La notte di Natale di Mister Magoo

This has always been one of my favorite Christmas specials; however, one of the scenes that makes it so memorable has been cut out of the newest release.

When I watched this growing up in the late 70's and early 80's, I never saw the opening and closing "Broadway" scenes. Users on IMDb and other websites have commented that they were delighted to have these missing scenes in the latest version. Unfortunately, I do not share their enthusiasm. I find these book ending scenes annoying and darn-near un-watchable. The "Back, back, back on Broadway" number that opens the special makes me want to leave the room. The slapstick is completely unrelated to the tone of the play and distracting. I must come clean that I have never been a big fan of Mr. Magoo cartoons ... except this one. That is only because he isn't acting like Mr. Magoo for the vast majority of the show. I half-joked to my wife that they should just call it Jim Backus's Christmas Carol.

In any case, the one scene that I looking forward to seeing has been cut out of this version. After the "Winter Was Warm" number, the Ghost of Christmas Past tells Scrooge that there "is one shadow more." And then we get this strange wavey cut to the scene where the Ghost leaves him and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come appears. Within that wavey cut is the missing scene I am referring to.

In the scene, the Ghost takes Scrooge to a large country home. In it we see an older Belle. Her husband and children come home, and it is obvious that they are a happy family getting ready for Christmas. Belle's husband remarks to Belle that he "saw an old friend of yours in town today." He saw Scrooge and tells Belle how mean and unhappy he looked. Belle turns and stares at the snow falling outside the window and you can hear the tune from "Winter is Warm" being reprised. This scene always struck me as a child. Not only does it show the happiness that Scrooge missed out on ... which is obvious. But it also demonstrates the loss that Belle still feels even though she lives such a good life.

The fact that no one has mentioned this scene in all the user reviews for this special had me half-believing I had imagined it. However, I have verified that the scene is in the Dickens's original story (I have never read the original all the way through and only discovered this scene when I was searching for it in connection to this "Magoo problem"). Furthermore, before the wavey cut, the Ghost states he has "one shadow more." I do not believe he is referring to the Ghost of Christmas Future. The "shadows" are not the ghosts, they are the shadows of the past.

Is there anyone out there who also remembers this scene or am I completely mad!?!

All these years later, this is very likely the best animated version of the Dickens classic you'll ever see. It has just the right combination of laughter and tears, and Jule Styne and Bob Merrill's songs, written concurrently with their work for "Funny Girl," are the icing on the cake.

Jim Backus left the world an indelible legacy of laughter when he created Quincy Magoo, but proved here that he could wring more than a few tears with him, as well. The late, great Jack Cassidy brought his customary grace and class to Bob Cratchit, and talented and pretty Jane Kean, of "Honeymooners" fame, is as touching a Belle as you will ever see. Her song, the bittersweet "Winter was Warm," is one of Jule Styne's best and has become something of a semi-standard over the years.

Again, this is a great Christmas treat, and a perfect introduction to Dickens classic for the youngsters, as it was for me.

I saw this last year for the first time in at least 30 years, and also still remember parts of it from when I was a child (razzleberry dressing, the "Despicable" song in the junkshop, and the achingly poignant "All Alone in the World"). My 8 year old really enjoyed it, a great intro to the classic story. He commented on how sad he felt for the young Scrooge in the schoolhouse scene. To see a modern kid as moved by that song as I remember being, is a real credit to the songwriter. And, the song in the Crachit house, where despite not being able to afford a tree or a holiday meal, they "prize what we have now" by having a loving family together for the holiday. What wonderful concepts presented in a simple yet effective holiday cartoon for kids and adults.

Right now I am trying to figure out what to do this Christmas, since the family tradition is a-tremor. The thought of being alone on Christmas deeply saddens me, and I think it goes back to seeing little Ebenezar Scrooge left behind in boarding school while all the other kids had families to go home to for Christmas.

I cried just like Mr. Magoo's older Scrooge did when he saw himself as a kid singing:

When you're alone, alone in the world When you're alone in the world Blown-away leaves get blown in the world Swirled-away leaves get swirled

A hand for each hand was planned for the world Why don't my fingers reach? Millions of grains of sand in the world Why's mine a lonely beach?

Where are the heels to click to my clack? Where is the voice to answer mine back? I'm all alone in the WOOOOORLD!!!

None of the other versions caught this scene the way this one does. Not Bugs Bunny, Bill Murray, Albert Finney, Mickey Mouse. Maybe Alistair Sim, sort of.

Simplistic, yes, but it's the scene that still sticks in my throat as I choke back an adult tear. It's the scene that makes this version, truly unique, all alone in the world.

This wonderful animated film is timeless. I had the special privilege of working with those talented individuals in this production. (I was the voice of young Ebenezer Scrooge.) Jim Backus, Royal Dano, Paul Frees, and all the rest were pure magic working together. You can imagine the antics that went on during rehearsals and taping. We were laughing almost as much of the time as we were performing our parts! The music (Walter Scharf, Bob Merrill, Jule Styne) had a style all its own which perfectly matched the characters and settings. It's no wonder this production has been so popular year after year. I'm sure it will continue to bring enjoyment to families for many years to come.