The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

 

The Muppet Christmas Carol - 1992

Our next film is 1992's "The Muppet Christmas Carol", an imaginative retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story using the beloved Muppet characters.  As Ebenezer Scrooge leaves work on Christmas Eve, he can little imagine what is in store for him when he gets home.  He's visited by ghosts of past, present, and future, and he learns a valuable lesson from them.

The film's cast includes Michael Caine, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz, and Dave Goelz.

Our tale begins in Victorian London, England, where Charles Dickens (Gonzo) and his assistant, Rizzo, narrate the story for us.

Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge is a horrible boss to work for, as his clerk Bob Cratchit knows.  In fact, he's described by Gonzo as "a covetous, old sinner".  Mr. Scrooge wants nothing to do with celebrating Christmas, and he hates anyone who even mentions the subject.

He's not even nice to cute little carolers on the street who come to wish him the joys of the season.

That night (Christmas Eve), Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of his deceased partners, Robert and Jacob Marley, who warn him that he will be cursed to spend the afterlife as they do if he doesn't change his miserly ways.

He's awakened from his fitful sleep by a succession of ghosts.  The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future all conspire to show him scenes of his life.  (These are three of the creepiest ghosts I think I've ever seen)  Scrooge is profoundly changed by what he sees and experiences throughout the night, and he vows to mend his ways.

Suddenly, Scrooge grows kinder and is ready to keep Christmas in his heart.  He heads to the Cratchit house, and Mrs. Cratchit isn't happy with him at all.  When he tells Bob that he's about raise his salary, Mrs. Cratchit, who isn't listening says, "And I am about to raise you right off the pavement...pardon?"

Scrooge becomes a beloved member of the community.  And as Tiny Tim observed, "God bless us, every one."

Providing the comic relief in this film are Gonzo (Charles Dickens) and Rizzo.  When the perpetually hungry Rizzo sees the Swedish Chef and his grapes singing "Deck The Halls", he decides not to partake.  "Mother always taught me never eat singing food," he says.

And, of course, the Cratchit family is beloved by everyone.  Bob and his wife Emily have four children, Peter, Bettina, Belinda, and Tiny Tim.  (Fast forward to about 1 minute on the video to see Miss Piggy tell the secret to a good Christmas goose and her reaction to how it smells.)

Cast rundown:

   Michael Caine...................................Ebenezer Scrooge

   Steve Whitmire.................................Bob Cratchit/Rizzo

   Frank Oz..........................................Emily Cratchit/Headmaster/Fozziwig

   Dave Goelz.......................................Charles Dickens (Gonzo)

And that's all for The Muppet Christmas Carol.  In his opinion, Michael Caine considered this to be one of the most memorable films he's done.  This is the first Muppet film in which Kermit the Frog isn't the lead character.  This movie has been described as one of the darker versions of Dickens' Christmas Carol.  Some songs were cut because they were deemed too upsetting, and Rizzo even asks Gonzo during the film if this movie is alright for children.

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California Suite (1978)

California Suite - 1978

Up next is 1978's "California Suite", a film about five couples who are staying at a Los Angeles hotel during Academy Awards weekend.  Each couple face a different set of trying circumstances.

The film's cast includes Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Herb Edelman, Denise Galik, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Gloria Gifford, Sheila Frazier, and James Coburn.

Chauncey and Lola Gump are vacationing in Los Angeles with Willis and Betting Panama.  Nothing seems to go right for them: from a faulty rental car to a non-existent reservation at the hotel.  Additionally, the two couples can't stop bickering amongst themselves.

Bill and Hannah Warren are a divorced couple fighting over custody of their teenage daughter.  As the maid leaves Hannah's hotel room, Bill enters.  "Hello, Hannah," he says politely.  "You were supposed to knock.  I was going to keep you waiting in the hall.  You screwed up my big moment," says Hannah.

The two trade barbs at each other.  "I love your California clothes," says Hannah.  "They're Bloomingdale's of New York," replies Bill.  "It's the best place for California clothes," says Hannah.

They spend the rest of the day together, altering between bickering and sharing how each other has changed.

Actress Diana Barrie has come to Los Angeles from London with her husband Sidney Cochran.  Diana is up for an Oscar, though she knows she's a long shot to win.  She tries out a few acceptance speech lines just in case.  "You have to prepare something.  You can't just stand there sobbing all over Burt Reynolds."

When the Gumps and the Panamas get to the hotel and they find out that there is only one room instead of two, they decide to share, which they don't realize will turn into a big mistake.

Sidney and Diana prepare for the Academy Awards.  Her moods run the gambit from hopeful that she'll win, to panic, and ultimately despair over her marriage of convenience with Sidney.  Through it all, he's there to offer her support, even when she doesn't win.

The Gumps and the Panamas book the tennis court, and an all out battle begins, which culminates in a fight in their hotel room in which they destroy it.

Elsewhere in the hotel, Marvin Michaels is in a panic.  A hooker that his brother sent to his room is passed out cold in bed.  Even worse is the fact that Marvin's wife (who came a day later) is on her way up to the room.

Marvin tries his best to hide the hooker from his wife Millie, and tries to avoid a very difficult conversation.

Unfortunately for Marvin, Millie discovers the hooker in the bed.  She ultimately decides to forgive Marvin and pretend this whole episode never happened.

As they are on their way out that evening, they share a cab with the hooker.  "Do you know who that is?" asks Marvin in shock.  With a straight face, Millie replies, "Yes, it's our hooker.  Do you think I'd ride with strangers?"

Hannah allows her daughter to stay with Bill, which earns her the gratitude of the girl.

The Gumps and Panamas head home, too.  They have sustained heavy injuries in their fight.  Both the guys are doctors and wonder how they are going to teach and practice medicine in their condition.

And after a disastrous trip, Diana and Sidney head home to London.  Diana wants to get off the plane when the flight attendant announces that they are going to show the movie that Diana was nominated for.

Cast rundown:

   Jane Fonda................................Hannah Warren

   Alan Alda...................................Bill Warren

   Maggie Smith.............................Diana Barrie/Wendy

   Michael Caine.............................Sidney Cochran

   Walter Matthau...........................Marvin Michaels

   Elaine May..................................Millie Michaels

   Herb Edelman.............................Harry Michaels

   Denise Galik...............................Bunny

   Richard Pryor..............................Dr. Chauncey Gump

   Bill Cosby...................................Dr. Willis Panama

   Gloria Gifford..............................Lola Gump

   Sheila Frazier..............................Bettina Panama

   James Coburn.............................Harold

And that's it for California Suite.  In real life, Maggie Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, achieving what her character could not.  Maggie Smith said that director Herbert Ross was very difficult to work with.  She also said that he reduced Walter Matthau to tears during the filming.

My favorite scene in the movie comes when Diana and Sidney are having a drink at the bar before the Oscars.  The bartender puts down a plate of chips and guacamole, and Diana is abhorred when she sees it.  "What is that green slime you're eating?  It looks like a dish out of Oliver Twist!" she remarks to Sidney.  He replies, "I'm not sure.  I think they just run the front lawn through a blender."

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