Are you interested in seeing A Christmas Carol as a musical? You've got several options (since the Public Domain makes it easy for budding songwriters to write music without securing any exclusive rights). I've seen at least four musicals, and I recommend the Albert Finney version. Leslie Bricusse's songs are delightful, the production values are surprisingly good, and Albert Finney is the lead! In a wonderful treat (and the only version I can remember that does this), Albert plays both the main Scrooge and the younger version in the past flashbacks. Usually, it's a role sought out in an actor's middle-age, but since Albert was so young in 1970, he merely covered himself up in unrecognizable makeup during the main meat of the movie. For a few minutes, we get to see him in his true handsome glory, and it's a lot of fun. In either case, young or old, he's a great actor believable in hero or villain roles, which makes him a wonderful Ebenezer Scrooge.
And did you know that he could sing? You'll get to hear a variety of original songs in this movie, from the sweet to the sad, the heartwarming to the funny. Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith, Suzanne Neve, Richard Beaumont, and David Collings join in on the musical fun; and Anton Rodgers leads the chorus in the most memorable "Thank You Very Much." It's a very sad scene (the entire town is thanking Scrooge for dying), but the song itself is adorable and will keep you singing it for years to come.
This version might not be the one you watch every year on Christmas Eve, but if it's been a while since you saw it, rent it again this December. There are many little touches that will continue to impress you whenever you do watch it. Details remind you that the writers clearly studied the original text, the production design and costumes make you feel as though you're experiencing the bitter cold alongside them, and Albert Finney makes you want to wrap him up in a hug. No, not because of his twinkling eyes and sparkling smile. Just as he completely transformed himself as Hercule Poirot, you'll forget there's a young, handsome man underneath the makeup of Ebenezer Scrooge. He's a lonely, crotchety old man you'll feel sorry for, and when you see the Ghost of Christmas Past flashbacks, you'll practically forget it's the same actor!
