The Stingiest Man in Town (TV 1978)

Directors:

Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writers:

Janice Torre (book), Romeo Muller,

Stars:

Walter Matthau, Tom Bosley, Theodore Bikel

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Matthau	...	Ebenezer Scrooge (voice)
Tom Bosley	...	B.A.H. Humbug (voice)
Theodore Bikel	...	Marley's Ghost (voice)
Robert Morse	...	Young Scrooge (voice)
Dennis Day	...	Nephew Fred (voice)
Paul Frees	...	Ghost of Christmas Past / Ghost of Christmas Present (voice)
Sonny Melendrez	...	Bob Cratchit (voice)
Debra Clinger	...	Martha Cratchit (voice) (as Debbie Clinger)
Bobby Rolofson	...	Tiny Tim (voice) (as Robert Rolofson)
Steffi Calli	...	Belinda Cratchit (voice) (as Steffani Calli)
Eric Hines	...	Peter Cratchit (voice)
Dee Stratton	...	(voice)
Darlene Conley	...	Mrs. Cratchit (voice)
Shelby Flint	...	(voice)
Diana Lee	...	(voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | based on novel

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Taglines:

Meet Scrooge...

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Genres:

Animation | Musical | Drama | Fantasy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1978 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rankin/Bass Productions, Topcraft

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This special is an animated remake of the live-action musical version created for the "Alcoa Hour" in 1956. See that series listing for details and see "Episodes Cast" for the cast.

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Quotes

B.A.H. Humbug: [singing] Christmas trees are brightly lighted/ Around the world, the church bells ring/ Big and small, all are invited/ To the birthday party of the King/ Mighty prince and humble peasant/ Each must choose a gift to bring/ Do you have a birthday present/ For the birthday party of the King?/ Once wise men came in His honor/ Bringing frankincense, myrrh, and gold/ But what is gold to a Ruler/ Who has all the stars to hold?/ Do you know what gift will please Him?/ Praise Him more than anything/ ...

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Connections

Version of An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998)

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Soundtracks

"One Little Boy"
Performed by Paul Frees and Walter Matthau

User Reviews

This story seems awfully familiar.

I am sure I have seen this tale in some other incarnation somewhere before, I swear.

In a bizarre, alternate history London, where everyone apparently speaks with an American accent, Ebeneezer Scrooge (Walter Matthau) is about to be visited by ghosts...sound familiar yet? As Bart Simpson once said, TV writers have been milking that goat for years. The Stingiest Man in Town is not the best version of Scrooged...I mean A Christmas Carol, but it's a nice intro to the story for kids. Back in the days when lots of obscure children's animation were released on VHS by flash-in-the-pan distributors I rented this 50-minute cartoon and it kinda stayed with me.

Still, Mickey's Christmas Carol is the best animated version.