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john-shelman
Reviews
A Christmas Carol (1984)
The best version ever made
I love the story of Scrooge. He was a man who had been abandoned by his own father, resented because his birth had cost the life of his mother. Scrooge grew up away from his family, and feeling quite alone in the world. The only security he knew was in wealth, and he devoted his life to that end. But divine intervention helped him to find a new and happier path, one in which he could use his great wealth to bring joy to others, and in turn, himself.
This version staring George C. Scott, is in my opinion one of the best presentations ever filmed. If you have read the actual book written by Charles Dickens, you will see that great effort was taken to follow the story line closely. In fact, many of the lines are almost word for word quotes from the book. What can I say about Mr. Scott's performance. It was wonderful. He was so believable as Scrooge, and put himself into the role in every way. It was the same with the other actors in this film, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchet, Scrooge's nephew Fred, and the ghosts were fantastic.
This version has spoiled me as far as watching any other film is concerned. There is a realism in this one, and it sets a standard for other versions to be compared against. I have seen it enough times that I can quote many of the lines, yet I look forward to watching it again next year. If you like the story of Scrooge, you won't be disappointed with this film.
Christmas Comes to Willow Creek (1987)
A great heart-warning movie.
This movie centers around a very dysfunctional family. One one hand, we have two brothers, Ray and Pete who had a disagreement over a girl (Jessie) years ago, and can hardly stand each other now. They lost their father when very young, and were raised by Al, the owner of the trucking firm they work for now. Pete has a teen age son (Mike) who he is struggling with, trying to raise alone, and getting nothing but resentment and trouble from the boy. Mike resents the fact that his mother is no longer with them, and that his dad has spent most of their Christmas's on the road, hauling freight. Ray brother has his own struggles, having had his wife Jessie walk out on him after finding out he did not want any children. He didn't know she was expecting at the time. Now let's bring Willow Creek into the story, way up in Alaska, Al's hometown. It seems the town is on it's last legs, having lost all hope of bringing in any industry to replace the now closed cannery. Al has a special plan, but a near heart attack keeps him from being able to go. Someone has to deliver the load, and for reasons Al won't divulge, Ray has to be there too. So we head for Alaska, two brothers who can't stand each other, with Mike hand-cuffed in the back seat of the truck. They meet up with a very pregnant Jessie on the way, and as the baby arrives, find out that there are things more important than the things they have been fighting about. They put their differences aside, and a family is restored. Al's surprise brings about not only the salvation of the town, but a new start for Ray and his new family. Pete and Mike also manage to have the heart to heart communication that they needed to have had years before, and become a father and son again. I have to watch this one every year. If you can get past seeing Pete and Ray as the "Duke Boys) you'll love it.
The Night They Saved Christmas (1984)
Great Movie!
I think this is a great movie, and that Art Carney made a wonderful Santa Claus. This is one of my "must watch" movies every Christmas. June Lockhart makes a great "Mrs. Santa" as well and you get a good glimpse into Santa's modern North Pole workings. The father, busy trying to hit the oil that he knows is there, and trying to appease a very demanding and inconsiderate boss, is losing touch with his youngest. His wife has had enough of the constant up-rooting of the family, and informs him that she and the kids are going back to civilization after the New Year, with or without him. Next he is confronted by "Ed" who is Santa's "Chief Elf" who tries to convince him that his use of explosives is endangering the existence of "North Pole City, and there is good chance he will blow up Santa Claus". He thinks it is s joke, being pulled off by a well known company prankster, but when his wife and kids go with Ed, and do not return, and the prankster knows nothing about any of it, things turn serious. Even with his wife and kids missing, the boss doesn't lighten up one bit, but rather threatens his job if he doesn't find that oil and soon. Find the oil, wife and kids missing, hateful boss, wife ready to leave him, and some elf says he's destroying Santa...what next?