Albert Finney Stars in 'Scrooge'

This 1970 musical is one of the best-loved adaptations of the story, helped in no small part by the wonderful songs of Leslie Bricusse and brilliant central performances by Albert Finney and Alec Guinness as Scrooge and an applause-worthy deadpan Marley.  When the entire company isn't singing in affected Lahndahn accents or waltzing through the set we are also given a generous inclusion of Dickens' original text.  But it's the songs that set this particular adaptation aside from other full-length versions.

Highlights include the deluded Scrooge grumbling and snarling his way through 'I Hate People' as he visits his debtors, 'generously' extending their terms (with added interest of course), the excellent young cast's playful taunts during 'Father Christmas', Old Fezziwig's breathless performance of 'December the 25th' while simultaneously leading a fervent dance routine and the rousing duet 'I Like Life' between the Ghost of Christmas Present and a punch-drunk Scrooge.

Perhaps the best-remembered song of all, however, is the chirpy 'Thank You Very Much' sung by Anton 'Fresh Fields' Rogers as the hitherto unmentioned character of Tom Jenkins, the hot soup man.  The song is, of course, sung somewhat sarcastically upon the news of Scrooge's death during future shadows with the entire supporting cast thanking the miser for his sharp departure.  It's a great device.  The track was eventually nominated for an Academy Award losing out to 'For All We Know' from 'Lovers and Strangers'.

Eagle-eyed cast-spotters will notice a few familiar faces alongside such established actors as Dame Edith Evans (Christmas Past) and Kenneth More (Christmas Present) in Molly Weir (best known to 80's kids as MacWitch from Rentaghost) and the portly gentlemen of charity played by Carry On regular Derek Francis and the much-loved and much-missed Roy Kinnear.

'Scrooge' is by far the best musical adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' and a definite contender for overall best version yet made.  The main contention fans have is the rather spurious sequence beginning with the point the Ghost of Christmas Future removing his hood (revealing a particularly crap prop skellington) and sending a startled Finney hurtling down into his own grave.  Awakening in hell, he is greeted by a surley Marley and shown his 'amusing' fate.  The scene is saved somewhat by Guinness' outrageous performance and it's perhaps the fact it gives him considerably more screen time that saves this from being one deviation too far.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPV4vSA65YM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HuZxyuNmOk
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bvle-girlI
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdlsGpXyHNk
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-21q5AAOa0
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnKBvZInMAM
Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ3QnB41k_I
Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt0u05Sixtg
Part 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Faprjj8EtM
Part 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64LLOns8AJQ
Part 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrvB5kezRZQ
Part 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD1EvoBKdQo