Love Charles Dickens's work, and respect him highly as an author. As said in my recent review for 2017's 'The Man Who Invented Christmas', 'A Christmas Carol' has always been my personal favourite of his, it was my first exposure to him and the one that is the most frequently re-visited. It is similarly the quintessential Christmas story and this is evident by how much it's been adapted and how well served on the most part it is (with a few exceptions), the Alastair Sim and George C. Scott versions in particular. There are many great, even classic, animated Christmas specials, like the best of Rankin/Bass and 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. 'Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol' is, as well as one of the first (the first?), among the best ones for me and one that has always held dear to my heart. This is not nostalgia talking that it clouds my judgement, have seen childhood favourites that have not held up well, 'Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol' does and splendidly. All the important details are here and it captures the spirit of the story perfectly, so it doesn't disappoint as an adaptation even with its own spin (very like the Muppet and Mickey Mouse versions of 'A Christmas Carol', also have a fondness for them).'Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol' fares quite well in the animation. It's not amazing and it's more simple than lavish, but it's at least appealingly drawn and has a lot of atmosphere and colour. Even better is the music, the score is whimsical but also atmospheric and the various songs are very well done. Although a singer and consider music an essential in my life, part of me also can be picky and expects a lot. "We're Despicable" and "All Alone in the World" are particularly good, while carol favourites "Joy to the World" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", Christmas is not the same without them, are always welcome. Furthermore, the writing is very funny, as well as heart-warming and very touching, like 'A Christmas Carol' should be. 'Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol' adapts the story incredibly well, despite having Mr. Magoo in it the spirit of the story is intact as well as its heart and the impact of the best scenes. Parts are amusing, others are scary (Jacob Marley and especially the Ghost of Christmas Future) and others truly wrench the heart (always tear up during "Alone in the World" and at the end). The portrayal of the Cratchits avoids being too cloying. Every one of the characters are very strongly portrayed, Scrooge's development and change of heart are incredibly believable and not rushed in any way when it is so easy for Scrooge to show signs of changing too early. The voice acting is top notch, with Jim Backus achieving a perfect balance of crusty and emotive. Royal Dano is an eerily effective Jacob Marley and Jack Cassidy endearingly humble. Veteran Paul Frees similarly shines and doesn't sound over-parted in multiple roles. In conclusion, a classic animated festive favourite. 10/10 Bethany Cox

What a wonderful surprise! Unlike a lot of Magoo fans, I actually didn't grow up with "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol", and so this was a delightful special to be experiencing for the first time. I picked up a set of Christmas specials (Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty, the Snowman, etc.) that had this featured as an extra, but it could easily be a headlining cartoon instead of an additional feature. With that wonderfully distinctive voice of Gilligan Island's Jim Backus as Magoo, and the character being transplanted into the Dickens' classic so familiar to those of us who watch all the different versions of "A Christmas Carol" (well, Magoo is performing the role on Broadway; it opens with Magoo driving haphazardly through NYC and entering the wrong building instead of the theater for which he was to perform), I now fully understand why this is heralded as a classic to be enjoyed and revered. If you enjoy the cartoon animation of the period of Hanna-Barbara, then this should be a real treat.Oddly, the version has Scrooge visited by Ghost of Christmas Present first, then Christmas Present afterward; I wonder if this was intentional. It certainly changes things up a bit. Besides that, this Christmas Carol adaptation (with even songs performed; my favorite is "We're Despicable (Plunderer's March)") is surprisingly faithful. While not covering the sister he lost (and not acknowledging his nephew), it does follow Cratchet and his family's plight, Scrooge's lonely Christmas childhood abandonment, Fezziwig's dance on Christmas Eve where Scrooge fell in love with Belle (and Belle's leaving him because she knew he loved profit more), Tiny Tim and Scrooge's death, and Scrooge's transformation after realizing the error of his ways. Interestingly, the bitter reaction of Mrs. Cratchet's wife regarding her husband thanking "the founder of their feast" and Scrooge's "raising of Bob's salary" after startling him with his character change are side-by-side with Scrooge actually coming to Bob's house (the wife complaining actually appears during the visit of Christmas Present & typically Scrooge startles Bob with his transformation at the cold business establishment), but little tweaks on the familiar are commonplace when it comes to "A Christmas Carol". Every adaptation sort of leaves a little out or adds a little to "A Christmas Carol". The finale has a curtain call that goes badly wrong when a nearly-blind Magoo winds up trying to do a good thing (allow the theater audience to see the director of their stage production; he's wrapped in bandages thanks to Magoo's clumsiness), destroying the sets on the stage in the process!!! The "We're Despicable" musical number has the laundress, undertaker, and maid celebrating how terrible they are when bringing taken items of Scrooge (after his death!) to a black-market buyer/seller! The animation of Grim Reaper is another cool presentation of the Ghost of Christmas Future. Apparently there's a scene cut from this version that I watched involving Belle...this is a disappointment since I was hoping this was an unedited version considering its good quality and rather new release.

I loved Mr. Magoo growing up. We don't see him much anymore on television or this special around the holiday times. We see less and less television programming devoted to the Christmas holidays. Jim Backus uses his voice as Mr. Magoo, the four eyed actor, in this special where he plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the Charles Dickens character, forever immortalized in all sorts of holiday tales. Just like the story of a Christmas Carol, there are three ghosts and Marley, the predecessor who warns Scrooge to change his ways. Okay, this version is not the best out there but it's timely and good for kids and adults and fans of classic animation. I bought the tape years ago and just played it around the holidays. It's a treat to watch every year.

Another delightful animated rendering of the famous Ghost story with a Christmas message for everyone, especially the young in heart. It's JIM BACKUS behind the voice of Scrooge, having fun with his Mr. Magoo characterization despite the lack of "blind as a bat" jokes. He plays the role fairly straight and is still amusing as that old skinflint who develops a love for mankind after visited by three spirits.JACK CASSIDY makes a fine Bob Cratchet, especially since he's gets to lift his splendid voice in song in tunes that have a definite Broadway sound to them. Surprisingly, no one has thought of turning this into a stage show for Christmas presentations. The material and the songs are there for the asking. There's a wistful sound to some of the ballads.Worth watching for the good blend of story, animation and music, although the George C. Scott version of '84 cannot be topped for bringing the Dickens story to the screen in the most faithful fashion.