An American Christmas Carol (1979 TV Movie) User Reviews

A novel retelling of the Dickens tale. Give it a chance.

[whatshisname · 8/10 · 17 December 2001]

Not enough people ever gave this one a chance, but it should be considered one of the better versions of "A Christmas Carol" out there.

Why did it fail? Well, who wanted to see "Fonzie" play Scrooge back in 1979? I must admit that I did not like this movie the first time I saw it either, but it grew on me, as any good movie does. Henry Winkler plays Depression era "Bennidict Slade" (what an inventive American equivalent for "Ebenezer Scrooge"!), a rich businessman that started out as a delinquent orphan that was adopted by a kind man he unwittingly ends up putting out of business in his pursuit of greed. The "Depression Era" skin put on this movie makes it all the more gray, bleak and believable.

One thing that hurt this movie was that it doesn't have as much of a "feel good" ending as the usual "Scrooge" versions, but I rank this one high because it has my absolute favorite ending of any version of the "Scrooge" genre.

Naturally, I can't spoil the ending, only to say that Slade has more fun surprising people with his new found attitude, knowing just how shocked everyone will be, than any Scrooge movie I've seen. It makes a fun difference. And his surprise for "Tiny Tim", very well done.

One annoying distraction, the "Ghost of Christmas Future" is portrayed by a black man wearing gold chains, dressed in 1979 fashions and listens to disco music. Their "Ghost of the Future" jumped a little too far ahead, and is comical by todays standards.

But this is a great version, and if you are bored to death with endless variations of "A Christmas Carol" where you know the story blindfolded, then I highly recommend you give this one a chance. You'll like it as long as you don't try and compare it to A.C.C., looking for places where they changed the story.

Deserves Full Praise As A Worthy Addition.

[scott88-4 · 8/10 · 14 April 2006]

While I love almost all of the "Christmas Carol" films, this one really has a special place in my heart. I saw this movie many years back when I was not really a fan of Christmas movies and never went out of my way to watch them. This film changed that. I enjoyed it so much that I now eagerly await every December as a time once again to enjoy some of the classic holiday shows from times past. "An American Christmas Carol" is easily one of my favorites. And, as a previous reviewer felt, the ending of the Winkler version may be the best of all of the versions, although I still love the Alistair Sims ending (standing on his head!) Excellent film. And it deserves a place in the "Christmas Film Hall Of Fame".

Sit on it, Dickens!

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 25 December 2015]

Yet another version of the Charles Dickens classic, this TV movie moves the setting of the story to Depression-era America. The role of Scrooge (inexplicably renamed Benedict Slade, which sounds like a gunfighter from an old western) is played by 'The Fonz' himself, Henry Winkler. Despite many little changes, the basic story is the same: greedy old man is visited by spirits on Christmas Eve who convince him to change his ways before it's too late. It's a fine adaptation of the story, particularly considering it was made for TV. They do a good job with the sets and costumes of making it look the period (at least to my untrained eye), although the old-age makeup makes Winkler look like a cross between Albert Einstein and the Cryptkeeper. Winkler's performance is a little stagy. Not bad just a little out of step with the rest of the cast, who seem more aware what medium they're in. The cast, including fine character actor David Wayne, offer solid support. Despite some flaws, it's hard to dislike it unless maybe you're a Dickens purist who won't like the changes. It's not one of my favorite versions of the story but it kept my interest throughout so I can't complain.

Fonzie plays Scrooge

[evilcat · 9 February 2000]

I have to admit that this is my personal favorite when it comes to all the "Christmas Carol" films. I try to watch it every year now. I actually really enjoyed Henry Winkler as "Scrooge" and found his portrayal memorable. I am not sure if it is noted in the credits but the majority of this film was shot on location in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This film does break some of the traditions of the original Charles Dickens tale but it is a very good version of the original with all the same good spirit.

Heart Is In The Right Place

[statuskuo · 6/10 · 25 December 2020]

In my attempt to watch every version of "A Christmas Carol" I came across this curiosity of 1979. Here Henry Winkler plays the unmistakable Ebeneezer Scrooge character, this time set in Depression Era America rather than rat infested DIckens England. Winkler plays Ben Slade, and in today's lingo he is a payday advanced loan jerk who has fleeced the community and lives well while others suffer. Then on Christmas Eve, he is met by ghosts who show him his past, present and future. The future ghosts amused me as it was...DECIDEDLY 1970's attire. Gold chain and all. The movie also has lighter moments. Comedy works best in this darkness. The rest is the standard: sees the errors of his life and realizes leaving a legacy means more than money. All good stuff. The problem comes with some odd casting choices. Starting with Henry Winkler. Perhaps it was too close to "Happy Days" but the poor guy couldn't shake the attitude in his voice. Even though, he's seen here in heavy poorly constructed t.v. budgeted old-dude makeup he still sounded like...the Fonz. You half expect when the ghosts to show up for him to say "Oh heeey, the G of Christmas P" Unfortunately, Winkler went this route. But I also suspected producers may have actually wanted this. I mean, why get The Fonz if you can't hear the Fonz. The guy who plays the Bob Cratchet character is sorely mis-casted. Though seen in most incarnations as a nebbish book worm, this dude just comes off as a nerd. I mean, worse, a Canadian nerd. He doesn't have the gravity of playing an adult nor presence of being one. He doesn't seem as if he could endure Slade's ways. Even as the transformations to good occur, the actor doesn't seem the bit surprised. He just goes along with the flow (which is mostly the director's blame).

The t.v. movie isn't bad. Although what appears to be pieced together by random standing sets and props, I can't imagine this movie cost much to make. The heart is DEFINITELY in the right space. And in the spirit of the holidays, it does do its job. It was a nice attempt at a novel idea on overused Christmas story. It isn't a complete waste of time. But beware of the corny within.

Surprisingly Good TV Adaptation

[mrb1980 · 7/10 · 21 December 2013]

Henry Winkler was riding a wave of popularity when "An American Christmas Carol" was released in late 1979. He was still starring in the dumb 1970s sitcom "Happy Days" and had been the star in two theatrical movies in 1978. Given that I hated "Happy Days" and couldn't stand Winkler's "Fonzie" character, I was prepared to really hate this TV movie.

I was surprised to find that "An American Christmas Carol" is really quite good. Winkler appears as the Scrooge-like character Benedict Slade, who reforms after visits from Christmas spirits during the Great Depression. The film has a very easygoing pace and has typical TV-style production values and direction, but it's really pretty good. I think that folks should watch it without any preconceptions about Winkler or the story...you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Henry Winkler Triumphs In An American Christmas Carol !

[Mooviemike · 10/10 · 24 November 2013]

I'm going to start of by saying that the "Fonz" from Happy Days is my all-time favorite TV character from my all-time favorite show. I'll also put out there that i got to meet Henry Winkler in person a few years back. That being said i remember fondly back in 1979 watching An American Christmas when it premiered on TV. Henry Winkler was at the height of his popularity then and i couldn't wait to see him in a new Christmas movie around the holiday season. Myself being all of 12 years old at the time i loved Henry Winkler in his "Scrooge" type role and the depression era setting. As others have stated the story has been changed slightly for an American setting and the ending a little differently done. But for me those are strong points that separate this version from other versions. That's why it's called "An American Christmas Carol" and not just "A Christmas Carol" because of it's American spin on things. For those looking it's been released on Blu Ray and DVD and you can probably find it online or locally for a pretty reasonable price. For fans or someone looking for something new they haven't seen give "An American Christmas Carol" a shot. This reviewer gives two thumbs up for "The Fonz" and if you don't agree you can "Sit On It" ! (Just some Happy Days humor for you.....Happy Holidays !)

Better than the others

[lonewolf2-736-360286 · 7/10 · 11 January 2023]

This is a great movie. It adds more drama and humor to the other versions of A Christmas Carol movies. It's American so it obviously adds a new spin to this flick. Henry Winker was a perfect choice for.the main character.

I found this to be crisp an clean in the way it was directed as well as acted. The genre is listed as drama and fantasy but comedy should be added as an additional genre.

My family and I certainly enjoyed this new version and should garner a PG rating or even G. But it's truly a family movie. It's hard to believe this is now 40 plus years since it's introduction. It's as fresh now as the first time I viewed it.

A wonderful Christmas story

[munkmanor · 10/10 · 23 December 2006]

This movie was excellent as a modern reminder that the Dicken's Classic, "A Christmas Carol" is still alive and well in this modern era. A heart- felt movie reminding us the joy of Christmas needs to be with us the whole year round. The acting is superb and traditional in every sense! This movie reaches to all, provoking the conscientious of human dignity and respect for our fellow man. One can simply tell the actors really got into their roles, ensuring this would be a great Christmas Classic. Bravo for the making of the "An American Christmas Carol". I can only assume Mr. Winkler who stared in this role feels this is one of his best works, defining the role as Ebenezer Scrooge.

How can you not like The Fonz as Scrooge?

[kevin_robbins · 6/10 · 28 December 2021]

An American Christmas Carol (1979) is a movie I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows Scrooge as he visits various renters, children and colleagues just before the holiday spreading what he thinks is the appropriate business and success messages that are both harsh and insensitive. Those messages comeback to him from ghosts on Christmas Eve. Will this be the message Scrooge needs to hear to change his ways?

This movie is directed by Eric Till (Luther) and stars Henry Winkler (Happy Days), Dorian Harewood (Assault on Precinct 13), R. H. Thomson (Chloe), Christopher Crabb (Stained) and Linda Goranson (The Cardinal).

How can you not like The Fonz as Scrooge? His hairstyle in the flashback scenes couldn't make do anything but smile. His relationship and proposal scenes were a bit stiff but fun. The set-up of Scrooge and his outlook was okay but the ghosts were poorly executed and didn't really work for me. I did like the ending and the depiction of the evolution of the characters and circumstances.

Overall this is a nice twist on the classic Christmas tale. I would score this a 6/10 and recommend watching it once.

Very poor telling of the Christmas classic

[davidleslie1001 · 4/10 · 3 December 2012]

Oh dear, take the title of a Charles Dickens classic and insert the word 'American' so that you can take every liberty possible with the story. Only a passing resemblance to the original story, some very unconvincing ghosts and characters that, to be honest, you don't care about. If Slade had difficulty in identifying each o the ghosts, from his dead partner through to Christmas past, present and future, then he has an easier job than the viewer. None of the characters resemble in any way any characters in the book, there are no revelations and little, if any, emotion.

Having looked at the past, present and future, why would Slade (Scrooge) bother having a redemption? The worst version of this story that I have ever seen.

Excellent re-imagining of the concept

[rkhen · 10/10 · 21 December 2013]

First, disclosure: I'm a giant Dickens fan, scholar of his life and work, and total Charles Dickens fanboy geek all the way around.

This movie is NOT a version or update of Dickens' 'Christmas Carol'. It's written as if the writers had never heard of the Dickens story, were handed a one-paragraph summary of the plot, and told "Go!" And everything about it works. I especially like the way they improved on some of the weaknesses of the Dickens story. Just three examples: Slade stays gruff, socially awkward, and highly competent after his transformation, instead of becoming a loony old fool, which is fakey. He quotes business theory to justify his actions, as if it were a religion. Also typical of real-life Scrooges. And -- skirting spoilers -- the changes he makes in his life afterward are much more uplifting and realistic. He's just much, much more interesting than Scrooge. (Sorry, Chuck!) I could go on. These writers do Dickens better than Dickens.

The 1930s New England setting is brilliant; the small town works better than London (which comes off like a small town in the Dickens story, but it's not.) And, gosh Henry Winkler is outstanding! A young actor, playing "old" in a ton of make-up, and totally believable.

Anyway, I won't rave on. Like many other reviewers here, I say, Give it a try! I'm astonished to see this movie get two stars in TV listings and hear commentators in the media sneer about it, like it's the dumbest Dickens "adaptation" ever. First, it's not; I could write a book about the total crap passing for "Dickens'" Christmas Carol. And second, it's not. As in "not Dickens". It's a little bit better, and a whole lot fresh.

Worth the watch

[melgpandp · 7/10 · 29 November 2017]

While it's not my favorite version of the Dickens classic, it is worth watching. I love Henry Winkler, however watching him play the role of Scrooge doesn't really work for me. That is my only drawback with this 1979 classic. Playing a mean, grumpy man just does not suite what I'm use to. However I do like the subtle changes in the story line.

Jumping the Reindeer

[inspectors71 · 1/10 · 25 November 2019]

This is the sort of lifeless holiday trash that has been turned into a fine art on the Hallmark Channel. There isn't a moment that I regretted agreeing to watch this with family a few days ago. I remember seeing this 1979 mess advertised, and I cringed at the thought of a hack actor like Henry Winkler, decked out in a ridiculous latex old-fart face, playing my favorite antagonist.

I love A Christmas Carol because I love Ebenezer Scrooge. He is an awful, mean, and vulgar man. Scrooge is one of my very favorite bad guys, a tragic character who hopes much of the "surplus population" plays in traffic. He's so nasty, sniveling, and believable that, when it's time for him to get some serious churchin' up, I feel sad. I know it's better that he gets his head straight, but the conversion to being a decent person is the only weak part of Dickens' story.

It's a quibble, but a few days--at least--of soul-searching by Eb, after seeing not one but four ghosts (and Marley is my fave), would have been easier to swallow.

Yes, I know. If he had become a human on December 28th, the whole point of the Christmas goose arriving at the Cratchit's would have been a smidgen weak.

Which brings us back to the cheap-jack movie-of-the-week feel from AACC. Everything screams 1979-trying-to-be-1933-and-not-making-it! Even the engine noises from Winkler's company truck are so overly looped that it's like the sound engineer wanted to scream at you, "Hey, that's an old truck there, for sure, you betcha!"

Even the timeline doesn't work. Winkler's Mr. Slade (I'm lazy enough not to bother looking up the first name) looks forty in 1917 and 80 in 1933. The folks at ABC(?) must have thunk this one up--The Fonz is so underused in Happy Days. Why not give him a movie where he can chew some scenery while encased in the sort of rubber face that Martin Landau used a million times in Mission Impossible?

You betcha, for sure!

It was 90 minutes of almost-perfect hell, and the only good that came out of it was my wife telling me that she enjoyed seeing a movie. We should watch more.

Ayyyyyyy!

NOT A BAD VERSION

[2eddie · 23 December 2000]

I haven't seen it in about 15 years, but I really did like this version of A Christmas Carol. Yeah, it deviated a bit from the original story, but... so what? I could relate to it more.

Seems like ABC would have this one to broadcast annually, but I guess they tossed it when the Fonzie furor was over. Actually, I'm not sure if he was best cast as the American Scrooge, but that didn't take away from the story.

Call me delusional, but I consider it an unappreciated holiday classic.

Old Skinflint gets spooks in his pants

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 13 January 2001]

Miserly businessman gives up the love of his life, the respect of his friends, and the ability to enjoy life for the lust of filthy lucre, the pride of ambition, and the euphoria of being the wealthiest man in town. Misery was his constant bedfellow until a vision of a lonely, unloved future is presented to him in all it's ugly wretchedness. Excellent re-make, almost as good as the George C. Scott version. What was the 70's hairstyle doing on a man living in the 20's?

Made pretty well...but did we need yet another version of this Dickens classic?

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 22 December 2022]

"A Christmas Carol" has been made, remade and remade more times than any movie I know. There were many silent versions, and sound versions in 1935, 1938, 1951, 1984 and 1999. There also were a couple musicals ("Scrooge" in 1970 and "The Muppet Christmas Carol" in 1992), "Scrooged" (which is VERY different from the novel) and this made for TV Americanized version, "An American Christmas Carol". This doesn't even include the MANY TV shows and versions aimed at kids...and there are many (including Jim Carrey's and another starring Mickey Mouse and his friends). Heck, there's even a paleolithic version, "A Flintstone Christmas Carol" and a Mr. Magoo version!! I think it's time we give this Dickens story a rest and just concentrate on the few which are truly magnificent...and I wouldn't consider this 1979 version among these very best. For me, the best are the 1951 Alistair Sim version, the 1984 George C. Scott version and the Muppets version.

"An American Christmas Carol" stars Henry Winkler, who was a wildly popular actor back in 1979 due to his starring on "Happy Days". He manages to play both Scrooge (here called Benedict Slade) as a young man and as an elderly one. As for Jacob Marley (here called Merrivale), he's played by David Wayne and plays a MUCH longer and more active part in the story than in previous versions. Additionally, the film is set during both the first and second World Wars in the USA instead of the late reign of William III or Victorian London (some versions set it in the 1830s...some the 1860s).

So is it any good? Yes....but even with the film's many changes it is still "A Christmas Carol"....and as I mentioned above, it's been done too many times already. Simply setting it in 20th century America isn't enough to set it apart for me to make it a must-see film....though Winkler is surprisingly good in the lead and the movie looks nice.

My favorite Christmas Carol movie.

[dlwoods · 10/10 · 23 December 2000]

I have loved this movie for a long time. Unfortunately, where I live my searches of TV schedules over the years have turned up nothing. It is very nice that I can finally give this movie the praise it deserves. It was a grand experience discovering that Henry Winkler was an actor of this range. I also was impressed that he and the studio chose a different presentation of this timeless story. To conclude, I thank this venue for allowing me to sing the praise of this movie so many years later, while I again search for replays of it on TV.

Good Adaptation

[rikalonius · 7/10 · 19 November 2011]

I remember this fondly and when I went to an certain online movie site to see if I could introduce my wife to it via the power of streaming, I was incredulous to find that it wasn't just not available for streaming, but non existent in their database. How sad that such a good movie is being tossed to the dustbin of history.

It has its flaws, but I chalk those up to its made for TV budget. People are nitpicking the hairstyles, but very few big budget films take the time to accurately portray such details, let alone a small budget TV movie. Look at Brian's Song for instance. Small budget, big heart. All this doesn't, however, detract from An American Christmas Carol being a memorable take on Dickens' classic. I would encourage anyone who hasn't viewed it, to do so. I promise you won't be disappointed.

A great retelling of this classic story

[nortok00 · 8/10 · 22 December 2018]

Just as others have written, Henry Winkler is fabulous playing the miserly lead character that we all know and love. This version honours the original while putting its own spin on the story. This is a great retelling of the original "A Christmas Carol" and I rank it second (along with Bill Murray's Scrooged) to Alastair Sim's version which is #1 of course.

My only disappointment is that it doesn't get shown anymore. I remember seeing this every year for the first few years after it first aired but I haven't seen it in decades (on network tv) and I don't know why. This version deserves to be dusted off and brought back into the line-up of shows that are featured every year!

This is definitely a "must see" if you come across it.

Great idea but could've been better

[lvanett2 · 7/10 · 4 December 2006]

An American Christmas Carol takes place during the Depression, with Henry Winkler portraying the elderly miser Benedict Slade, a man who loves money and forsakes all else in pursuit of it. R.H. Thomson plays Thatcher, his kindhearted loyal assistant.

While the story itself is a wonderful idea, especially by having it take place during the Depression, it's hard to watch Henry Winkler convincingly try to play a mean old man. His "Scrooge" (Slade) is harsh, but not harsh enough. He never yells, and even when he gets upset he doesn't become angry and explosive. His voice doesn't sound like that of an older man either but more like Fonzie with a slight case of laryngitis which doesn't help the believability. His makeup job is good but instead of looking worn, wrinkled and haggard, it looks more like he has a case of wind burn.

Aside from that, the story is a very good adaptation and "modern-day" retelling, choosing not to mimic the Dickens characters but instead create new ones based upon them. Definitely worth watching in spite of the flaws noted.

What. Was. That?

[JonnyDR75 · 1/10 · 26 December 2023]

I suppose some producer thought it would be a good idea to hire 33 year Henry Winkler to play the elderly Scrooge character in this tedious adaption of Dickens' classic, because he was one of the hottest TV stars at the time. The result is a freakish, bizarre performance by a heavily aged Winkler complete with latex prosthetics and a wig that looks like bad hair plugs. Winkler's singular acting choice to embody this legendary character is to low talk under his breath and deliver his lines like a sportscaster commenting on a long, slow golf tournament. I have to believe the positive reviews here are a result of the nostalgia-effect of people seeing it when they were younger and associating the movie with a happier time. Otherwise, people just have terrible, terrible taste in movies.

Should be on the air

[mflunder · 9/10 · 15 December 2002]

When asked recently what my favourite version of A Christmas Carol was, I had to respond with this movie. Henry Winkler provides a character in this adaptation that is the most believable amongst other perennial favorites in the role of Scrooge (Mr. Slate in this case).

It has been a while since I have seen the film and I am disappointed not to find it on TV again this year. I could use the refreshing view this film provided to the tired Allister Sims or Gorge C. Scott versions.

Mixed review

[m1958keating · 7/10 · 27 December 2018]

Here is what I liked: 1. The basic idea of presenting a classic in a setting that is 100 years later than the original. As a Massachusetts resident, I particularly liked WBZ radio playing in the background! 2. Giving Henry Winkler a chance to be something other than the Fonz. 3. The Jack Latham scene is far more believable than any of the traditional Jacob Marley scenes. "If I'm not really Latham, then I wouldn't know XYZ." is far more convincing than rattling his chains while yelling, "Do you believe in me or not?"

Here is what I didn't care for: 1. Aging Benedict Slade 40 or 50 years in just 16 years time (1917 to 1933) is a stretch. 2. I also believe that Slade was given a disproportionate share of the blame for Mr. Brewster's demise. Was Slade really supposed to talk Latham into lending money to a failed business owned by an ailing man who let his insurance policy lapse

Not so great

[jilljohnson-80359 · 4/10 · 19 November 2022]

I have watched this show several times. It doesn't have much personality not even mr. Slade. Mr. Fletcher was a good and gentle man about the only convincing character on the show. He sure stuck his neck out for those men out of work at the quarry. He kept insisting on opening it and how the it would benefit all including slade. Well... he gets tossed. Comes home to his family. Greeted by all, wife, daughter and crippled son. They all seemed to know what was up Sara's eyes (that little girls eyes spoke every emotion and wisdom). Tim needed help from sister Kenny Australian nun for treatment, but finances. What I felt was heartfelt was how jonathan tried to be upbeat and hopeful and told his wife not to feel the way she did regarding wanting to kill mr. Slade. It turns out as it should. I like how Mr. Slade helps that troubled boy. He was a forward thinker that is always a plus and wanting to become rich which isn't a bad thing either. Tradition is also a good thing. How his adopted father made his furniture, one piece at a time.