Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Ghost Story

Time for a classic boys and girls! Did you know that a ghost story is one of the most well known and beloved of Christmas tales?  I'm talking about A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I think this story published in 1843 is probably one of the most filmed, adapted, retold Christmas stories out there.  I think this is because it combines great characters, a good episodic story and of course a fantastic feel good message about loving your fellow man. 

A quick summary of the story, our main character Ebeneezer Scrooge is a cold unfeeling man who only cares about money.  He is assisted by his clerk, Bob Cratchit a warm and caring family man who does his best to keep the Christmas spirit year round.  On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by the shackled ghost of his dead partner Marley who informs him that to save himself the same fate Scrooge will be visited by the three ghost of Christmas.  The first Ghost of Christmas Past, takes Scrooge back to better times, school, his first job, and an engagement that sadly ends went it becomes apparent that Scrooge loves money more then his fiancee.  The Ghost of Christmas Present (and my personal favorite) is next, showing Scrooge the joy and happiness that can be found even in the humblest of abodes, focusing on his clerk and his small sickly son Tiny Tim. 

The last Ghost of Christmas future (that used to scare the bejeezus out of me!)  shows Scrooge a bleak future, where his death is celebrated by the public and Tiny Tim has tragically died from lack of medical care.  Scrooge "wakes up" the next morning to find that it is Christmas and he has undergone a drastic change of heart.  The story ends with Scrooge generously sharing his wealth and forever keeping Christmas in his heart.  The story ends with them famous quote by Tiny Tim "God bless us, everyone!"
There are many many many adaption of this story, but my absolute favorite one is an old family tradition of ours all the way back from when I was little  A Muppet Christmas Carol!!!!! It's got everything Michael Cain as Scrooge, Kermit and Piggy as the Cratchits, and Gonzo and Rizzo as hilarious narrator's, even many hundreds of miles away from home I still watch it every Christmas day (right after the parade of course)

What is your favorite Christmas Classic? What is your favorite version of A Christmas Carol?

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