Scrooge

How can your heart not melt when Albert Finney bursts into the winsomely dour chorus of "I Hate People" in Ronald Neame's 1970 musical update of Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol? Featuring a solid performance by Finney (not quite in the same league as Alistair Sims or George C. Scott, but, hey, they didn't have to sing) in the title role, and a handful of decent Leslie Bricusse tunes (including the hits "I Like Life" and "Thank You Very Much"), the story follows (for anyone who's address begins with "Under a Big Rock") the tight-fisted, mean-spirited Ebenezer Scrooge over one fateful Christmas Eve when the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future take him on a sentimental and darkly prophetic tour of his life and those of the people whom he's touched (in mostly adverse ways). Same old stuff, right? Not exactly. Among the most pleasant of Scrooge's twists is Sir Alec Guinness's mincing portrayal of Scrooge's late partner, Jacob Marley; in this version, Jacob goes to hell, and Scrooge meets him there in a prescient vision of his future as Lucifer's personal secretary. Nominated for Oscars in four minor categories (but winning none), Scrooge makes its DVD debut with a sharp and colorful digital widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, but--unfortunately--no extras. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Oct. 25, 2011—Paramount, 114 min., G, $24.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1970's Scrooge sports a nice transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. The sole extra is a theatrical trailer. Bottom line: a beloved musical take on Dickens' holiday classic novella makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]