MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL

US/UK, 1991, 83 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, Stephen Mackintosh.
Voices: Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Redmond, Don Austen, Jessica Fox, Robert Tygner.
Directed by Brian Henson.

Young audiences will enjoy the Muppets – and adults who remember them from the past. They had secured their place in the hearts of those who first watched them in the 1970s and those who have watched them in their constant reruns.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, they made their movie debut with The Muppets Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Now they are back and as lively as ever. The sad aspect of the film is that their creator, Jim Henson, died but his Creatures Studio lives and this film is directed by his son.

Gonzo appears as Charles Dickens (aided by Rizzo the Rat as himself) to guide us through the Muppets 19th-century London and into Dickens’ very popular moral fable.

Michael Caine is Scrooge (finally bursting into song), but his performance is matched by Kermit as Bob Cratchit and (to prove parts can be written to fit the stars!), Miss Piggy is Mrs Cratchit. There are cameo appearances by Fozzy Bear and Sam the Eagle (as a schoolmaster) and even Animal gets into the act.

Paul Williams has composed some songs that fit the mood of this very entertaining interpretation of the Dickens’ classic.

1. The popularity of the Muppets? The late 1970s, 1980s? The revival? Their television presence? The style of comedy, singing, interaction with celebrities? Their movies?

2. Audience enjoying the presence of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzy, Ralph, the two cranky old men, the Eagle, Bunsen, the band, the fruit and vegetables alive? Puppets, in action, developing characters, their voices?

3. The adaptation of Charles Dickens? Audience familiarity with the plot? It serving as an introduction to younger audiences? The introduction to the characters, especially Scrooge?

4. Gonzo as narrator, the explanations about Dickens, 19th-century London, his novels? Gonzo and his following Scrooge and the other characters? Rizzo the rat and his comic commentaries? The comedy, pratfalls, falling from windows…?

5. The range of songs, illustrating characters, situations, the spirit of Christmas? Jaunty and jovial?

6. Introduction to Scrooge, Michael Caine’s presence? Audiences familiar with his character? The song describing him, everybody singing it, the camera following him to his office? In his office, Cratchit and his continued work, the range of the accountants? Scrooge and his meanness, saying Humbug?

7. Fred, the visit, cheerful, interactions with Bob? The arrival of those asking for the donation, his charity? Their fear of Scrooge – and the beggar at the door and Scrooge throwing the wreath at him?

8. Scrooge, unhappy, working, the issue of Christmas day off for Bob and the accountants, his finally agreeing?

9. Scrooge at home, his supper, going to the house, the Marley brothers and the threat of the doorknob? The history of his partnership with them?

10. The ghost of Christmas Past, the young girl, flying through the air, Gonzo and Rizzo holding on? Scrooge as a child, very serious, his choices? Older, business, his love for Belle, his putting off the marriage date, losing her, Scrooge and his sadness?

11. The ghost of Christmas Present, being jovial, in the streets, people happy, Fred and Clara and their game and Scrooge wondering whom they were describing? Their laughing at him? Going to the Cratchit household, seeing Tiny Tim, the effect?

12. The Cratchit household, Miss Piggy as the mother, the pig daughters, the frog sons? Dad, beloved, coming home, Christmas meal, Emily Cratchit and her antagonism towards Scrooge? Bob and his proposing the toast to Scrooge?

13. The ghost of Christmas Future, Death, the Grim Reaper? Going through the town, the people commenting on the dead person, their comments about Scrooge and his meanness? Going to the Cratchit household? Tiny Tim and his death, sadness?

14. Scrooge waking, changing, a generous donation and the shock of the collectors, the beggar and his being commissioned to buy the turkey and getting the tip, Scrooge on the street, the song of the spirit of Christmas, going to the Cratchit household with the turkey, Emily and her negative reaction, his offering a raise, the crowd going into the meal,
Tim – and God bless everyone? Fred and Clara at the party?

15. An entertainment with the Muppets – and an entertaining interpretation of Dickens?