Best Film of the Day: A Disney Reunion

Before winter break our seventh grade class studied a play version of A Christmas Carol. I remembered how much I liked the Mickey Mouse version,but it had been a long time since I had watched it.  I couldn't find it at the local store and the library didn't have it. A student of mine let me know after break that she had found a copy at their house.

Today we were celebrating her birthday and it was the last day of the semester. It was perfect timing for watching  Mickey's Christmas Carol. I was hoping I could squeeze in some test reading while the film was going on. No such luck. I watched every minute of it.

It was such a release on a Friday morning at the end of finals to laugh out loud as I remembered Goofy playing the part of Jacob Marley's ghost. Of course, when he made his appearance in Scrooge's bedroom he tripped and fell.  Donald Duck were perfectly cast as Scrooge's nephew Fred. When I was younger could I ever really understand Donald Duck?

Of course Mickey was Bob Cratchet and Scrooge McDuck (with a perfect British accent) was Scrooge himself. My students just couldn't remember who played the ghosts and I laughed out loud when I heard the voice of Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past.  When was the last time I heard or saw Jiminy Cricket?

I had to really pay attention, but other Disney characters were mixed in the cast. Daisy Duck, Minnie Mouse, Ratty, and Mole were front and center, butThe Three Little Pigs were part of the carolers at the beginning.  I had remembered Huey, Dewey, and Louie, but had no recollection of The Big Bad Wolf or Chip 'n Dale until today. It was a enjoyable hour before the students went home early today.

I was not the only person that realized how clever this film was. Mickey's Christmas Carol was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Animated Short Subject of 1983. The hour ended in the best possible way when the student presented me with the VHS tape and told me I could have it!
" God bless us everyone!"