Scrooged (1988)

A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Mitch Glazer, Michael O'Donoghue

Stars:

Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Robert Goulet

Storyline

Francis Xavier Cross is a cynical, mean spirited television executive, he treats his loyal assistant with contempt. He just sacked a member of staff on Christmas Eve for simply disagreeing with him, and he's alienated himself from his brother who still insists on inviting Frank to Christmas dinner despite him refusing to go every year. However, Frank is forced to learn the true meaning of Christmas when he's visited by three ghosts.

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Plot Keywords:

compassion | ghost | redemption | greed | tv show | 

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Taglines:

The spirits will move you in odd and hysterical ways.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

Filming Locations:

Woodside, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$60,328,558

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Mirage Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the television show within the movie, one of A Christmas Carol's selling points is that it will feature the Solid Gold Dancers as The Scroogettes. The movie would mark the small-screen dance group's final aired performance, as Solid Gold (1980) had been cancelled the previous July.

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Goofs

John Houseman is credited as Sir John Houseman in the Scrooged promo. In fact, Houseman never received a knighthood.

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Quotes

Frank Cross: [looking around at dilapidated surroundings] Well, this is nice. Where are we, Trump Tower?

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Crazy Credits

Dedicated with Love and Affection to Anne Ramsey Roger M. Rothstein Robert Scaife We miss you...

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Alternate Versions

Following the September 11 attacks, the footage of an airplane blowing up in mid-air in reference to terrorism seen in Frank's violent "Scrooge" promo was edited out of television broadcasts. The entire violent promo is now edited out of television broadcasts.

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Connections

Version of Story of the Christmas Carol (1955)

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Soundtracks

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells
Performed by Natalie Cole
Produced by Jimmy Iovine
Courtesy of EMI, a Division of Capitol Records, Inc.

User Reviews

You'll Either Love it or Hate it.

Well, Christmas is almost upon us again. So I'm going to comment on a view Festive films. Starting with Scrooged:

I personally enjoyed this film, but after reading other user's comments on here for the movie, I guess you either Love it or Hate it.

Why do people get so serious about a movie ? Its just a comedy that pokes a little fun at the Dickens classic.

They mention that Murray's character of Frank Cross was hateful, spiteful, nasty, horrible etc. etc. ... That was the whole idea!! (You wouldn't have had a movie if he wasn't those things). Scrooge in the novel was horrible, spiteful, nasty, etc. etc.

Scrooged is funny, but it does hit on a few serious notes also. Especially when Frank is visited by Carol Kane's Ghost of Christmas Present.

Scrooged is the type of movie that no-one will ever agree on. They have their opinions, and I have mine.

I love it. The bit at the end where Bill Murray finally realizes what Christmas is really all about, is quite moving as he talks directly to the viewers about it. Then when the cast break into song, Murray urges the Cinema audience to join in with them. The cinema we went to, did! It was a great atmosphere with the cinema singing along with the cast. And it was near Christmas too, which made it all that little bit more special :o)