SCROOGED

US, 1988, 101 minutes, Colour.
Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Carol Kane, John Forsythe, Bob Goldthwait, John Glover, Robert Mitchum, Michael J. Pollard, David Johansen, Jamie Farr, Robert Goulet.
Directed by Richard Donner.

Scrooged is a variation on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It is set in an '80s TV network with Bill Murray playing Frank Cross, a contemporary Scrooge. He is also putting on a live performance, on Christmas Eve, of Dickens' play.

The film capitalises on Bill Murray's comic style. It is also done in American broad slapstick style, especially with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present (a screeching Carol Kane) and Future. However, Karen Allen as the heroine, offers something of a delicate balance.

There are special effects, pleasant variations on the plot of A Christmas Carol - and, of course, a long speech of Christmas goodwill and peace for the world.

Direction is by Richard Donner (The Omen, Superman the Movie, The Goonies, Lethal Weapon).

1. The popularity of Charles Dickens' novel? the many adaptations, this American variation? Basic plot? The popularity of the theme?

2. The adaptation to the United States? to the television station, the presentation of Dickens' novel on television? Frank Cross as Ebenezer Scrooge? The modern American equivalent of Scrooge's 19th century experience?

3. New York, the television station, the journey into the Christmases past? The stars, the guest stars (and Lee Majors and the initial trailer, Robert Goulet and his singing, John Houseman and his reading)? The score, the songs, the love theme at the end?

4. The title, the mood - and television stations victimising their public?

5. Bill Murray carrying the film: his characterisation of Frank Cross, the television world, in charge, his conference, the promotion and its violence, capitalising on violence and death? His public relations? The owner of the station and his relationship with him? Clashes? The introduction of Bryce and his becoming edgy? His assistant and her son? The allotting of the Christmas gifts and his meanness? (To his brother?) His work in the studio, at lunch? Something coming over him at lunch? The ghost of his former boss and the warning, the special effects and the effect on him, ringing Claire? The arrival of the ghost of Christmas Past, seeing himself as a young boy, his mother and her support, his harsh father, the gift? The hippy Christmas, the meeting with Claire, the living together, the Karma Sutra, the work at the television station, the show and its going on, his making his option? The break with Claire? The hard work and his not partying? His superior and his instructions? His brother and the gap between them? Claire's arrival, talking things over, the visit to her refuge, the friendship with the various people there? Christmas Present and his going to his assistant's home, her son and his not speaking? His brother and the TV Trivial Pursuit game? The drifter and finding him dead? Going back to the studio and out of control? Christmas Future and his fear of the monster, a hardened Claire as a society woman taking his advice, his assistant's boy in the padded cell, the cremation and so few at his funeral?

6. The effect of the change, his glad at being alive, going to the television studio, turning the play into a party, his long speech and its Christmas and peace message? Reconciliation with his brother, Claire arriving, the boy with Tiny Tim's quote and speaking? The humour of the credits?

7. The television network and its logos, policies, PR, meetings and yes-men and women? Robert Mitchum as the boss, dinners, watching, the good cheer? Bryce and his interfering, directing? The censor and her interference, injuries? The production, Buddy Hackett and the stars? The humour of the production? John Houseman and his reading? The staff finally joining in the party?

8. Claire and her wanting to save the world, her refuge, the people and their devotion to her, her service of them? The past, the chance encounter with Frank, living together, the bonds together, decisions and his separating from her? Her return?

9. The ghosts: the taxi driver and his wisecracks, reckless driving, taking him to his past? Carol Kane as the ghost of Christmas Present and her battering him? The monster and Christmas Future? Special effects and stunts?

10. His assistant and her work, her son, family, her grief? The joy of her boy speaking?

11. A Christmas American Carol, its message for the '80s?