It’s fair to say I’m a big fan of Charles Dickens’s novel A Christmas Carol. But I’m an even bigger fan of stage and film adaptations based on this classic. Two years ago I watched several film versions and jotted some lines of poetry afterwards. Below are three of the stanzas that resulted. I’ve also included trailers for each film, quite frankly as a plug. It’s Christmas time, and these movies are a great way to enjoy the holiday.
After The Muppet Christmas Carol
For kids, the fourth wall is no wall at all.
Adulthood coops up Yuletide’s elfish troupe.
But new-leaf Scrooges dance with Muppet kind.
After Scrooged
Beef almost spoiled wants only for mustard.
Balance dry bread with potatoes and cheddar.
Stomach what’s done, so your future is gravy.
After A Christmas Carol (1984)
We grinned a lad’s green smile at Fezziwig’s.
Our lips, poised fast, now crack with knowing smirks.
May old red hearts yet pump them full of cheer.
Poet’s Notes:
In the comments section, I encourage you to share your favorite A Christmas Carol version and why. Reactions to the above verse and trailers are also welcome. And have a Merry Christmas!
Wheat & Tares 
Sadly two of your three clips appear to be unavailable. I grew up with my mother reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ to us in the evenings leading up to Christmas. I’ve seen Scrooged many years ago, and enjoyed it at the time. As a family we watch the muppet version every year, and love it. One year we received a dvd of the old musical version as a gift. It diverges unaccountably from the actual story for the ghost of Christmas yet to come. I’m afraid we all burst out laughing at the point when Scrooge fell into the grave. It was impossible to take it seriously after that point.
Hi, Hedgehog. Sorry you are having trouble with the embedded videos on the post. I checked them before posting and just double-checked them. They are working fine for me. It may be necessary to click through an initial on-screen ad inviting viewers to rent/buy the whole movie. No purchase necessary to watch the preview. If that doesn’t help, the videos are viewable by going directly to YouTube, which is where I linked them from.
Thanks for mentioning the old musical version. I’m aware of it, but have yet to get around to seeing it. I’ve heard it is problematic as you describe. It’s interesting to see where different versions seem more or less effective. Thanks for your comment!
Jake, I think it must be a regional thing. Available in the US but not here. Never mind. If I take it to YouTube there’s no content.
We watch the Muppet Christmas Carol every year. It’s one of my all time favorite movies, Christmas or otherwise. Songs are fun (I love the tuba / flute duet!) and some poignant and it makes the point without hitting you over the head.
Sadly the version you buy on Amazon skips the song where Scrooge’s girlfriend breaks up with him. We had it on VHS for years and then bought it from Amazon only to find one of my favorite songs was missing. I still tear up at the breakup scene.
I’m really fond of Patrick Stewart’s versions, both his one-man show and the 1999 movie.
Toad, that’s interesting a cut was made between the VHS and streaming releases of the film. Wonder what the reason was for that. I’m with you on the whole lost love sequence in A Christmas Carol. Very tragic. For me, it’s a gut punch to watch adaptations where Scrooge is shown her married to the man she ends up with instead of him. Powerful stuff.
mamalynnie, if you got to see Patrick Stewart do his one-man version I am envious. I remember the publicity back when he did that, and hearing about the months of preparation it took him. Must have been a fantastic show.