Today I watched the animated remake of 1956’s The Stingiest Man in Town. This is one of the A Christmas Carols I don’t watch every year, only giving it a look every few years. Today is the first time I’ve watched it through in its entirety for a number of seasons. I remember watching this during its debut in 1978. I also remember rolling my eyes at it during the time (really).
Rankin/Bass Productions did this when they were at the height of their dominance as Christmas special makers. I’m still of the opinion this was a low mark for them. They are still thought of mostly for their stop-motion animation, but their traditional cel-animated works were many, such as this. Their cel-animation, done by the Japanese company, Topcraft, has a very distinct look that is easily recognizable and often looks the same, from their classic Frosty the Snowman, their adaptation of The Hobbit, and even theatrical releases such as The Last Unicorn.
A previously well-received musical, Rankin/Bass, and an all-star cast didn’t turn out to be a winning formula for this remake. The book for the musical is heavily rewritten by Romeo Muller. With the rewriting, the Speilman & Torre songs don’t work as well and seem uninspired.
The voice cast includes both well known stars and some familiar, regular Rankin/Bass voice talent. Headlining is Walter Mathau as Ebenezer Scrooge; the great Theodore Bikel is Marley’s ghost; Dennis Day voices Fred while Robert Morse is Young Scrooge. Paul Frees, a regular in Rankin/Bass productions, is both Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present. Shelby Flint, who had some obscure hit songs in the early 1960’s, is voicing the part of Belle. One of the worst parts of this version is the inclusion of a new character called B.A.H. Humbug done by Tom Bosley.
The story begins with B.A.H. Humbug acting as narrator. The carolers are not present in this version. B.A.H. Humbug is a talking insect only a few inches tall. That about says it all as it sets the pace. It doesn’t often feel like I’m actually watching A Christmas Carol when viewing this. After all, it’s an adaptation of an adaptation. Even as a voice-over, Walter Mathau isn’t very convincing as Scrooge. The rest of cast falls into place with the producers’ intention of a sugary, feel-good Christmas show.
It will probably be few years before the next time I watch this through again.
25 Days of A Christmas Carol 