An American Christmas Carol - Part Seven of Ten

You could also call this Fonzie Plays Scrooge. Of course were talking about Henry Winkler here and in 1979 and with five years of Happy Days already on his resume, Winkler was cast as the Americanized version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Of course, it wasn't Winkler's first dramatic starring role having already starred in the big screen dramedy Heroes with Sally Field and in the big screen comedy The One and Only. Neither film was particularly boffo at the box office either. The problem with becoming a legendary television icon as Winkler was when he played Fonzie, it's tough for people to see you as anything else no matter how good you may be in another role.

From IMDB:
Based in the depression era, a take on the "Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. "Mr Benjamin Slade" as played by Henry Winkler, is the remaining owner of "S&L Finance" after the death of his long time partner Jack Latham (Ken Pogue). Mr Slade and his assistant, "Mr Thatcher" (R.H. Thomson) make their rounds on Christmas eve to repossess items from the townspeople who have been unable to keep up with payments. After a long day of collecting his "valuable merchandise", Mr Slade returns to his business, fires his sensitive assistant and then is confronted by his dead partner and three spirits in the form of the people he repossessed from that day.

And you can pretty much guess the rest of the story. Honestly, this film is much better than it is often given credit for and you seldom hear it mentioned when it comes to versions of A Christmas Carol and the Scrooge story. Aided by heavy makeup, Winkler does well as the cold Slade, but I don't view him quite as successful in portraying Slade's transformation. But as always, that's only my opinion and you may disagree.

So pour you some eggnog and pull up a chair as Dickens is Americanized in this depression era saga.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Merry Christmas
• Happy Holidays

[Garrettk41]

@RascalCoyote Actually, it's my understanding that there was a Spanish version from the fifties in which something like that happened.

[mezchr]

'if only things were different'...'if', that word can be found on dry river beds and trails long overgrown by weeds. What's more important are the paths we follow now.'  Really hits home.

[RascalCoyote]

@buckeye2239 No , there never was, that would not be sticking to the story.

[buckeye2239]

Does anyone know was there ever a Scrooge made where Scrooge actually goes back and finds his love. like goes to the door knocks and she answers. If not hoolywood is missing something. That would be so cool.

[Sirchcis]

whats the song from 9 34 to 9 46 sum one please help

[Anynom]

I always like the versions where Scrooge sees his former love happy with her family and realizes the life he could have had.

[fluorescentfrank]

COOL STUFF !!!!!!!

[Jackalman99]

I like the wifes dress in this sceen, I wish I had one like it.

Not only did they make better furniture, they had nicer clothes back then too.,