Everyone knows I tend to rent every version of A Christmas Carol I can get my hands on. No offense to Fredric March and everyone else involved in this 1954 television special, but this is one of the worst versions I've ever seen, if not the worst. Even if you love Fredric March, don't rent it.
Ray Middleton, doubling as Nephew Fred and the Ghost of Christmas Present, makes his entrance as the latter by singing "A ve-e-e-e-ry, a me-e-e-e-ry, a very Merry Christmas. . ." while prancing around Scrooge's bedroom, twirling him around, and even holding up mistletoe and kissing him on the forehead. In response, Fredric March grins an idiotic grin and tries to bounce up and down on his toes in time with the music. Trust me, you can feel sorry for him without having to watch it.
I don't know who thought it was a good idea, but this version of A Christmas Carol has more singing than talking. The songs, by Maxwell Anderson and Bernard Herrmann, are very poor, with unimaginative lyrics, unmemorable notes, and sometimes downright creepy melodies. The few lines of spoken dialogue that are present are dumbed-down for television audiences, so much that it would only be entertaining for a four-year-old. I truly feel sorry for everyone who sullied their careers by being a part of this tv-movie.
Ray Middleton, doubling as Nephew Fred and the Ghost of Christmas Present, makes his entrance as the latter by singing "A ve-e-e-e-ry, a me-e-e-e-ry, a very Merry Christmas. . ." while prancing around Scrooge's bedroom, twirling him around, and even holding up mistletoe and kissing him on the forehead. In response, Fredric March grins an idiotic grin and tries to bounce up and down on his toes in time with the music. Trust me, you can feel sorry for him without having to watch it.
I don't know who thought it was a good idea, but this version of A Christmas Carol has more singing than talking. The songs, by Maxwell Anderson and Bernard Herrmann, are very poor, with unimaginative lyrics, unmemorable notes, and sometimes downright creepy melodies. The few lines of spoken dialogue that are present are dumbed-down for television audiences, so much that it would only be entertaining for a four-year-old. I truly feel sorry for everyone who sullied their careers by being a part of this tv-movie.