Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

I have always loved the story A Christmas Carol though I have to admit its been done one too many times. However with this one staring Henry Winkler playing a Scroge type character and was a refreshing angle on an old story. It takes place in 1933 during the Great Depression and Mr. Slade (Scroge) is the only man in town who has any money and seems to be the most unhappy, which is typical of Scroge characters.He has a old warehouse filled with furniture, an old piano, wine glasses, books and other things he repossess from his customers who could not pay their debts to him. Anyway, he is approached by one of his employees asking if he would be willing to re-open an old rock quarry to bring some work to the town. Mr. Slade rips into his employee (Mr. Thatcher)and fires him. The story from here is pretty much the same as the English version with the ghosts of past, present and future coming to him and explaining he better change his ways. He does and at the end of the film he goes to Mr. Thatcher's house and hires him back and offers to send Mr. Thatcher's crippled son to a hospital to be cured.The only issue I have with this film is how Mr. Slade (Winkler) is portrayed. You never really feel that he was ever a good guy unlike scrooge who was friendly as a young man and then become an old mean hermit. Slade just always seemed willing to use people to get ahead even before he was an old man. In any case still an interesting take on a old story.

I have great admiration for Henry Winkler and his willingness to run with this role. He Was Superb! It was a great departure from his other works, and he took a big chance in accepting the professional challenge. Delivery of lines - gestures - all was very impressive.Period costuming and sets of the Depression Era were also well-done. Supporting cast demonstrated ability to make this version of the story believable and able to be appreciated.I rank it as excellent - character and film - as the version with George C. Scott, and that is REALLY saying something! I was thrilled the first time I saw this film, and continue to thrill to its ability to depart from - yet enhance - the original creation.If you have not seen this film, please do so. Your will not be sorry. I ask only that you go into it with an open mind and appreciation for different, yet the same.

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".

WOW! I thought I was the only one who had ever seen or heard of this movie? Thanks so much for having a link to buy a copy. I will do so before next Christmas.It is not really an americanized version of the Dicken's Clssic, I guess, but it takes place in 1930's New England, rather than Victorian England? MR Slade is not as mean as Mr Scrooge, he is just out of touch and seems to have forgotten all the people who made him what he is? He shows his cluelessness when he gives the hungry boys a book (I think it was a Horatio Alger book?) instead of giving them a meal? One of the striking things about it is the way he goes back to the orphanage and finds someone just like him and takes him to the now-ruined furniture factory. You hope that he inspires him, but you wonder if this boy will end up repeating Mr Slade's life? Of course, Mr. Slade did was not married, nor did he have a lovely daughter? i hope that Turner or AMC re-discover this little gem!