Film Snail

6.8

Scrooged

PG-13·1988·101m

Fantasy

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Comedy

Drama

Summary

Frank Cross is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life. But after firing a staff member on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.

Cast

Bill Murray

Francis Cross

Karen Allen

Claire Phillips

John Forsythe

Lew Hayward

John Glover

Bryce Cummings

Bobcat Goldthwait

Eliot Loudermilk

David Johansen

Ghost of Christmas Past

Carol Kane

Ghost of Christmas Present

Robert Mitchum

Preston Rhinelander

Nicholas Phillips

Calvin Cooley

Michael J. Pollard

Herman

Alfre Woodard

Grace Cooley

Mabel King

Gramma

John Murray

James Cross

Jamie Farr

Jacob Marley

Robert Goulet

Self

Buddy Hackett

Self

John Houseman

Self

Lee Majors

Self

Pat McCormick

Ghost of Christmas Present (TV)

Brian Doyle-Murray

Earl Cross

Mary Lou Retton

Self

Al 'Red Dog' Weber

Santa Claus

Jean Speegle Howard

Mrs. Claus

June Chandler

June Cleaver

Michael Eidam

Wally Cleaver

Mary Ellen Trainor

Ted

Bruce Jarchow

Wayne

Sanford Jensen

Executive

Jeffrey Joseph

Executive

Peter Bromilow

Archbishop

Bill Marcus

IBC Guard

Cal Gibson

IBC Guard

Damon Hines

Steven Cooley

Tamika McCollum

Shasta Cooley

Koren McCollum

Randee Cooley

Reina King

Lanell Cooley

Paul Tuerpe

Stage Manager

Lester Wilson

Choreographer

Ron Strang

Art Director

Kate McGregor-Stewart

Lady Censor

Jack McGee

Carpenter

Bill Hart

Carpenter

Kathy Kinney

IBC Nurse

Ralph Gervais

Mouse Wrangler

Alvin Hammer

Foreman

Tony Steedman

Headwaiter

Lisa Mende

Doris Cross

Ryan Todd

Frank as Child

Rebeca Arthur

Tina

Selma Archerd

Mrs. Claus at Party

Jay Byron

Man #2 at Party

Harvey Fisher

Party Guest

C. Ransom Walrod

Party Animal

James R. Miller

Security Guard at Party

Jennie Lew Tugend

Foo-Ling

Roy Brocksmith

Mike the Mailman

Shawn Michaels

Stage Manager - "Frisbee"

Stella Hall

Lew Hayward's Secretary

Sachi Parker

Belle

Delores Hall

Hazel

Anne Ramsey

Woman in Shelter

Logan Ramsey

Man in Shelter

Sydna Scott

Woman #2 in Shelter

Wendie Malick

Wendie Cross

Joel Murray

Guest

Mitch Glazer

Guest

Susan Isaacs

Guest

Lauri Kempson

Guest

Chaz Conner

Ghost of Christmas Future (TV)

Miro Polo

Mary Lou's Coach

Ralph Bruneau

Nephew

Maria Riva

Mrs. Rhinelander

James Kindelon

Butler

Raphael Harris

Older Calvin

Wayne A. Finkelman

Orderly

Susan Barnes

Harpy

Lynne Randall

Harpy

Gilles Savard

Waiter

Michael O'Donoghue

Priest

Dick McGarvin

Announcer

Tom Doak

Video Tape Director

Sam Drummy

Cameraman on Crane

Winfred Tennison

Marvin

Steve Kahan

Technician

Norman D. Wilson

Technician

Henry Brown

Technician

Jeanine Jackson

Technician

Amy Hill

Technician

Miles Davis

Street Musician

Larry Carlton

Street Musician

David Sanborn

Street Musician

Paul Shaffer

Street Musician

Dick Blasucci

Executive

Peter Sellers

Viewed on TV screen acting in 1964 film Carol For Another Christmas uncredited

Crew

Director

Richard Donner

Novel

Charles Dickens

Writer

Michael O'Donoghue

Writer

Mitch Glazer

Reviews

John Chard

December 27, 2015

Put a little love in your heart.

This is a perfect vehicle for Bill Murray, his brand of sarcastic and caustic delivery is nailed on perfect for Frank Cross, the modern day scrooge in this tale. I have often found him to be an acquired taste, I mean don't get me wrong here, I'm a big fan and can repeatedly watch his best offerings, but it's not hard to understand why his style is not universally loved. Scrooged is pure and simply the modern spin of the story we all have grown up with, that isn't to say that the film loses anything as regards Christmas spirit, because it doesn't, the message is still the same, and in this ever changing world of ours the core essence of the story is one the world should heed.

This version is a blast, it's loud, it's brash, but boy is it damn funny, and I personally watch it every Christmas without fail. And yes, I watch it alongside the glorious Alistair Sim version, for although they are poles apart in class, they both entertain for very different reasons.

Joining Murray in this festive romp is the delightful Karen Allen, while luminaries such as former New York Dolls front man David Johansen and Mr. Laconic himself, Robert Mitchum, add some weight to the cast list. It all works really rather well with the exception of Carol Kane's Ghost Of Christmas Present, where to me she comes off as being more annoying than funny, but that of course is a personal opinion and I know as fact that many others adore her energetic performance. With quips aplenty and of course with a simple heartfelt message at the core, Scrooged is truly a sharp and enjoyable film to be enjoyed at the festive period.

Thanks boys, get the nurse! 8/10