I've just watched the first of my fave Christmas flicks I watch every year; Scrooged from 1988. You know the one, Bill Murray as the obnoxious TV exec who renews his love on Christmas Eve.
Its a great film, directed by the late great Richard Donner. Donner made two of my favourite non-Xmas films as well, The Omen and co-produced X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
There's a stocking-full of fab actors in Scrooged. Bill Murray had taken a four year break after Ghostbusters in 1984 and came back with Scrooged. I think he was on superb form and was helped enormously with endearing foils like the gruff Bridgeport-born A-lister Robert Mitchum, the down and out who calls him Dick: New Jersey's Michael J. Pollard, Syracuse's Bobcat Goldthwait, he of the screechy voice and many more.
A particular favourite role is that of the excitable substitute Film Director brought in whilst Murray's character goes to pot. This Director has a line I never forgot, 'I'll have the California Health Plate' and I've wanted to order one in a restaurant ever since. The appealing actor, Kingston-born John Glover, also played 'Phil', the memorable assistant to Carter in Payback, another old flick I like.
When you talk about Scrooged you can't not talk about the fabulous female lead played by Illinois-born Karen Allen, who's most famous role is easily Marion Ravenwood in the India Jones franchise, most recently the Dial of Destiny this year [anyone seen it?].
My final mention is one David Johannsen, who plays the raucous taxi-driving Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged, perhaps his most famous non-musical role. Hailing from Staten Island, Johannsen was the glam lead singer of the important proto-punk band The New York Dolls. I remember first seeing them on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973 playing their classic Jet Boy. Years before Punk, only David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed were as edgy at the time.
Yep, Scrooged is a great and funny film, which I always enjoy re-watching. Is it a film you like readers?
I only saw Scrooged for the first time last year. Really enjoyed it, not just because I love NYC but also being in the entertainment industry. I worked with Bobcat on one of his movies. He's actually a pretty serious guy, but nice. And I was at a Buster Poindexter concert years ago. Johannsen puts on one hell of a show.
ReplyDeleteFascinating Baron. You've worked with and seen some great people!
DeleteI love Scrooged, as its so irreverent. I love the taxi driver bit "Its a bone you lucky dog!" and Robert Mitchums bit part with the pet entertainment tv. Its by turns poignant and sad and really bawdily funny and in doing so, kind of nails the message home (like the mouse with antlers) about being antisocial and distanced, as opposed to being warm and friendly (especially at xmas). Bill
ReplyDeleteyep, a great flick Bill and a fab adaptation of Dickens' classic. There's always been Scrooges and always will be.
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