Scrooged (1988)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers (WGA):

Mitch Glazer (written by) &
Michael O'Donoghue (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

23 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

Bill Murray is back among the ghosts. Only this time, it's three against one.

Plot:

A cynically selfish TV executive gets haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Ghost | Executive | Christmas Carol | Egotism

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Bill Murray	...	Frank Cross
Karen Allen	...	Claire Phillips
John Forsythe	...	Lew Hayward
John Glover	...	Brice Cummings
Bobcat Goldthwait	...	Eliot Loudermilk
David Johansen	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Carol Kane	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Robert Mitchum	...	Preston Rhinelander
Nicholas Phillips	...	Calvin Cooley
Michael J. Pollard	...	Herman
Alfre Woodard	...	Grace Cooley
Mabel King	...	Gramma
John Murray	...	James Cross
Jamie Farr	...	Jacob Marley
Robert Goulet	...	Himself
Buddy Hackett	...	Scrooge
John Houseman	...	Himself
Lee Majors	...	Himself
Pat McCormick	...	TV Ghost of Christmas Past
Brian Doyle-Murray	...	Earl Cross (as Brian Doyle Murray)
Mary Lou Retton	...	Herself
Al 'Red Dog' Weber	...	Santa Claus
Jean Speegle Howard	...	Mrs. Claus
June Chandler	...	June Cleaver
Michael Eidam	...	Wally Cleaver
Mary Ellen Trainor	...	Ted
Bruce Jarchow	...	Wayne
Sanford Jensen	...	IBC Executive
Jeffrey Joseph	...	IBC Executive
Dick Blasucci	...	IBC Executive
Peter Bromilow	...	Archbishop
Bill Marcus	...	IBC Guard
Cal Gibson	...	IBC Guard
Damon Hines	...	Steven Cooley
Tamika McCollum	...	Shasta Cooley
Koren McCollum	...	Randee Cooley
Reina King	...	Lanell Cooley
Paul Tuerpe	...	Stage Manager (as Paul Tuerpé)
Lester Wilson	...	Choreographer
Ron Strang	...	Art Director
Kate McGregor-Stewart	...	Lady Censor
Jack McGee	...	Carpenter
Bill Hart	...	Carpenter
Kathy Kinney	...	IBC Nurse
Ralph Gervais	...	Mouse Wrangler
Alvin Hammer	...	Foreman
Tony Steedman	...	Headwaiter
Lisa Mende	...	Doris Cross
Ryan Goldstein	...	Frank as Child (as Ryan Todd)
Rebeca Arthur	...	Tina
Selma Archerd	...	Mrs. Claus at Party
Jay Byron	...	Man #2 at Party
Harvey Fisher	...	Party Guest
C. Ransom Walrod	...	Party Animal
James R. Miller	...	Security Guard at Party
Jennie Lew Tugend	...	Foo-Ling at Party (as Jennie Lew-Tugend)
Roy Brocksmith	...	Mike the Mailman
Shawn Michaels	...	Stage Manager - 'Frisbee'
Stella Hall	...	Lew Hayward's Secretary
Sachi Parker	...	Belle
Delores Hall	...	Hazel
Anne Ramsey	...	Woman in Shelter
Logan Ramsey	...	Man in Shelter
Sydna Scott	...	Woman #2 in Shelter
Wendie Malick	...	Wendie Cross
Joel Murray	...	Guest
Mitch Glazer	...	Guest
Susan Isaacs	...	Guest
Lauri Kempson	...	Guest
Chaz Conner	...	Ghost of Christmas Future - TV (as Chaz Conner Jr.)
Miro Polo	...	Mary Lou's Coach
Ralph Bruneau	...	Nephew
Maria Riva	...	Mrs. Rhinelander
James Kindelon	...	Butler (as James E. Kindelon)
Raphael Harris	...	Older Calvin
Wayne A. Finkelman	...	Orderly (as Wayne Finkelman)
Susan Barnes	...	Harpy
Lynne Randall	...	Harpy
Gilles Savard	...	Waiter
Michael O'Donoghue	...	Priest
Dick McGarvin	...	Announcer
Tom Doak	...	Video Tape Director
Sam Drummy	...	Cameraman on Crane
Winfred Tennison	...	Marvin
Steve Kahan	...	Technicians (as Stephen Kahan)
Norm Wilson	...	Technicians
Henry Brown	...	Technicians (as Henry V. Brown)
Jeanine Jackson	...	IBC Technician
Amy Hill	...	IBC Technician
Miles Davis	...	Street Musicians
Larry Carlton	...	Street Musicians
David Sanborn	...	Street Musicians
Paul Shaffer	...	Street Musicians
The Caroling Company	...	Carolers
Solid Gold Dancers	...	Scroogettes
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jim Hendricks	...	Commander USA (archive footage)
Susanne Lavelle	...	(unconfirmed)
Peter Onorati	...	(unconfirmed)
Audrey K. Baranishyn	...	Solid Gold Dancer (uncredited)
Buck	...	Dog (uncredited)
Leslie Cook	...	Scroogette (uncredited)
J. Mills Goodloe	...	IBC Technician (uncredited)
Robert Hammond	...	Ghost of Christmas Future (uncredited)
Don LaFontaine	...	IBC Promo Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Jamilah Lucas	...	Scroogette (uncredited)
Daniel Shiplacoff	...	Singer (uncredited)
Norman D. Wilson	...	TV Crew (uncredited)

Directed by
Richard Donner

Writing credits (WGA)
Mitch Glazer		(written by) &
Michael O'Donoghue		(written by)
Charles Dickens		(novel "A Christmas Carol") (suggestion)

Produced by
Richard Donner	....	producer
Peter Frankfurt	....	associate producer
Raymond Hartwick	....	co-producer (as Ray Hartwick)
Jennie Lew Tugend	....	associate producer
Art Linson	....	producer
Stephen J. Roth	....	executive producer (as Steve Roth)

Original Music by
Danny Elfman

Cinematography by
Michael Chapman

Film Editing by
Fredric Steinkamp
William Steinkamp

Casting by
David Rubin

Production Design by
J. Michael Riva

Art Direction by
Virginia L. Randolph

Set Decoration by
Linda DeScenna

Costume Design by
Wayne A. Finkelman		(as Wayne Finkelman)

Makeup Department
Thomas R. Burman	....	special makeup effects artist (as Tom Burman)
Bari Dreiband-Burman	....	supervising makeup artist
Bob Grimaldi	....	hair stylist: New York (as Robert Grimaldi)
Edward Jackson	....	makeup artist: New York
Rolf John Keppler	....	special makeup effects artist
Robert Norin	....	makeup artist
Stephen Robinette	....	hair stylist
Marlene D. Williams	....	hair stylist supervisor (as Marlene Williams)

Production Management
Raymond Hartwick	....	unit production manager (as Ray Hartwick)
Roger Paradiso	....	unit production manager: New York

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tommy Burns	....	additional second second assistant director (as Thomas Burns)
Donald J. Lee Jr.	....	second second assistant director: New York
Gaetano Lisi	....	first assistant director: second unit, New York
Richard Patrick	....	additional second assistant director: New York
Mic Rodgers	....	second unit director
Adele Simmons	....	additional second second assistant director
James W. Skotchdopole	....	second assistant director
Chris Soldo	....	assistant director
Gabriela Vázquez	....	second second assistant director
Michael Thau	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Jack E. Ackerman	....	assistant property master
Michael Bird	....	property master: New York
Paul J. Campanella	....	production painter
Ralph Cava	....	scenic chargeperson: New York
Anthony Feola	....	labor foreperson (as Tony Feola)
David L. Glazer	....	assistant property master (as David Glazer)
Alan Hicks	....	set decorator: New York (as John Alan Hicks)
Richard Leon	....	property person
Tom McCown	....	property person
Ric McElvin	....	lead person
Erik L. Nelson	....	property master
Lee Orlikoff	....	property person
Nancy Patton	....	set designer
Tony Piller	....	property person
Ken Scaife	....	construction supervisor
Robert Scaife	....	construction coordinator (as Bob Scaife)
Terry Scott	....	construction foreperson
Alex Scutti Jr.	....	on-set plasterer (as Alex Scutti)
Tom Southwell	....	illustrator (as Thomas Southwell)
Ron Strang	....	scenic artist
William James Teegarden	....	set designer (as William Teegarden)
Matt Thompson	....	labor foreperson
Ed Verreaux	....	illustrator (as Edward S. Verreaux)
John Villarino	....	construction supervisor
Mike Villarino	....	construction foreperson (as Michael Villarino)
Dianne Wager	....	set designer
Leslie Warren	....	art department coordinator (as Leslie C. Warren)
Tom Warren	....	art director: New York (as Thomas Warren)
Clyde Zimmerman	....	paint foreperson
Michael Denering	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Rick Alexander	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Dick Alexander)
Carmen Baker	....	assistant adr editor (as Carmen Hocson)
Willie D. Burton	....	production sound mixer (as Willie Burton)
Virginia Cook-McGowan	....	sound editor
Teri E. Dorman	....	sound editor
Thom 'Coach' Ehle	....	sound stereo consultant: Dolby (as Thom Ehle)
Jay Engel	....	supervising adr editor
John P. Fasal	....	electronic sound effects (as John Paul Fasal)
Les Fresholtz	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert W. Harris	....	cable person (as Robert Harris)
Robert G. Henderson	....	supervising sound editor (as Robert George Henderson)
David M. Horton	....	sound editor (as D. Michael Horton)
Joseph A. Ippolito	....	sound editor
Marvin E. Lewis	....	boom operator (as Marvin Lewis)
Al Mian	....	sound mixer: New York
Karen Minahan	....	assistant sound editor
Alan Robert Murray	....	supervising sound editor
Walter Newman	....	sound editor
Greg Orloff	....	foley mixer
Vern Poore	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Roesch	....	foley artist
Alicia Stevenson	....	foley artist
Winfred Tennison	....	additional boom operator
Brooke Henderson Ward	....	assistant sound editor
Denise Whiting	....	adr editor
Marshall Winn	....	sound editor
Carolyn Tapp	....	foley recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Albert Delgado	....	special effects foreperson
Steven C. Foster	....	special effects (as Steven Foster)
Allen Hall	....	special effects coordinator (as Allen L. Hall)
Gary L. Karas	....	special effects
Joe Montenegro	....	special effects
Bill Traynor	....	special effects: New York (as William Traynor)
Mike Menzel	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Grant Reid	....	location assistant: special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Eric Brevig	....	visual effects supervisor
C. Marie Davis	....	visual effects editor (as Marie Davis)
Jim Dixon	....	network computer animation
David Goldberg	....	model shop supervisor (as Dave Goldberg)
Jeff Matakovich	....	optical supervisor
Craig Newman	....	effects production supervisor
Michael Shea	....	motion control photographer (as Mike Shea)
James Valentine	....	rotoscope supervisor
Allen Blaisdell	....	visual effects camera operator (uncredited)
George Muhs	....	visual effects (uncredited)
Michelle Porter	....	visual effects coordinator (uncredited)
Kathleen Quaife-Hodge	....	special effects animator (uncredited)
Jody Rogers	....	visual effects editor (uncredited)
Michael Talarico	....	motion control technician (uncredited)

Stunts
Gene Harrison	....	stunts
Larry Nicholas	....	stunts
Hugh Aodh O'Brien	....	stunts (as Hugh A. O'Brien)
Mic Rodgers	....	stunt coordinator
Mic Rodgers	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Walt Berry	....	lamp operator
Anthony Brook	....	first assistant camera: New York (as Anthony S. Brooke)
Aaron Caughran	....	assistant camera
Ted Churchill	....	Steadicam operator: New York
James A. Dolan	....	best boy
George Dunagan	....	lamp operator
Brad Emmons	....	lamp operator
Raymond Fortune	....	best boy
Michael Genne	....	camera operator (as Michael A. Genne)
Adam Glick	....	set lighting technician
Louis Goldman	....	still photographer: New York
Larry Hezzelwood	....	first assistant camera
Ed Jackson	....	grip
David Katz	....	video assist operator
Billy Kerwick	....	grip
Kevin J. Lang	....	chief rigging electrician
Al LaVerde	....	first company grip (as Alexander LaVerde)
Steven C. McGee	....	assistant chief lighting technician (as Steve McGee)
Peter Norman	....	additional director of photography: New York
Paul Postelnicu	....	second assistant camera: New York
Tom Priestley Jr.	....	camera operator: New York
Richard Quinlan	....	chief lighting technician: New York
Ed Quinn	....	first company grip: New York (as Edwin A. Quinn)
P. Scott Sakamoto	....	first assistant camera (as Scott Sakamoto)
Phelt M. Saucier	....	lamp operator (as Phelt Saucier)
John R. Shannon	....	still photographer (as John Shannon)
Stephen St. John	....	Steadicam operator
Ty Suehiro	....	grip
Gary Tandrow	....	chief lighting technician (as Gary B. Tandrow)
Michael Thau	....	video playback supervisor
Joseph Trammell	....	video assistant: New York (as Joe Trammell)
Joseph Trammell	....	video playback operator
Rand R. Vargas	....	second company grip
Greg Walters	....	second assistant camera (as Gregory Walters)
Clay H. Wilson	....	dolly grip (as Clay Wilson)
Stephen Ashley Blake	....	cinematographer: second unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Lisa Beach	....	casting assistant
Franklyn Warren	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jennifer Butler	....	costumer
Philip Maldonado	....	costumer
Antonio Martínez	....	costumer
Jennifer L. Parsons	....	costume supervisor (as Jennifer Parsons)
Nava R. Sadan	....	costumer
Guy Tanno	....	costumer: men, New York
Rose Trimarco	....	costumer: women, New York (as Rose Cuervo)

Editorial Department
Stuart Baird	....	post-production consultant
Debra Goldfield	....	assistant editor
Terry Haggar	....	color timer
Karl F. Steinkamp	....	assistant film editor
Michael T. Wilson	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
David Anderle	....	music supervisor
Bob Badami	....	music editor
Steve Bartek	....	orchestrator
Tom Boyd	....	musician: oboe soloist
George Doering	....	musician
Robert Fernandez	....	scoring mixer
Jimmy Iovine	....	music supervisor
Steven Scott Smalley	....	orchestrator
Shirley Walker	....	conductor
Dan Goldwasser	....	soundtrack producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Dan Anglin	....	transportation coordinator
Ron Hinsley	....	transportation captain
Harry J. Leavey	....	transportation captain: New York (as Harry Leavey)

Other crew
Vibeke Arntzen	....	location liaison: New York
Rebecca Baehler	....	assistant: Bill Murray
Alexander B. Collett	....	assistant: Richard Donner
Patti Dalzell	....	script supervisor (as Patricia Dalzell)
James Fred Donelson	....	crew: Video Image (as Fred Donelson)
Tad Driscoll	....	accounting assistant
Mary Fellows	....	production assistant
Anthony Goldschmidt	....	title designer: main titles
Rhonda C. Gunner	....	video displays: Video Image
Greg Harms	....	crew: Video Image
Richard Harner	....	production assistant
Craig Harris	....	craft service
Ellen M. Hillers	....	production coordinator: New York (as Ellen Hillers)
Richard E. Hollander	....	video displays: Video Image
Michele Imperato	....	assistant production office coordinator
Aaron Katz	....	crew: Video Image
David Katz	....	crew: Video Image (as Dave Katz)
Mike Keeler	....	crew: Video Image
Jan Kemper	....	script supervisor
Lynn Kuwahara	....	location manager (as Lynn M. Kuwahara)
Shari Leibowitz	....	production office coordinator
Pete Martinez	....	crew: Video Image
Gregory L. McMurry	....	video displays: Video Image (as Gregory L. McMurray)
William J. Meshover	....	assistant: Stuart Baird (as William Meshover)
Kool Moe Dee	....	misc crew
Cynthia Neber	....	secretary: Richard Donner
Scott Nimerfro	....	video coordinator
Lou Phillips	....	production auditor (as Louis B. Phillips)
Jeffrey Pittle	....	parking wrangler
June Popowich	....	assistant: Bill Murray
Steven Ritt	....	dog trainer
Bruce Roberts	....	location aide
Patti Roberts-Nelson	....	assistant to producer
Marsha Robertson	....	unit publicist
Carolyn Rothstein	....	production secretary
Chris Schutsky	....	location assistant
Ilyse Selwyn	....	secretary: Richard Donner
Bruce Shultz	....	crew: Video Image
Jerry Smith	....	crew: Video Image
Mark Snovell	....	research coordinator
Tim Sullivan	....	production assistant
Susan Towner	....	assistant production auditor
Jim Vatis	....	production assistant (as James Vatis)
John C. Wash	....	video displays: Video Image
Lester Wilson	....	choreographer
Greg Knapp	....	set medic (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Paramount Pictures (presents)
• Mirage Productions

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1988) (USA) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1988) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (1989) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-edited)
• CIC Video (19??) (Germany) (VHS)
• CIC Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1991) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2000) (UK) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (1989) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Phillips (1992) (Germany) (video) (laserdisc)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Argentina) (all media) (re-release)

Special Effects

• Dream Quest Images

Other Companies

• A&M Records  soundtrack
• Central Casting  extras casting
• La-La Land Records  score album released by (limited edition)
• Pacific Data Images (PDI)  network computer animation
• Pacific Title  opticals
• Reel People Inc.  negative cutting
• TAJ Soundworks  foley by

Also Known As:

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-14 | Ireland:12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 (No. 29152) | West Germany:12 (f) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:AL | Netherlands:6 | Germany:12 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 (original rating) | Peru:14 | Argentina:Atp (re-rating) | Portugal:M/6 | UK:12 (re-rating) (2012)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

At the end of the movie, when everybody is singing "Put a little love in your heart", Frank (Bill Murray) says (among many other things): "Feed me, Seymour!" This is a reference to Little Shop of Horrors (1986), in which Murray has a small part.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Frank Cross is facing the dog at his brother's apartment in the hallway you can see the dog handler's shadow waving the dog off.

Quotes:

[last lines]
James Cross:My brother, the king of Christmas!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Student Pocket Guide: Ricky Wilson Interview" (2012)

Soundtrack:

Silver Bells

A Personal Favorite

This is my favorite "adaptation" of A Christmas Carol. It's also my favorite Christmas movie. A lot of people say that Bill Murray's character of Frank Cross is unlikeable. Would you prefer a warm and fuzzy Scrooge for the first half? Then there are those who say that the end is sappy. The ending is what I like the most. And Murray's acting is much better than other Scrooges, who usually overact. Murray manages to be over-the-top with his cruelty while still making his acting believable. Cross is truly Scrooge-like, reveling in the death of an old woman caused by his commercial because it's free publicity. Another common comment is that Carol Kane steals the scene as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Not true. The chemistry between Murray and Kane ensures that they share the screen perfectly. This is a wonderful movie. I can't understand why anyone would say otherwise. Bobcat Goldthwait puts in a great performance as a disgruntled employee fired on Christmas Eve. The best part is the end. This movie has what has to be the happiest ending in the history of movies. He understands the meaning of Christmas, gets a new lease on life, gets the girl, the little boy talks, and everybody sings a song. Danny Elfman provides the score, doing a brilliant job as always. A beautiful movie all around. A+