Scrooge U : Part XIX — Missing scene mars “Muppet Christmas Carol”

Jim Hill

18 years ago

Just how good is The Muppet Christmas Carol"? Well, to be honest, that depends on whether or not you saw the version that ran in theaters back in 1992 OR the version of this Brian Henson film that now runs on television and/or is currently available for sale on DVD.

"What's the difference between these two versions of 'The Muppet Christmas Carol?,' " you ask. Just one scene. But oh what crucial scene it is.

Before we get to that cut scene, let's talk about the movie itself … "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is a handsome production. And Jerry Juhl's screenplay for this Jim Henson Production certainly does a skillful job of making it seem as these whimsical characters really do belong on the dark-and-smoky streets of London circa 1843.

Of course, the real genius touch of Juhl's "Christmas Carol" adaptation is that it casts Gonzo the Great as Charles Dickens. So that — as the film goes along — Gonzo can periodically chime in with an actual passage from Dickens' original text. Which (to be honest) is just a brilliant narrative device.

Now add to that the fact that Gonzo ("I am here to tell the story") is paired with Rizzo the Rat ("And I am here for the food") … And you've got this beautiful marriage of Muppet madness and Dickens' own words. Which often makes "The Muppet Christmas Carol" seem like a much more faithful adaptation of this holiday favorite than it actually is.

As for this film's Ebenezer Scrooge … Michael Caine is saddled with an almost impossible task. After all, he's the one who has to make this version of "A Christmas Carol" work. Make it seem logical & natural that this all-too-human miser could live & work in a world that was loaded with all these silly creatures.

Now add to this the fact that — in order for the audience to actually care about what's going on in "The Muppet Christmas Carol" — we (the moviegoers) first have to care about Ebenezer & his plight. So it's a real tribute to Caine's talent that — in spite of being surrounded by all these weird pieces of fur & felt that continually upstage him — Michael still manages to hold your attention in whatever scene he's in. Your eye is constantly being drawn toward Ebenezer.

Which is a pretty significant achievement. Given that this film sometimes plays like the all-Muppet edition of "Where's Waldo?" Meaning that the viewer is constantly being forced to disengage from the emotion of a particular moment in this movie as they say:

"Hey, look! It's Bunsen Honeydew & Beaker as the two charitable gentlemen!"
"Hey, look! It's Fozzie Bear as Fezzwig!"
"Hey, look! It's Statler & Waldorf as Scrooge's old partners, Jacob & Robert Marley!"
"Hey, look! It's Bean Bunny as the boy that Ebenezer sends to the poulterer!"

Which is why it was probably a wise move on Brian Henson's part of have the three holiday spirits — the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be — be played by three brand-new Muppets. So that the audience wouldn't then be distracted by wondering what sort of spin their favorite old Muppet was then going to put on that particular Dickens character.

Anyway … Getting now to that scene that was cut out of the theatrical release of "The Muppet Christmas Carol." How many of you recall that moment in the movie where Belle (Meredith Braun) breaks off her engagement with Young Scrooge (Raymond Coulthard)?

In the theatrical version of this Brian Henson film, these two characters literally exchange just a line or two of dialogue. Then we cut to Michael Caine in tears talking with the Ghost of Christmas Past, saying "Spirit, show me no more. Why do you delight in torturing me?"

That seems like a rather abrupt transition, don't you think? Well, in the original cut of "The Muppet Christmas Carol," Belle actually had this beautiful Paul Williams song that she sang called "When Love is Gone." Which made it quite clear why this woman was breaking off her engagement with Young Scrooge.

Of course, the really heart-breaking moment in this song came when Michael Caine stood beside Ms. Braun. And just for a single verse of "When Love is Gone," the older version of Scrooge sings along with Belle.

The lines that these two sing together read as follows:

It was almost love,
It was almost always,
It was like a fairy tale we'd live out, you and I
And yes, some dreams come true
And yet some dreams fall through
And yes, the time has come for us to say goodbye

Now what may be surprising to hear is that Michael Caine actually has a very pleasant singing voice, with a reedy sort of quality.

But what absolutely kills you as you're watching this moment in the movie is the way that Scrooge's face just sort of crumples in on itself when Michael & Meredith reach the "And yet some dreams fall through" line in the song. You literally get to see Ebenezer's heart break right there in front of you. Caine shows you the anguish that Scrooge must be feeling (I.E. Having to losing Belle all over again).

Anywho … When "When Love is Gone" is left in place, now Ebenezer's emotional statement to the Ghost of Christmas Past (I.E. "Spirit, show me no more. Why do you delight in torturing me?") finally makes sense. More to the point, after you've see this scene in "The Muppet Christmas Carol," you're now solidly in Scrooge's corner. You're actively rooting for him to be redeemed.

Whereas the theatrical cut of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" … With that song gone, it takes quite a bit longer for the audience to begin rooting for Ebenezer. To want to see this character be redeemed.

Which is obviously why — when this Walt Disney Pictures release was being readied for its sale on home video in 1992 — Brian Henson made sure that "When Love is Gone" was put back into the picture. Brian also made sure that this Paul Williams song was folded into the television version of "The Muppet Christmas Carol."

Which is how a good adaptation of Dickens' classic holiday tale eventually became a very good adaptation. Perhaps one that even borders on being great.

But — that said … I don't know how exactly to explain this. But (to me, anyway) "The Muppet Christmas Carol" seems to be one of the most melancholy versions of "A Christmas Carol" ever produced. I don't know if it's because of that dedication card at the very start of the movie. The one that reads:

"In loving memory of Jim Henson and Richard Hunt"

But knowing how keenly these two Muppeteers were missed by the folks at Jim Henson Productions, somehow the lines that Kermit the Frog says at that first Christmas dinner after Tiny Tim has passed away, about how …

" … Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it. I am sure that we will never forget Tiny Tiny or this first parting that was among us."

… have so much resonance in this particular version of "A Christmas Carol."

So — in the end — where exactly does "The Muppet Christmas Carol" rank in the pantheon of "Christmas Carol" adaptations? Me personally, I'd place it in the Top 10. But only if I'm watching the extended version of this Brian Henson film. The one that features "When Love is Gone."

Tomorrow … Alvin & the Chipmunks star in a name-only version of "A Christmas Carol." Talk about your half-hearted holidays.

Your thoughts?