Perennial Charles Dickens Christmas classic received a
musical makeover in this 1970 Ronald Neame version that tries to recapture the
magic of Oliver! even though the material doesn’t really call for it or need
it. Further, the music is mostly forgettable except for the “Thank You Very
Much” number which memorably features a tap dance on Scrooge’s coffin and a
rollicking funeral parade. Albert Finney plays a surprisingly shrill and
somewhat disappointing Scrooge and Alec Guinness is also a letdown as a droll
Jacob Marley.
** ½ out of ****
