I had seen five or six versions of the classic Charles Dickens story, then I spotted this TV made musical movie with one or two good names, including of course the lead, so I thought why not, from director Arthur Allan Seidelman (Hercules in New York). You know the story, Ebenezer Scrooge (Kelsey Grammar) is the miserable rich old man who doesn't give money to anyone, keeps to himself and despises Christmas. So on Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his dead business partner Jacob Marley (The Return of Jafar's Jason Alexander) who tells him that he will be visited by three spirits who will attempt to change him. So the Ghost of Christmas Past (30 Rock's Jane Krakowski), who Scrooge also recognises as the Streetlamp Lighter, shows him his childhood, finding love with the beautiful Emily (Jennifer Love Hewitt), and the death of Marley which shaped him into what he is now. Next the Ghost of Christmas Present (Jesse L. Martin), also the Ticket Seller, shows him what all the people he knows and what their opinions are of him, including the house of his employer Bob Cratchit (Edward Gower), with his sick boy Tiny Tim (Jacob Moriarty). Finally Scrooge recognises the Ghost of Christmas Future (Geraldine Chaplin) as the Blind Beggarwoman who shows him what will come to be if things don't change, including of course Tiny Tim dead, and the gravestone with his name. That is when he wakes up, and has seen the error of his ways, and he wants to make a difference as soon as possible, so Scrooge gives to charity, gives generously to the three people he recognised, and raises Cratchet's salary, ultimately becoming a very good man for the town. Also starring Emily Deamer as Grace Smythe and Brian Bedford as Mr. Fezziwig. Grammar was pretty dull, the supporting cast, apart from a sexy looking Krakowski, are also tedious, the songs aren't catchy or melodic, and the Christmas stuff doesn't really resonate, it's just a pretty boring seasonal fantasy musical. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction, and it was nominated for Outstanding Choreography. Okay!

This is one of my favorite versions of the great story by Dickens. It surprised me that Grammar or Alexander could sing. Most of the songs were really great, though I hate expletives so I give the film -1 for that because I feel that they're out of place in this story. I also hated that Tiny Tim's spotlight in the story was stolen by a little girl and that his signature line was said, I mean sung, by everyone before he actually said it at the very end of the flick. I really thought that Tiny Tim was never going to get to say it at all. Speaking of Tiny Tim, the one in this version is the cutest one that ever there was. I've watched this every year since it's debut, which I thought was on USA network. Another writer says NBC. This is definitely worth the view.

With music from the composer of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, it's not hard to see why this striking reworking of the classic is such a success. I can't over-emphasise how great the music in this film is; strong, dependable themes with some of the best lyrics I've ever heard in a musical.Visually, some of the filmmakers' decisions are very bold (the costumes of the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come), but it's important to remember that most of what we think of as "normal" for the ghosts' costumes in musical versions of the novel have NOTHING to do with Dickens' version anyway. In the actual book, the first Ghost is an old man; usually on film it's played as a child and Jane Krakowski's version is a fully-grown woman. In fact, this adaptation is actually MUCH closer to the book than the better-known film versions; the two children Ignorance and Want are included, and the book's religious (don't worry, it's not too heavy) and social messages are brought to the fore. The reworking of Scrooge's early life surprised me a bit, but it was very plausibly done, presumably to reflect Charles Dickens's own early experiences. Jennifer Love Hewitt is unexpectedly brilliant as Emily (though I don't get why they changed her name).And... I was holding my breath, preparing to be appalled by the accents, but Grammar is fine. His wig is awful, but he's pretty good, and sings well. Most of the accents are brilliant, and there are lots of strong British ensemble stars such as Ruthie Henshall. The music is fab. My mum bought this for me as a possibly-ironic Christmas present, and our whole family loved it. Give it a try!

One of the interesting things about A Christmas Carol is that, since there is no copyright on it, anybody can do anything with the story that they wish. This version has some interesting twists. Scrooge and Marley refusing to help old Fezziwig himself!? Wow, I'd never seen that. And the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come played by an old woman who wears a chicken costume (Sorry, that's what her costume looks like.) I know it's Geraldine Chaplin and all, but it seemed a little weird.NEvertheless, it was a fine production. My only real complaint is that the songs ran on and on...they seemed much longer...and repetitious...than necessary. But maybe it's just me.Definitely worth a look. I say Kelsey Grammar is one of the best actors of our time. (Not based on this movie, necessarily, but that's what made me want to see it in the first place.)