An American Christmas Carol

In my attempt to watch every version of "A Christmas Carol" I came across this curiosity of 1979. Here Henry Winkler plays the unmistakable Ebeneezer Scrooge character, this time set in Depression Era America rather than rat infested DIckens England. Winkler plays Ben Slade, and in today's lingo he is a payday advanced loan jerk who has fleeced the community and lives well while others suffer. Then on Christmas Eve, he is met by ghosts who show him his past, present and future. The future ghosts amused me as it was...DECIDEDLY 1970's attire. Gold chain and all. The movie also has lighter moments. Comedy works best in this darkness. The rest is the standard: sees the errors of his life and realizes leaving a legacy means more than money. All good stuff. The problem comes with some odd casting choices. Starting with Henry Winkler. Perhaps it was too close to "Happy Days" but the poor guy couldn't shake the attitude in his voice. Even though, he's seen here in heavy poorly constructed t.v. budgeted old-dude makeup he still sounded like...the Fonz. You half expect when the ghosts to show up for him to say "Oh heeey, the G of Christmas P" Unfortunately, Winkler went this route. But I also suspected producers may have actually wanted this. I mean, why get The Fonz if you can't hear the Fonz. The guy who plays the Bob Cratchet character is sorely mis-casted. Though seen in most incarnations as a nebbish book worm, this dude just comes off as a nerd. I mean, worse, a Canadian nerd. He doesn't have the gravity of playing an adult nor presence of being one. He doesn't seem as if he could endure Slade's ways. Even as the transformations to good occur, the actor doesn't seem the bit surprised. He just goes along with the flow (which is mostly the director's blame).

The t.v. movie isn't bad. Although what appears to be pieced together by random standing sets and props, I can't imagine this movie cost much to make. The heart is DEFINITELY in the right space. And in the spirit of the holidays, it does do its job. It was a nice attempt at a novel idea on overused Christmas story. It isn't a complete waste of time. But beware of the corny within.

Total 1970's TV movie greatness! This is how we used to do it! I've never seen this before but I was around back then and I can imagine watching it on our tiny home back then.

This movie is meant for big boxy television sets that were heavier than any 2024 electric vehicle on the road today.

Henry Winkler is an icon.

In 1979, there weren't many stars much bigger or brighter.

The man could do anything he wanted back then and millions of eyes would gather.

And so here he was back then.

Out of Fonzi's leather jacket and into heavy, almost Frankenstein-like makeup to play a stateside Scrooge-type early 20th Century character.

And believe it or not, he's as charismatic here as he is on Happy Days and even The Waterboy.

Such a legend. Such a great actor.

This is just an enjoyable, timeless, and fun family holiday film.

You know the story, but have you seen this version?

It's worth a look. A Seventies tv version of Dickens starring one of the coolest cats to ever do it.

I haven't seen it in about 15 years, but I really did like this version of A Christmas Carol. Yeah, it deviated a bit from the original story, but... so what? I could relate to it more.

Seems like ABC would have this one to broadcast annually, but I guess they tossed it when the Fonzie furor was over. Actually, I'm not sure if he was best cast as the American Scrooge, but that didn't take away from the story.

Call me delusional, but I consider it an unappreciated holiday classic.

Yet another version of the Charles Dickens classic, this TV movie moves the setting of the story to Depression-era America. The role of Scrooge (inexplicably renamed Benedict Slade, which sounds like a gunfighter from an old western) is played by 'The Fonz' himself, Henry Winkler. Despite many little changes, the basic story is the same: greedy old man is visited by spirits on Christmas Eve who convince him to change his ways before it's too late. It's a fine adaptation of the story, particularly considering it was made for TV. They do a good job with the sets and costumes of making it look the period (at least to my untrained eye), although the old-age makeup makes Winkler look like a cross between Albert Einstein and the Cryptkeeper. Winkler's performance is a little stagy. Not bad just a little out of step with the rest of the cast, who seem more aware what medium they're in. The cast, including fine character actor David Wayne, offer solid support. Despite some flaws, it's hard to dislike it unless maybe you're a Dickens purist who won't like the changes. It's not one of my favorite versions of the story but it kept my interest throughout so I can't complain.

I have to admit that this is my personal favorite when it comes to all the "Christmas Carol" films. I try to watch it every year now. I actually really enjoyed Henry Winkler as "Scrooge" and found his portrayal memorable. I am not sure if it is noted in the credits but the majority of this film was shot on location in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This film does break some of the traditions of the original Charles Dickens tale but it is a very good version of the original with all the same good spirit.