Scrooged (1988)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers (WGA):

Mitch Glazer (written by) &
Michael O'Donoghue (written by) ...

Release Date:

23 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

Bill Murray is back among the ghosts. Only this time, it's three against one.

Plot:

A cynically selfish TV executive gets haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.

Plot Keywords:

Bittersweet | Loneliness | Quirky | Executive | Dog

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Bill Murray	...	Frank Cross
Karen Allen	...	Claire Phillips
John Forsythe	...	Lew Hayward
John Glover	...	Brice Cummings
Bob Goldthwait	...	Eliot Loudermilk (as Bobcat Goldthwait)
David Johansen	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Carol Kane	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Robert Mitchum	...	Preston Rhinelander
Nicholas Phillips	...	Calvin Cooley
Michael J. Pollard	...	Herman
Alfre Woodard	...	Grace Cooley
Mabel King	...	Gramma Cooley
John Murray	...	James Cross
Jamie Farr	...	TV Jacob Marley
Robert Goulet	...	Himself

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Australia:M | Finland:K-14 | Ireland:12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Mirage Productions

Trivia:

On the "Frisbee" show (when Frank is in the dog suit), there is a tree on the set with a heart engraving and "Dick Loves Lauren". Director Richard Donner is married to producer Lauren Shuler Donner.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Eliot Loudermilk confronts Frank, he fires three shots from the double-barreled shotgun before reloading.

Quotes:

Lew Hayward: I don't mind you shooting at me, Frank, but take it easy on the Bacardi

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Untouchables: The Script, the Cast (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Wooly Bully

I absolutely love this movie!!!

One of the strangest mysteries in the world of film criticism, was a review of this film given by world renowned film critic Roger Ebert. He called this film "disquieting, unsettling, and depressing". He also bashed the films "attempts at comedy", as he so put it. After reading that review, I would like to say that I would STRONGLY like to differ! Where is there anything in "Scrooged", that is unsettling and disquieting? What's depressing about it?! It seems to me that every time I've watched it, I found it funny, lively, and euphoric! I also thought it was one of Bill Murray's great comic performances. Carol Kane cracks me up every time as the ghost of Christmas present, with an attitude. It's a modern-day Scrooge movie. I always find myself in a good mood after I've finished watching it. And it's also worth bearing in mind that Bill Murray's character is supposed to be miserable, in hopes that the "three ghosts" will help pull him out of his black hole. I love this movie! It's extremely difficult to not like this movie. It's great to watch at Christmas time. Oh, and Roger Ebert, as much as I like you, you fucked up big time with your review of "Scrooged"!