What movie’s Christmas celebration would you most like to have attended?
All right. I’m answering this one right here — and my answer’s pretty specific: The Christmas day dinner at Scrooge’s nephew’s house — BUT — specifically, the one depicted in the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol” starring Alastair Sim, the single greatest cinematic Scrooge ever.
That scene at the end of the movie where he goes to his nephew Fred’s house — it KILLS me. He’s redeemed and changed and brand new, but his nephew doesn’t know that yet. Earlier in the movie, he mocks Fred’s unabashed love of Christmas and rudely rejects his invitation to dinner. So when he stands anxious and vulnerable on that doorstep, he does not know, really, what reaction may await him. He only knows which one he DESERVES.
And Alastair Sim is, quite simply, genius in this moment. Well, in the entire film, but THIS moment just …. transcends. There is a look of such shame and remorse in his eyes, a certain tilt of his head, he is now humility incarnate, when Fred’s wife answers the door and he says to her (I’m paraphrasing, unfortunately), “Can you ever forgive an old fool?” And when he’s welcomed with wide open arms, it’s too much to behold, really. His eyes grow wide with wonder, like a child’s, and every time I see it, I feel new again, too.
In the story, Dickens says, “He was at home in five minutes.” I love that.
I’d want to be at THAT gathering, that celebration of redemption.
“Wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness!”
Sigh ……
And if you’ve never seen this version of “A Christmas Carol,” I exhort you to rent it this year; you WILL NOT regret it.
Absolutely right! Some argue for the Reginald Owen or George C. Scott Scrooges, but the scene at his nephew’s house, all by itself, justified Alastair Sim’s life. Note when he dances with Fred’s fiancee/wife (I’m never sure which), how his first hesitant steps turn into uninhibited, loving joy after a few bars of music. I must have seen it 20 times by now, and every time my eyes swell with tears. The scene is the ultimate metaphor of how we will stand before our Creator, unworthy and embarrassed, and how He will receive us.
I also laugh every time Sim talks to the boy outside his window on Christmas day and mutters the seeming throwaway line, “Remarkable boy.” We all know the boy is perfectly ordinary. When we view life through the correct prism, all “ordinary” things are remarkable.
Thank you for this lovely post, and wonderful website.
Yes, Dave, YES! Thanks for bringing those moments up, too. You’re so right — the dancing is just, oh, perfect! And it really IS the ultimate metaphor. I love how you describe it.
And the “remarkable boy” line, I’d forgotten that. You’re right on that, too. Sim plays it as nearly a throwaway line where other Scrooges I’ve seen — on film and stage (and I’ve seen A LOT on stage) play it so huge and fakey, like, “REMARKABLE BOY!!!” when we all know, as you said, he’s NOT. It’s Scrooge’s transformation that’s remarkable.
Thanks for your great comments, Dave.
We just bought this movie this year. Our other favorite is Scrooge with Albert Finney, it is a Christmas eve tradition at our place!
But to answer your question, I’d have loved to have been at the celebration at George Bailey’s home. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is my favorite Christmas movie of all time, because it puts all of life’s trials and tribulations into perspective, and shows that success is really subjective, am I successful because I have lots of money to throw around and intimidate people with? No, we all should remember it’s what we give away that makes us rich, only when we enrich the lives of those around us do we find the realest, deepest sense of satisfaction and success!
Great thought provoker this AM, Tracey. Thanks.
Lyn, Yes, that would be a great one, too. I love the big, black lady who drops her money on the table saying, “I’ve been savin’ up for a divorce if I ever got married!”
You’re so right about that movie. I absolutely love it, too.
The final feast where the Grinch, the Grinch himself carves the roast beast. I’m talking the animated version, not the Jim Carrey piece of trash. Granted, it’s a different setting for a redemption story and all that incessant singing could drive me nuts, but here’s a creature who made a complete turn when he found out that Christmas doesn’t come from a store.
My daughter Sarah, 18, wants the Cratchit’s Christmas dinner that Scrooge sees with the Ghost of Christmas Present: “God bless us, everyone!”
I want the Christmas Eve dinner at the General’s inn in “White Christmas”, where his former soldiers gather to honor him and keep him from losing his hotel. A great moment.
Another good one, Rev! But …. what IS roast beast?
Sal — Oh, that moment in “White Christmas” — what a tearjerker! How do we EVER make it through all these holiday movies? There’s not enough Kleenex!
Hmmmm. I am way late to the party here but I LOVE this question!
I have to say that I also wanted to join the happy Christmas celebration in Whoville at the end of the Grinch – but honestly? The first thing that came to my mind?
Now this isn’t quite a Christmas celebration – but it’s a Christmas movie – and there’s a scene in it that no matter how many times I watch, I just want to crawl thru the screen:
The magical ice skating scene in The Bishop’s Wife. Everyone’s bundled up, people have muffs, and it’s an outdoor pond – and … there’s music – and cocoa – and … MAN. I SO want to be in that scene. I just want to be skating at that outdoor rink, in my long woolen skirt, and my old-fashioned brown skates … and warm up with hot cider afterwards.
Red — I KNEW you’d have a great one. 😉 I need to rent that one again. I’ve only seen it once, I’m ashamed to say, but I do remember that scene.