Written by Jennifer
October 06, 2009
This DVD deserves a home under every Christmas tree this year. Anything less would be downright Scroogey.
I hadn’t realized how prominently Mickey’s Christmas Carol figured into my childhood until I sat down to watch the newly released DVD edition. As soon as it got underway I realized that I knew almost every line by heart. I had the soundtrack version on vinyl that came with an actual script (they called it a “read-along storybook”, but I knew what it was), and I did what any self-respecting child Disneyphile would do: I called my best friend and we staged our own version. Starring our little Applause brand bears. On July 4th, 1989. Seriously.
Indeed Mickey’s Christmas Carol is good enough to inspire all sorts of crazy imitative play. With Donald Duck as Ebenezer Scrooge and MIckey Mouse as the long-suffering Bob Cratchit, this little gem cuts to the chase and covers Dickens’ classic in quick order. Goofy stands in as Bob Marley, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the giant from “Mickey and the Beanstalk” plays the Ghost of Christmas present, and Black Pete stars as the Ghost of Christmas Future...you know, Black Pete! Who doesn’t love him?! Wherever the hell he came from! And of course the three ghosts teach Ebenezer Scrooge the error of his ways, and in the end he eats Christmas dinner with the humble Cratchit family, and little Tiny Tim hobbles forward and says, “God bless us, every one.”
Oh! And did I mention the fabulous original songs? It’s no wonder this Disney masterpiece fed my yearlong craving for all things Christmas. What little kid wouldn’t be enchanted by familiar Disney characters coming together to tell one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time?
When the feature is over (assuming you don’t just watch it again), the fun continues with three classic Disney shorts—“The Small One” (about a little worn-out donkey), “Pluto’s Christmas Tree” (which you can bet contains our favorite chipmunks Chip ‘n’ Dale), and the adorable, elftastic “Santa’s Workshop”. I’m thinking this DVD deserves a home under every Christmas tree this year. Anything less would be downright Scroogey.
