Boxer is hosting a Movie Clip Wednesday Meme where everyone picks a clip from their favorite movies based on a weekly theme. This week's theme is BEST ADAPTATION OF A BOOK TO FILM. I don't get to read many books these days so I have very little experience to draw from for this theme. The last couple of books that I read that were made into movies were The Hunt for Red October and Howard Stern's Private Parts. I enjoyed both movies but I didn't feel they were true to the original novels. I've read a lot of Steven King but don't really like any of the film adaptations. Shawshank redemption is my favorite Steven King movie, but I never read the book.
So I decided to go way, way back to my school days for some inspiration. I stopped around 7th or 8th grade at the Dicken's classic - A Christmas Carol. I loved this book and there are probably 20 or 30 adaptations of this novel to the big screen. But my favorite is the 1951 movie Scrooge starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. I try to watch this every Christmas Eve (although I missed it this year). There's childhood Christmas magic going on in this movie that I really like.
The Macy's in center city Philadelphia has a Dicken's Village that is very true to the book and (I believe) this movie. We've taken the kids there several times over the years and they always enjoyed it. In fact, the last time we went we took two of their Jewish friends who were amazed by the village. I found out later from their parents that, being Jewish, they had never read the book or seen the movies. That was interesting.
Anyway, I love the scene where Ebenezer has the passing boy go buy the Christmas goose (couldn't find the clip) and the following scene:
If you want to see more really good book to film adaptations, then head on over to Boxer's.
12 comments:
Hey Buzz,
I really liked this movie, the original and the best... The remakes just haven't quite cut it Although the blonde whiny ghost of Xmas Present did afford a laugh when she kept punching scrooge in the head...Can't recall the Actress name or which remake but remember that scene...
Classic stuff! I agree this one is the best. Creepy characters, lots of gloomy mood. But one hard book to read! Dickens was ... well, the Dickens for me usually and probably where the phrase comes from! Except Tale of Two Cities. That's a fave.
What a great choice Buzz!!
Great choice. One of my favorite Dickens stories. It was also one of the first plays I was in as a youth. I was the ghost of Christmas Future, and really dug the fact that A. I didn't have to say anything and B. Got to wear that awesome black robe and hood. Happy MCW!
Good choice Buzz. I remember watching this once as a kid and should watch this version again.
Good morning Buzz Kill,
Funny, this would not have crossed my mind and yet, not only do I own the book, I have the movie in three different versions.(The musical is my favorite) Well done Sir!
Happy clip day everyone.
I like the version you picked - it is the closest to NON Hollywood of them all. Of course, I like the Bill Murray version too, but for allllll of the wrong reasons.
Great pick and write up (as usual) Happy MCW!
Princess
Your thinking of Scrooged which starred Bill Murray and Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present wack job. Funny movie.
Pam
Dickens is an easier read then Shakespeare. He ahd a way of showing what life was like back then. It's the latter part of this movie I like best.
Dani
Thanks. I thought everyone would enjoy Christmas in May.
Moi
I imagine that is a great part for a kid to have in a school play. Did you have the skeleton hand to point at the grave stone? Bwahahaha
Madman
This is a Christmas tradition for me. I really don't know if I would be in the propper state of mind to watch this any other time. Same deal with It's a Wonderful Life.
Karl
Glad I could spread some Christmas cheer.
Boxer
Until recently I thought the name of this movie was A Christmas Carol instead of Scrooge. I think I've seen just about every adaptation and I always go back to this one. ScroogeD is a comedy that I could watch any time (David Johansen is really funny). I have to be in the right mood for Scrooge.
Had to read the book for school. Have seen bits and pieces of several movie and TV versions.
Happy MCW!
the moment of redemption. its never too late to join the human race. a troika of ghosts will accelerate the process. very good choice and not much danger of jinx either. never read it. saw the movie. amazing how crisp black and white is! happy MCW, buzz!
Howard Stern's Private Parts was NOTHING like the book, but still funny as hell.
xl
You see the TV ads every Christmas season and this movie just seems to put htings in perspective for me.
Chicky
For being a 60 year old movie, the cinematography is pretty good. I think the black and white makes 19th century England look all that more dreary and desparate. "A troika of ghosts" - you don't hear that every day.
Heff
I found the book boring but the movie was funny. Jenna Jaimison was friggin hot in it too.
Post a Comment