An American Christmas Carol

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.

For a long time, I was fascinated by the make up of Henry Winkler. Better adaptations of A Christas Carol were more attractive and the story of venerable Benedict and his exploration of past, present and future, like the nice transformation was only a piece from a long chain.

But , seeing it again, I was fascinated by the nuances, tones and acting.

And more than seduced by the charming end.

Indeed, the story of a lonely old man, reduced to himself. But, in same measure, fine portrait of the selfishness as fruit of many bitter experiences and surogate of happiness. Not the make up rules but a beautiful acting, sustaining a precise, clear and touching message. And it is enough.

While I love almost all of the "Christmas Carol" films, this one really has a special place in my heart. I saw this movie many years back when I was not really a fan of Christmas movies and never went out of my way to watch them. This film changed that. I enjoyed it so much that I now eagerly await every December as a time once again to enjoy some of the classic holiday shows from times past. "An American Christmas Carol" is easily one of my favorites. And, as a previous reviewer felt, the ending of the Winkler version may be the best of all of the versions, although I still love the Alistair Sims ending (standing on his head!) Excellent film. And it deserves a place in the "Christmas Film Hall Of Fame".

Just as others have written, Henry Winkler is fabulous playing the miserly lead character that we all know and love. This version honours the original while putting its own spin on the story. This is a great retelling of the original "A Christmas Carol" and I rank it second (along with Bill Murray's Scrooged) to Alastair Sim's version which is #1 of course.

My only disappointment is that it doesn't get shown anymore. I remember seeing this every year for the first few years after it first aired but I haven't seen it in decades (on network tv) and I don't know why. This version deserves to be dusted off and brought back into the line-up of shows that are featured every year!

This is definitely a "must see" if you come across it.

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.