Ebenezer Scrooge: Who played him best, worst?

The cold-hearted miser who learns the true spirit of the season in "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge, has been played by dozens of actors over the years. Matt Singer, editor for the movie website thedissolve.com joins "CBS This Morning" to take a look at some of Hollywood's best and worst Scrooges.

[@niftyspock]

Albert Finney is my favorite. Wish they would have mentioned him in the greats!

[@davidcabral3805]

niftyspock yes!! he died just recently too!!

[@jennatomashosky8624]

@@davidcabral3805 Agreed

[@johnmullens2857]

He was the best to me too!

[@dogandpony4931]

I agree, hands down Albert Finney was the most incredible performance

[@jdduncan7673]

The 1970 Scrooge musical with Albert Finney is my favorite too! The only reason I watched this video is to see them discuss it but this version wasn't included. Disappointing!

[@JamesGalea12]

It’s a cardinal sin not to include the *Albert Finney* Scrooge in this video.

[@johnmullens2857]

exactly! A total disgrace!

[@billfisher9238]

this "film critic" is so annoying. the fact that he didn't mention Finney (who won a Golden Globe and a great deal of acclaim) shows that he didn't do his homework before going on television.

[@YoungKaZe518]

Bill Fisher agreed

[@annapaulikonis2433]

THANK YOU.

[@keithwatkins6693]

Finney was my favorite. 'Thank ya very much'

[@52BBN]

Albert Finney....HANDS DOWN!

[@kearstiann93]

Best ever.

[@josecandelaria4345]

Totally agree..."because I like life..."

[@monkeyweather]

Funny, they left the BEST one out! Scrooge, 1970: Albert Finney!

[@valdezserg]

Producers must get their research team to search Albert Finney RIP. Hands down the best Ebenezer Scrooge.

[@kathybrooks8118]

Missed my favorite 1970 Albert Finney

[@mikephillips950]

Mr Finney , simply the best , R.I.P. God bless.

[@davidcabral3805]

Mike Phillips yes went deceased !!

[@reddevil9554]

Albert Finney was the all-time best Scrooge, no-one else comes close.

[@charlesharvey9337]

Albert Finney was the best.

[@annapaulikonis2433]

YES!

[@davidcabral3805]

Anna Paulikonis as I write this he died days ago!!! yes number one!!

[@jennatomashosky8624]

Thank you very much.

[@pevensielavere22]

♡ FINNEY IS THE BEST, Scrooge!!!!!! Bar none. Oscar-worthy performance. I continuously marvel at his nuances, and talent that brings Leslie Bricusse's script, lyrics and music to poignant brilliance. Excellent costumes and makeup to show his age progression. Dickens wrote this lead role especially for Finney. How? Time travel.

[@lmckrosen123]

No mention of Albert Finney in "Scrooge" (1970)? One of the best!

[@52BBN]

The ABSOLUTE BEST! Best version of the movie as well! I'm guessing no mention because it's a British version?

[@YoungKaZe518]

Exactly what i was thinking. It is by FAR the best christmas carol.

[@TheReginaldDwight]

52BBN, I sincerely doubt that's the reason. The critic's choice for #1 was the 1951 version starring Alistair Sim, which is also a British version. I agree with you though that the Albert Finney version is the BEST version. It is my favorite, and "A Christmas Carol" is literally my favorite story ever so I pretty much love every version. I never get tired of watching this story.

[@JamesGalea12]

L Brenner That’s right! Albert Finney is the best scrooge!!

[@billfake6256]

He was the BEST...............Period!!!!!!!!!

[@kearstiann93]

Grew up watching Albert Finney as scrooge. He will forever be my favorite

[@annapaulikonis2433]

Albert Finney Hands Down!

[@davidcabral3805]

Anna Paulikonis rip!!

[@jennatomashosky8624]

Thank you very much.

[@mdelaubergine8930]

Many fine performances. George C. Scott in the 1984 production was incredible.

[@keithwatkins6693]

Albert Finney, has my vote, great actors, it was filmed well, a musical, Thank you very much, thats the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me.. lol

[@rickymay4096]

Best: George C. Scott Worst: Jim Carrey

[@dianegodbout2356]

i like Alistair Simms the best.

[@billfake6256]

ALBERT FINNEY!!!!!.......NO Questions about it!!

[@ricklaporte8052]

Let me echo "Albert Finney...HANDS DOWN!"

[@BigD1987]

Caine because he played it straight while surrounded by Muppets

[@ValkyrieDaisy95]

George C Scott, always. He wasn't a caricature. He played him like a real man and he'd laugh in the face of Christmas, rather than grumble. He was grumpy not just in his moods, but in his nature and outlook on life. He really made Scrooge his own and he made him as he was a real person, not just a literary character. Scott was just so... real to me. Alastair Sim is second for me though, he did a great job. Albert Finney would be third. I adore the musical! But George, owns the role in my eyes. That husky cantankerous laugh of his always is a bonus too xD

[@sankokesl]

My favorite scene with the George C Scott version was when he went to make amends with his nephew Fred. That was the scene that stood out in his version over the others. It was very heart touching and believable. Oh yes, and also Tiny Tim. That really was the only version where Tim looked like his health was declining, and he needed help soon, therefore getting our sympathy even more.

[@ValkyrieDaisy95]

Yeah!! That's my favourite scene! "God forgive me for the time I have wasted.."

[@rickymay4096]

Finney is my second favorite after Scott. Third would be Sims, then Cain and then Patrick Stewart.

[@miker7812]

Absolutely

[@annapaulikonis2433]

To each his own scrooge.

[@thedexterbros]

Michael Caine's was the BEST! His acting was perfectly subtle, not over done

[@michaelpetrini4763]

1938 with Reginald Owen hands down. The best.

[@captainamerica6525]

Oh! Without a single doubt George C Scott played the best Scrooge! He nailed it!

[@porterwake3898]

No Albert Finney? Come on. I think George C. Scott is still #1 and the most underrated is Michael Caine, his performance is moving.

[@disneyfanjsg]

Jim Carey, Scrooge McDuck, Michael Cane, Mister Magoo, & 1977 animated Scrooge are by so far the best!

[@LucasMidkiff]

I actually love the Kelsey Grammer version.

[@jennatomashosky8624]

Me too. I love the songs.

[@dirpbirp6747]

Criminal he didn't mention Finney. Both crotchety AND hilarious! A tour de force performance.

[@tinathompson683]

My vote goes to Patrick Stewart in 1999. The best Bob Cratchit performance, too, by Richard E. Grant. I look forward to seeing this version, every year,

[@tedperry6466]

I like that version only because of Mrs. Cratchit. She and the Ghost of Christmas Past were very unique and execellent. Though it's not one of my favorites version

[@janelle7668]

Albert Finney deserved an Oscar for his performance as Scrooge. The 1970 musical version is stellar and a sincere pleasure to watch. 🎥🎞💜🎄

[@kearstiann93]

Hey!! I loved the Kelsey Grammar one!!

[@kennethwayne6857]

Me too, but I loved it onstage better. Saw that version onstage 3 times with Roddy McDowall, Roger Daltrey and Frank Langella. All magnificent!

[@tedperry6466]

of course you did. After all your name is Crazy K. I'm guessing you were a big fan of Frasier.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Albert Finney is my favorite. I own the DVD.

[@davidbcreative4716]

Albert Finney was not even mentioned and he was, in my opinion, the very best Scrooge. How could they leave him out?!

[@meantto-be2402]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I feel that Alastair Sim in the 1950 version is the most accurate Scrooge to Dicken's vision.

[@philipmonihan8222]

Okay, Matt Singer, you need to make a Screen Crush video. Top 5 Weirdest Scrooges. Please consider Taylor Holmes and Frederick March.

[@christinawhite251]

rugrats full episode

[@philipmonihan8222]

Christina White I don't remember a Rugrats Christmas Carol.

[@LATVERIAN1]

Sim & Scott; the very best Scrooges ever! And a nod to Albert Finney in the musical version entitled; "Scrooge". The worst, again, was Patrick Stewart. He was just terrible in the role.

[@alcarbo8613]

No even a passing mention of A Mickey Christmas Carol? Or Albert Finney

[@samuelknight886]

George C. Scott. He had the look and the attitude.

[@Trekkie_boy]

Published 170 weeks ago, there you have it folks!

[@jessekaplan143]

Odd that there was no mention of Sir Seymour Hicks, who apparently played Scrooge on stage for decades. He was in the 1935 version simply enticed "Scrooge." Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a clean print of that version; it's always grainy and has poor sound quality. Sim is to me the best, but Hick's version is quite good.

[@unclebigkid8719]

What about Ross kemp as Eddie scrooge or Michael Gambon as Cazran sardick .

[@johnmullens2857]

Its a disgrace they didnt even mention the great Albert Finney, who to me, did the best Scrooge rendition ever!

[@rubais7861]

Geogre C scott DID

[@thomaschacko6320]

Very rushed, superficial analysis for something considered a “classic.” Left out was the 1938 version with Reginald Owen (although the 1951 film, with Alistair Sim, was superior). And I agree with others here: how on earth could you ignore the fabulous 1970 musical version, starring the great Albert Finney? I saw “Scrooge” at Radio City Music Hall, in New York City, during its premiere run. (The good old days when Radio City had films AND a stage show!) After this film and the annual Christmas show, you came out feeling genuinely uplifted! Yes, this version was my favourite, too!

[@JLSAUNDERS72]

Albert Finney was the beet.... others come in a distant second

[@kennethwayne6857]

Why make comparisons? Finney, Sim, Scott, Stewart, LOVE them all! All different, all irreplaceable.

[@senorkaboom]

I agree, in part, with what was said here. Scott and Sim are aces. Caine was OK. Stewart, though, was not good, nor was Winkler in his version. The Stewart version does have one character well played, the role of Cratchit. You felt the financial hardship he endured as Scrooge's clerk. In other versions, Cratchit is just too well off. And, yeah!! Where is Finney??

[@Jo_603]

Albert was the best, followed by Alister, but Chris Lee should’ve played Scrooge.

[@thomasbaron5367]

George C. Scott is my favorite

[@Airsoftcleaner]

Alistair Sim,THE best of all Scrooges

[@u2bonolover1023]

Albert finney!

[@paulabaileypb67]

Look at Carter Bailey's beatboxing

[@ivornappinion9406]

NO

[@joegray6269]

George c Scott for me

[@francisphillips53]

Alastair Sim was the best. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Kev-england32]

Sir Finney

[@markbrinton6790]

1970. Scrooge. Albert Finney. Not even close.

[@SupremoDon]

Albert finney! There is no mistake. He was scrooge !

[@robyounce4636]

Albert Finney #1....You don't know anything about the story's film history if you omit Finney

[@ZootWorld1]

A Christmas Carol was written only 170 weeks ago.

[@daimagicfan]

Albert Finney was the best !

[@blaze_news_3061]

This is my opinion but I like Jim Carrey

[@deangartshore817]

Gorge c Scott is the best

[@LATVERIAN1]

You lost me after the 3rd pick. "Patrick Stewart", while indeed is a great actor, was just plain awful in the role of Scrooge. When the specter of Marley's ghost appears, Stewart's Scrooge shows utterly no fear, or any real emotion which would be consistent with the situation. And it gets worse from there. When Stewart attempts to laugh, after his redemption, he sounds as mentally challenged as when a short time later he's attempting to get the poultry man's attention just outside his home. Like I've said, Patrick is an accomplished actor, but his lead in 'A Christmas Carol' was dry, mechanical, silly and dull, to say the least. Hey, maybe it was the director to blame. Whatever.

[@ShaNaNa242]

Alistair sim George C Scott Reginald Owen Seamour Hick Albert Finney

[@FreddyKurganNimmo]

Best: Alastair Sim Worst: Michael Caine

[@lianasoares8052]

The muppets version was stupid. 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

[@OhtheSuffering]

Albert Finney was the worst, in my opinion. Or it could just be that I didn’t enjoy that movie.

[@davidcabral3805]

OhtheSuffering to each his own as the saying goes!!

[@Kev-england32]

Humbug