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

The Honeymooners Christmas Carol (1977): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 

Title:  The Honeymooners Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring Art Carney as Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim; and Jackie Gleason as Bob Cratchit

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

MON, 28 NOV 1977

 

My Rating:  ***(Offensive Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  49 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of November 9, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation is not particularly reverent.

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

No.

 

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

No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks it's "not that great."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Brooklyn, New York, circa 1975.

 
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's framed as a play put on by two married couples (Ralph and Alice Kramden, and Ed and Trixie Norton), for charity, to feed New York City's stray cats, because Ralph's boss' wife is fond of cats. Ralph directs the play, as a favor for his boss, hoping that his boss will reward him with a promotion.

Ralph and his wife play Bob Cratchit and his wife; Mrs. Norton plays their thirteen-year-old daughter; Mr. Norton plays their ten-year-old son, Tiny Tim, as well as eighty-year-old Ebenezer Scrooge.

A town crier and a half dozen Christmas carolers also make appearances.

There are no ghosts.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

No.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes.  (See above.)

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!"

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The visual 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 adequate.

 

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

N/A

 

What use is made of background extras?  

The first scene opens in a locker room with four men in it. A half dozen carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!" in the play.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, that there are no ghosts in it.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

The DVD has optional, English subtitles. It also includes an additional episode of "The Honeymooners," and an interview with Jane Kean, who plays Trixie Norton as Mrs. Cratchit.

Test your knowledge of this adaptation by taking these quizzes:

Quiz  1 of 11

Quiz  2 of 11

 

Quiz  3 of 11

 

Quiz  4 of 11

 

Quiz  5 of 11

 

Quiz  6 of 11

 

Quiz  7 of 11

 

Quiz  8 of 11 

 

Quiz  9 of 11

 

Quiz 10 of 11 

 

Quiz 11 of 11 

   

Review and quizzes by William Mortensen Vaughan

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir: The Ghost of Christmas Past (1969): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 

Title:  "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir":  
"The Ghost of Christmas Past"

Adaptation:  Starring Charles Nelson Reilly as Claymore Gregg (the Scrooge) and an ancient Claymore Gregg (also a Scrooge); Edward Mulhare as "the Ghost"; and Hope Lange as Mrs. Muir

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

THU, 25 DEC 1969 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  *****(Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, streamed from YouTube

 

Runtime:  30 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of November 9, 2021, copies of this television series, on DVD/VHS, are available, online, for approximately $30 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

This adaptation is somewhat reverent; it is suitable for general audiences, and includes the hymns, "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night."

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

Yes, when carolers sing "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!"

 

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

No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She enjoyed it; in fact, she's the one who recommended it to me!

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England and the fictional fishing village of Schooner Bay, Maine, circa 1975

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English.

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

This adaptation doesn't follow the original version very well.  The story is an episode of the television series "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," starring Hope Lange as Mrs. Muir, and Edward Mulhare as the ghost of Captain Daniel Gregg.

In this episode, Claymore Gregg (Charles Nelson Reilly), is "the Scrooge," refusing to sell Mrs. Muir a Christmas Tree for what she considers a reasonable price.  After she leaves his tree lot without buying a tree, Mr. Claymore discovers an abandoned infant in his car, which he decides to leave with Mrs. Muir.

She goes to bed on Christmas Eve, and dreams about a version of herself with Captain Gregg approximately one hundred years prior (circa 1870).  She plays the role of the previous Claymore's niece and employee - essentially Fred and Bob in one character.  She also ends up with an abandoned infant.

The previous Mr. Claymore goes to bed on Christmas Eve, and is visited by the Voice of the Conscience He Used to Have, instead of any Marley or Ghosts of Christmas.  As a result, he becomes a nicer person on Christmas morning.

Still in Mrs. Muir's dream, she receives a present from Captain Gregg in the form of a metal rattle, from the Bay of Tunis, for the baby she has taken in.

Later, her dream ends with a romantic kiss that Captain Gregg shares with her.

Then Mrs. Muir wakes up and soon discovers that the baby has a metal rattle just like (or perhaps the same rattle) as the one in her dream.  She also discovers that her maid, Martha (Reta Shaw), Claymore, and her own two children, have had similar dreams.  The Ghost of Captain Gregg finally admits that he is the culprit, and that the dreams are his Christmas presents to them.

Claymore has a change of heart, and gives Mrs. Muir a Christmas Tree for free.

Martha also fields a phone call from the local constable, informing her that the mother claimed the baby, whom his brother had mistakenly placed in Claymore's car, and is en route to retrieve him.

The episode ends as Claymore asks the Ghost if the infant in the dreams is his ancestor, and the Captain answers by asking how he could do such a thing to a child, even in a dream.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes.  It's about a ghost with magical powers, similar to Jeannie in "I Dream of Jeannie" and Samantha in "Bewitched."

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

Yes, this version is framed within a modern Mrs. Muir's dream, with a parallel in her modern reality; both the reality and the dream include a Claymore who is a "Scrooge" who reforms.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by George Greeley.  Carolers sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Silent Night," "Deck the Halls," and "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen!"

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The set and wardrobe are adequate, and typical of the 'Sixties.  Edward Mulhare looks a lot like Vincent Price.

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?  

(Give specific examples of scenes with adequate or inadequate numbers of background extras.)

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

For me, the most remarkable thing about this adaptation is that the Ghosts of Marley and Christmas are replaced by the voice of a conscience, which is able to change Claymore's attitude so quickly and easily!
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

N/A

Dr. Who: A Christmas Carol (2010): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title:  Dr. Who:  A Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring Michael Gambon as Kazran Sardick (the Scrooge) and Elliot Sardick; Matt Smith as The Doctor

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

SAT, 25 DEC 2010 U.K. & U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ***(Offensive Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  1 hour 2 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of November 9, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

This adaptation is somewhat reverent, in that it seems to focus on the importance of human lives, and even the life of a potentially man-woman-and-child-eating shark.

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

[T.B.D.]

 

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

[T.B.D.]

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

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

On a futuristic planet, owned and operated by a Scrooge-like despot named Kazran Sardick, who is capable of freezing family members as collateral for debts, and reviving them years later.  He is also unimpressed by (and unconcerned with) Earthling spaceships entering his planet's atmosphere, and crashing and burning on its surface.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

British English.

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

This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely.  Kazran Sardick is "the Scrooge."  A spaceship from Earth enters the angry fish filled cloud cover he maintains over the planet he rules.  The spaceship is about to crash, and several people beg for his assistance, but he insists on letting the Earthlings crash and die.  Dr. Who (Matt Smith) arrives and, in addition to begging for the Earthlings' lives, plays the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past, showing Kazran why he became the way he is.  By traveling through time, he meets Kazran as a boy (Laurence Belcher), and, returning every Christmas Eve for years, cultivates a friendship, and a romance between a young, adult Kazran (Danny Horn) and one of the people, Abigail (Katherine Jenkins) he kept frozen as collateral against her family's debt.  Dr. Who and Kazran unfreeze Abigail each Christmas Eve, and party together, then refreeze her.

Eventually, Kazran discovers that Abigail has a set number of days to live, and the next day Abigail is released, she will die.  This makes him a bitter man again, and he refuses to release Abigail again, and takes his frustration out on everyone else on his planet.

But Dr. Who needs Kazran to release Abigail to sing, soothe the angry sky fish, and save the Earthlings' spaceship.  Somehow, he persuades Kazran to release Abigail, let her sing, and enjoy her last Christmas Eve with him as best she can.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

No, it's more science fictional than supernatural.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by Murray Gold. Abigail sings what sounds like opera music, which soothes the angry sky fish.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The sets, wardrobe, and special effects are good.

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

The transitions are creative, startling, and intense.  Dr. Who turns up in startling places.  It's easy to understand why Kazran becomes frustrated with him after ordering his henchmen to remove him from his home office, only to discover removing him is virtually impossible.

 

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

The Doctor takes Kazran and Abigail on an aerial sleigh ride.  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use is made of background extras.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

This is perhaps the most complicated adaptation of A Christmas Carol I've ever seen.  It requires its viewers to pay close attention in order to follow what's going on.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

Scene selection and optional, English subtitles are available.  Two featurettes are included:  "Dr. Who Confidential Christmas Special 2010" and "Dr. Who at the Proms 2010."