Holidaze 12/24/20

There have been many, many versions of Charles Dickens' classic novella comitted to screen and cinema, from Reginald Owen to Alistair Sim to Mr. Magoo to a singing, dancing Albert Finney to a singing, dancing Kelsey Grammar. (Yes, the mind, it boggles.)

But my second favorite (right after Alistair Sim's version from 1951) is the made-for-TV endeavor from 1984 with George C. Scott as a big ol' bear of a Scrooge. His reluctance in the face of the teachings of the spirits, and his ultimate conversion to their point of view, has stood as one of the great moments in Christmas cinema, big screen or small.

For years, I enjoyed the hardcover edition of A Christmas Carol released in conjunction with the Scott TV movie. Not only did it contain the full text of the novel, but it also included holiday traditions and recipes from the Victorian era meant to make the season that much more bright.

Of course, I lost that edition of the book when I had to move out of La Casa del Terror in 2016. So much of personal importance was lost that day. So much had to be left behind.

But some items can be--and have been--replaced.

Granted, this edition of A Christmas Carol won't arrive in time for the holiday itself--I ordered it late, and the Postal Service isn't running at peak efficiency these days, mostly because of the pandemic--but it will arrive before the New Year begins.

Close enough for me.