Rating: 
Summary: A touching, unique version of the holiday classic tale
Review: This film is a cherished version of the holiday classic which contains both a very good score as well as the nostalgic appeal of one of the world's favorite animated characters. The music is memorable and in some cases touching, as when Scrooge/Magoo reviews his life as a lonely child as well as his remembrance of his lost love, Belle.
Rating: 
Summary: one of the best christmas carols ever
Review: I really like this version of the story. I place it above most other christmas videos!The story is done in acts as though magoo was putting on a play. The dialog is very close to the original story and the songs are good also. I don't see why some school does not put on this video as a xmas musical play.. I have to give it 5 Stars!
Rating:
Summary: This made-for-TV "Carol" has endured
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" when it first was broadcast on television back in 1962. Not only did it feature the then well-known lovable bumbler Magoo, as played by the great Jim Backus, but the musical score was absolutely wonderful. All of the songs in this "Broadway"-style rendition are catchy, and some of them are truly touching and memorable. Since this brief animated production was created nearly forty years ago, there have been countless new "Christmas Carol" productions featuring everyone from George C. Scott to the Muppets to Fred Flintstone (really!) And yet the VHS release of the Magoo version, still apparently as appealing now as it was decades ago, is my own children's favorite version of Dickens' classic yuletide tale. In fact, my younger son at age three used to beg me to play this video again and again at Christmastime, calling it "Back, Back, Back," based upon the opening song in which Magoo sings about how it's "great to be back, back, back on Broadway." This cartoon is reasonably true to the details of the original story, and yet adds its own bits of humor and whimsy. There also is a generous dose of Magoo "nearsightedness" humor associated with the premise that Magoo is playing the role of Scrooge in a Broadway production. As other reviewers have indicated, the casting overall is first-rate and the production is superb throughout. This is truly a gem of a Christmas video and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Great to see ALL of this Christmas Classic
Review: I won't rehash the wonders of this delightful animated film--but what I will say is that it is great to see ALL of it once again! I first saw it when I was five--and it scared the willies out of me. As I grew older, I grew hooked on all the wonderful songs, just like everyone else.
It was not until I was an adult that I finally taped it off USA Network--this was back in the early 90's. It had been edited significantly, and I found myself scratching my head...wasn't there some scene with Magoo in Times Square singing something about being 'Back,Back,Back on Broadway?" Wasn't there an argument in a dressing room? Something about 'bringing the house down' (I actually stole that line during a play when the scenery did collapse during the show--but I'd forgotten where it came from originally)? And what about 'Winter Was Warm' and Belle and her snow globe at the window?
I knew the 'Grinch' had been clipped of a few verses of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and the last seconds of delicate harmony of "...glory to the new-born King" axed from Charlie Brown. And what about the full-lenght 'Misfits' song from the earliest version of "Rudolph"? But it seemed like about 15 minutes of Magoo was missing somewhere.
I was never a fan of UPA's styling but it beats Hanna-Barbera for style and heart by a mile. To me there are a few specials I MUST see every holiday: The Grinch, Charlie Brown, and Magoo. And...yes...my mother DID make 'razzleberry dwessing' every year. Oh, and savy Toonheads will quickly argue that the voice of Tiny Tim is absolutely NOT June Forray! Listen carefully--Ms. Forray has a slight husky throatyness to her voice--Smurfette is a perfect example and you can hear it in Rocket J. Squirrel, too. This voice is absolutely smooth. Compare it to Cindy Lou Who and you'll agree--aside from the fact that she would definitely have been credited as usual, as she is argueably the greatest of all female voice artists, and in the top three with Mel Blanc and Paul Frees.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite version of Christmas Carol
Review: I was never a Mr. Magoo fan as the nearsighted thing wears thin pretty quickly, but I've always loved this version of Christmas Carol. Once you get past the "Broadway" wrapper where Magoo has his obligitory nearsighted gimmick introduced then put aside, this telling of the Dicken's classic is first rate. Over the years I've heard numerous radio adaptations and have seen dozens of film, stage and TV reincarnations but the voice talent and musical score keep this one at the top of my list. I don't know why the Amazon reviewer didn't like the score. True, the "Razzelberry Dressing" is a bit irritating but most of the tunes are quite enjoyable and memorable, most notably "When You're Alone In The World" and the understated "Winter Was Warm." The latter song could easily become a Christmas standard, but no one has ever run with it. It's certainly as good as "Holly, Jolly Christmas" from the "Rudolph" animated classic. Unfortunately this song is usually cut from the TV showings because it's not a "kiddie" song like "Razzelberry Dressing." If only this had been a Disney production with better quality animation.
Rating:
Summary: June Foray is NOT in the cast!!!
Review: The voice of Christmas Past in this fabulous cartoon version of Dickens' classic is performed by Joan Gardner, the same voice as that of Tiny Tim, and NOT by June "Rocky the Flying Squirrel" Foray; this is abundantly clear to any listener who pays attention.
Somehow, the June-Foray-as-Christmas-Past error is now being perpetuated via the internet, with even original producer Lee Orgel's son now joining the chorus of the uninformed. Note that Ms. Foray's name does not appear on the closing credits of the original show; considering her fame as a voice artist at the time, she surely would have been listed if she had actually performed on the soundtrack.
Additionally, Morey Amsterdam (also a very popular name in 1962)appears only briefly on the soundtrack---as one of the businessmen that Scrooge meets on the street in the future ("When did he die?") and as the singing voice of Cratchit's oldest son (you clearly hear his voice during the words "And on the tree a star of shining Christmas gold.." in the song "the Lord's Bright Blessing").
It's important to get as many facts as possible CORRECT about this great Christmas classic. Of course, WHOEVER owns the rights to "Magoo's Christmas Carol" could do its legions of fans a GREAT service by releasing a complete, thoroughly documented soundtrack on CD!
Rating:
Summary: UN-forgettable (not forgettable) songs!
Review: How Amazon.com reviewer Charles Solomon arrived at the conclusion that the songs in this wonderful cartoon are "forgettable" perplexes me. They are beautiful melodies which I remember since the time of being a small child. They are so special, and rememorable, that I would go so far to say that this was the nicest music ever written for a Christmas special. These were very special composers, remember. Not only had they also teamed up for the Broadway smash "Funny Girl", but Jule Styne had worked with Frank Sinatra for many years, teaming up with other great composers (lyricists) such as Sammy Cahn. Anyone who knows about Sinatra knows that he had a reputation for only working with the best. The songs for this little Christmas special were written by some of the best. How Mr. Solomon found these gems "forgettable" will always be beyond me.
Rating:
Summary: A Perennial Favorite
Review: I was never a fan of Mr. Magoo except for this delightful re-working of Dickens' classic Christmas story. The clever script, the fabulous and catchy musical score (who can forget "razzleberry dressing"??), and the timeless story made this one of my favorite shows every year at Christmas time when I was a kid (and as an adult). I'm thrilled to see that it has made it to DVD. I have had it on videotape for about twenty years and have played it with trepidation for fear that the tape might break!! I have nothing but praise for this feel-good, lovely little gem.
Rating:
Summary: Baby Boomer's Classic Survives
Review: I first saw this Christmas Carol when I was a child. As a teenager, I set a cassette tape recorder next to the TV set & recorded the entire program. In my 20's, I VCR taped it, and NOW I'm happy to purchase the DVD format. I have two college nieces who have watched it with me since they were toddlers, and it's one of the best parts of our holiday together. We love the songs and sing right along with the cartoon. I notice that the older I get, the more I'm inclined to get teary eyed over "I'm all alone in the world," "Winter was Warm" and "The Lord's Bright Blessing" at the finale. Get this DVD for your kids. It will introduce them to Charles Dickens' classic without frightening them out of their wits.
Rating:
Summary: mon enfance
Review: L'un des plus beaux souvenirs de mon enfance. Même s'il a été repris à maintes fois, il n'a jamais été égalé. Vive M. Magoo.
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