom he would later fall in love; and the final parting between Belle and Scrooge, despite Scrooge's protests that he would marry her as soon as he had enough money.
Scrooge then meets the Ghost of Christmas Present, a large, festive spirit with a booming voice who lives only for the here and now. He gives Scrooge a glimpse into the holiday celebration of others, including Bob Cratchit and his family who, although poor, are enjoying Christmas together and reveling in the anticipation of the Christmas goose. The Spirit also shows Scrooge's own family, who aren't above cracking jokes at Scrooge's expense.
Finally, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, a silent entity, who reveals the chilling revelation that young Tiny Tim (Robin the Frog) will not survive the coming year, thanks in no small part to the impoverished existence of the Cratchit family. Furthermore, it is revealed that when Scrooge's own time has passed, others will certainly delight in his absence from the world, with local businessmen attending his funeral only for the free food and Scrooge's servants stealing the very clothes he was to have been buried in. It is this final epiphany that jolts Scrooge back into humanity, and makes him vow to celebrate with his fellow man. Scrooge goes about the town spreading good deeds and charity, plans a feast for Bob Cratchit and his kin, and learns to adopt the spirit of Christmas throughout the year.
Cast
- Michael Caine as Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge
- Dave Goelz (voice) as Charles Dickens (Gonzo the Great), Robert Marley (Waldorf), Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Betina Crachit, Rat, Zoot
- Steve Whitmire (voice) as Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Bean Bunny, Belinda Crachit, Beetle, Lips, Rat, Sprocket the Dog
- Jerry Nelson (voice) as Tiny Tim Cratchit (Robin the Frog), Jacob Marley (Statler), Ma Bear, Ghost of Christmas Present, Floyd, Lew Zealand, Mouse, Mr. Applegate, Penguin, Pig Gentleman, Pops, Rat
- Frank Oz (voice) as Emily Cratchit (Miss Piggy), Fozziwig (Fozzie Bear), Schoolmaster (Sam the Eagle), Animal, George the Janitor, Horse and Carriage Driver, Vegetable Peddler
- David Rudman (voice) as Peter Cratchit, The Swedish Chef
- Steven Mackintosh as Fred
- Meredith Braun as Belle
- Robin Weaver as Clara
- Ray Coulthard as Young Scrooge
- Russell Martin as Young Scrooge
- Theo Sanders as Young Scrooge
- Kristopher Milnes as Young Scrooge
- Edward Sanders as Young Scrooge
- David Shaw Parker (voice) as Old Joe
- Reginald Turner as Mr. Caine's double
Production
This film was directed by Jim Henson's son, Brian. Taking over the puppeteering role of Kermit, originally performed by Jim Henson before his death in 1990, was Steve Whitmire. It was shot in Shepperton Studios, England and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Despite the use of Muppets throughout filming and a humorous spin on much of the story, this film is a fairly close adaptation of the original story. The film is even interspersed with scenes of a narrator (Gonzo playing Dickens), who, along with the characters, recites many of Dickens's original lines. One notable difference from the original story is the addition of Jacob Marley's brother, Robert, who was not present in Dickens' story. It is suggested this name was chosen as an oblique reference to musician Bob Marley. Another alteration involved changing the name of the character Fezziwig to Fozziwig, as Fozzie Bear played the role.
This is the first Muppet movie in which the story revolves around characters played by human beings, specifically, Ebenezer Scrooge played by Michael Caine. The rest of the cast consisted of mostly Muppet performers. Several pivotal roles — in particular, the three Christmas Spirits — were portrayed by specially-created Muppet characters. It was at one time considered that well-known Muppets would be cast in these roles (Miss Piggy, Scooter, and Gonzo, specifically) before it was decided that it would detract from the ominous effect the spirits would need to convey. Only the Ghost of Christmas Present is clearly a muppet (albeit a giant one), while the Ghost of Christmas past is a young human-like child and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is a cloaked and terrifying figure as per tradition.
It was dedicated to the memory of Jim Henson and Richard Hunt, two original Muppet performers, who died before the film's release.
Distribution
This is the first Muppet movie produced by The Walt Disney Company. As a side note, the Muppets featured in the film would later be purchased by Disney. Other than the film's theatrical releases, the film has also been made available on home video formats. It was released on VHS and twice on DVD, in Region 1. The first DVD release in 2002 was a full-screen only affair. The film was re-released on DVD in 2005 in conjunction with Kermit the Frog's 50th anniversary celebration; this time the DVD contained both full-screen and wide-screen presentations. The film was also released in Region 2. The song "When Love Is Gone" was removed from the DVD release, despite having featured on the VHS release. Henson felt it made the film too melodramatic.
Reception
Despite being a box office success, this Muppet film did not make much of an impact during its theatrical release, having to face competition from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Disney's Aladdin. The film grossed a total of $27,281,507 domestically. As of today, Rotten Tomatoes reported that 66% of critics gave positive reviews. It became more popular upon its original release on VHS.
Soundtrack
As with all Muppet movies, except "Muppets From Space", this one was done as a musical. The soundtrack included performances by the Muppet characters as well as Caine. Songs from the film include "Scrooge" by the Muppet performers, "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas" by Kermit, "Marley and Marley" by Statler and Waldorf, "When Love is Gone" by Meredith Braun, "It Feels Like Christmas" by the Ghost of Christmas Present, "Bless Us All" by Robin, and "Thankful Heart" by Caine. The soundtrack album reached #189 on the Billboard 200.
"When Love is Gone" was cut out of the original 1992 theatrical release as producers thought it would slow the film down a bit, but put it back in for the video release and TV airings. This song was once again cut from the 10th Anniversary Edition of the film released on DVD (widescreen only, the fullscreen version has the song). Two other songs were written but cut from the film; "Room in Your Heart", performed by Dr. Bunsen Honeydew & Beaker, and "Chairman of the Board", performed by Sam the Eagle. These songs were recorded, but cut from the script before filming began. Both songs appear on the motion picture soundtrack released by Jim Henson Records.
Track listing
- "Overture" - Instrumental
- "Scrooge" - Cast
- "Room in Your Heart" - Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker
- "Good King Wenceslas" - Muppet Brass Buskers
- "One More Sleep 'til Christmas" - Kermit
- "Marley and Marley" - Statler and Waldorf
- "Christmas Past" - Instrumental
- "Chairman of the Board" - Sam the Eagle
- "Fozziwig's Party" - Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
- "When Love is Gone" - Belle
- "It Feels Like Christmas" - Ghost of Christmas Present
- "Christmas Scat" - Kermit and Tiny Tim
- "Bless Us All" - Tiny Tim and Family
- "Christmas Future" - Instrumental
- "Christmas Morning" - Instrumental
- "Thankful Heart" - Mr. Scrooge
- "Finale: When Love is Found/It Feels Like Christmas" - Mr. Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Ghost of Christmas Present, and Cast
- "When Love is Gone" - Martina McBride
See also
External links
