Wickeds, today we are celebrating the Friday, September 8 release of A Christmas Peril by J.A. Hennrikus. It is the first in a new series about an ex-cop, Sully Sullivan, who runs a theater company in Massachusetts. Friday’s post will be more about the book. and the series.
In A Christmas Peril, the theater company Sully runs is doing A Christmas Carol, and chaos ensues. So today’s question–what is your favorite version of A Christmas Carol?
Barb: Wow. I’m tempted to say Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, which is the one I grew up with, or the Muppets, which is the one my kids did. As I was thinking about this answer, I realized how embedded this story is in our lives, from books (I always put a few editions out at Christmas) to movies to TV. I was even in the play as Mrs. Cratchit when I was in high school. Without it we’d never have the expression, “Bah, humbug,” or call someone a Scrooge. Some people think it popularized the saying, “Merry Christmas,” itself. Anyway, Julie, congratulations on becoming a part of this rich canon. I can’t wait to read it!
Liz: Julie, congratulations!! So excited for you and this book. I love A Christmas Carol – for movie versions, the Patrick Stewart is my favorite. I’ve also been lucky enough to see the production twice at The Hartford Stage, and they put on a wonderful version.
Sherry: I’m so excited to read A Christmas Peril and I’m so happy for you, Julie! Like Barb the Mr. Magoo version loomed large in my life as a kid and it scared me! But my favorite version is the 1970 movie Scrooge with Albert Finney. I confess I had to do a search to find it. I knew I’d seen it with my family and remember it being a visual feast along with the wonderful story. I haven’t seen it in years, but now hope I can track it down. I’m amazed how many versions of A Christmas Carol there are!
Edith: Congratulations, dear Julie! I can’t wait to read this book, and am so glad you’ve joined the Midnight Ink family. I haven’t seen A Christmas Carol in so long I have no idea what my favorite version is, but I do love the Muppets, so that one would probably win.
Julie: There is no Mr. Magoo shame in my world–that is my mother’s favorite version. And Sherry, I have Scrooge on DVD. A perfect excuse to get together around the holidays. We can all sing the songs. I do love the Muppet version, and George C. Scott, and . . . I own over twenty different versions on DVD, so lots to chose from. Thank you for your best wishes dear Wickeds! I am so excited about this book seeing the light of day, and will blog more about that on Friday!
Jessie: The Muppet version is my favorite, Barb! I love the way it sticks to the backbone of the story while bringing its own personality and twist. Just as I am sure you will do with your addition to the story! I couldn’t be happier for you, Julie!
Readers, what is your favorite version of A Christmas Carol? Let us know in the comments!
I actually have two favorite versions of the movie. One with Alistair Sim and the other with Reginald Owen as Scrooge. Guess I’m a little old fashioned, but I watch these two every Christmas. Will definitely be purchasing “A Christmas Peril”. Love books set in my home state.
Both wonderful!
And thank you Jane! I love Massachusetts–a perfect setting!
For fun ( and remembering when the kids were little), we always enjoyed The Muppets Christmas Carol, hands down!
So great! And very true to the story, which I love.
Congratulations, Julie! I’d be hard-pressed to choose between the Muppets, Patrick Stewart, and George C. Scott.
Thank you! All great choices!!
I’d have to say Mr. Magoo. It’s the one I grew up with! Although not exactly The Christmas Carol, I love Scrooged with Bill Murray.
I count Scrooged! Love that version as well. Lots of fun to watch today!
A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott and Roger Rees. Because, Roger Rees.
Roger Rees. <3 him. Also, a great version.
My all time favorite is Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. Here’s the YouTube like to the whole movie.
It is wonderful though, as Mark notes below, they do the ghosts in the wrong order, which does impact the story. Still, I sing the songs along with the movie.
The version with Alistair Sim and definitely Scrooged! Bill Murray was incredible in it. Congratulations on the new series!
Love them both! And thank you!
I watched the Mr. Magoo version a few years back and didn’t like it. They did the ghosts out of order! Unacceptable!!!!
I was a kid when the George C. Scott version came out. It’s the one I watched the most, although Marley scared me for months afterwards each year. Yes, even as an early teen. I was easily scared as a kid.
And I love the Muppet version. So much fun, great songs, and very true to the story. (If I’d been thinking, I would have had the review of the 25th Anniversary ornament from Hallmark ready to go this week.)
I was actually disappointed with the Patrick Stewart version, which surprised me since I listen to a recording of his one man show version each year driving home from visiting my family at Thanksgiving.
When my brother and sister-in-law lived in Dallas, we went to a great stage version there. There’s a theater in the round here in So Cal I love that does it every year, and I’ve gone to see it a couple of times. It’s really good, too.
Can you tell I love this story? And I loved your book, too, Julie.
Mark, we share a love of the story. I did a series of blog posts about different versions a few years back: https://jahennrikus.com/?s=Christmas+Carol
I agree about the Patrick Stewart version. I was lucky enough to see him to it on stage twice, and I loved it beyond measure. I wish they’d taped that.
On stage versions are such fun, aren’t they?
I need to see this ornament. 25 years. How is that possible?
Glad you liked the book!
I LOVE Christmas Carol, and now have a personal tradition. Every Christmas Eve, I watch the Alistair Sim version, which I have on DVD. Congratulations! Excited for you.
I love that tradition! And thank you, my friend.
Watching The Muppets Christmas Carol with the grand-kids is the best for me.
Is Sully male or female? I don’t often see male leads in cozies, but enjoy it when I do.
Sully is female–her name is Edwina. You’re right, there aren’t a lot of male protags in cozies. I wonder if that will change as more folks admit to reading them?
On September 11th tickets go on sale for the Salem Trolley & The Gallows Hill Theatre production of the Christmas Carol in the Salem, MA. Tickets sell out immediately. It’s a fun version of this perennial favorite.
https://salemtrolley.com/special-tours-6.html
OH WOW! I will put that date in my calendar and try to get tickets!! Thanks for letting me know.
The version with Alstair Sim (the b&w version NOT the colorized) is my absolute favorite, hands down. I look forward to reading your book!
Thank you so much. And that version is the favorite of a lot of folks. I agree about the colorized version–hate those!
NPR’s fund-raiser edition with Click and Clack, the Tap-it Brothers, is my own favorite.
I’ve never heard of that one!! Will investigate!
When I was little I watched the Mickey Mouse version and I have to admit to this day that’s my favorite version. This book looks great, congratulations and looking forward to reading it!
Thank you so much! Another great version!!
Alistair Sim! Though I also love the Magoo and Finney’s Scrooge (which has easily the darkest Christmas Yet To Come of any take).
There’s a 1990s play called Inspecting Carol that’s hysterical–a theater group mistakes an actor for an NEA inspector reviewing their grant so all his tossed-off suggestions are taken as Musts (“The white meat is ignorance — the dark meat is want!”).
I watch a couple of versions every Christmas. I think the Alistair Sim one is probably my favourite, followed closely with the Patrick Stewart version. I also enjoy the contemporary movies with the Scrooge plot such as the Bill Murray movie and the one that had Carey Fisher as the ghost but I can’t remember what it is called. Anyone out there know what I am talking about?
It was called “It’s Christmas, Carol”.
Yes. I own that. So much fun!
Scrooged is the Bill Murray movie, but I don’t know the other one off the top of my head. I will investigate. I love discovering new versions!
I like the Muppets Christmas Carol for a feel good version. I enjoy George
C Scott and the feeling he brings out in me.
I am looking forward to reading your book.