“There Goes Mr. Humbug!”: The 25th Anniversary of “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

By Michael Lyons

Who would have thought that the most faithful version of Charles Dickens immortal, holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” would star a cast who were made mostly of felt and fur?

“The Muppet Christmas Carol,” celebrating its 25th anniversary this month is not only faithful to Jim Henson’s Muppet Universe, but to Dickens’ original source material, as well!

In fact, the movie even stars Charles Dickens (played by Gonzo - who else?) as the narrator.  Familiar Muppet faces play key roles: Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cracthit and Robin as Tiny Tim, with some very Muppety touches, such as Statler and Worldorf as “The Marley Brothers” and Fozzie Bear as “Fozziwig.”

Originally, there was a thought that other well known Muppets would play the Ghosts (Animal was originally cast as Christmas Future), but this was changed to newly created (and amazing) Muppets in these roles, which adds a somber and moody element to these scenes.

In the lead as Ebineezer Scrooge, it was decided that a well known actor should play off of the Muppet canon and none other than Michael Caine was cast, who brings his usual “he makes every role look so easy” talent to the role.  What’s especially convincing is that Caine plays Scrooge completely serious, never once joking or mugging for the camera, while treating the managerie of Muppets around him as fellow thespians

Caine even sings one of a number of songs written for the film by Paul Will;aims, who had also penned the songs for the original “Muppet Movie” in 1979.  For “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” Williams brought his knack for easy to take musical numbers and, among the most memorable are the anthem-like “It Feels Like Christmas” and the heart-tugging ballad, “When Love is Gone.”

As in all good musicals, the songs help support the story, which here was adapted by longtime Muppet writer Jerry Juhl, who was very familiar with the characters and how to be true to their personalities, but was also extremely faithful to the source material, pulling entire lines of text from Dickens and also never straying too far from the story, as other versions of “Carol” have.

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” was a very important film for this familiar and beloved franchise.  Coming just two years after the death of Jim Henson and as one of the first major projects for the Muppets since joining the “Disney fold,” there were a lot of eyes on “Muppet Christmas Carol.”  Many wanted to make sure that there was still the same magic.

Luckily with Jim’s son Brian Henson at the helm directing and the familiar “Muppet Performers” returning (such as Frank Oz and Dave Goelz), the humor, heart and, yes, lunacy, so familiar is very apparent.  “The Muppet Christmas Carol” feels like a visit from old friends.

Released on December 11, 1992, the film didn’t initially fare well at the box office.  With “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and Disney’s own “Aladdin”  already vying for the family audience, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” debuted well behind at #6 opening weekend and quickly faded fast as the holiday season passed.

Thanks for home video, TV Showings, a loyal Muppet fan base and an annual Christmas Season, the film has found it’s audience in the 25 years since its release.

Another major part of the appeal of “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” is its connection to the themes and messages that Dickens wrote of in 1843.  Or, as one of the songs in the film states: “Wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas.”  

Sources: Wikipedia