Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
The many faces of Ebenezer Scrooge
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has been featured on film, radio and TV. Scrooge made his first on-screen appearance in the 1901 silent movie "Marley's Ghost." Here are 10 actors who have uttered, "Bah, humbug."
Got a favorite? Post your choice in the comments section below.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Michael Caine
Colleague Laura Merwin sold me on "The Muppet Christmas Carol" a few years ago. Caine and compnay do a wonderful job in this 1992 very family-friendly offering.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Patrick Stewart
"Star Trek's" Capt. Jean Luc Picard, seen here with Joel Grey, did a fine job in an uneven 1999 TV production. Stewart was far superior in his one-man show on Broadway.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Reginald Owen
You can't flip on the TV without seeing this 1938 version. Owen, a veteran character actor landed the role after Lionel Barrymore, the original choice of producers, broke his hip.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Jim Backus
Mister Magoo's Ebenezer Scrooge, voiced by Jim Backus, starred in television's first animated Christmas special. "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol." It first aired in 1962.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Jim Carrey
Looking for animated fare more modern than Mr. Magoo? Try the 2009 version of "A Christmas Carol" directed by Robert Zemekis.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
George C. Scott
For my money, the finest, most handsome production of "A Christmas Carol." Scott, seen here with Roger Rees in this 1984 TV movie, embodies Scrooge with a humanity others have sometimes missed.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Lionel Barrymore
Lionel Barrymore who would go on to co-star in "It's a Wonderful Life," brought Scrooge to life during the Golden Age of Radio. (For younger readers, Drew Barrymore's granduncle did early podcasts as Scrooge).
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Alastair Sim
For many, this 1951 production is the gold standard on which to judge other versions. Look for "The Avengers" Patrick Macnee as young Jacob Marley.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Albert Finney
The musical "Scrooge" opened to mixed reviews in 1970, but Finney won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy in 1971.
Ray Kelly | rkelly@repub.com
Bill Murray
Yeah, I know. He is not Ebenezer Scrooge. Murray plays TV execuitve Frank Cross, who is haunted by three ghosts prior a live production of "A Christmas Carol" in 1988's "Scrooged."
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