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Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

List Price: $14.95
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Extremely Enjoyable Movie
Review: We make it a tradition in our house to watch this movie on Christmas - and we're Jewish! This is a funny cartoon version of A Christmas Carol, which has Mr. Magoo starring as Scrooge in a theatrical production (in the classic show within a show tradition). The songs are cute (yes, it's a musical) and the story remains intact, although shortened. The Tiny Tim here is the cutest one I've seen in any version of A Christmas Carol - in fact this is one of the best versions out there.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A cherished memory from Christmas past available on DVD
Review: "Mr. Maggo's Christmas Carol" has always been my favorite musical version of Dicken's classic tale. But it was not until I checked out the DVD version that I found out the music and lyrics were by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, who did "Funny Girl." No wonder the music is so wonderful. There are only a few moments where you are obviously dealing with Mr. Magoo, but for the most part they do "A Christmas Carol" straight up. Jim Backus as we all know does the voice of Mr. Magoo/Scrooge, and I know learn that Jack Cassidy does Bob Cratchit, Royal Dano does Marley's Ghost, the great June Foray (Rocky the Flying Squirrel) does the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Joan Garnder is Tiny Tim. All things considered, "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" is my favorite animated holiday show. I love the finale when they all sing. It does not matter that the animation is bare-boned (the audience never moves), that there are some completely comic supporting characters, because the songs are so wonderful and the emotion of the story comes through. I have only seen this show once in the past ten, fifteen years and I have missed it. Watching it brings back memories of Christmas as a child, and there is not much in this world sweeter than that. I do not know if this show can win over a new generation of fans, but if you have ever seen this one you know you have to see it again.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An Underrated Christmas Classic
Review: I should preface this review by stating that I am somewhat prejudiced as my father, Lee Orgel, conceived and produced this classic animated TV special. I believe it is the finest thing he was ever associated with.

The Christmas Carol is presented as a show-within-a-show, with the premise being the myopic Mr. Magoo playing the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge on Broadway. While there are the usual sight gags in segments that bracket the main story, Magoo plays it straight while in character.

The script, by Barbara Chain, is a very faithful condensation of the Dickens classic. All the story elements are preserved, though necessarily shortened to fit a 52 minute time frame. Bob Crachit, Tiny Tim, Marley's ghost, and the spirits of Crhistmas past, present, and future are all there.

Voice talent, provided by Jim Backus (as Magoo), Tony Award winner Jack Cassidy, Paul Frees, Morey Amsterdam (The Dick Van Dyke Show), June Foray (Rocky and Bullwinkle), and others, is a cut above other animated TV specials of the era.

Where this show really shines, however, is the songs. Composer Jule Styne, whose work includes the Broadway hits "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", "Gypsy", and "Funny Girl", and lyricist Bob Merrill, who penned 18 top-ten songs in the 1950's, and collaberated with Styne on "Funny Girl" and other Broadway hits, provide songs which other animated Christmas specials cannot touch.

This considerable assemblage of talent provides a truly special show. Sometimes lighthearted, as when Scrooge's belongings are sold by ragpickers, and sometimes poignant, as when we see the departed Tiny Tim's crutch by the fireplace, this show will move you. Since Tiny Tim comes out at the end and takes a curtain call, even young children will be able to enjoy the show.

My only negative comment, and the only thing that prevents me from giving this DVD 5 stars, is the washed-out colors in the transfer. Obviously GoodTimes DVD doesn't have the budget to restore the original colors to the production.

That quibble aside, I believe that you will find this to be the finest animated Christmas special ever made, one that will enchant the entire family.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Good Animated Adaptation of A Christmas Carol
Review: I used to watch Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol on TV every December when I was a kid and I always enjoyed watching it but then unfortunately they stopped showing it and it seemed like it completely disappeared so I'm really glad that this year I ordered the DVD from Amazon. I just watched the DVD tonight and I really enjoyed watching this classic again, it is such a cute telling of the Charles Dickens story and has some nice catchy songs and the voice talents of some good actors, Jim Backus (Gilligan's Island) is great as the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge and June Foray (Rocky and Bullwinkle) is good as the voice of the Ghost of Christmas past and so is Jack Cassidy as Bob Cratchit. The bonus features are decent. I did though like the short cartoon called Mr. Magoo Meets Gerald McBoing Boing, it was really cute. I'm glad I bought this DVD and I recommend it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "It's Great to be back, back, back ...."
Review: Anyone who was a child in the early 60's can remember with great delight the yearly showing of this Christmas Classic. How often do you get a great composer like Jule Styne and great lyric writer like Bob Merrill to write a fantastic score for a children's cartoon. They took a little time off from what was their then current project "Funny Girl" to write the unforgettable songs. The vocal talents of the cast are great. Jim
Backus' Mr Magoo is always in character as Scrooge. Jack Cassidy
June Foray and the rest of the cast are equally fantastic.
The DVD itself is fine - The colors are well represented and the image itself is sharp - not as sharp as a film made today but remember this is from 1962!! and though it has been put through a
Dolby noise reduction the sound track has some tape hiss which is to be expected for a mono track from this time. The disc has some
nice extras. Over all it a great disc and it's a must for family holiday viewing . Glad to have it on DVD!!!!!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A cherished memory from Christmas past available on DVD
Review: "Mr. Maggo's Christmas Carol" has always been my favorite musical version of Dicken's classic tale. But it was not until I checked out the DVD version that I found out the music and lyrics were by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, who did "Funny Girl." No wonder the music is so wonderful. There are only a few moments where you are obviously dealing with Mr. Magoo, but for the most part they do "A Christmas Carol" straight up. Jim Backus as we all know does the voice of Mr. Magoo/Scrooge, and I know learn that Jack Cassidy does Bob Cratchit, Royal Dano does Marley's Ghost, the great June Foray (Rocky the Flying Squirrel) does the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Joan Garnder is Tiny Tim. All things considered, "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" is my favorite animated holiday show. I love the finale when they all sing. It does not matter that the animation is bare-boned (the audience never moves), that there are some completely comic supporting characters, because the songs are so wonderful and the emotion of the story comes through. I have only seen this show once in the past ten, fifteen years and I have missed it. Watching it brings back memories of Christmas as a child, and there is not much in this world sweeter than that. I do not know if this show can win over a new generation of fans, but if you have ever seen this one you know you have to see it again.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: TRULY A TREAT!!!
Review: This is a super special. It has the warmth of Christmas and for people my age, it has a bunch of memories of the sixties. A delight to watch each year. It aired on NBC back in 1962 at 7:30 - 8:30 on Tuesday night December 18th. This is another classic holiday special that people need in their homes for the holiday. This DVD is a must.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: OH, MAGOO! YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN!
Review: Over the years adaptations of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Charles Dickens' immortal Christmas classic have become a hobby of mine. There have been some great ones but one is surprisingly good and should be a part of the collection of any serious Scrooge-a-phile.

I remember seeing MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL when it debuted on network television in 1962. Though I was a child it made an indelible mark that was never to be forgotten. It ranks right up there with the original animated HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and is as charming, original and wonderful as it was when I first saw it. It is now a favorite of my children as well.

Additionally, MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL features a soundtrack of songs that are wonderful. Composed by Broadway legends Jule Styne and Bob Merrill of FUNNY GIRL fame, the songs will become some of your favorites for the holiday season. Add to that the vocal talents of the great Jim Backus (Gilligan's Island), Morey Amsterdam (The Dick Van Dyke Show), and Jack Cassidy and June Foray (The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle) and you have an unbeatable and classic holiday triumph.

Douglas McAllister

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Touches the Inner Child in Us All
Review: Charles Dickens knew what he was doing a century before Alice Miller came on the scene when he wrote the Elder Scrooge weeping in sympathy for his Past Self as an abandoned child. So far, this is the ONLY version I've seen of "A Christmas Carol" that includes that first crucial moment of Scrooge's healing process. (In seeing the other versions, we've come to believe he was guilted or scared into changing -- but without recovering empathy for his own childhood plight, he never could have done it, as Dickens was instinctively aware!)
As a child, I got the message directly in my heart and soul, which is what this wonderful program does best. The songs/lyrics are fantastic: a live stage version could easily be performed based on the music. I've seen many versions of "Carol" over the years, and this one touches me more than any of them for many reasons, but most of all, because it emphasizes that child abandonment is often the first step in creating unhappy adults like Ebenezer Scrooge.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mr. Magoo brings the house down!!
Review: While my favorite live action version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is George C. Scott's 1984 version I would have to say that even that good film comes in second to this wonderful film.

Charles Dickens certainly wrote a story that would be retold in various forms 100's of times. However, MISTER MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL really captures the viewers imagination both young and old alike. Emphasis on the young viewer. Children, much like myself 25 years ago, really respond to this films animation and great songs. I still enjoy singing along with the various songs in this film as do my children. They are very catchy.

All the important aspects of the book are here in this version. Even though I like other film versions of this story this version holds a special place in my heart. Also, for all those that think RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER was the first animated Christmas special, think again it was this film. I firmly believe you will like this film. Trust me, Mr. Magoo brings the house down!!!

Lastly, the DVD could have been better developed but for the price it is a very good deal.


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