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Monday, December 17, 2007

Spirits of the season


I suppose we have Charles Dickens to thank for making Christmas seem to have more ghosts than Halloween. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past present and future permeate our culture. I can't even count how many times the story has been made into Hollywood or made for television movie. The latest iteration I saw was on the series Las Vegas (one of the most inane programs on television that I watch religiously). It was so bad I imagine Dickens himself was going to come back as the ghost of Christmas past and beat the screenwriter to death with a candy cane.

Regardless, I have always liked A Christmas Carol. It reeks of hope and redemption for the terminally jaded. Scrooge makes a remarkable transformation from a miserly hater of mankind to a kindhearted philanthropist. In reality this kind of shift in behaviour would lead to a diagnosis of bi-polar disease and a whole regimen of mood controlling medications. But you have to love the sentiment.

I guess I actually loved the story because of Tiny Tim. It was one of the few characters in books I'd found with my name. I was totally bummed when that Tiptoe Through the Tulips, ukeleli playing freak came on the scene on Laugh In in the 1960s and tarnished the memory of Tiny Tim.

But I digress.

Anyway, I love the story. I never get tired of Scrooge making that transformation and saving his soul. Sure it is a socialistic political allegory condeming capitalism, but it also is a swell Christmas story (and screw the politically correct reference to "the holidays").

I leave you with the immortal words of my namesake this Christmas season, "God Bless us everyone." Or "Higher Power Bless us everyone."

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sometime in the early 90's I met Tiny Tim and got his autograph (I still have it stuffed in a box somewhere).

You're welcome to it - my Christmas gift to you.

Karen said...

I really must make an effort to watch all these Christmas movies I keep hearing about. Would you believe I have never even seen a Miracle on 34th Street (I'm not even sure if that's the correct title....).

I love the pic with this post :)

Naughti Biscotti said...

"A Christmas Carol" is my favorite Christmas movie. I like every version of it as well. As a child I remember watching the made for tv version with Henry Winkler. Loved it! My favorite is Bill Murray's "Scrooge". I watch them over and over and over again.

Of course though... "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is a very close 2nd. "We'll have the hap.. hap... happiest christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny f'n K."

Time said...

iridethebus,
Cool! Did you meet Miss Vicky, too? And I would love to have the authograph. I'll trade you a Jackie Coogan for it.

Gypsy,
That is a miracle. It is on every channel after It's a Wonderful Life here. The photo is of a street performer in Jackson Square in New Orleans. I took it years ago. It is one of my favorite images, thanks.

Shandi,
We just watched Scrooged again the other night. My favorite is actually the musical version with Albert Finney. I break into a chorus of "I hate people" everytime I go to the airport (or at least I did before 9/11).

Hayden said...

HaH! It doesn't get better than The Nightmare Before Christmas. (sigh)

I think I'll go watch it right now.

K. said...

When I was little, I was given the Disney characters dressed as characters from A Christmas Carol. Scrooge McDuck as Scrooge. Morty Fieldmouse as Tiny Tim. Mickey as Bob.

At Christmastime, I would play with my little stuffed animals and have them act along with the cartoon.

Until my mom's shih tzu ate the eyes and noses off of all of them.

Poor Tiny Tim. Crippled, eyeless, AND noseless.

JP (mom) said...

I had never thought of A Christmas Carol as a political allegory, but now that you mention it. I too love this story - did you see the Henry Winkler version - suprisingly wonderful! Merry Christmas, JP/deb

Karen said...

It's Christmas Day here in Oz and I just wanted to wish the Healy family a wonderful, full filled Christmas and all the happiness you can handle in the new year.

Kisses and hugs, Karen xx

Hayden said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Tim.

(the phrase "and your family" must have a really nice ring to it right now!)

Time said...

Merry Christmas to all of my blogger friends! Hope you all had a great one. The Healy family certainly did!

mburns3 said...

Say Christmas, and say God (not "Higher Power"), Tim. Forget all the PC naysayers.

I like A Christmas Carol, too. I vaguely remember the animated one that came out when I was little, with Mr. Magoo playing Scrooge. That was the first time I remember being exposed to the story.