Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, released by Vivendi Entertainment in 1962, is an hour-long animated television special that brings to life Charles Dicken's perennial classic A Christmas Carol with a comedic twist featuring the memorable character Mr. Magoo. The show presents a heartening amalgamation of comedy, music, and sheer holiday delight. This animated feature is the first in a series of television adaptations that present beloved classics through the comic lens of Mr. Magoo.

The central character Mr. Magoo (voiced by Jim Backus), first introduced in the late 40s, is a wealthy, kindly, yet nearsighted man known for his comic misinterpretations due to his lack of visibility. He's directionally challenged and often ends up in hilariously dangerous situations due to his severe nearsightedness, but he's always unaware of the chaos he’s creating due to his overly optimistic nature. This characteristic nearsightedness of Mr. Magoo brings a fresh perspective and unique turn to the timeless classic that is Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Capturing this amusing essence of the famous character, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol begins with Mr. Magoo driving to an old Broadway theater where he is set to perform the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. The show then transcends into a play-within-a-show format, where Mr. Magoo, as Scrooge, brings his nearsighted silliness into the story, making for a cheerful, rather light-hearted showcase of Scrooge’s journey.

The storyline follows the familiar narrative of A Christmas Carol, beginning with miserly Scrooge being visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Royal Dano) who warns him about the forthcoming visits from three spirits - the Ghost of Christmas Past (Joan Gardner), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Les Tremayne), and the Ghost of Christmas Future or Yet to Come. Each spirit brings Scrooge on an enlightening journey through different stages of his life, forcing him to confront his mistakes and the grim future that awaits him if he doesn't amend his cruel ways.

Sprinkled with seven original songs by the renowned Broadway songwriting team of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, the show carries with it a musical note that not only adds charm but also gives the story a dramatic tone at appropriate junctures. The combination of comedic antics and melodious tunes in the storytelling process makes Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol an entertaining holiday special that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.

The animation in the show, despite being created in the early 60s, is impressive. The UPA animation studio employed limited-animation techniques in the creation of this special, which are characteristic of that era and give it a distinctive visual style. Though the animation style is far from realistic when compared with modern standards, it possesses a simplistic charm and the characters are both vivid and expressive, drawing in the audience effortlessly.

The voice performance by all the actors is commendable, especially Jim Backus who brilliantly brings life to the character of Mr. Magoo. His voice acting instills the character with humor and gentleness, all the while capturing the transformation of Scrooge from a selfish miser to a kind-hearted individual.

The show, in its entirety, maintains a balance of light-hearted humour and deep-rooted message, while successfully capturing the essence of the Dickensian classic. It communicates the timeless theme of love, joy, and redemption during the holiday season, with its humorous collisions and misinterpretations infusing just the right amount of comedy into the well-loved and familiar narrative.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol serves as a delightful holiday special that is inclusive and captivating. While it offers the cherished tale of A Christmas Carol retold with a light-hearted spin, it also maintains the profound moral messages Dickens originally intended. Whether you're a fan of classic Christmas stories, animation, music, comedy, or a combination of all four, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is an endearing, entertaining watch that promises to warm the heart and evoke the spirit of the festive season.