The Muppet Christmas Carol
Directed by	Brian Henson
Produced by	Brian Henson
Written by	Charles Dickens (novel) Jerry Juhl (screenplay)
Starring	Michael Caine Dave Goelz Steve Whitmire Jerry Nelson Frank Oz
Music by	Miles Goodman
Cinematography	John Fenner
Editing by	Michael Jablow
Release date(s)	11 December 1992
Running time	85 min.
Country	United States
Language	English
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

The Muppet Christmas Carol was the fourth feature film to star The Muppets, and the second produced after the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson. Released in 1992, it is one of many film adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Image File history File links Muppet_christmas_carol. ... Brian Henson (born 1963) is a puppeteer, director, and producer. ... “Dickens” redirects here. ... Jerry Juhl (July 27, 1937 - September 27, 2005) was a television and movie writer best known for his work with Jim Hensons Muppets. ... Sir Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr. ... Dave Goelz (born July 16, 1946) is a puppeteer best-known for his association with The Muppets, and in particular with the Muppet character Gonzo. ... Steve Whitmire (born September 24, 1910) is a puppet with the Jim Henson Company. ... Jerry Nelson (born July 10, 1934) is a Muppet puppeteer. ... Frank Oz (born May 25, 1944) is an American film director, actor and puppeteer. ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Muppets are a group of puppets and costume characters, and the company created by Jim Henson. ... Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was the most widely known American puppeteer in modern American television history. ... This is a list of film-related events in 1992. ... “Dickens” redirects here. ... A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas (commonly known as A Christmas Carol ) is what Charles Dickens described as his little Christmas Book and was first published on December 19, 1843 with illustrations by John Leech. ...

Synopsis

In this adaptation of the Christmas story narrated by Dickens himself (played by The Great Gonzo) with the occasional commentary of Rizzo the rat, it is Christmas Eve in London. The merriment is not shared by Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), a surly money-lender who is more interested in profit than celebration. So cold to the season of giving is he that his book-keeping staff, including loyal employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), has to plead with him just to have the day off work during Christmas by pointing out that Scrooge would have no customers on the holiday. Gonzo (aka Gonzo the Great or the Great Gonzo) is a puppet character, one of Jim Hensons Muppets. ... Rizzo is a comic strip written by Chris Riseley and illustrated by Sean Simmans, syndicated in the U.S. by King Creators United. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Ebenezer Scrooge encounters Ignorance and Want in A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in Charles Dickens 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol. ... Sir Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr. ... Bob Cratchit is a very thin and short fictional character in the classic story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. ... Kermit singing Bein Green in the first season of Sesame Street. ...

Later that evening, Scrooge finds himself face to face with his former business partners, Jacob and Robert Marley (Statler and Waldorf) who have been condemned to shackles in the afterlife as payment for the horrible deeds they committed in life. They warn him that he will share the same fate if he doesn't change his ways, and foretell the coming of three spirits throughout the night. Jacob Marley is a fictional character who appears in the Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol. ... Statler (right) and Waldorf Statler & Waldorf are fictional characters, a pair of grumpy old men who first appeared in the television series The Muppet Show heckling the rest of the cast from their balcony seats. ...

Scrooge is first visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, a child-like specter who takes Scrooge on a journey back through time to his youth. He recalls his early school days, during which he focused on his studies; the meeting of a young woman named Belle (Meredith Braun), with whom he would later fall in love; and the final parting between Belle and Scrooge, despite Scrooge's protests that he would marry her as soon as he had enough money. Later, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present, a somewhat forgetful entity who lives only for the here and now. He gives Scrooge a glimpse into the holiday celebration of others, including Bob Cratchit and his family, and Scrooge's own family, who aren't above cracking jokes at Scrooge's expense. Later, Scrooge meets The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, a silent entity, and reveals the chilling revelation that young Tiny Tim (Robin the Frog) will not survive the coming year, thanks in no small part to the impoverished existence of the Cratchit family. Furthermore, it is revealed that when Scrooge's own time has passed, others will certainly delight in his absence from the world. It is this final epiphany that jolts Scrooge back into humanity, and makes him vow to celebrate with his fellow man. Scrooge plans a feast for Bob Cratchit and his kin and learns to adopt the spirit of Christmas throughout the year. Tiny Tim is a fictional character in the classic story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. ... Robin The Frog Robin, sometimes known as Robin the Frog is a muppet, created by Jim Henson and performed by Jerry Nelson. ...

Production notes and trivia

• The film was directed by Jim Henson's son, Brian Henson. Despite the use of Muppets throughout filming and humorous spin on much of the story, this film is a fairly close adaptation of the original story. The film is even interspersed with scenes of a narrator (Gonzo playing Dickens), who, along with the characters, recites many of Dickens's original lines.

• This is the first of the Muppets movies in which the focus of the story revolves around characters played by human beings. Specifically, Michael Caine played Ebenezer Scrooge. The rest of the cast was fleshed out with Muppet performers, including Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Cratchit's wife, Robin as Tiny Tim, and Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig ("Fezziwig" in the original story), owner of "Fozziwig and Mom's", a rubber chicken factory, and described by Scrooge as being "hard and ruthless as a rose petal."

• Notably, several pivotal roles -- in particular, the three Christmas Spirits -- were portrayed by specially-created Muppet characters. It was at one time considered that well-known Muppets would be cast in these roles (Miss Piggy, Scooter, and Gonzo, specifically) before it was decided that it would detract from the ominous effect the spirits would need to convey. Only the Ghost of Christmas Present is clearly a muppet (albeit a giant one), while the Ghost of Christmas past is a young human-like child and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is a cloaked and terrifying figure as per tradition.

• Steve Whitmire took over the role of Kermit following the death of Jim Henson and performed him in this movie.

• Near the end of the film, Scrooge and company pass by a store called "Micklewhite's." Michael Caine's real name is Maurice Micklewhite.

• Near the end of the film, Scrooge and company pass by a store called "Statler and Waldorf's," the names of the heckler muppets portraying Jacob and Robert Marley.

• In the original story Jacob Marley appears alone and is not accompanied by a brother called Robert. It is suggested this name was chosen as an oblique reference to musician Bob Marley.

• David Hemmings, Ron Moody, David Warner, and George Carlin were considered for the role of Scrooge.

• The album reached #189 on the Billboard 200.

• This is the first Muppet movie produced by The Walt Disney Company. The Muppets featured in the film would later be purchased by Disney.

• Meredith Braun, who played Belle, sang "When Love Is Gone" halfway through the picture but the scene is cut from all UK R2 DVD releases of the film.

• This film is dedicated to the memory of Jim Henson and Richard Hunt, two original Muppet performers. They died before the film came out.

• This film, like other Muppet films, did not make as much of an impact during it's theatrical release, having to face competition from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Aladdin. The film made a total of $27,281,507. It became more popular upon its original release on VHS.

Brian Henson (born 1963) is a puppeteer, director, and producer. ... Kermit singing Bein Green in the first season of Sesame Street. ... Miss Piggy being moved on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Miss Piggy is a Muppet character primarily played by Frank Oz. ... Robin The Frog Robin, sometimes known as Robin the Frog is a Muppet, created by Jim Henson and performed by Jerry Nelson. ... Fozzie Bear Fozzie Bear in Muppets Treasure Island (and Mr. ... Miss Piggy being moved on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Miss Piggy is a Muppet character primarily played by Frank Oz. ... Scooter is a bespectacled character from The Muppet Show. ... Gonzo (aka Gonzo the Great or the Great Gonzo) is a puppet character, one of Jim Hensons Muppets. ... Steve Whitmire (born September 24, 1910) is a puppet with the Jim Henson Company. ... Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was the most widely known American puppeteer in modern American television history. ... Sir Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr. ... Robert Bob Nesta Marley OM (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, guitarist, and political activist. ... David Hemmings in Blowup David Hemmings (18 November 1941 – 3 December 2003) was an English movie actor and director, whose most famous role was the photographer in Michelangelo Antonionis Blowup in 1966 (opposite Vanessa Redgrave), one of the films that best represented the spirit of the 1960s. ... Ronald Moodnick, known as Ron Moody (born January 8, 1924) is a British actor. ... David Warner David Warner (born July 29, 1941 in Manchester, England) is an English actor who often plays sinister or evil characters. ... George Dennis Carlin (born May 12, 1937 in New York, New York)[2] is a Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, and author. ... The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. ... John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together The Muppets are a group of puppets and costume characters created by Jim Henson and the company he created. ... The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world. ... Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was the most widely known American puppeteer in modern American television history. ... Richard Hunt (August 16, 1951 - January 7, 1992) was an American puppeteer best known for his association with The Muppets. ... Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) is the sequel to the film Home Alone. ... This article is about the Disney film. ... Bottom view of VHS cassette with magnetic tape exposed Top view of VHS cassette with front casing removed The Video Home System, better known by its abbreviation VHS is a recording and playing standard for analog video cassette recorders (VCRs), developed by Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC) and launched...

Soundtrack listing and notes

As with all Muppet movies but Muppets From Space, this one was done as a musical. The soundtrack included performances by the Muppet characters as well as Caine. Songs from the film include Scrooge by the Muppet performers, One More Sleep 'Til Christmas by Kermit, Marley and Marley by Statler & Waldorf, When Love is Gone by Meredith Braun, It Feels Like Christmas by the Ghost of Christmas Present, Bless Us All by Robin, and Thankful Heart by Caine. When Love is Gone was cut out of the original 1992 theatrical release as producers thought it would slow down the film a bit but put it back in for the video release and TV airings. This song was once again cut from the 10th Anniversary Edition of the film released on DVD (widescreen only, the fullscreen version has the song). Two other songs were written but cut from the film; "Room In Your Heart", performed by Dr. Bunsen Honeydew & Beaker, and "Chairman of the Board", performed by Sam the Eagle. These songs were recorded, but cut from the script before filming began. Both songs appear on the motion picture soundtrack released by Jim Henson Records. John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together The Muppets are a group of puppets and costume characters created by Jim Henson and the company he created. ... Muppets from Space DVD cover Muppets from Space was the sixth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first since the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson to have an original Muppet-focused plot. ... Waldorf (left) and Statler Statler & Waldorf are the names of a pair of muppet characters. ... Dr. Bunsen Honeydew with the Gorilla Detector Beaker // Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is a fictional character from The Muppet Show, performed by Dave Goelz. ... Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is a character from The Muppet Show, performed by Dave Goelz. ... Sam the Eagle Sam the Eagle is a character from the syndicated television show The Muppet Show, performed by Frank Oz. ...

Score Cues Left Off Soundtrack

1. Opening (Film Version)/London Streets
2. Charles Dickens (The First Noel)
3. Scrooge (Full Version)/Entering the Office
4. Collectors For the Poor
5. Closing Time
6. One More Sleep ‘Till Christmas (Full Version)
7. Doorknocker
8. Searching/The Marleys Arrive
9. Alone Again
10. Christmas Past (Full Version, includes flying over London)
11. The Old School
12. Child Scrooge/Headmaster Sam
13. There Is Much to See
14. The Meadow
15. Leave Me, Spirit
16. Christmas Present
17. Show Me Family
18. Fred’s Party (Joy to the World)
19. Mocked By Family/Crachit’s House
20. Chimney Sweeps (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
21. Christmas Scat (Full Version)
22. Coming Home
23. Will Tiny Tim Live?/My Time Grows Short
24. Old Joe
25. Dead Tim/Scrooge’s Grave
26. Christmas Morning (Film Version)
27. Turkey
28. Beaker’s Scarf (Segues into "A Thankful Heart")
29. Finale (Full Version)

See also

• List of A Christmas Carol adaptations

It has been suggested that A Christmas Carol (2009 film) be merged into this article or section. ...

External links

• The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Internet Movie Database
• Muppet Wiki: The Muppet Christmas Carol