Highly Overrated But Still Good

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Henry Winkler was riding a wave of popularity when "An American Christmas Carol" was released in late 1979. He was still starring in the dumb 1970s sitcom "Happy Days" and had been the star in two theatrical movies in 1978. Given that I hated "Happy Days" and couldn't stand Winkler's "Fonzie" character, I was prepared to really hate this TV movie.I was surprised to find that "An American Christmas Carol" is really quite good. Winkler appears as the Scrooge-like character Benedict Slade, who reforms after visits from Christmas spirits during the Great Depression. The film has a very easygoing pace and has typical TV-style production values and direction, but it's really pretty good. I think that folks should watch it without any preconceptions about Winkler or the story...you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I have great admiration for Henry Winkler and his willingness to run with this role. He Was Superb! It was a great departure from his other works, and he took a big chance in accepting the professional challenge. Delivery of lines - gestures - all was very impressive.Period costuming and sets of the Depression Era were also well-done. Supporting cast demonstrated ability to make this version of the story believable and able to be appreciated.I rank it as excellent - character and film - as the version with George C. Scott, and that is REALLY saying something! I was thrilled the first time I saw this film, and continue to thrill to its ability to depart from - yet enhance - the original creation.If you have not seen this film, please do so. Your will not be sorry. I ask only that you go into it with an open mind and appreciation for different, yet the same.

WOW! I thought I was the only one who had ever seen or heard of this movie? Thanks so much for having a link to buy a copy. I will do so before next Christmas.It is not really an americanized version of the Dicken's Clssic, I guess, but it takes place in 1930's New England, rather than Victorian England? MR Slade is not as mean as Mr Scrooge, he is just out of touch and seems to have forgotten all the people who made him what he is? He shows his cluelessness when he gives the hungry boys a book (I think it was a Horatio Alger book?) instead of giving them a meal? One of the striking things about it is the way he goes back to the orphanage and finds someone just like him and takes him to the now-ruined furniture factory. You hope that he inspires him, but you wonder if this boy will end up repeating Mr Slade's life? Of course, Mr. Slade did was not married, nor did he have a lovely daughter? i hope that Turner or AMC re-discover this little gem!

Not enough people ever gave this one a chance, but it should be considered one of the better versions of "A Christmas Carol" out there.Why did it fail? Well, who wanted to see "Fonzie" play Scrooge back in 1979? I must admit that I did not like this movie the first time I saw it either, but it grew on me, as any good movie does. Henry Winkler plays Depression era "Bennidict Slade" (what an inventive American equivalent for "Ebenezer Scrooge"!), a rich businessman that started out as a delinquent orphan that was adopted by a kind man he unwittingly ends up putting out of business in his pursuit of greed. The "Depression Era" skin put on this movie makes it all the more gray, bleak and believable.One thing that hurt this movie was that it doesn't have as much of a "feel good" ending as the usual "Scrooge" versions, but I rank this one high because it has my absolute favorite ending of any version of the "Scrooge" genre.Naturally, I can't spoil the ending, only to say that Slade has more fun surprising people with his new found attitude, knowing just how shocked everyone will be, than any Scrooge movie I've seen. It makes a fun difference. And his surprise for "Tiny Tim", very well done.One annoying distraction, the "Ghost of Christmas Future" is portrayed by a black man wearing gold chains, dressed in 1979 fashions and listens to disco music. Their "Ghost of the Future" jumped a little too far ahead, and is comical by todays standards.But this is a great version, and if you are bored to death with endless variations of "A Christmas Carol" where you know the story blindfolded, then I highly recommend you give this one a chance. You'll like it as long as you don't try and compare it to A.C.C., looking for places where they changed the story.