Alvin's Christmas Carol(1993), Featuring the Voice of Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Title:  Alvin's Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Featuring the voice of Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. as "the Scrooge," Alvin "the Chipmunk" Seville

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

WED, 29 SEP 1993 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ****

Format Reviewed:  animated film, on VHS and the 25th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition DVD, titled A Chipmunk Christmas

 

Runtime:  66 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 16, 2021, copies of this film, on VHS, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars. The 25th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition DVD, titled A Chipmunk Christmas, is available for approximately $75 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.  There doesn't seem to be any emphasis on Christ or God, but plenty of emphasis on commercialism, and family and friends.

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

No, this adaptation does not mention God or Christ, except in the word "Christmas."
 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?"  No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
My wife cried when Mr. Ferrell explained to Ebenezer how much his newspaper meant to him.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Los Angeles, California, circa 1990.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

A "Chipmunk" dialect of English.

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

This adaptation does not follow the original novel very well.  The dynamics between "the Scrooge" and a "Cratchit," "Belle," "Fezziwig," "Fred," and "Marley" are all missing.  Alvin the Chipmunk is "the Scrooge," but he's essentially a schoolboy with a newspaper route.  He selfishly writes a long list of items he expects his human grandparents to give him for Christmas, and is disappointed when his human "father" makes him deliver his newspapers, and he fails to make it to the mailbox in time to mail his Christmas wish list to his grandparents so they'll be able to get him what he wants in time for Christmas.

He has procrastinated writing an essay for school about the true meaning of Christmas, so, on Christmas Eve, he starts writing, but passes out before completing the task.  

While Alvin is asleep, Dave, his human father, appears to him in a dream, as the Spirit of Christmas Past.  Then his chipmunk brothers appear to him as the other Spirits of Christmas Present and Yet to Come.  No one appears to him in lieu of Jacob Marley.

Mr. Carroll, an elderly man on Alvin's paper route, has a cat named Ebenezer.

Alvin fails to ensure that Mr. Ferrell has his newspaper on Christmas morning.  But, after his dreams, he has a change of heart, and starts putting everyone else first, and delivers a newspaper to Mr. Carroll.

 

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

No, this adaptation is not supernatural; the spirits are merely elements of Alvin's dreams.  It is somewhat odd, however, that these chipmunks, Alvin, Theodore, and Simon, talk and sing.

 
Is this adaptation "framed"?  No. 

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

(Music by Thomas Chase and Steve Rucker; music editing by Nick Carr and Paul Ray... The Chipmunks sing their versions of "The Christmas Song" and "Christmas Time Is Here," which are apparently written especially for them to sing.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, and art 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?  

Such inadequate use is made of animated background extras, that I thought the Chipmunks lived in "a small town" until I did enough research to discover that their home is in Los Angeles.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that Alvin is the only "Scrooge" whom I've seen, who is a child with no employees, previous engagements to be married, or wealth.  He's merely a selfish brat.

 
What bonus material is included on the DVD? 

The DVD includes this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, titled "Merry Christmas Mr. Carroll," and two other "episodes," titled "A Chipmunk Christmas" and "Dave's Wonderful Life."

Episode selection is available.

"Original Artwork From A Chipmunk Christmas" is included, in the form of a slideshow of images.

 

A separate music CD [Compact Disc] is also included, with the following eleven songs:

1. "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
2. "Chipmunk Jingle Bells"
3. "The Chipmunk Song"
4. "The Spirit of Christmas"
5. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
6. "Crashcup's Christmas"
7. "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)"
8. "Silent Night"
9. "Sleigh Ride"
10. "Deck the Halls"
11. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
    

Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Nutcracker: A Christmas Carol (1992): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title:  Nutcracker: A Christmas Story

Adaptation:  Starring Marc Wenke, and featuring the Bonn Ballet

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

1992 Germany

2007 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  *(Offensive)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  59 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 16, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Not particularly.

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

No, there is no singing or talking in this adaptation, just instrumental music, dancing, acting, and pantomiming.

 

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

No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She hates musicals, and refuses to watch any part of this adaptation.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

N/A

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?
This adaptation does not follow the original novel very well.  It's hard to follow at all.  It's a combination of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. Fortunately, it is filmed with credits as subtitles for four of the actors:  Marc Wenke, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge; Paul Boyd (Bob Cratchit); Joyce Cuoco (Clara Cratchit); and Anna Vita (Mrs. Cratchit).  Also fortunate, is that the DVD comes with a program which lists scene selections, to help the viewer understand what they're looking at.

The story begins in a town with several buildings, where men dressed like British soldiers dance ballet in the streets.  One of the buildings has a sign which reads "Drosselmeyer Toys"; another reads "Scrooge and Marley Investment Co."  Marley's name is crossed out.  I think the gist of this scene is that, while Bob treasures newspaper to burn, Scrooge treasures the currency he counts in his counting house.

Another scene shows Scrooge going to bed at 9:30, after checking the safe in his home.  At midnight, he receives a rude awakening by the Devil and his minions, who put him in chains.  There are a couple glimpses of a man whom I presume is Jacob Marley.

Then a young woman with gray hair shows up and sends the Devil and his minions away.  Then another young woman dances with a young man.  I'm guessing this is young Scrooge with his fiancée.

Another scene shows Scrooge getting nine girls out of one bed and giving them Christmas presents.  Spanish and Russian dances are performed, as well as a Thai long nail dance.  Harlequins dance around a young woman dressed like a clown in a box.  

Back in town, finally, there is a grand finale.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this adaptation is supernatural, with at least one ghost, the Devil, demons, and at least one goddess or angel, who banishes them.

 
Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes, this adaptation is framed as a man's dreams.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

Yes.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

This is a musical, by Tchaikovsky, and a ballet, with several international influences, including Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, and art are excellent.  I found the extra wide, rolling, twirling bed particularly amazing!

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

The transitions are well done.  I don't remember any annoying special effects, but the camera work and film editing are excellent.  For example, the head shots of the principle actors with subtitles to indicate their names and the names of the characters they play...  Also, the camera zoomed in on the signs on the buildings, and on the clock to show time advancing more quickly than in reality, and what time it was...

 

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

N/A  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use is made of background extras.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable things about this adaptation are, perhaps, that it doesn't include any singing or talking, and that it's a combination of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

Scene selection is available on the DVD, and a hard copy program is included.

Quiz 5 on An American Christmas Carol (1979), Starring Henry Winkler

 1.  What is the first and last name of the person who is injured in a fire at the factory where "the Scrooge" worked as a boy, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?



 2.  Why did the owner of the factory where "the Scrooge" worked as a boy, go out of business, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?



 3.  Approximately how much time elapsed between the time "the Scrooge" left his home town, and the time he returned, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?



 4.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what probably caused the fire at the factory where "the Scrooge" worked as a boy?



 5.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, when "the Scrooge" didn't believe that "the Marley" was "the Marley," what did "the Marley" tell him that only the two of them knew?



 6.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, when "the Scrooge" didn't believe that "the Marley" was "the Marley," what type of weapon did "the Scrooge" brandish?



 7.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, when "the Scrooge" didn't believe that "the Marley" was "the Marley," what film character did "the Scrooge" mention, to "the Marley," as an example of what can be accomplished with make-up?



 8.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, when "the Scrooge" didn't believe that "the Marley" was "the Marley," "the Scrooge" tells "the Marley" about a film; what film must that have been?



 9.  What are the first and last names of "the Fezziwig," in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?



10.  What did "the Scrooge" give "the Fezziwig" for Christmas, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

Answers were published on February 22, 2021.

Quiz by William Mortensen Vaughan

Answers to Quiz 4 on An American Christmas Carol (1979), Starring Henry Winkler

  1.  Where was the company located, where "the Scrooge" moved when he left the shop where he worked as a child, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

Grand Rapids, Michigan

 2.  What are the first and last names of "the Belle," in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

Helen Brewster

 3.  What are the first and last names of "the Mrs. Cratchit," in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

Doris Thatcher

 4.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, "the Scrooge" and "the Belle" dance together as if they were imitating birds. What were these kinds of dances called, and when were they popular?

Animal Dances, 1920s

 5.  In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, "the Scrooge" and "the Belle" dance together as if they were imitating birds. The song being played as they dance this way sounds like a popular song viewers are more likely to have heard; what song is that, and when was it first released?

"The Entertainer," copyright December 29, 1902, by Scott Joplin

 6.  What was the name of "the Scrooge's" employee, other than "the Cratchit," in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

Joe

 7.  What war was being waged, when "the Scrooge" returned to his home town, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

World War II

 8.  How much money does "the Belle" try to raise, by selling Liberty Bonds, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

$25,000

 9.  How much money does "the Scrooge" use to purchase Liberty Bonds, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?

$850

10.  How much money does "the Belle" raise, by selling Liberty Bonds, before "the Scrooge" buys his, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, before "the Scrooge" makes his purchase?

$24,150

 

Quiz and answers by William Mortensen Vaughan

A Christmas Carol (1951), Starring Alastair Sim: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title:  A Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

(WWW, DD MMM YYYY Country)

 

My Rating:  ** (Substandard - Black and White/Colorized)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  86 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 9, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for less than $10 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes. (See below.)

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

Yes. (See below.)

 

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

Yes, Bob Cratchit (Mervyn John's) family toast, and say, "God bless us!" and Tiny Tim says, "God bless us, everyone!"  Furthermore, the narrator quotes this quote by Tiny Tim, at the end of the film.

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

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

British English

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

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well, with some exceptions, and several additions:

The film begins with a hand taking a copy of the book titled A Christmas Carol, off a shelve full of other novels by Charles Dickens.  A Narrator (Peter Bull) quotes the initial lines about Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern) being dead, as the initial credits appear, on what appear to be sheets of paper or pages of a book.

The opening scene, after the opening credits, is at the Exchange, where Scrooge engages in a conversation about Christmas with other businessmen.  A man named Samuel Wilkins begs him for more time to pay off his loan, on the steps of the Exchange.

After showing Mr. Wilkins no mercy, Scrooge walks to his office, inside of which two gentlemen are waiting to ask him for a donation.  

Fred (Brian Worth) arrives after the gentlemen leave without a donation from Mr. Scrooge.  Mr. Scrooge shows him the door as well.

Then there is an scene featuring Tiny Tim (Glyn Dearman) and his mother (Hermione Baddeley), window shopping.

Meanwhile, back at Scrooge's office, Scrooge tells Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to take the next day, Christmas, off.  Then he leaves Bob to close shop.
 
Scrooge goes to a tavern after work, but seems unfamiliar with it, unlike the tavern Dickens describes, in his novel, as Scrooge's "usual, melancholy tavern," because, when Scrooge asks for more bread, the waiter changes his mind by informing him that bread costs extra.

When Scrooge arrives at the building where he lives, Scrooge hears someone calling his name.  Then Jacob's face appears in the doorknocker, with his eyes closed; then Jacob opens his eyes, startling Scrooge.  Later, Jacob Marley appears to Scrooge in person, and tells Scrooge about the three Ghosts that will visit him.  He tells Scrooge the first Ghost will arrive at one-o'-clock.

He also shows him other ghosts outside Scrooge's window, lamenting that they can no longer help the poor.  Then Marley takes his leave of Scrooge.

Scrooge slams the window shut, and literally runs to bed, where he pulls all of the bed curtains closed, and hides under his bed covers.

The bell tolls one, and the Ghost of Christmas Past (Michael Dolan) appears, taking Scrooge to see his school, and his sister, Fan. The scene of her death is added, as she begs Scrooge, with her dying breath, to take of her son.

Scrooge revisits the Fezziwig Christmas Ball, and his fiancee, named Alice (Rona Anderson), instead of Belle, in this adaptation.

Also added are scenes in which a new character, Mr. Jorkin (Jack Warner), offers Mr. Fezziwig (Roddy Hughes) a business proposition, which Mr. Fezziwig refuses.  However, Mr. Jorkin is able to persuade young Scrooge (Geoge Cole) to leave Mr. Fezziwig's company, and take a job at his company, where he becomes friends with Jacob Marley.

Mr. Jorkin is caught embezzling, but the scandal threatens to devalue the company's stock, so Scrooge and Marley offer to pay off the company's debt, on the condition that they are allowed to buy 51% of the stock in the company, effectively making them the new owners.

They take over Mr. Fezziwig's company, as well, letting one young employee keep his job, but for four Shillings per week, instead of the five Mr. Fezziwig was paying him.  

Mrs. Dilber (Kathleen Harrison) goes to Scrooge's office to ask him to visit Marley in Marley's final moments.  Scrooge does so, after work.  The undertaker (Ernest Thesiger) is already there, waiting for Marley to die.  Marley tries to tell Scrooge that they were wrong, and to save himself, but Scrooge doesn't understand.

When Marley dies, Scrooge is only too happy to inherit all of Marley's belongings.

The Ghost of Christmas Present (Francis de Wolff) shows Scrooge the Cratchit residence, where Bob proposes a toast to Mr. Scrooge, and his family says, "God bless us!"  Tiny Tim says, "God bless us, everyone!" 

Instead of showing Alice with a husband and children, the Ghost shows her in what appears to be a homeless shelter, comforting the poor.

The Ghost also shows Scrooge Fred's Christmas Party, where Fred proposes a toast to Mr. Scrooge, although two of the women there indicate that they despise Scrooge.

Mr. Tupper [sic] (Richard Pearson) flirts with Miss Flora (Eleanor Summerfield).

No games are played, but Fred and his guests dance a waltz.

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge Ignorance and Want, in the form of children hiding under his robe.  Then he leaves Scrooge running down the street...

...and into the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Czeslaw Konarski).    

This ghost shows Scrooge the Cratchits mourning for Tiny Tim; the scene with Mrs. Dilber, another woman, and the undertaker, at Old Joe (Miles Malleson's) pawn shop, which, in this adaptation, is filled with children working among his marketable rubbish; and the two businessmen at the Exchange mentioning Scrooge's death, without naming him.  When Scrooge asks who they're talking about, the Ghost shows him his tombstone.

Begging for mercy, Scrooge wakes up to find himself in his own bed on Christmas morning.  He asks his charwoman, Mrs. Dilber what day it is, and gives her a Guinea for a Christmas present.  He also promises to raise her wages from two Shillings a week to ten.  Then he sends her away to celebrate Christmas.

Then Scrooge looks outside his bedroom window, and sends a boy to get the prize turkey, which he sends to Bob Cratchit's house.

Then Scrooge goes to Christmas dinner at Fred's.

The next day, Scrooge catches Bob coming in late to work.  Instead of punishing him, he raises Bob's salary.  After promising to discuss this over a hot bowl of punch, he sends Bob out to buy some more coal.  

 

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, whose voice is heard at the beginning and end of the film.

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Musical score by Richard Addinsell... There are several musical numbers and dances included in this adaptation, including "Barbara Allen," sung by Fred and his guests.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set, wardrobe, and art 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; an hourglass floats and/or spins through a windy tunnel to show time travel.

 

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

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use is made of background extras; for example, there seem to be plenty of people at Fred's party.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, the addition of Mr. Jorkin, who hires Scrooge and introduces him to Jacob Marley, and the scenes which develop Jacob and Marley's characters and their relationship with each other over the years.

 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

The "Ultimate Collector's Edition" includes two discs, which are not labeled Disc 1/A and 2/B, or anything like that, so I'll call them "Colorized" and "Black and White."

The "Colorized" Disc contains:
 

1. A colorized version of the original black and white film
2. A copy of the black and white film "Scrooge" (1935), starring Seymour Hicks
3. Subtitles in English or Spanish
4. An audio track in narrative English for the blind
5. "The Spirit of Christmas Past:  George Cole Remembers Alastair Sim"
6. "Richard Gordon Remembers George Minter and Renown Pictures"
7. "Charles Dickens:  His Life and Times"
8. "Before and After Restoration"
9. "Photo Gallery"

 
The "Black and White" Disc contains:

1. "A Christmas Carol" in black and white, with 3 x 4 resolution    
2. "A Christmas Carol" in black and white, with 9 x 16 resolution
3. An audio commentary by Marcus Hearn and George Cole (young Ebenezer Scrooge)
4. Cast Bios:

•            Alastair Sim
•            Kathleen Harrison
•            Jack Warner
•            Bryan D. Hurst
•            Mervyn Johns
•            Hermione Baddeley
•            George Cole

Review by William Mortensen Vaughan