THE MAKING OF “SCROOGE” (1970) Part 1 of 6: Ghosts of Scrooges Past

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a literary work brimming with elements of fantasy, horror and festive atmosphere, continues to be a natural for visual adaptations. When the element of song is added, the emotional impact is even more pronounced. Perhaps the most celebrated--though not the first—musical version is the 1970 theatrical feature Scrooge, starring Albert Finney with music and lyrics by Oscar-winner Leslie Bricusse (Doctor Dolittle, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Goodbye, Mr. Chips). From its record-breaking opening at Radio City Music Hall on November 10, 1970, through countless television presentations, home video releases and live stage spectaculars, no other musical version has enjoyed more worldwide success.

Basil Rathbone played Marley’s Ghost in 1954

Several outstanding musical Christmas Carols had already preceded Scrooge on the small screen. The first color musical adaptation was filmed in 1954 for the CBS television network on an anthology series called Shower of Stars. Frederic March played Scrooge with Basil Rathbone as Marley’s Ghost. The music was composed by Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, Psycho, The Day the Earth Stood Still) with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson (Lost in the Stars, Vertigo, The Bad Seed). More dramatic and operatic in tone, the production included a limited number of songs.

1956’s The Stingiest Man in Town, again starring Basil Rathbone--but this time in the role of Scrooge--was the first traditional “book” musical version with songs by Janice Torre and Fred Spielman, conducted by Tutti Camarata. It was broadcast live on NBC’s The Alcoa Hour and later animated by Rankin/Bass in 1978 with Walter Matthau in the lead.

Arguably the best-loved television adaptation is UPA’s Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol, considered the very first animated TV Christmas special, presented on NBC in 1962 for Timex watches. The score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill (Funny Girl) has been acclaimed as one of the most memorable in television history. Among the more recent versions is a 2004 TV movie starring Kelsey Grammer, based on Alan Menken/Lynn Ahrens New York stage musical.

NEXT WEEK: How they ended up paying another big star for the lead role in addition to Albert Finney.