The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve.

Director:

Brian Henson

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), Jerry Juhl (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Scrooge
Dave Goelz	...	The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens / Robert Marley / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Betina Cratchit / Rat / Zoot (voice)
Steve Whitmire	...	Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit / Rizzo the Rat / Beaker / Bean Bunny / Belinda Cratchit / Beetle / Lips / Pig Gentleman (voice)
Jerry Nelson	...	Tiny Tim Cratchit / Jacob Marley / Ghost of Christmas Present / Lew Zealand / Ma Bear / Mouse / Mr. Applegate / Penguin / Pig Gentleman / Pops / Rat (voice)
Frank Oz	...	Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit / Fozzie Bear as Fozziewig / Sam the Eagle as Headmaster of Junior High Graduates / Animal / George the Janitor / Horse and Carriage Driver / Vegetable Salesman (voice)
David Rudman	...	Rat / Peter Cratchit / Old Joe / Swedish Chef (voice)
Don Austen	...	Ghost of Christmas Present (performer) / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (performer)
Jessica Fox	...	Ghost of Christmas Past (voice)
Robert Tygner	...	Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (performer) / Ghost of Christmas Past (performer) / Turkey / Additional Muppets (uncredited) (voice)
Steven Mackintosh	...	Fred, Scrooge's Nephew
Meredith Braun	...	Belle
Robin Weaver	...	Clara
Raymond Coulthard	...	Young Scrooge
Russell Martin	...	Young Scrooge
Theo Sanders	...	Young Scrooge

Storyline

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and future.

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Plot Keywords:

miser | christmas | christmas eve | muppet | ghost | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$27,281,507

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Jim Henson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 89 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There's another verse on "Marley and Marley," but only on the soundtrack: We're Marley and Marley, And now it's time to part (doot doot) To go back where they keep our kind, The wretched and the heartless The news we've shared has got you scared We're glad that we got through So make amends (and make some friends!) The future's up to you.

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Goofs

The Marleys make a reference to "teddy bears," a named derived from President Theodore Roosevelt, who was born about fifteen years after "A Christmas Carol" takes place. Since the film is presented as a theatre-play, however, where the Muppets use whatever props are available, this can be seen as deliberate.

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Quotes

Rizzo the Rat: How do you know what Scrooge is doin'? We're down here and he's up there!
Gonzo: I told you, storytellers are omniscient; I know everything!
Rizzo the Rat: Hoity-toity, Mr. Godlike Smarty-Pants.
Gonzo: To conduct a proper search, Scrooge was forced to light the lamps.
[the lamps come on]
Rizzo the Rat: How *does* he do that?

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits include a credit for "Rizzo's personal caterer".

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Alternate Versions

The song "The Love Is Gone" is missing from most TV versions.

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Connections

Featured in Nostalgia Critic: Top 12 Greatest Christmas Specials (2008)

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Soundtracks

Christmas Scat
Music and Lyrics by Paul Williams
Performed by Steve Whitmire and Jerry Nelson

User Reviews

Jim would be proud.

Brian Henson does his dad proud in this, the first Muppet feature filmed after Jim Henson's death. All the things which have made the Muppets appealing--charm, humor, tenderness--are very much in evidence in this adaption of Charles Dickens' much-retold classic.

Michael Caine fills the central role of Ebeneezer Scrooge admirably, throwing himself into the part with much energy and gusto. Familiar Muppet faces take up several roles--Kermit and Miss Piggy as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, Robin as Tiny Tim, elderly hecklers Statler and Waldorf as the Marley brothers (Dickens' character Jacob and original creation Robert)--with new Muppets designed for the roles of the three Christmas ghosts. The result is a somewhat fanciful 19th-century London where humans, animals, talking vegetables, and various undefinable creatures live side-by-side. In spite of potential complications the concept works very well, thanks to the spirited performances by both actors and Muppet handlers.

Gonzo (adopting the persona of Dickens himself) and Rizzo the Rat narrate the story and add a healthy dose of humor to the proceedings. But the film knows when to be serious--the climactic scene focusing on Christmas Yet to Come is as eerie and touching as it should be. And ultimately, the resolution leaves one with the warm, peaceful joy synonomous with the season. Definitely a movie which deserves a place among the family classics of the holidays.