An Exercise In Nonsense

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Unlike most folks reviewing this film, I did not grow up in the 1960's as a kid, and so I did not really watch much of Mister Magoo at all as a child. And yet despite that, there's something about "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol" that keeps me coming back year after year, ever since I first discovered it, as an adult no less. A good portion of it has to certainly due to the comedic aspects of the show, from Mister Magoo being half blind because he's too cheap to get glasses and bumbling all over the place to the lovely drawn and colored animation. But there's also something else about Magoo's Christmas Carol, something timeless; heart. From hearing the little Tiny Tim utter the famous line, "God bless us, everyone", to the emotional lyrics of the radiant songs of the film, this little short has all the things that make Christmas special. Plus, the animation is drawn beautifully here, and makes one wish that some of the old school animation could be made here and there for today's children. If you're looking for a nice, little version of "A Christmas Carol" for your kids or even for yourself, check it "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol." You'll be glad you did. Merry Christmas!

Ebenezer Scrooge (Mr. Magoo) is a miserly greedy business man. Bob Cratchit is his underpaid and overworked clerk. Scrooge's dead business partner Jacob Marley visits. He is then visited by three spirits of Christmas.This is a straight forward version of the classic Dickens. There are a few changes but the tone remains serious. I'm surprised that there is little humor in this. Mr. Magoo's poor sight usually leads to some fun catastrophes. This doesn't happen. All the harshness of the Victorian world and the religious aspects of the story are kept in. The songs are generally well made and a bit old fashion. Credit must be given for being one of the first animated Christmas TV special. It's still a very watchable show today.

*Spoiler/plot- Mr. MaGoo's Christmas Carole, 1962. Famous actor, Quincy MaGoo is in a Broadway show playing Ebeneezer Scooge in the Dicken's Christmas Carol play. The production is part comedy, drama, musical and melodrama and is shared with the TV viewers.*Special Stars- Jim Backus, Morey Amsterdam, Jack Cassidy, Royal Dano, Paul Frees, Les Tremayne, Joan Gardner.*Theme- Redemption is possible at anytime of your life.*Trivia/location/goofs- Animation, USA, One of the first Christmas specials that would be broadcast every year during that season. The Christmas tree was not a seasonal fixture at the time the story takes place.*Emotion- Great memories of this film and catchy tunes for the Christmas Dicken's story. However, has been re-broadcast for it's 50th anniversary with bright digital colors on network TV, but horribly butchered for today's commercial many breaks and shorter running time. See it in it's original running time and uncut on DVD or Director's Cut VHS.

I watched this movie on television as a child. I would wait for it every year, after that, and be thrilled when it would come on. I bought the VHS tape when I became an adult to show to my kids. They also quickly became fans. I am hoping to someday get the DVD version to add to my collection. I think the songs in it are what so endears it to my heart. I find myself singing them for days after I watch it. I also loved the characters--all except the thieves--they still scare me as they did as a child! I was never a fan of Mr. Magoo in his actual cartoons. As a kid I couldn't understand why he didn't just get a pair of glasses. He is perfect for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, though. Just P-E-R-F-E-C-T!! Get this for your children, get this for yourself, it is well worth it!