1. What does the soup seller ask Scrooge for, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
2. How much extra time does Scrooge give the soup seller, to pay his debt, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
3. How much money does the soup seller owe Scrooge, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
4. In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a woman's voice is heard, as Scrooge approaches the soup seller to collect his debt; what does the woman offer?
5. What is unusual about Scrooge's door knocker, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
6. What does Scrooge hear, when a cloud of smoke suddenly pours out of his fireplace, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
7. What does Scrooge do, when he hears Marley approaching, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
8. How does Marley enter Scrooge's chambers, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
9. When Scrooge tells Marley to sit down, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what does Marley do?
10. What is unusual about the way that Marley shows Scrooge other ghosts, outside, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
Answers were published March 8, 2021.
Quiz by William Mortensen Vaughan
Friday, March 5, 2021
Quiz 6 on Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney
Quiz 5 on Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney
1. How much extra money does Scrooge say he will collect from a pair of ladies, "next week," in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
2. By what name and title does the Ghost of Christmas Present refer to Bob, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
3. What is the name of the puppet master, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
4. How much money does Scrooge attempt to collect from the puppet master, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
5. How much money does Scrooge intend to collect from the puppet master, on Christmas Day, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
6. What do street urchins steal from Scrooge, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
7. What does the soup seller's sign say, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
8. What does "D" mean, in Question 7, above?
9. What are the first and last names of the soup seller, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
10. What does the soup seller promise to provide for Scrooge, and how often, for how long, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
Answers were published March 8, 2021.
Quiz by William Mortensen Vaughan
Quiz 4 on Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney
1. In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a shopkeeper tells a patron that the vintage of a certain year was the best in a certain number of years; what year does the shopkeeper refer to, and, in reality, how did that vintage compare to others?
2. In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a shopkeeper tells a patron that the vintage of a certain year was the best in a certain number of years; what year does the shopkeeper refer to, and, in reality, how much does one of the best bottles of wine from that vintage cost (as of 2021)?
3. According to the sign over the store windows, who sells Bob his Christmas pudding, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
4. According to another sign, what else, besides pudding, does the man sell, who sells Bob his Christmas pudding, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
5. What is unusual about the visit from the gentlemen seeking a charitable donation from Scrooge, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
6. What does the sign say, in the hands of one of the gentlemen seeking a charitable donation from Scrooge, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
7. According to a sign, what are candles made of, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
8. What song does Scrooge sing, as he goes around collecting debts, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
9. How much money does Scrooge attempt to collect from a pair of ladies, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
10. What do the ladies mentioned in Question 9, above, give Scrooge?
Answers were published March 8, 2021.
Quiz by William Mortensen Vaughan
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Quiz 3 on Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney
1. In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what weapon does Scrooge brandish, when the boys sing a Christmas carol in front of his office?
2. How much money does Bob claim he spends on a bird for Christmas dinner, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
3. What is the price of apples, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
4. What does Tiny Tim's sister repeatedly say that she wants, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
5. What does Tiny Tim say that he would rather have than a toy, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
6. In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a shopkeeper tells a patron that the vintage of a certain year was the best in a certain number of years; what year does he say was the best vintage, in how many years?
7. By what name does the shopkeeper address the patron mentioned in Question 6, above?
8. How much money per how much volume does the liquor for Christmas punch cost that Bob buys, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
9. In this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a shopkeeper has a sign in his window which advertizes "Splendid Christmas Cakes" in what price range?
10. How much money does Bob claim he spends on a Christmas pudding, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
Answers were published March 8, 2021.
Quiz by William Mortensen Vaughan
Quiz 2 on Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney
1. According to Scrooge, how many children does Scrooge say that Bob has, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
2. According to one of the street vendors, how many children does Bob have, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
3. What does the sign say, which belongs to the street vendor who states how many children Bob has, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
4. What deal does the street vendor who states how many children Bob has, give Bob, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
5. What is the name of the girl who goes shopping with Bob and Tiny Tim, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
6. How many boys are seen at Bob's table, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
7. How many girls are seen at Bob's table, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
8. How many boys and girls does Bob have, in the original novel, A Christmas Carol?
9. What are the first names of Tiny Tim's siblings, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
10. What song do Bob, Tiny Tim, and one of Tim's sisters sing while they go shopping, in this adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
Answers were published March 8, 2021.
Quiz by William Mortensen Vaughan
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan
Adaptation: Starring Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge
Dates and Places of Earliest Release:
Format Reviewed: live-action film, on DVD
Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?
What does my wife think of this adaptation?
Even though she doesn't usually like musicals, this is one of her favorite adaptations of A Christmas Carol.
Where and when does this adaptation take place?
What language and/or dialects are used?
Instead of beginning with a narration about Marley being dead, this film begins with a scene of children singing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!" from door to door, until they reach Scrooge's place of business. Scrooge threatens them with a coal shovel, so they mock him by calling him "Father Christmas," in a song that they sing about him.
Fred (Michael Medwin) visits Scrooge in his office, but the portly gentlemen do not ask for his donation, until he has dismissed Bob Cratchit (David Collings), and is locking the door to his office from the outside.
After work, Bob Cratchit is seen with one of his daughters, and Tiny Tim (Richard Beaumont), shopping on their way home.
Scrooge is seen going about the streets interrupting various people at their places of business, to remind them how much they owe him and when. While in the street, he sings a song, "I Hate People."
Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness), visits Scrooge, and shows him the other ghosts outside his window, with their chains.
Then the Ghost of Christmas Past (Edith Evans) visits him, looking more like Mrs. Santa Claus than a Ghost of Christmas Past.
As with several other versions, this version shows Scrooge meeting "Belle" (Suzanne Neve) at Fezziwig's Christmas ball, although she is apparently Isabel Fezziwig, one of Mr. Fezziwig's daughters or nieces. Laurence Naismith plays Mr. Fezziwig, and Kay Walsh, Mrs. Fezziwig.
This ball is very elaborate, with a fiddler playing for the dancers, who sing a unique song about Christmas: "December the 25th!"
This is followed by a duet between old Scrooge and Isabel when he sees her curtailing their engagement to be married.
The Ghost of Christms Present is perhaps the most impudent and sarcastic Ghost, often belittling earthlings in general, and Scrooge in particular. But he serves Scrooge his special wine, and sings a song with him about liking and enjoying life, and Scrooge finds he enjoys the wine and life more than he anticipated.
Tiny Tim sings a solo for Christmas.
Fred's wife (Mary Peach) insists that they and their guests play a game called "The Minister's Cat," which proves to be hilarious, as the clapping players try to think of adjectives for the Minister's Cat, which start with certain letters of the alphabet by the time it's their turn to say, "The Minister's Cat is a such-and-such cat!"
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Paddy Stone) shows Scrooge a parade in honor of his death, although he doesn't realize it. Everyone sings praise and thanks to him, apparently for dying, but Scrooge, not realizing he's in his own funeral procession, keeps asking what he did to deserve such gratitude, and starts singing and dancing in the parade, in celebration of his death, "Thank You Very Much!" This is perhaps the most hilarious musical number in the film!
Scrooge also finds himself descending into hell where he sees Jacob Marley again, and receives his own ponderous chain, in a cold cell similar to the one he keeps Bob Cratchit in.
Then he wakes up in his own bed. He has a boy buy the prize turkey and bring it to him, but, instead of sending it to Bob's, he takes it to him personally, with an entourage of children. He meets Fred and his wife in the street, and gives them presents, so Fred's wife invites him to dinner at their house that day.
Then Scrooge buys or rents a Father Christmas costume, which he wears to Bob's to give him the turkey, as well as other presents for his wife and children. All of this is done with a lot of singing, bell ringing, pipe playing and dancing in the street. Scrooge even slides on the ice like a child.
Finally, Scrooge returns home to prepare for his dinner invitation, and bids farewell to the door knocker where he previously saw Marley's face.
Is this adaptation supernatural?
Is this adaptation "framed"? No.
Is this adaptation a musical? Yes!
How attractive and effective is the visual art?
How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD?
Answers to Quiz 12 on An American Christmas Carol (1979), Starring Henry Winkler
1. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, where does Henry Winkler say he lived, while working on this film?
A mill in Elora, Ontario, Canada.
2. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, how long does Henry Winkler say it took to remove the prosthetics and make-up used applied to his face, to make him look significantly older, in his role as "the Scrooge"?
Fifty minutes.
3. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what does Henry Winkler say about his sexual relationship with his leading lady, Susan Hogan?
This is a trick question. Henry Winkler does not mention Susan Hogan during this interview. He was married to Stacey Weitzman on May 5, 1978, and remains married to her, as of March 2, 2021. Susan Hogan's maiden name is "King," so she was probably already married to Michael Hogan when this film was produced, including her credit as "Susan Hogan." If Henry Winkler and Susan Hogan ever had a sexual relationship, they have been discreet about it.
4. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what technique does Henry Winkler say he used to help him portray "the Scrooge"?
Commedia dell'arte.
5. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what device does Henry Winkler say was required in the technique that he used to help him portray "the Scrooge"?
Masks.
6. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what year does Henry Winkler mention, implying that the interview was filmed then?
2013.
7. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what does Henry Winkler say about this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, with regard to its setting?
He says that it was so timeless that audiences could understand and appreciate it in 2013 as well as they did in 1979.
8. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what does Henry Winkler say about this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, with regard to how well it was written?
He says that, as with other scripts which are well written, the dialogue is easy to learn.
9. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Henry Winkler says he turned down a role for Grease (1978), because he had already played "the Fonz." Who does he say ended up playing this role?
John Travolta.
10. During the interview included on some DVD copies of this adaptation of A Christmas Carol, what two things does Henry Winkler say about the difficulty of this role as "the Scrooge"?
He says that it was perhaps the hardest role he had ever accepted; and that the fifty-minute transition from "the old Scrooge" to the younger "Scrooge" was perhaps the most difficult costume change/transitions he was ever required to make for a role.
Quiz and Answers by William Mortensen Vaughan