The Stingiest Man in Town: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title(s):  The Stingiest Man in Town

Adaptation:  Featuring the voices of Walter Matthau as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Tom Bosley as B.A.H. Humbug

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

SAT, 23 DEC 1978 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ****(Recommended)

Format Reviewed:  animated film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  1 hour 

 

Availability:  

As of December 11, 2021, copies of this film, on VHS, are available, online, for approximately $20 U.S. Dollars.

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

Yes, Tiny Tim says, "God bless us, everyone!"

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes, it includes a song dedicated to Baby Jesus.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

Yes (see above).

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She likes it, but thinks B.A.H. Humbug is kind of creepy.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

Plain English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well.  It is narrated by a tiny man (tinier than Tim) with antennae on his forehead, named B.A.H. Humbug (voice of Tom Bosley).  It shows Scrooge (Walter Matthau) being stingy with Bob Cratchit (Sonny Melendrez), and the coal he uses.  
 
Fred visits him at his office, and invites him to Christmas Dinner at his house the next day.  In this adaptation, Fred gives Scrooge a bouquet of poinsettias and a giftwrapped necktie.  Scrooge opens the present and angrily throws the tie at Bob.

On Scrooge's way home, B.A.H. Humbug sings about Scrooge being so stingy he uses lightning bugs rather than buying matches from a matchstick girl (borrowed, apparently, from the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen).

Jacob Marley appears to Scrooge, and shows him other spirits with chains, outside Scrooge's window.

Then the Ghost of Christmas Past appears, as an old man in a white tunic with gold trim, and shows Scrooge Mr. Fezziwig's Christmas Ball, where a younger Scrooge dances with Belle, and then the scene in which Belle breaks off their engagement to be married.  The scenes with Scrooge as a boy in school are skipped.

Then the Ghost of Christmas Present appears in a green robe with white trim, as in the novel.  He shows Scrooge the homes of Bob and Fred.  Tiny Tim asks his big sister, Martha, if there is a Santa Claus.  She sings to him a song about Santa Claus, in which the Ghost of Christmas Present's robe is transformed into a red suit with white trim.  

There is also a song about Baby Jesus.

After Scrooge sings a song about Tiny Tim to the Ghost of Christmas Present, this ghost disappears, and is replaced by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, who shows Scrooge a woman at old Joe's Pawn shop.  She shows Joe items she stole from a dead man, but neither she nor Joe specify which items those are.

Then the Ghost shows Ebenezer his tombstone, which transforms itself into a red demon, as Scrooge promises to change.

Then Scrooge finds himself in his room on Christmas morning, and sends a boy to buy the biggest turkey at the butcher shop, and trusts him to deliver it to Bob Cratchit himself, rather than bringing the poulterer back, and giving the poulterer money for the turkey and a cab.

Then Scrooge goes Christmas shopping, and the boy with the turkey arrives at Bob's with the turkey in his arms, and an entourage of people with presents.  Scrooge has dinner with Fred and his wife, and the people at their Christmas Dinner Party.

The next day, Scrooge catches Bob coming to work late, but raises his pay, and visits him at his house.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts, time travel, and talking animals.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes, this adaptation is framed by the narration of B.A.H. Humbug, a bug-sized little man with antennae.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

Yes.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by Fred Spielman... This adaptation is a musical comedy, including songs by virtually every character, including songs about Santa Claus and Baby Jesus. As stated above, Tiny Tim asks his big sister, Martha, if there is a Santa Claus.  She sings to him a song about Santa Claus, in which the Ghost of Christmas Present's robe is transformed into a red suit with white trim.  

There is also a song about Baby Jesus.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The art is adequate.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are entertaining, with scenes of flights over London.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  

(See above.)   

 

What use is made of background extras?  

N/A

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, the narration by B.A.H. Humbug, a tiny man with antennae.  It is also unique in that it includes original songs about Scrooge, Baby Jesus, Santa Claus, and Christmas.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

My copy of this film on DVD, has optional subtitles in English.  It comes on Disc 1 of 4 in a set titled Classic Christmas Favorites.  

 

Disc 1 includes Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold, and Pinocchio's Christmas, as well as The Stingiest Man in Town.  It also includes four featurettes:  "Making Animation and Bringing It to Life," "Dr. Seuss and the Grinch:  From Whoville to Hollywood," "Songs in the Key of Grinch," and a "Making-of Featurette and Pencil Test," as well as an audio commentary with Animator Phil Roman, and the voice of Cindy Lou, June Foray.

Disc 2 includes The Year Without a Santa Claus (Deluxe Edition), Rudolph's Shiny New Year, and Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.  It also includes two featurettes:  "We Are Santa's Elves," and "Stop Motion 101."

Disc 3 includes Frosty's Winter Wonderland and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Disc 4 includes Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz  1 of T.B.D.

Quiz  2 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz  3 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz  4 of T.B.D.

    

Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan

A Christmas Carol, Featuring the Voice of Tim Curry: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 

Title(s):  A Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Featuring the voice of Tim Curry as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Whoopi Goldberg as The Spirit of Christmas Present

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

SAT, 20 DEC 1997 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  **(Substandard)

Format Reviewed:  animated film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  1 hours 12 minutes 

 

Availability:  

As of December 10, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD and VHS, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

Yes. Scrooge and Tiny Tim say, in unison, "God bless us, everyone!"

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

Yes (see above).

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She doesn't "think it's very memorable."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

Plain English

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well, but gives old Scrooge a dog, named Debit.
 
A child begs at the door of Scrooge's counting house before Fred arrives, without singing "God Rest You Merry Gentleman" as described by Dickens.  Instead of threatening the child with a ruler, as Dickens describes, Scrooge throws coal at him, then sends Cratchit to retrieve the coal, which Cratchit hands him after Fred has left, while the gentlemen collecting donations are still in the counting house.  Scrooge places the lumps of coal in the bucket, and locks the bucket in a safe.

This adaptation includes the scene at a place Dickens describes as Scrooge's "usual, melancholy tavern," which some versions exclude.  Although Dickens mentions Scrooge having dinner at his "usual melancholy tavern," reading "all the newspapers" and "[beguiling] the rest of the evening with his banker's-book,"
Dickens does not mention anyone else being at the tavern.  Dickens leaves it to the reader's imagination to create a waiter or waitress, and/or any other customers.  This adaptation shows a tavern full of people, with a redheaded waitress who performs a song and dance routine.

Young Scrooge has a cat in this version.  He sees Robinson Crusoe, as mentioned in the novel, but, instead of Ali Baba and the other characters Dickens mentions, Scrooge, in this adaptation, sees himself as a matador, and as King Arthur, removing the sword from the stone.

In this adaptation, in the scene where young Scrooge is older, but still in the boarding school, his sister comes and removes him from the school without their father's permission, unlike in Dickens' original novel, in which Fan tells Scrooge that their father sent her to bring him home in a carriage.

Although many film adaptations show Scrooge with Belle at Fezziwig's Christmas Ball, Dickens makes no mention of Belle until he describes the scene in which she breaks off her engagement to marry Scrooge.  In this adaptation, Belle does not appear at Fezziwig's Christmas Ball, but only appears later, when she releases Scrooge from his promise to marry her.

The Ghost of Christmas Present in this version is a black woman, who refers to her sisters, instead of her brothers, unlike Dickens' white, male Ghost of Christmas Present, who refers to more than eighteen hundred of his brothers.

On Christmas morning, the new Scrooge has Fred and his wife meet him at Cratchit's for dinner, to which he unexpectedly invites himself, instead of waiting for the day after Christmas to tell Cratchit about raising his salary.  This is unlike the original novel, in which Dickens has Scrooge anonymously send the Cratchits a turkey on Christmas Day, going later to Fred's for Christmas Dinner, and not seeing Bob Cratchit again until the day after Christmas, when Bob arrives late, and Scrooge rewards his tardiness with a pay raise.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes, this adaptation is framed by a narrator.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by John Campbell... Several musical numbers are included, such as the song and dance routine in the tavern, which does not seem the least bit melancholy, contrary to Dickens' description.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The art and animation are adequate.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

(The transitions are adequate.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  

N/A 

 

What use is made of background extras?  

N/A

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The addition of Debit the dog is, perhaps, the most remarkable thing about this adaptation.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

There are no extras on this DVD.  This film plays automatically, and I can't even find a menu or splash screen for it.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz  1 of T.B.D.

Quiz  2 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz  3 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz  4 of T.B.D.

    

Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan

The Mistletoe Promise: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title(s):  The Mistletoe Promise, a.k.a. Mein Fake Date

Adaptation:  Starring Jaime King as Elise Donnor, and Luke Macfarlane as Nick (the Scrooge)

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

SAT, 5 NOV 2016 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  *****(Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  1 hour and 24 minutes 

 

Availability:  

As of December 4, 2021, a few, secondhand and/or perhaps pirated copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $20 U.S. Dollars.

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

No.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks it's "cute" and "unobjectionable," and she "really like[s] it."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

The northeastern U.S.A., circa 2015... There is no indication, in this film, which city or State is the primary location. However, four of the principal characters go to a "local" television broadcasting station identified as a fictitious WKJS (not to be confused with WKJX, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina), which indicates that their location is in the U.S.A., and east of the Mississippi River, because stations west of the Mississippi River begin with the letter "K." For example, KSL is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. These and other  characters participate in an annual snowman-making contest outside in the snow, and heavy snowfall seems to be common in the area, so it is probably a northeastern State, such as New York, but not New York City, since some of the characters fly, from the primary location, to New York City, for an annual, company Christmas party.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely. It could be argued that there are two "Scrooges," in this adaptation:  Elise Donnor and Nick. They form a club of two for "Christmas phobes." However, Elise is not really a "Scrooge"; she loves Christmas, and identifies herself as "one hundred percent Tiny Tim," but Christmas has been painful for her since her divorce four years "ago." Her ex-husband, Dan (played by Lochlyn Munro) was her partner in a travel agency which she founded before their marriage, and he remains her partner, but Dan is constantly trying to persuade her to sell him her stock in their company so that he can own and operate it by himself. It could be argued that he is a "Scrooge," which he is, but, in my opinion, he is not "the Scrooge."

I consider Nick to be "the Scrooge." He, like Elise, finds Christmas painful, but he is the one who mentions three "ghosts" of Christmas in his past, and he seems to have given up on Christmas altogether, whereas Elise is the one who shows him how to enjoy it again.

None of the "ghosts" of Christmas in this film are ghosts or people; instead, they are all past experiences in Nick's life, which, understandably, led him to dread Christmas. He reveals these "ghosts" to Elise one at a time throughout the film.  
 
The first and most recent "ghost," which he reveals, is that he was fired near Christmas, and blackballed by his previous employer (a law firm), because he questioned a senior partner's practice of illegally overlooking conflicts of interests.

The second and earliest "ghost," which Nick reveals, is the occasion, near Christmas, when his father abandoned him and his mother, when he was six years old. This occasion was followed up with a stepfather who put him in a boarding school, like Scrooge's father put Scrooge in a boarding school.

The third "ghost," which Nick reveals, which occurred between being abandoned by his father, and being fired and blackballed by his previous employer, was on what would have been his wedding day, if his bride hadn't "stood him up at the altar," to flee with her father, instead of saying "I do."

Although she identifies herself as "one hundred percent Tiny Tim," Elise is more like Marley - a business partner who dreads Christmas like Nick, but who shows him the error of his ways.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

No.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by Russ Howard III... Carolers at a food court, in the mall where Elise goes to eat wonton soup, go from table to table, singing for the guests, accompanied by a guitar. Their repertoire includes "Jingle Bells," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and "Deck the Halls."

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, and art are adequate. Wherever I'm "at," in the film, I feel as if I were there.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are adequate. I would have liked to see more flashbacks, especially to Nick's negative, Christmas experiences.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  

There is some excellent stock footage of New York City, as seen from above, which is presented as if it were the view from Elise's hotel room.  

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use is made of background extras. There are plenty of people at the offices where Elise and Nick work, as well as at the parties they attend.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that the "ghosts" of Christmas are experiences, rather than individual ghosts or people. Furthermore, I am a fan of Jaime King, especially since I almost met her in San Juan, Puerto Rico, so I was delighted to find an adaptation of A Christmas Carol in which she played a starring role. As far as I'm concerned, this is the "James King Adaptation."
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

No bonus material is included on my DVD copy of this film - not even subtitles.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz 1 of T.B.D.

Quiz 2 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz 3 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz 4 of T.B.D.

    

Quiz 5 of T.B.D.

    

Quiz 6 of T.B.D.

    

Quiz 7 of T.B.D.

    

Quiz 8 of T.B.D.

    

Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan

Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 

Title(s):  "Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales"

Adaptation:  Featuring the voice of Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam (the Scrooge), Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepe le Pew, Tweety, Sylvester, Tasmanian Devil, Light Company Man, Airplane Pilots, Santa Claus, and Elmer Fudd; and the voice of  June Foray as Clyde Rabbit and Mrs. Claus

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

TUE, 27 NOV 1979 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ***(Offensive Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  animated comedy, on VHS

 

Runtime:  22 minutes 

 

Availability:  

As of December 4, 2021, copies of this film, on VHS, are available, online, for approximately $30 U.S. Dollars.

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

No.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks it's "silly" and "nostalgic."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Contemporary U.S.A.  Yosemite Sam has a four-poster bed and clawfoot bathtub, but there is nothing to indicate with certainty what decade or century is depicted.  Wile E. Coyote uses electronic devices to try to catch the Roadrunner, but electronics such as the wireless telegraph existed in the 1800's.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

(Give specific examples of departures...)

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

No, Bugs Bunny only pretends to be "the Ghost of Christmas."

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes.  Yosemite Sam admits at Christmas dinner that his generosity is just an act, and demands his money back.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Bugs Bunny tries to teach Foghorn "the Rooster" J. Leghorn, Pepe "the Skunk" Le Pew, Elmer J. Fudd, Porky Pig, and Yosemite Sam to sing "Deck the Halls." Pepe starts singing "Alouette" instead of "Deck the Halls."

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The art is well done for two-dimensional animation, and, for me, very nostalgic.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are hilarious and believable, albeit unrealistic, as is typical in excellent cartoons.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  

N/A  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

N/A

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, how Bugs Bunny, in spite of being merely "the Fred" in this adaptation, serves as the primary character, becoming the Narrator and a combination of all three Ghosts of Christmas (Past, Present, and Future) in one fantastic personage, controlling, remolding, and adding a uniquely humorous flavor to the entire story.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

Other tales are included on this VHS tape, as Christmas dinner segues into a series of encounters between Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz  1 of T.B.D.

Quiz  2 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz  3 of T.B.D.

 

Quiz  4 of T.B.D.

    

Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan

The Jetsons: A Jetson Christmas Carol: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title(s):  "A Jetson Christmas Carol"

Adaptation:  Featuring the voice of George O'Hanlon as George Jetson

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

FRI, 13 DEC 1985 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  *****(Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  animated film, on VHS

 

Runtime:  22 minutes 

 

Availability:  

As of November 27, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

No.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks it's "cute" and "nostalgic."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

A science fictional Orbit City, circa 2060.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

In this adaptation, "the Scrooge" is Mr. George Jetson's boss, Mr. Cosmo Spacely, the owner of Spacely Space Sprockets, Inc., and George is the "Bob Cratchit." The "Tiny Tim" is the Jeston's dog, Astro, who  opens his Christmas present early, on Christmas Eve; it's a robotic cat, so he chases it until he breaks it, and accidentally swallows one of its Spacely Sprockets. (All toys, in this film, are made with Spacely Sprockets.) 

 

Mr. Spacely has visions of four ghosts:  Mr. Marsley, his former partner, and the usual Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, although two of them look more like computers than people, and the Ghost of Christmas Present looks like a large, gift-wrapped box, or "Christmas present."

Spacely remains unimpressed or unintimidated by the Ghosts of Christmas, until the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows him that George will be wealthy and he, Cosmo, will be penniless, after George sues him because of the death of his dog, due to swallowing the sprocket.

Spacely wakes up on Christmas morning, and drags his personal veterinarian out of bed, and takes him to the Jetson residence, where they are unable to get a veterinarian to attend their dog because of the Christmas holiday.

Spacely's veterinarian simply has Astro open wide, then reaches down his throat and pulls the sprocket out, after which Astro recovers completely.

Mr. Spacely leaves Christmas presents for various members of the Jetson family, including a "rocket roll guitar" for Elroy, nuclear roller skates for Judy, Moon Gold perfume for Mrs. Jetson, a Sterling silver apron for their robotic maid, and edible aliens the approximate size of gummy bears, for one of their other pets. 

Then he departs as the Jetsons sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

The Jetson theme song is included, as with every episode of "The Jetsons," and, as mentioned above, the Jetsons sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," for the grand finale.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The art work for this animated film are excellent.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are adequate. They include kaleidoscopes and explosions, as well as the usual "cuts."

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  

Several flight scenes are included, since this story takes place in a future in which people usually fly instead of driving wheeled vehicles over the terrain, but none of the flight scenes are particularly impressive.  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Animated background extras appear where appropriate; for example, at Mr. Jetson's office party.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that it's a futuristic cartoon.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

The VHS tape has ads at the end.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz  1 of 4

Quiz  2 of 4

 

Quiz  3 of 4

 

Quiz  4 of 4

    

Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan