Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
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Movie Reviews of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
Movie Review: Amazon Reviewer is WRONG -- This is TERRIFIC !
Summary: 5 Stars
The reviewer for Amazon demonstrates a lack of understanding of the art of animation coupled with just plain ignorance and the combination is breathtaking. This animated short represents a milestone in television history, because it was the FIRST made-for-TV animated Christmas special. It set a standard that others tried to emulate and few matched. The songs, far from being forgettable, are as fresh to me today as when I first heard them forty-odd years ago. Jules Styne, one of the giants of the American songbook, wrote the songs, and took time out from writing "Funny Girl" to do so. The animation, which is highly stylized, is a form that was popular in the 1950s. It is not Disney, and it is not Warner Brothers, but it is a sophisticated, witty and freeform. Magoo was based on a character that Jim Backus created for himself-- he used to do routines at parties for his friends-- and those who don't understand the subtlety probably shouldn't bother with this video or any of the other Magoo stories. But those who appreciate sly humour will enjoy this immensely.Movie Review: A Timeless Classic Beautifully Done
Summary: 5 Stars
Like all the previous reviewers, I grew up watching this every December. As an adult, I settled for chopped up versions, with commercials added freely, and televised at odd times during the holiday season. I found the VHS version accidently back in the late 80's, but what a delight to now have it on DVD. It's become a tradition to have it on every year as we put up our tree.
It is a wonderful version of Dickens, that manages to cover most of the book, has wonderful songs added, and still gets the message across. The score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill is gorgeous, should have been recorded by more performers, and several songs should be Christmas staples. The voices are all broadway and hollywood veterans, led by Jack Cassidy, Jane Kean, and of course, the immortal Jim Backus as Mr Magoo/Scrooge.
While the animation is primitive by today's standards (tho kids don't seem to mind), it still holds up beautifully some 45 yrs later. Get the DVD, your kids AND you will be delighted!!
Movie Review: "Classic, as in Stellar"
Summary: 5 Stars
Each December, long before VCRs, my sister and I scoured the TV Guide to see when "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" would be broadcast. If you missed it, you had to wait a year to see it, so you planned accordingly. Magoo is "good theatre": a great story told with flair by professionals at the top of their game. Yes, the budgetary restraints of television demanded that each character be animated with less detail than a big budget cartoon (as is true for "Family Guy" and every other contemporary tv cartoon), but take a look at the art direction apparent in those backgrounds -- a banquet of rich, varied color schemes that set the tone for the story with real style. Every element of design (art direction, music, voices, character, dialogue) was the detailed work of masters of the craft. This holiday classic is "cartoon storytelling" at its best. With a dvd, you even get to choose when to see it.Movie Review: Perfect For Kids
Summary: 5 Stars
Like so many other reviewers here, I grew up with this annual treat, and the DVD renews fond memories. But this particular TV special did something much more important for me in the long run--it got me interested in reading. I read the Dickens story as a result of watching it, and that led to a lifelong love of the written word. I'm a novelist now, and I owe it all to Mr. Magoo!
PARENTS, TAKE NOTE: The story is terrific, the songs are delightful, and every kid loves Mr. Magoo. And it manages to get the positive love-thy-neighbor message across in 52 animated minutes, with every famous moment and famous line intact--a lot easier on smaller children than the many 2-hour movie versions with live actors. Try parking your kids in front of this. Maybe they will do what I did and reach for the book. And watch it with them--it really is beautiful, and you'll enjoy it, too.
Movie Review: Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol has always been a favorite movie of mine from childhood. I missed seeing it for several years as it is only shown on network t.v. sporadically at best. I decided to buy it this year and now I can watch it whenever I want. Mr. Magoo makes a perfect Ebenezer Scrooge and it is really entertaining to watch him stumble his way through this one while learning the lessons the "spirits" are trying to teach him. You pity him more than loathe him especially when he is in his past with his younger self singing the telling "All Alone In The World". The Cratchits are also more prominent in this version. However, you do not get to see Scrooges's sister Fran or his nephew Fred. They are missing from this version. The music is contagious and you find yourself humming or singing them at odd times. Very good for an animated movie !!