Saturday, December 21, 2019

Christmas Carol Comparison, Pt. 4



BOB CRATCHIT
Bob Cratchit, the ultimate woobie.  His sympathetic nature has had his role played by beloved fictional characters such as Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog, and David Warner.  This is a mostly positive category.





10. ELIOT LOUDERMILK
Bobcat Goldthwait, Scrooged
This version’s going berserk with vengeance (as well as his getting away with attempted murder) dilutes the appeal of this role by just a tad.  Still, Goldthwait plays the character well, and demonstrates that “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” is best performed while accentuated by gun cocks.




9. PORKY PIG
Bob Bergin, Bah, Humduck!
Porky Pig is the ideal Looney Tunes character to play this role (he’s even in the first cartoon despite not having Daffy as a foil).  The poor, lovable loser.  Understandably, his tragedy is watered down: he has a healthy daughter (Tara Strong), and the family death is a widow in his backstory.  Less justifiable, is his undying loyalty to Daffy after the latter’s death, which kind of misses the point of “Scrooge died unloved.”





8. GARY OLDMAN
A Christmas Carol( 2009)
Oldman seems to have been robbed of the role of Scrooge.  He’s one of the few characters who actually emotes convincingly, and he’s effectively sad and tragic.  However, the movie ends jarringly with his breaking the 4th Wall out of nowhere for the closing narration.




7. MERVIN JOHNS
Scrooge(1951)
A solid and sympathetic performance, though he looks a bit well-fed for the role.




6. KERMIT THE FROG
Steve Whitmire, The Muppet Christmas Carol
Few characters are more lovable than Kermit, so that’s good.





5. MELVYN HAYES
A Christmas Carol (1971)
Pretty solid depiction that doesn't surprise.



4. RICHARD E. GRANT
A Christmas Carol (1999)
A solid performance from an actor who looks the part.




3. MICKEY MOUSE
 Wayne Allwine, Mickey’s Christmas Carol
His heartbroken reaction to Tiny Tim’s death edges out a lot of worthy competitors.




2. EDWARD GOWER
A Christmas Carol: The Musical 
Probably the strongest orthodox representation, particularly due to his pathetic appearance.





1. DAVID WARNER
A Christmas Carol(1984)
Usually villainous, Warner pulls off a sympathetic character very well.  His unexpected effectiveness adds even more credibility to the role, seeming more like a person than just a character.






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