Arts & Entertainment
Who Is Your Favorite Ebenezer Scrooge?
From Lionel Barrymore to Jim Carrey, they have all played the main character of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.' The first movie version cast Tom Ricketts in the role the last time the Cubs won a World Series.
Ebenezer Scrooge may not be the most played role by an actor but over 35 people have reprised the role from British nobility to Scrooge McDuck, an animated version of the character with a strong resemblance to Walt Disney’s Donald Duck, according to an Internet Search.
Patch was going to do a poll to let readers vote for their favorite Scrooge, but there are way too many for a credible contest so we invite you to share your memories in the comments beneath this story.
Earlier: What Is a Humbug?
Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch will give you some history to stimulate your memory and then we ask you to debate away. Would you believe Patch research showed the first person to play Scrooge in a movie was Tom Ricketts and the film was made in Chicago the last time the Cubs won the World Series?
According to a story in the Washington Times, Ricketts starred and directed a silent version of “A Christmas Carol” at Essanay Studios in Chicago in 1908. Rickets went on to direct Hollywood’s first motion picture the next year.
Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Lionel Barrymore played the role year after year on the radio in the 1930’s and 1940’s as well as starring in an MGM production in 1938. Other well known actors to take the part in earlier years include Orson Welles, John Carradine, Alastair Sim, Fredric March, Basil Rathbone, Cryil Richard, Albert Finney and George C. Scott.
In recent years other actors have put their stamp on the part like Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Palance and James Earl Jones.
Beside Scrooge McDuck, there have been other less conventional performances of Scrooge. Michael Caine starred with Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit in the Muppets Christmas Carol in 1992, according to the Washington Times story.
The role has not been limited to men. Cicely Tyson starred as Ebenita Scrooge in “Ms. Scrooge,” according to TV Guide.
That gives you a partial list. Your memory may well contain more. Think about your favorite person who has portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge and let the discussion begin. Every reader’s answer is the right answer.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
