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STAGE: THE GUTHRIE THEATRE PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL (TV)

Summary

One in a series of staged productions from theater troupes across the country. In this episode, the Guthrie Theatre of Minneapolis presents an adaptation of Charles Dickens's famous tale. The program opens with host Len Cariou discussing the book and its author. The production begins as Charles labors to finish the story in time for Christmas. However, wife Kate, as well as his children and father, beg for him to read the story- in-progress. Running out of patience, Charles tells them that the tale isn't done yet and he is completing it to bring in monies for all of them. Alone, Charles puts the finishing touches on his book before beginning to reread it. He then imagines the tale unfolding in front of him, as miser Ebenezer Scrooge keeps to himself, wanting others to stay their distance. On Christmas Eve morning, as the city clocks strike 9:00, Scrooge awaits employee Bob Cratchit's arrival. Cratchit gets to the office and tries to warm up before Scrooge's nephew Fred enters, bubbly with yuletide glee. The unfeeling Scrooge complains about Christmas and its customs. Fred asks Scrooge to dine with him on Christmas and meet his wife but the old man refuses, thinking love is stupid. He then throws an evergreen paperweight at Fred, which the nephew claims as a present. Later, two gentleman collecting charity arrive, wondering where Marley is; Scrooge reveals that he has been dead for seven years. Scrooge refuses to donate to the poor as Marley once did, thinking those that make such requests are "vultures." That evening, Scrooge is angered that Cratchit wants Christmas day off, though he eventually grants it. After work, Scrooge heads home in the dark. Arriving at his front door, Scrooge notices something strange on his door knocker -- it appears to have taken on the shape of Marley's face! Scrooge assumes the vision was caused by something he ate. That night as Scrooge crawls into bed, more strange things start to occur. Eventually, Marley's ghost appears and speaks to Scrooge. Scrooge tries to update him on their "thriving business" but Marley's ghost screams his displeasure. Marley warns Scrooge to change his ways lest he suffer a terrible fate after death. Marley notes that Scrooge will be visited by a troika of ghosts later that evening. At the stroke of twelve, Scrooge awakes in bed and is in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Past. The spirit takes him to his boarding school yard where, as a little boy, Scrooge found himself sad and alone when all the other children went home for the holidays. Scrooge's sister Fan visits him and gives him an evergreen paperweight before departing. Present-day Scrooge starts to feel regrets over his treatment of his late sister's son, Fred. Next, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to see himself as a young adult preparing to attend a party. There, he meets the beautiful Belle and is enchanted, soon asking for her hand in marriage. Present-day Scrooge pretends that he still finds love silly. Then, Scrooge is shown a Christmas two years later. He is taken to to a party planned by his old employer Fezziwig, under whom he served as an apprentice clerk with Dick Wilkins. Scrooge is excited about Belle's arrival, planning to set a wedding date that night. The kindly Fezziwig and his bubbly family are ebullient at the party, where a giant turkey is presented for all. After the party has kicked into full swing, a tardy Belle finally arrives. Belle says that she hesitated to come at all, telling Scrooge that he has changed in the last two years and she has to end their engagement. Modern Scrooge is tortured to see his younger self choose money over his beloved. At the same party, both of the Fezziwig girls are betrothed, one of whom is promised to Dick. Modern Scrooge calls his young self "a fool." Back home alone, Scrooge begins experiencing more regrets before falling into a deep slumber. Later that night, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge is taken to see the poor Cratchits as they prepare for their meager Christmas celebration. Cratchit arrives home with his son, the lame Tiny Tim. Cratchit -- a great family man -- is elated to see his eldest daughter Martha in attendance. Scrooge can't believe how loving the Cratchits are with each other, nor how minute their dinner goose and pudding is. The Cratchits later toast to Scrooge, even the angry Mrs. Cratchit. Scrooge can't believe how Tiny Tim can be thankful for his situation. He wonders if he will live, and the Ghost of Christmas Present uses one of Scrooge's comments against him: "that if Tim be like to die, he should do it quickly and decrease the surplus population." Later, Fred and his friends gather for a feast, at which Scrooge's "bah, humbug" attitude becomes a frequent topic of conversation. Afterward, those gathered play a little guessing game in which Scrooge becomes the object of ridicule. However, Fred ends the evening by saluting his uncle. Then, the spirit parts his robe to show Scrooge two pitiful children -- "ignorance" and "want" -- warning the miser about the suffering they cause. As the last stroke of midnight is heard, Scrooge is visited in his bed by the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come. He makes Scrooge watch as three men discuss a recent death, and how no one will attend the man's funeral. Scrooge wonders if they're reflecting on Marley's demise. Meanwhile, Cratchit returns to his family after having visited Tiny Tim's grave. Scrooge is particularly shook up, wondering about his future. He asks if he is "past all hope." The spirit then forces the miser to look on a tombstone, which turns out to be his own. Scrooge suddenly awakens on Christmas day, wondering if he can change things. He runs through the streets, joyous and wishing "Merry Christmas" to all. He orders up the poultry shop's giant "prize" turkey and has it delivered to the Cratchits. He next offers a generous pledge to the charity workers he had earlier scorned. He then goes by Fred's house for dinner, where he is warmly welcomed by Fred and his wife. He then explains the significance of the paperweight. The following morning, Scrooge arrives early at work, anticipating Cratchit's arrival. Cratchit gets there a few minutes late and Scrooge pretends to be furious. He then gives him a raise in salary. As the author brings the finally completed tale to a close, he reads aloud that Scrooge became Tiny Tim's "second father," leading to a long and productive life for the boy. Suddenly, from the next room, Kate and the rest of the family join Charles as one and all exchange holiday blessings and prepare for their long-awaited dinner. Afterward, Cariou offers some final thoughts. Commercials deleted.

Details

  • NETWORK: A&E
  • DATE: December 23, 1984 8:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:35:14
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:03531
  • GENRE: Drama
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
  • SERIES RUN: A&E - TV, 1984
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Donald Schoenbaum … Executive Producer
  • Lou Moore … Coordinating Producer
  • Bill Siegler … Producer
  • Peter Hansen … Producer
  • Wendy Cornell … Associate Producer
  • Christine Clark … Associate Producer
  • Sarah Frank … Production (Misc.), Associated Executive Producer
  • Paul Miller … Director
  • Jon Cranney … Direction (Misc.), Directed for the Stage by
  • Glenn Berenbeim … Writer
  • Charles Dickens … Based on the book by
  • Barbara Field … Adapted by
  • Hiram Titus … Music by
  • Loyce Houlton … Choreographer
  • Len Cariou … Host
  • Marshall Borden … Cast, Charles Dickens
  • Catherine Burns … Cast, Kate Dickens, Mrs. Fezziwig
  • Oliver Cliff … Cast, John Dickens, Marley's Ghost
  • Stephen D'Ambrose … Cast, Young Scrooge, Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come
  • Jonathan Fuller … Cast, Ghost of Christmas Past, Topper
  • Sara Hennessy … Cast, Mamie, Martha Cratchit, Thin Sister
  • Richard Hilger … Cast, Ebenezer Scrooge
  • Paul Laakso … Cast, Dick Wilkins, Poulterer
  • Chuck Bailey … Cast, Tapster, Undertaker
  • John Lewin … Cast, Round Gentleman, Man-with-Newspaper
  • J. Patrick Martin … Cast, Bob Cratchit
  • Robert Nadir … Cast, Fred
  • Peggy O'Connell … Cast, Miss Fezziwig
  • Laurence Overmire … Cast, Albert Hall
  • Suzanne Petri … Cast, Carol Mistress, Another Miss Fezziwig, Plump Sister
  • Martin Ruben … Cast, Mr. Fezziwig, Man-with-Snuff Box
  • Peggy Schoditsch … Cast, Mrs. Cratchit
  • Mim Solberg … Cast, Cook
  • Peter Thoemke … Cast, Ghost of Christmas Present
  • Keliher Walsh … Cast, Belle, Fred's Wife
  • Alan Woodward … Cast, Deaf Gentleman, Man-with-Pound Notes
  • Kathleen Bock … Cast, Child
  • John Cunningham … Cast, Child
  • Bridget Foreman … Cast, Child
  • Larissa Kokernot … Cast, Child
  • Gregory Leifeld … Cast, Child
  • Peter Passi … Cast, Child
  • Paul Reighard … Cast, Child
  • Debra Spencer … Cast, Child
  • Jaime Warhol … Cast, Child
  • Roxanne Patton Haine … Cast, Guest, Street Person
  • Nancy Moyer … Cast, Guest, Street Person
  • Michael Stayton … Cast, Guest, Street Person
  • James Walker … Cast, Guest, Street Person
  • Mary Walker … Cast, Guest, Street Person
  • Sally Ann Wright … Cast, Guest, Street Person