Wednesday, October 26, 2022
A Carol for Another Christmas
- Commentary: Under construction.
Considering its inavailability for decades (it was originally broadcast in 1964 and then shelved for nearly 50 years, finally being revived by TCM in 2012), I consider myself lucky to have a copy of this movie. I have never seen it, but I checked it for version information. There are, apparently, two versions making the rounds. The original features Henry Mancini's music. The second removed Mancini's music and replaced it with recordings of children singing Christmas carols. The copy I own is of the original broadcast.
Aside from the review I've attached to the title of this post, I've linked, as well, to several reviews written about the movie, below. Each review, whether short or long, contains some interesting tidbit (or, in the case of the one linked to this post title, many tidbits) containing considerations of and facts about the production and impact of this film:
Bureau 42 Review
Emanuel Levy Review
Films Graded Review
TCM Article/Review
Spooky Isles Review
Most of the reviews contain a plot summary, some of which are quite detailed, so be forewarned, but, keep in mind, you already know this story, as it is a retelling of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Percy Rodriguez Charles Sterling Hayden Daniel Grudge Ben Gazzara Fred Barbara Ann Teer Ruby Steve Lawrence Ghost of Christmas Past Eva Marie Saint WAVE Lt. Gibson James Shigeta Doctor Pat Hingle Ghost of Christmas Present Robert Shaw Ghost of Christmas Future Peter Sellers Imperial Me Britt Ekland Mother Joe Santos Number 32
It is astonishing to note that every single one of the actors listed in the table above either was or became well involved in the entertainment industry, well known, if only by face recognition, and well loved. And, of course, it was written by Rod Serling, and, by the way, look who directed it. This was not meant to be, nor was it (even though it was disappeared for quite a while), a slouch of a production.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1964
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
Labels: §6, apocalyptic, Christmas, goflexA, nuclear, pat-hingle, TV3
