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| 'Scrooge' quotes on the back of my bedroom door. |
WELCOME to my Christmas edition of Battle Of The Bands' Battle Of The Booze! From my very earliest memories up to this present day, I have always loved everything about CHRISTMAS! In fact, I consider Christmas to be Winter's only redeeming quality. I adored Christmas even before I knew "the Reason for the season" .
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Christmas -- I love the music, the lights, the candy & cards, the trees & decorations, the egg nog ekker nog, hot buttered rum, excited kids & harried adults. Believe it or not, I even love the "commercialism" and the stockings hung behind the bar with care. I'm crazy about the old school Xmas movies and the animated children's TV specials. Helck, I even love fruitcake and the dogs barking 'Jingle Bells'.
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I have a soft spot in my heart for Santa Claus riding a No(r)elco razor through the fake snow; and this is still the greatest version of 'Carol Of The Bells' that I've ever seen:
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In 1987, I worked for U.C.L.A.'s Parking Service Department. One night in December, I walked into base and found two of my best friends, [link> Lonnie & Kathleen (later known as "The Countess"), loudly singing some song...
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"Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That's the nicest thing that anyone's
ever done for me!"
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| The Fabulous Countess & The Famous Cartoonist (Lonnie) |
I waited until they were finished singing and then I asked, "What's that from?" Their mouths hung open a minute or two, while they looked at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. And then, simultaneously, they both shouted, "SCROOGE!!" I had seen versions of 'A Christmas Carol', but I had never seen 'Scrooge' (1970) starring Albert Finney. It was a musical and, at that time, I was unknowingly burdened by the astoundingly incorrect belief that I disliked musicals.
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Well, Kathleen (The Countess) made certain that I saw 'Scrooge' that month and I was bowled over by how much I enjoyed it! (Some great acting; fantastic sets; terrific music; Holiday humor, and probably the most joyful ending of any film I've ever seen!)
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Every December I watch 'Scrooge' and 'It's A Wonderful Life' (the colorized version, "thank you very much!"). Both of them are amongst my all-time Top 10 Favorite Movies. Which one do I love the most? The one I happen to be watching when the question is asked is the one I love the most!
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It's now officially the Christmas season - a time that relates to Love & Miracles - so let's listen to a couple of songs that mention miracle water wine.
Yeah, wine not?
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MISTLETOE & WINE
by Cliff Richard
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| My Italian "Major Award" Christmas sweater. |
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I LIKE LIFE
by Scrooge & The Ghost Of Christmas Present
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Please vote for which song you preferred (regardless of the videos), and then please visit all of the other BOTBers and cast your two cents in their Battles.
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I intend to return here with the Final Tally on or about December 8th. (When I will also reveal my two Tiny Tim Christmas traditions!!)
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
Nice to see a photo of the famous "Countess" and your famous cartoonist friend too.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! The holiday season is the only good thing about winter. I love all the lights and decorations especially. And the movies! My favourite Scrooge depiction is the 1950 classic starring Alistair Sim, but this musical version is fun. That Cliff Richard song is unfamiliar, and it didn't grab me, so I have to go with "I Like Life", because I do! ☺
DEBBIE D'DOGLADY ~
DeleteI haven't seen the Alastair Sim version of 'A Christmas Carol' in many years. I may try to get it in this December. If I recall correctly, I believe I would have it at #2 in the pecking order. But for me, the entertainment value of 'Scrooge' (and the degree of difference between "Bah!" and "Joy!") is just unbeatable.
Thanks for bringing a pitcher of egg nog to my BOTB contest!
~ Stephen
Gosh, I hadn't heard "thank you very much" in ages. It used to be a song that our World of Fantasy show would use as our finale number when everyone would take their bows and all. It was a number of years before I knew where the song came from.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy Christmas a great deal more than I used to. But that goes for a lot of things. I came to have a greater appreciation for musicals after I went to college. Now I love them, but I rarely watch them because my wife doesn't like them. It's probably a cultural thing and since English is her second language they probably don't come across to her as easily as they do for me. Same thing with comedies. She loves "Seinfeld" but for the most part she doesn't connect with comedy in English so much so that I usually don't watch them with her.
Christmas? This year is likely to be very quiet unless we get surprise visitors. But I enjoy quiet so I'm good.
I like life, but not so much the song. Good sentiments, but not a song I'd put on repeat play. I wasn't overwhelmed by the Richards song either, but I've always liked Cliff Richards (since I discovered his music in the eighties), so I give him my vote.
Lee
R. LEE BOID ~
DeleteThere was a period where I would watch my favorite classic Xmas movies ('It's A Wonderful Life' & 'Miracle On 34th Street') and then my favorite modern Xmas movies ('Scrooge' & 'A Christmas Story') every other year - going back and forth from year to year. But for the last 4 Decembers (this one will be #5) I began watching ALL of them again. Why? Because I keep thinking: This *could* be the last Christmas! Ha!
There are still plenty of musicals I do not like. The songs *must* either further develop the story or the characters. I can't tolerate the ones where a character can't even bend down and tie their shoelaces without breaking out into a song about it! (Yeah, I'm looking at you, 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers', and the rest of your ilk. You know who you are!)
~ D-FensDogG
I've been having computer problems today so I may be a bit late commenting. But as I have seven days in which to do it, perhaps I am not quite so late after all.
ReplyDeleteI guess I need to re-watch "Scrooge." I have seen it once, when it first came out. I remember not liking it and so I have avoided it ever since. I enjoyed most other versions of the tale, from Alistair Sim's to Muppets to Mickey's to George C. Scott's to Bill Murray's. Iwill love musicals, but the "Scrooge" song featured did not hit me well. But I
I am pretty MEH about Cliff Richard, but I am giving my vote to him this round... in the spirit of Christmas.
Since you love the movie, I will watch it again this Christmas season. Maybe I was wrong. There is a first time for everything.
Sheboyganboy Six
SIR SIX-A-LOT ~
DeleteI remember liking the Alastair Sim version of the tale, but it's probably been a good 20 or more years since I've seen it. I really did not like the George C. Scott version in the least. (I don't want to see George in anything but 'Dr. Strangelove'.) I never saw The Muppets, that I can recall. Yeah, saw Mickey and it was... OK. As much as I love the old school Disney animation, Mickey and his Minnie and their squeaky voices have never appealed to me.
The Albert Finney version has by far the greatest emotional distance between the mean old Scrooge and the newly enlightened, joyful Scrooge. Plus, it also features some really good character actors. Those Englishers can truly act, unlike so many of their American counterparts who can't do much more than stand around and look pretty.
Say, did you ever re-watch 'Mary Poppins' after having read my Spiritual interpretation of it?
Although it's unlikely as wide as our Great Musical Divide, I suspect that we also have a Film Gap. So... I'm not too optimistic that you will be changing your mind about 'Scrooge'. However, it IS the season for miracles and happy surprises, so I shan't give up all hope.
Thanks for bringing some non-alcoholic beer to the party. (Believe it or not, I like some of them.)
~ D-FensDogG
Merry Christmas, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about the musical version of Scrooge. It's been eons since I watched it. I think I saw a few times as kid. Between the two song picks, I preferred Mistletoe and Wine better and am casting my vote for Cliff Richards. By the way, I like your major Christmas sweater award. lol
CAThy!
DeleteThat 'Leg Lamp' sweater was a Christmas gift from my sister several years ago. Bonehead (my sister's nickname since about 1968) has an absolutely UNCANNY ability to find fantastic gifts for me. Like what?...
Best sweater.
Best shirt.
Best video.
Best stuffed dog.
...And no doubt a few other things that are currently bypassing my brain.
Methinx it's time for you to see 'Scrooge' again. "And tell them you heard about it first here on Roller Derby". (It's a Cheech y Chong thing, you wouldn't understand. ;^)
~ D-FensDogG
Well Bonehead did a great job and I love her sense of humor! I told DH if we ever win the lottery and we have tons of extra storage then I'd absolutely would love to get replica (not the small versions) of that lamp. Wouldn't that be such a hoot? :) Honestly, I don't think I ever watched a Cheech and Chong movie, only catching pieces of their movies. they were too out there I guess for me to really get into.
DeleteCAThy ~
DeleteEvery single time I wear that "major award" sweater in public I get compliments on it.
I was never a pot-smoker, yet I still love some of Cheech y Chong's comedy. BUT!... it's not their movies I enjoy. I've seen two, maybe three of them, and was very "Eh" about them. Where I first encountered CyC and came to appreciate their comedy was in their records. I think the skits were much funnier heard than seen. And every Christmas I listen to their skit 'Santa Claus And His Old Lady'. My brother and I quote from CyC skits on a regular (almost daily) basis.
~ D-FensDogG
Great pictures! What a festive Christmas sweater ;-)
ReplyDeleteScrooge was the theme at our local dinner (lunch) theater this weekend! I love stuff like that. But I'm voting for Cliff Richards ;-)
dIEDRE ~
DeleteI remember some years back when my brother asked me what size sweater I would wear, because Bonehead had confided in him that she was getting one for me as a gift that Christmas and she needed to know my size.
I kind of groaned because, I'm just NOT a sweater or sweatshirt kind of guy. But when I opened the gift on Christmas Day and saw that "MAJOR AWARD" on the sweater, I instantly loved it and wear it proudly every December. My sister just has a weird knack for that kind of thing, as you already know, because of the history of Muddy. And Muddy wasn't even the *best* gift she ever gave me.
dIEDRE, thanks for bringing a bottle of brandy for the BOTB egg nog!
~ D-FensDogG
I have to see that Scrooge version since I had not seen it since I was a kid. Nothing beats Alastair Sim as Scrooge. I love Christmas but I also love snow and walking in it. I think I'd still go sledding if someone asked me. I love that first song by Cliff Richard. It's so pretty a d enchanting so that one gets my vote.
ReplyDeletePS. It's A Wonderful Life is my favourite film but must be black and white!! You see all the shadows especially his split self after he leaves his mom's place thinking he's going crazy. An amazing shot!!
BIRGIT ~
DeleteI love snow, too. I love it on postcards and in movies. However, living in it is just too dangerous. I've slipped and fallen in it, one time almost even breaking my bottle of rum!
They'll never take the Santa Monica Beach out of me, no matter how many years I live in this white stuffs. (I'm dreaming of a... Lifeguard Station #26 Christmas!)
I'd probably seen 'It's A Wonderful Life' 25-30 times in black & white. But the first time I saw it in color, it was like seeing the movie for the first time! I was suddenly noticing all kinds of details in the film that I'd never known were there! Why? Because they had to figure out what color *everything* had to be, and therefore *everything* became visible -- even tiny tims-- er... I mean, even tiny *things* in the background.
Now, I even know what color Violet's dress is! I would NEVER consider watching a classic Film Noir in color. (That would be entirely illogical.) But Christmas movies should be in color because Christmas is so doggone colorful!
Once I saw '...Wonderful Life' in color, I knew I would never go back to black & white. And the exact same thing applies to 'Miracle On 34th Street'. Now, Santa's suit is a beautiful, deep red, rather than black.
Thank you, Birgit, for bringing a bottle of fine champagne to the BOTB party!
~ Stephen
Both of these were excellent songs, ones that I had never heard before. I liked "I like life' better, which is not to say there's anything wrong with "Mistletoe and Wine," but that "I Like Life" had a message that I should always remember and never forget. So "I Like Life" it is!
ReplyDeleteSIR JOHN ~
DeleteAhhh! I'm pleased as spiked punch that you really enjoyed *both* songs, and that 'I Like Life' is getting some love! It hadn't seen a vote since Debbie D'Doglady opened the door in this contest.
If you've not seen 'Scrooge' (or not seen it in a long time) I highly recommend it to ya this December. There are so many things I love about it, but I don't want to ruin it for ya, like some relatives did with 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles'.
I will only say that I LOVE how the Ghost of Christmas Present grabs Scrooge and goes bursting through the windows with him! That is so like him. He's so full of life and won't waste any of it opening windows before flying through the night sky!
~ Stephen T. McMe
VOTE = SCROOGE
ReplyDeleteThe Cliff Richard song (which I had never heard, amazingly enough, long story...) had a lot to recommend it, for sure. But the FUN of the clip from Scrooge is positively contagious. Yay! ~ED.
Yoo-Hoo!
DeleteA Yuletide "Yay!" from Hermano Eduardo!
That whole movie - 'SCROOGE' - is a complete blast. From the ultimate "Bah Humbug!" to "Indescribable Joy!" in 114 minutes. Ebeneezer is so nasty that he even sings a song titled 'I Hate People'. But those 3 spirits really do a number on him.
I like the fact that they didn't stick entirely to the Dickens story, but gave it some entertaining twists 'n' tweaks. The actors who play Bob Cratchit & Scrooge's nephew, Harry, are really wonderful! And Albert Finney's transformation from a husky looking dude that I wouldn't want to tangle with, into that scrawny, Scroogey old man is simply remarkable.
I give the movie two thumbs and a champagne glass UP!
Thanks for bringing a bottle of "Yay!" for the party's punch bowl.
~ D-FensDogG
No! Thank YOU!
DeleteI think I been had voted but not sure if it went through
ReplyDeleteAin't nut'n came through. Methinks your "magically delicious" leprechaun has flown the coop.
Delete~ D'DogG
You heard em.
DeleteAnd Stephen...
ReplyDeleteGood battle two very different songs. I saw Scrooge a few times when it came out (probably at the Criterion Theater in SM) and liked the movie and I too like life but Cliff Richards gets my vote more Christmasy in my opinion. Now if it was titled Mistletoe and Southern Comfort there would be no doubt.
JW,
Pooh!
And, GHOST Of SOUTHERN COMFORT PAST, That's Not All!...
DeleteI thank you, good sir, for bringing some Hot Buttered Southern Comfort for the BOTB punch bowl! You're an ossifer an' a gentleman!
Ya know, Pooh, that almost sounds to me like it has the potential to become a #1 Country-Western song. I'm thinking something like 'Mistletoe, Southern Comfort & A Dog Named Hooch'. Let's get to work on that.
~ And Stephen
Ah, I'll never forget the time I dropped by Lonnie's comic strip blog and left a comment that included details of, I believe, a dog he had ages ago - something that only a person who had truly known him could ever reference - just to mess with him a little and then let him know that Stephen sent me. His response? Just 'Ha!' No follow up questions whatsoever. What a goofball.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I had to dig through old e-mails, but you had me post this verbatim: 'This is as silly as someone who would name their dog "Biff" after one of the Batfight Words in an old Adam West 'Batman' episode!'
Anyhow, I do like the Cliff Richard song a lot, but I like life, I love Scrooge, and that song definitely gets my bote/gets me even more hyped for the season/the Reason.
~Chief Julio
He Who Runs With Wild Turkeys ~
DeleteI gotta admit, that doesn't sound at like the Lonnie I knew and loved (John Wayne! John Wayne!) So I gotta suspect that you may have caught him in one of life's valleys. ("That shit could really happen!")
The 1966-era 'Batman' was one of the first things that Lonnie and I bonded over, and when he told me that he'd had a dog he named "Biff", based on the TV show, I thought (and *still* think) that was abbalouly hilarious!
Just thinking about that again, I suddenly find that I want pets. Perhaps a dog named Pow and a cat named Zap.
Thanks for bringing your understanding of bourbonomics to the blog bit!
~ Stephen T.
(who is sometimes called other things)
Well, I will admit that I kind of decided before even listening to the Cliff Richard song. But, to be fair, I listened to CR twice.
ReplyDeleteReading through the other comments where they chose the Cliff Richard tune, I think that "I Like Life" must come across better when you watch "Scrooge" in its entirety.
For me, absolutely NO contest. "I Like Life" is the clear winner!! There is a joy in the song that always lifts my spirits (past, present and future!) The entire "Scrooge" soundtrack is marvelous. "Christmas Children" is another of my favorites.
If you ever find a place that sells what Scrooge is drinking, I want some!!! (Perpetual spree!!)
It is my honor to take half credit for introducing you to one of your all time favorite Christmas movies, it's one of mine as well - but you already knew that.
One last thing...don't be dissin' on "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"!!
The Countess
COUNTESS ~
DeleteWell, well, well, look what the Tennessee Kat dragged in! [;^)}
There certainly are some top-notch tunes in that 'Scrooge' soundtrack, and one of my big favorites is 'Happiness'. In the movie, it's goldenshadow-like haunting the way the story transitions into that song and segment; it stabs me right in the heart!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLUIwCUAHso
>>... "If you ever find a place that sells what Scrooge is drinking, I want some!!! (Perpetual spree!!)
Guffaw-Out-Loud!
That should be the name of some sort of good hooch...
Excuse me, ma'am, but you seem to be out of 'Perpetual Spree!' Do you have any idea when your next shipment will be arriving? I want to give bottles of it to my family and friends for Christmas.
Over the last two days, while doing stuffs around the house, I decided to rewatch 'A Christmas Carol' with Alastair Sim, and to see for the first time the 1999 version starring Patrick Stewart. True, they both remain closer to the Dickens story BUT!... ugh. When one already knows how the story *SHOULD* appear on the screen, it makes the A.S. version seem almost like a high school production. And the P.S. version was, at times, almost physically painful to watch.
Saying that Alastair or Patrick is Ebenezer Scrooge - rather than Albert Finney - is like saying someone other than Edmund Gwenn is Santa Claus, or someone other than Julie Newmar (I'm looking at you, Eartha Kitt and Lee Meriwether) is Catwoman.
And, speaking of Catwoman (a.k.a. Julie Newmar), I can honestly say that she was my favorite parts of 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers'. (Oops! Well, I've said too much.)
Merry Christmas, Countess! And, God bless us, every one!
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Easy rulin’ fer Scrooge and the big fella. As you know I am a judge of few words, so, that’s it, that’s muh rulin’. So, GOOD DAY!!!!
ReplyDelete"GOOD DAY!!!", eh?
DeleteYeah, I saw what you did there.
Don't mock me, spirit--- er... I mean, Harry, my nephew!
Thanks for bringing a glass of Diet Pepsi for the punch bowl. May the gods of video poker generously treat you often to "We three kings of Orient are".
~ D-FensDogG
Well played.
Delete