About Mickey's Christmas Carol

Mickey's Christmas Carol is a 1983 American animated featurette produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was adapted from Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, where Scrooge McDuck fittingly takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three spirits who show him his past, present, and future, completely transforming his mean-spirited character.

Making / Production

The production of Mickey's Christmas Carol began in 1981, directed by Burny Mattinson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. Best known as Disney's first original Mickey Mouse theatrical cartoon produced in over 30 years. At the time of its broadcast, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Film.

Actors

• Alan Young as Scrooge McDuck (Ebenezer Scrooge) - Young provides a wonderfully cantankerous and stingy Scrooge.
• Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse (Bob Cratchit) - Allwine brought a heartwarming innocence to Mickey's character.
• Hal Smith as Goofy (Jacob Marley) - Smith adds a quirky charm to the character of Marley, Scrooge's late business partner.
• Will Ryan as Willie the Giant (The Ghost of Christmas Present) - Willie's character is made both lively and jovial by Ryan.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This was the last piece of Mickey Mouse media that Walt Disney ever worked on.
• The film was initially created as a supplement to reissues of older Disney full-length feature films.
• Mickey's Christmas Carol marks the first appearance of Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Awards

Mickey's Christmas Carol was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1984 but lost to Sundae in New York. However, it won the 1984 British Academy Children's Award for Best Children's Programme (Entertainment/Drama).

Quotes

• "It's the first Christmas I can remember that feels like it should. Like when we were kids." - Mickey Mouse
• "Bah! Humbug!" - Scrooge McDuck
• "A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!" - Tiny Tim

Music, Soundtrack

• "Oh What a Merry Christmas Day" - The opening and closing theme of the film.
• "A Christmas Carol" - The recurring instrumental music that sets a festive tone throughout the film.
• "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" - Sung by Mickeys and the townsfolk, adding a traditional touch to the film.