25 Greatest Christmas Films: #24 — ‘Scrooged’ (1988)
by John NolteScrooged (1988) has the exact opposite problem of our 25th greatest Christmas film, White Christmas. Whereas the Bing Crosby musical ties a couple hours of mediocrity into the kind of perfect holiday-bow finale that leaves you wanting more, Scrooged is cursed with one of the worst third acts in cinema history; a horrible, wretched, awful televised confession that not only leaves a nasty aftertaste but might be guilty of setting a cheap cinematic trend second only to the shaky-cam — especially in romantic comedies – the horrible, wretched, awful, third-act public confession we see utilized time and again to lazily wrap things up.
The rest of Bill Murray’s modern (well, 80’s) spin on Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” is absolutely terrific. Taking the story into the world of entertainment for a Network-esque skewering of television is inspired and so is the perfect casting of Murray as the Scrooge character. Murray’s good in both type of roles, but I much prefer when he’s the straight man reacting to the zaniness around him as opposed to creating it (Caddyshack being the ultimate exception).
You drop an understated comedic genius like Murray into a wild story that allows him to be constantly caught off guard by marvelous characters and character actors like Carol Kane, Buster Poindexter (David Johansen), Jamie Farr, Bobcat Goldthwait, Brian Doyle-Murray, Michael J. Pollard, Buddy Hackett, Robert Goulet and a very funny and memorable Robert Mitchum as Murray’s slightly addled boss, and it’s hard to go wrong.
As the two warm hearts of the story, Karen Allen and Alfre Woodard never get lost in the madness swirling around them. But…
…of course, the highlight of Scrooged was also the highlight of all of 1988: An epic cameo with The Mighty Lee Majors.
And now for a bit of trivia: Did you know that watching David Johansen aka: Buster Poindexter play the role of Scrooged’s Ghost Of Christmas Past caused a grown man to attempt suicide by jumping out a window?
Johansen got his start in the early 1970s as the lead singer for the glam-rock band The New York Dolls. Great band, but after only a few years, drugs and ego caused a bitter break up and afterwards the bass player, Arthur “Killer” Kane, was the least successful in making a comeback. So resentful was he at his own failure and the success of the others that Johansen yukking it up in a major motion picture was seemingly the last straw and out the window “Killer” went.
Kane survived and this hitting of bottom eventually led him to become a Mormon. In 2004, almost thirty years after their break up, the band reunited for a successful reunion concert and made peace with one another. Just a few months later Kane would died of leukemia.
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57 Comments
It is my understanding that Kane served in the church as either a librarian or a geneology worker. Interesting story, Thanks Mr. Nolte.
This list is really going to be interesting and will raise some passions. I heard Dennis Miller comment on it on his show yesterday.
"Scrooged"? It was funny, but not a "classic" by any stretch of the means.
'Scrooged' is a terrific two acts followed by the dreadful third reel…
Spot on, Mr Nolte! Couldn't agree more. Now it is watched as 'SNL' segments (great opening sequence- 'The Night the Reindeer Died' with Lee Majors is classic) and his gift giving as well.
Murray nailed it as usual. Along with the more evenly funny 'National Lampoon's Christmas' you have a pair of pretty good SNL alumni holiday films…
Have you tried staples?
I was just out of high school when this came out, so maybe I was drawn to silly humor, but I loved it. In fact, I was working at a movie theater when it came out, so I saw it again and again. Good days.
I first saw this movie in 1989, and it's become a perennial favorite. Carol Kane's role especially.
"It's a" *whack* "TOASTER OVEN!"
Pets are an untapped viewing market.
When "White Christmas" was revealed as #25 on the Christmas movie Hit Parade, I knew there would be much recent/contempo filler.
Bill Murray is one of the last people I would associate with or want to see in anything about Christmas. Coarse, loud and smug all at once.
Not a classic, and not funny. Murray's smarmy worst.
I concur.
of course he is…
And that's why he is funny. Not many good contemporary Christmas films but 'Scrooged' (at least parts of it)
make the grade.
Still, for our tastes 'The Lemon Drop Kid' – Bob Hope at his best- works best…
Scrooged is wildly uneven. When it's good, it's really, really good ("That looks like The Manson Family Christmas Special!"), when it's bad (basically, whenever Karen Allen is either on the screen or is being talked about), it grinds to a halt. It's worth it just to see Carol Kane steal yet another movie.
I love that new show that has the fast movements and then they dingle the string.
The "New York Doll" documentary (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436629/) is a biographic about Kane. Interesting movie.
What makes this one of the greatest movies of the 80's was the writer. Mike O'Donohue (aka Mr. Mike) who was a master of dark snark. He was a veteran of SNL and National Lampoon. At his funeral Murray Eulogized that “He hated the horrible things in life, and the horrible people in life. And he hated them so good.”
People who read his Rolling Stone Sendups will know where my screen name came from.
Never did really warm up to this movie. The third act…which is awful…looks like Murray ad libbed the whole thing…and he probably did. Sometimes that works in his favor (like the former groundskeeper now Masters Champion scene) but in this case goes over like week old leftovers.
I actually like the movie. My wife was shocked when she discovered I owned it. It does have its pitiful parts, but that moment in the sewer when he sees that guy frozen, I think Murray did an awesome job with it. I agree with the poster who said it when it is good – it's really really good. Sadly, when it is bad – it does suck. About the only thing I've ever seen Bobcat whathisname in that I could stand him.
We use the "That is a great gift. Do you know how much prime beef costs at today's prices?" to describe a particularly thoughtless gift.
I actually like it too. Funny stuff even though I know Murray is an alleged jackass.
"About the only thing I've ever seen Bobcat whathisname in that I could stand him." Concur Larry.
My family just watched the DVD last night, we love it! I agree that the end is a little too drawn out (the "conversion"), but at least it ended with a good message, unlike most of the Hollywood filth produced in the past 10 years. The liberals hate when a movie has a good, moral message at the end (or scattered throughout); think about how some panned "Bruce Almighty" just because of that.
"You don't want to scare the Dickens out of anyone. The DICKENS out of anyone. NOBODY gets it!"
This film is a family tradition. (and using the Clear Play filters, no profanity!) that we watch every single year. We even sit in different parts of the living room so that we can "sing" during the credits.
:p
I ADORE Carol in that part! No one but she could have given that sweet little part the right twist of gleeful threat. When I die and come back as a comedienne, I want to be Carol Kane.
One of my favorite movies, even with the overly done, schmaltzy, bad group hug therapy ending. I think Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd were the only ones out of SNL EVAH to strike the right balance between sneering sarcasm and genuine human warmth. All the others just came across as mean. Bill and Dan always had the twinkle in the eye that said they include themselves in the jokes and jibes, whereas Chevy Chase made think he secretly viewed everyone beneath him and Eddie Murphy was just plain nasty and rude much of the time (although some of his concerts were rip-roaringly funny…when he wasnt using bad language. "Twenty nine cents? What a bargain!")
I love this movie…..and yes, I want to see her nipples too…..
I cannot remember how this ends, but I remember enjoying the movie. It ranks above White Christmas?
Thank you for that bit of trivia. Very interesting and freaky.
Lee Majors: Anyone notice how feeble he seems now? Every time I see him on his bionic ear commercial it depresses me ever so slightly.
Have you tried staples?
This is my favorite line out of any movie.
Interesting thoughts, especially about Aykroyd who I thought was never given enough credit as an actor. I have to imagine his almost childlike sense of wonder in Ghostbusters is genuine. And of course, he could play it straight, as he did in the My Girl films and Driving Miss Daisy.
Apparently, he has his own wine label now. Who knew?
http://www.danaykroydwines.com/Home#
Interesting thoughts, especially about Aykroyd who I thought was never given enough credit as an actor. I have to imagine his almost childlike sense of wonder in Ghostbusters is genuine. And of course, he could play it straight, as he did in the My Girl films and Driving Miss Daisy.
Apparently, he has his own wine label now. Who knew?
http://www.danaykroydwines.com/Home#
I like the movie and agree that 24th is a good place for it.
I agree this is a Christmas classic. Carol Kane is hilarious! And the scene of him as a boy when he cried when he saw his mother. "Niagra Falls!" I'm secure enough in my manhood to say that scene chocks me up.
But, I disagree on the 3rd. act. Scrooge is a story about redemption. It may be a little corny in it's final scene, but redemption can come across that way. Even Dickens had the "real" Scrooge jump around for joy in his night shirt while he sent that huge Goose to his nephew. Let's not forget about his touching scene w/tiny Tim.
Corny, but still a classic.
Who is the guy in the poster?
Great movie but I wish Donner would keep his politics out of his movies. They usually seem so out of place in them.
I love this movie!
You're kidding, right? It left me cold, as Bill Murray often does. He's a great actor, but he's just not Christmas for me. And I hate the ending of this movie. I do worship Karen Allen, though.
I LOVE this movie! Including the third act! I thought Murray's soliloquy sounded quite sincere. It's one of our must-watches in our house every Xmas season.
How can you not mention Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim?
Completely a classic, hysterically funny. One of Bill Murray's best.
See, I can do it too.
I would like to give a collective "Lighten up, Francis" to all the Grinches in this thread…
Bill Murray is the great comic actor of the last 30 years. He's outlasted Steve Martin and all his SNL competitors (this means you Myers and Murphy). He started great in a lousy film ("Meatballs") and continues to do fantastic work (such as his very fun cameo in a certain horror comedy this year.)
I LOVE this movie. I don't recall being bothered by how it ended. I guess I'm a schmaltzy kind of girl.
It was classic Murray and along with Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown, Rudolph, It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, it is a staple in our house this time of year.
Jamie Far's Jacob Marley gave the movie an interesting Gay subtext.
The "Christmas Carol" promo as imagined by Murray was so cynical I couldn't stop laughing. The movie, as a whole, was not bad. Could have been better.
I've got to say where is the Night the Reindeer Died?
Surely someone in hollywood can shoot this flick.
The plot is simple; terrorists are out to kill ol' saint nick.
I'm not sure if lee majors could reprise his role, so who else could play the hero? Bruce WIllis? David James Elloit?
why I'm reading this so late; someone has to hang the christmas lights.
I like it, very good performances, comedy,
the Scrooge redemption story is there, but
Definitely NOT for young kids,
R rated, I recall, but there are probably PG-13 movies made today with more profanity.
"The Night The Reindeer Died" , I half expect to see it on
ABC Family with their other awful Original Christmas productions
Nope, sorry. Respectfully disagree. Santa Clause Conquers the Martians is a much better movie, by far.
This movie is a favorite of mine and vastly underrated. Maybe it's only now beginning to get the reputation it deserves. Great acting, smart writing, fast-paced execution, biting satire on TV and crass 80s pop culture, clever plays on the Dickens original, a touching story of redemption, great cameos by a host of wonderful actors – what's not to like?
I agree with those who have defended the third act. It is a story about redemption after all and Murray's TV confession never seemed egregious to me. I always feel a warm glow while the credits are rolling.
Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase is my favorite Christmas Movie.
Gotta side with you Cam… I just don't get the dislike for the 3rd act of the story. As someone else noted, even in the Scrooge and C.Carol versions, Scrooge did a bit of a dance routine, going overboard.
The "weight" of it all lifted off his shoulders, and he stood up straight and did things he never could before.
But I'm surprised how little John Forsythe is mentioned in the "scene" stealers of the movie.
I have a hard time watching Chevy Chase in anything anymore.
He's become such an un-funny bitter old creep.
Ghandi's back, and this time HE'S PISSED… Rofl.
Scrooged is a CLASSIC, and should be even higher on the list. A great mix of comic genius and genuine warmth.
"The Jews taught me this great word: schmuck. I was a schmuck."
good call- it worked back then; it would be a smash now…
I've never seen it, but it's now on my queue thanks to you.
C'mon. They've got 25 spots to fill here. I'm sure 26 was Santa Claus vs the Martians
Jimmy didn't you read another post that said this discussion will bring out a lot of arguments as to which are and which are not "classics"? ;o)
Just sayin' Scrooged is good just not in "my" top 25.
Right! I was trying to think of who played that role. "You can hit me, Frank, but lay off the Bacardi."
[...] White Christmas (1954) 24. Scrooged (1988) 23. Scrooge (1970) 22. An American Christmas Carol (1979) 21. Susan Slept Here (1954) (wha?) [...]
It is a little odd to associate the super-saccharine character that Karen Allen depicts for most of the movie with…. the sexual connotations of the Kama Sutra.
Scrooged is a flippin' classic. A fine delivery with great straight-out horror show make-up, comic exposure, outright hilarity, and without smudging that it is a transformation from a man who would sacrifice others' needs and desires for his happiness… to a man that understands the composition of love
I've come to learn on this list that a 'classic' is in the eyes of the beholder.' ;o)
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