#ebenezer scrooge on tv series

[twistedtummies2]

Top 6 Portrayals of the Grinch

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel…!”

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the works of Dr. Seuss: I am very passionate about and very protective of them, and very critical of many adaptations/reimaginings of the same. Tied to this, most of you probably know that while my favorite Seuss CHARACTER is the Cat in the Hat…my favorite Seuss STORY, and by extension my second favorite Seuss character, is that of the Grinch. Fun fact: the Grinch originally appeared in a very early Seuss story he wrote for a magazine, called “The Grinch and the Hoobub,” where he was depicted as a diminutive con artist. This Grinch scammed a gullible and lazy creature called a Hoobub into buying a simple piece of green string for a ridiculous fee. Eventually, Seuss revisited the idea of the Grinch: frustrated with his own feelings of bitterness, isolation, and general annoyance with the holidays, Seuss decided to essentially vent his feelings, and thus created the story of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” This was arguably the character closest to his heart: Seuss himself often said that he felt his own personality was “part Cat in the Hat, part Grinch,” and he even once drew a self-portrait of himself looking in the mirror and seeing the Grinch’s face staring back at him. The Grinch was an outlet for all of his inner irritations: a grouchy, nasty, reclusive character who took delight in taking folks down a peg when he felt needed. Since then, the Grinch has become one of the most iconic villains of children’s literature, and while he’s especially prominent during the Christmas season, he’s managed to wiggle his grubby, fuzzy green fingers into all sorts of other places. Now, contrary to popular belief, I actually have NOT seen EVERY version of the Grinch there is to see: for example, I have not seen the recent horror film parody “The Mean One” (and I have absolutely zero intention of seeing it EVER, thank you very much), and I also missed the telecast production of the stage musical, which starred Matthew Morrison. (I actually wanted to see it for the sake of this countdown, but couldn’t find the full show anywhere in time.) Still, I’ve seen more than my fair share of screen takes on the Grinch, so - this Christmas Eve - I decided to give the King of Sinful Sots a spot in the limelight. Therefore, I present to you all my Top 6 Favorite Versions of The Grinch!

6. Walter Matthau.

This is by far the most obscure Grinch on the list; out of all the people who might be reading this, my guess is that only…five of you, at best, have heard of this hidden gem. In the early 90s, Random House - the company that still publishes many of Dr. Seuss’ stories - began releasing a series of direct-to-video adaptations of some of the books. The series was originally planned for TV, but when that scheme fell through, it instead became “Dr. Seuss Video Classics.” The productions were very similar to the earlier work of another publishing company, Rabbit Ears: creating what were essentially motion comic versions of the stories, with minimal animation, some music and a small number of sound effects added in, and with celebrity voice actors telling the stories and playing the character. In 1992, they released their own take on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (paired up with the totally unrelated “If I Ran the Zoo”), and called on Walter Matthau to handle the vocal chops. Considering Matthau had played Ebenezer Scrooge decades before, and was also a major character in the film “Grumpy Old Men” a year later, I’d say this casting makes perfect sense. This is basically just the book brought to life in the most bare bones sense of things, but it’s not necessarily done badly; as a kid, before the advent of the Jim Carrey version, I used to watch this take on the Grinch almost as often as the more fondly-remembered Chuck Jones cartoon. It had, and still has, a unique charm on its own.

5. Hans Conried.

In 1977, eleven years after his first animated outing, the Grinch returned to television not for Christmas, but for Halloween. The resulting special, “Halloween is Grinch Night,” has gained a cult following all its own: it’s not as well known or popular as the original story, but it’s certainly interesting in its own right. While ostensibly billed as a prequel, the special seems to take place in its own continuity separate from the book or the original cartoon, and features arguably the most evil version of the Grinch created within Seuss’ own lifetime. Keeping with the tradition established by the earlier cartoon, the Grinch and the Narrator of the special are played by Hans Conried: a lifelong friend of Dr. Seuss, now most well-known as the voice actor for Captain Hook in Disney’s Peter Pan. Conried was famous for playing villainous characters with a melodramatic, often comedic side to them, and his work as the Grinch is no exception. He’s clearly having a blast in the role, and from getting brickles in his britches to doing a funny little dance routine, there’s a lot of typically Seussian humor to the character…but in the scenes where the Grinch shows his teeth (both literally and figuratively), Conried actually does succeed in making him effectively creepy. As much as I love him and the special, however, I think I just prefer other portrayals that are a little more complex, like the character from the original story; the original Grinch wasn’t just a monster, he could change and ultimately did. This Grinch doesn’t seem capable of that, but he’s certainly a lot of fun.

4. Anthony Asbury.

This version of the character hails from the now-often-forgotten TV series “The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss.” Made by the Jim Henson company, the show was an attempt to bring the style and sensibilities of Seuss’ timeless works to TV, but with all new, original content. It’s big gimmick was that most of the backgrounds and various other elements were made with CGI, while the characters, props, and small bits of the sets were accomplished with physical constructs and puppetry. The show was a mixed bag, but it gained a decent following in its time, and is still home to a small but loyal fanbase…and I suppose I’m among those fans. I loved this show as a kid, and I even still have merchandise related to it, including two Christmas ornaments and a Grinch puppet. On that note…the Grinch was a recurring antagonist who popped up throughout the show. Among his many dastardly deeds, he pilfered a rare bird’s egg, went on a rampage of destruction at a popular theme park and resort, and tried to steal spring itself (I guess he figured “been there, done that” with winter), just to name a few. We also got a story introducing us to how the Grinch and Max met up, and to this day it’s still my personal favorite way to imagine how they became partners-in-crime. (Reluctantly, on the doggy’s side.) In typical fashion, the Grinch would frequently be defeated either by someone worming their way into his two-sizes-too-small heart, or just being beaten with some form of karmic punishment. Like the show, this Grinch is often forgotten nowadays, but is definitely worthy of a look if you ever get the chance.

3. Bob Holt.

Long before the days of the MCU and “Puny God” (though NOT before the publication of the original Avengers comics), Marvel helped to produce THE GREATEST CROSSOVER EVER KNOWN TO MAN…the Grinch vs. the Cat in the Hat. (Yes, I’m being sarcastic, but admit it: you weren’t sure.) In the cartoon “The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat,” the Mean Green One starts off actually apparently redeemed. He’s happy, he’s cheerful, and all seems well…but then, haunted by a split-personality he sees in the mirror…(looks towards Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin)...proof that this is DEFINITELY a Marvel movie, he quickly goes back to his fiendish ways. A chance run-in with the Cat in the Hat gives the Grinch inspiration, and he proceeds to devote all his time and resources into trying to ruin the Cat’s mood and make his life a living Seuss-Hell just for the sheer fun of it. The cartoon actually takes a very odd direction, as it depicts the Grinch as…well…frankly insane. It’s hinted that something in his childhood is to blame, as he seems to deeply care for his late mother, and his reflection actually addresses him with the same tone you’d expect a scornful father to speak to his disappointing son. (I MIGHT be reading too deeply into things, but the Cat LITERALLY imagines putting the Grinch on the psychiatry couch at one point, so take of that what you will.) As usual, by the end of the special, he sees the error of his ways, and this time he change seems to be for good in more ways than one. Holt was a wonderful Grinch, bringing of sophistication to the part that called back to Boris Karloff’s portrayal, and gave the Grinch a sort of old-timey villain vibe in his evil antics. I’m honestly sad we never got to see him play the character again, but que sera sera.

2. Jim Carrey.

Yeah, I bet a lot of you thought this would make number one, didn’tcha? While the Jim Carrey movie has its fair share of detractors, the majority of people around my age, and a bit younger, seem to enjoy it. I am no exception, BUT…the older I get, the more I DO see flaws in the picture. It actually reminds me a lot of another movie, “Hocus Pocus”: I feel the 2000 Grinch is to Christmas what that film is to Halloween. They have a lot of the same faults…but I also think they have a lot of the same values. The biggest value of all being the insanely quotable, delightfully over-the-top, but still incredibly powerful performances of the lead actors. Carrey’s Grinch might be annoying to some, and I guess I can understand why (especially for people who were longtime fans of earlier Grinches well before the film came out), but for me, he’s still hilarious, and you have to admire the sheer amount of dedication, determination, and outright bravery it took to do everything he did while forced to wear some of the most intense and all-encompassing costume and makeup options of any film to come out within the past couple decades. It’s telling that, ever since this film, most versions of the Grinch - onstage, at theme parks, in cosplays, and so on - all seem to take their cues primarily from the Carrey version beyond all else, in terms of how the character looks, sounds, and generally behaves. I actually debated for a bit whether I would put Carrey at first or second, and while I’m 99% sure most people who read this would have made the opposite choice I did…hey. Second place still ain’t bad, right?

1. Boris Karloff.

As much as I do enjoy the Jim Carrey movie, and for all the soft spots I have for other Grinches…in my opinion, the original cartoon from 1966 is still the best interpretation of the story, even better than the original book that inspired it. It takes all the stuff that made the Dr. Seuss story great and pluses it, but doesn’t really go too far beyond the call of the source; it sticks true to the ideals Seuss had in mind, and simply makes them even better. It’s proof that sometimes less is more, when compared to the mad spectacle of the Carrey version, but it’s also proof that you can take what was not broken and still make it better, when compared to the later Matthau version that is comparatively drier in tone. Karloff’s voice, both as the Narrator and the Grinch, set the standard for basically every person who would play either role in later endeavors. He actually can be legitimately menacing and unsettling at times (heck, it IS Boris Karloff), but he can also be funny, and at times very heartwarming, in both roles involved. Chuck Jones’ animation of the Grinch helps out a lot, giving the character a ton of personality and impact. As much as the Jim Carrey rendition has influenced popular culture, that movie - and likely all other versions of the character - probably wouldn’t EXIST if it hadn’t been for the success of the original cartoon. Heck, a lot of things we now recognize about the Grinch - the color of his fur, the songs that accompany him, the style of his world, etc. - really start with the cartoon more than the book. For all these reasons and more, Karloff’s Grinch and the cartoon he hails from take my top spot. "Welcome Christmas," everybody.

HONORABLE MENTIONS INCLUDE…

Benedict Cumberbatch.

I’m not really a fan of Illumination’s Grinch from 2018, nor of Cumberbatch’s work with the character, but a.) I don’t think the latter is the actor’s fault, and b.) the movie isn’t ENTIRELY without merit. I basically just prefer the earlier Grinches more. I include him primarily because I feel somebody would complain if I did not.

Patrick Page.

Page was the original Broadway Grinch for the stage musical - the same one that would later be telecasted with Matthew Morrison in the role - and this was my introduction to the actor. Unfortunately, while I’ve heard the soundtrack with Page, and watched a few clips, I’ve never actually seen the show proper, with him or any other performer, so I didn’t think it was fair to include him in the countdown.

[burningthrucelluloid]

Christmas Carol-cember, Day 19

Rowan Atkinson is a UK comedy treasure. His Mr Bean character is an enduring staple of physical comedy with situations that are endearingly funny, as well as his enduring deadpan personas, silly facial expressions and wit for that made him a beloved addition to countless films, TV, comedy roasts and the charitable causes he has participated in.

But for fans of comedy, you’d be hard pressed to dislike the series that truly brought his comic persona into the fray, “Blackadder.”

“Blackadder” is a sitcom told over several different time periods where Rowan Atkinson plays a distant relative who each bear the family name Blackadder as each descendant has to put up with the stink of the aristocracy. Prior to the last season of Blackadder, this one-off Christmas special was filmed and broadcast on December 23, 1988 as something of a clip show for the previous seasons.

Ebeneezer Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) is the nicest man in all of England. He gives generously to the poor, pays his horribly inept employee Mr Baldrick (Tony Robinson) a livable wage and lives a humble life with an underperforming mustache shop. Unfortunately, this life of kindness has made him easy pickings for people to abuse his generosity and leave him in a failing business without money or real friends to care for his well-being. On the night of Christmas Eve, he is visited by the Spirit of Christmas (Robbie Coltrane) who is not here to scare him into changing his ways but wants to congratulate him for not being like his ancestors, showing him clips of past episodes where the Blackadder family were verbally abusive to others through sharp wit and trickery.

Instead of being horrified by these visions, Ebenezer finds these visions empowering as he realizes that kindness didn’t bear them any good and thus changes his life around to become the cold and mean Scrooge we’ve seen. Only to choose the worst time to discover how great it is to be nasty as the King and Queen (Jim Broadbent and Miriam Margoyles respectively) show up to congratulate him on his generosity…as he slams the door on them.

As this version is a comedic take on the Dickens tale, all the finer details we come to know about Scrooge is absent, to an extent.

Mr Baldrick is the Bob Cratchit type, albeit way dimmer and less put upon outside of witty retorts until the end of the special where Scrooge is literally punching him with “the kind of gift that can be reused." There’s a goddaughter played by Nicola Jane Bryant who is hilariously annoying and only comes around so as to fuel his vengeance. There’s not so much a Tiny Tim apart from an unseen kid by Mrs Scratchit (Pauline Pope) who fake sobs to Scrooge to get food for her son who is implied to be massive.

But then again, this is not a story intended to show Scrooge as someone who has to change to better the world around him but a Scrooge who is exploited because of his generosity and how learning about his past ancestors does he believe he gets what he wants by being rotten. Which is really funny, especially when the special hits you with its final gag, cutting to the credits at the perfect moment.

I don’t think I need to say that this special pulled together a fantastic cast of actors to pull this off, even though two sequences are recycled footage from the show. Apart from the aforementioned Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson, the cast of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Miranda Richardson demonstrate fantastic comical timing and a master of the wordplay that the humor of Blackadder hinges upon. Snarky jerks who put each other down or one up one another with hilarious retorts.

Obviously Dickens would have protested this distortion of his themes, but in Blackadder, norms are intended to be poked fun of and the “polite society” conventions are nothing more than a suggestion that someone with enough wit and ambition can use against those who would exploit you.

It’s very funny and if you’re tired of the same Scrooge story where he learns his lesson and the story just ends saying he got better, this is for you. 

Just don’t hope that random couple with the funny accents asking for food and wearing bulky robes aren’t royalty when you belittle them and slam the door in their faces.

“Blackadder: A Christmas Carol” is available for streaming on BritBox. 

Next up, a Christmas Carol set in the 80s as we return with a Ghostbuster in the role.

[kwebtv]

TV Guide -  November 30 - December 6, 1963

George Campbell Scott (October 18, 1927 – September 22, 1999) was an American actor, director, and producer who had a celebrated career on both stage and screen. With a gruff demeanor and commanding presence, Scott became known for his portrayal of stern, but complex, authority figures.

Scott was in much demand for guest shots on TV shows, appearing in episodes of Ben Casey and Naked City. In 1962, Scott appeared as school teacher Arthur Lilly on NBC's The Virginian, in the episode "The Brazen Bell", in which he recites Oscar Wilde's poem "The Ballad of Reading Gaol". That same year, he appeared in NBC's medical drama The Eleventh Hour, in the episode "I Don't Belong in a White-Painted House". He appeared opposite Laurence Olivier and Julie Harris in Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory in a 1961 television production.

In 1963 Scott starred in the hour-long television drama series East Side/West Side. He portrayed a New York City social worker, along with co-stars Cicely Tyson and Elizabeth Wilson. Scott was a major creative influence on the show, resulting in conflicts with James T. Aubrey, the head of CBS. The Emmy Award-winning program had a series of guest stars, including James Earl Jones. The portrayal of challenging urban issues made attracting advertisers difficult, not helped by the limited distribution. Not all CBS network affiliates broadcast the show, and it was canceled after one season.

During the early 1970s, Scott appeared in the made-for-television films Jane Eyre (1970) as Mr. Rochester and The Price (1971), a version of the Arthur Miller play. For the latter role, he won an Emmy Award, which he accepted. He also directed a TV version of The Andersonville Trial (1970).

Scott appeared in a television production of Beauty and the Beast (1976), with Trish Van Devere.   In 1981 was cast as Fagin in the CBS made-for-TV adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist (1982).  He starred in China Rose (1983) on television, and in 1984 portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in a television adaptation of A Christmas Carol. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for the role. Scott played the title role in the made-for-television-movie Mussolini: The Untold Story (1985).

Scott reprised his role as Patton in a made-for-television sequel, The Last Days of Patton (1986). Based on the final weeks of Patton's life after being mortally injured in a car accident, it contains flashbacks of Patton's life. 

On television, Scott did The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1986) and Pals (1987; with Don Ameche). He also played the lead role in the TV series Mr. President (1987–88), which ran for 24 turbulent episodes. He was also on the Johnny Carson Show in March 1987. Scott starred in the television film The Ryan White Story (1989) as Charles Vaughan, the lawyer defending Ryan White.  (Wikipedia)

[thatcartoonnetworkblog]

Cartoon Network Friday Spotlight: Animaniacs- "A Christmas Plotz" / "Little Drummer Warners"

I was trying to decide what to write about for this holiday season. Maybe a special from a series on Checkered Past? Or an annual favorite like Yogi's First Christmas. But then I saw that Tom Ruegger and Andrea Romano, two of the greatest to work in the TV animation industry, were inducted into the Children and Family Emmy's inaugural Silver Circle, kind of a Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, Pinky and the Brain the series was never a part of Cartoon Network's lineup, so I can't talk about its legendary holiday episode. But Animaniacs did have a couple of memorable Christmas segments, including these two that made up the 50th episode!

First we have an adaptation of A Christmas Carol that features Warner CEO Plotz as Ebenezer Scrooge, who fires Ralph the security guard and soon meets his three ghosts (played by guess who!), each of which showing Plotz the error of his ways. Soon, Ralph's surprisingly clever son becomes the eventual CEO of the studio and fires Plotz. Hey, he can't be worse than Zaslav.

"A Christmas Plotz" is pretty by the books, but effective in its work. As zany as Animaniacs gets, the show does have a slither of a heart, which is welcome for the season.

And we follow that with the Warners playing the Three Wise Men as they do a jazzy revue of traditional Christmas ballads, which is brilliantly scored and performed.

That's what you usually got with Animaniacs, quick wit and catchy music. Give this a spin during your holiday playlist!

[fallen-down-slowed-down]

(warning: 160+ f/o’s)

💌books

Cage Lackmann – The Graves of Whitechapel

Calvin Evans – Lessons in Chemistry ( book + TV series )

Dr. Henry Jekyll – Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ( book + musical )

Fred Weasley – Harry Potter saga ( books + films )

Jacopo Ortis (poly) – Ultime Lettere di Jacopo Ortis

💌films/series/tv shows

Agent Stepdaughter + Gretel + Hansel (poly, with agent stepdaughter & Gretel) – Secret Magic Control Agency

Alva + Jesper Johansen + Mogens (poly, with Alva & Jesper) – Klaus

Anglaigus – Astérix: le Domaine des Dieux ( film + comic )

Aziraphale + Crowley (poly) – Good Omens

B.E.N. – Treasure Planet

Ballister Blackheart (poly) – Nimona

Benjamin Dunn – Mission: Impossible saga

Betterfly – Miraculous World: Paris, les Aventures de Toxinelle et Griffe Noire

Bruno Madrigal – Encanto

Burn-E – Burn-E

Camilo + Carlos Madrigal – Encanto

Chuck – Angry Birds duology

Cinderella – Disney’s Cinderella trilogy

Clopin Trouillefou – Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Cloudy – 7 Zwerge trilogy, 💍24.01.2021

Diaval – Maleficent duology

Dr. Herbert Cockroach – Monsters vs. Aliens

Ebenezer Scrooge – Scrooge: a Christmas Carol

Eugene + Rapunzel Fitzherbert (poly) – Disney’s Tangled

Félix Fathom – Miraculous: les Aventures de Ladybug et Chat Noir

Fix-it Felix Jr. – Wreck It Ralph

Gabo + Safi + Simon – Wish

Grand duke Rainier (nnic) – Disney’s Cinderella trilogy

Griffin – Hotel Transylvania saga

Grinch – Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)

Harrison Knott – Press Play

Héctor Rivera – Coco

Hermes – Disney’s Hercules

Hickory – Trolls: World Tour

Jack + Kio + Noki + Pino – Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves

Jaq – Disney’s Cinderella trilogy

Joe Bradley – Roman Holiday

John Watson (poly) – BBC’s Sherlock Holmes

Lieutenant Columbo – Columbo

Lumiére – The Beauty and the Beast ( films )

Major Major Major – Catch-22

Megamind – Megamind

Miles Miller – Bad Times at the El Royale

Mr. Tumnus - The Chronicles of Narnia

Mugman – The Cuphead Show!

Ned McDodd – Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!

Once-ler – Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, 💍24.07.2022

Pasunmotdeplus – Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques

Peter Graham – Hereditary

Rhett Abbott – Outer Range

Rigolin – Pil

Robert Floyd – Top Gun: Maverick

Snake – The Bad Guys

Stanley Uris – IT (2017-2019)

Stephen Meeks – Dead Poets Society

Tadashi Hamada – Big Hero 6

Tatsuhiko Shibusawa – Bungō Stray Dogs: Dead Apple ( manga + film )

Thranduil – The Hobbit trilogy

Timon – The Lion King trilogy

Tin man – Legends of Oz / Fantastic Journey to Oz (separately)

Tristain – Pil

Tulio (poly) – The Road to El Dorado

V – V for Vendetta

Victor Van Dort – Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride

Vincenzo Santorini – Atlantis: the Lost Empire

Walter Beckett – Spies In Disguise

💌videogames

Aesop Carl – Identity V

Alexandre + Brandon + Frank + Ji-Yeong + Lee + Soul – Subway Surfers

Akihiko Satou – Ikemen Vampire

Anatoli – Alchemy Stars

Azul Ashengrotto, 💍06.04.2024 + Jade Leech – Twisted Wonderland ( videogame + manga )

Barbatos + Beelzebub + Lucifer – Obey Me! duology

Barton – Alchemy Stars

Charon – Alchemy Stars

Daniel Schwartz – Alchemy Stars

Dire Crowley + Rook Hunt – Twisted Wonderland ( videogame + manga )

Faust – Alchemy Stars

Florine – Alchemy Stars

Gertzurde – Alchemy Stars

Jane – Alchemy Stars

Johann Georg Faust – Ikemen Vampire

Jola – Alchemy Stars

Jomu – Alchemy Stars

Julian Devorak + Lucio Morgasson – The Arcana

Leo – Alchemy Stars

Leyn + Matthieu – Alchemy Stars

Luke – Alchemy Stars

Moon + Sun – Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach

Narrator – The Stanley Parable

Novio – Alchemy Stars

Roy – Alchemy Stars

Sariel Noir – Ikemen Prince

Steel – Speedy Ninja

Sucre + Zacharie – OFF

Trey Clover – Twisted Wonderland ( videogame + manga )

Winston – Royal Match

💌other type of source

Adam – Hellaverse

Adrien Agreste – Miraculous universe

Alastor + Vox – Hellaverse

Asmodeus + Fizzarolli (poly) – Hellaverse

ATEEZ/Black Pirates/HALATEEZ – ATEEZ ( band )

Bane – DC universe

Beetlejuice – Beetlejuice ( musical )

Caine + Jax + Kinger – The Amazing Digital Circus

Doppo Kunikida – Bungō Stray Dogs universe

Edward Nashton – DC universe

Ethan Green – Hatchetfield universe

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald – Bungō Stray Dogs universe, 💍09.06.2022

Gabriel Adrian (nnic) – Hatchetfield universe

Hank Miller – OC

Henry Hidgens – Hatchetfield universe

Howard Phillips Lovecraft + Nathaniel Hawthorne – Bungō Stray Dogs universe

Johnathon Ohnn / the Spot – Marvel universe

Joker – DC universe

Grell Sutcliff – Kuroshitsuji universe, 💍03.09.2022

Knuckles – Sonic universe

Lucifer – Hellaverse

Luigi – Nintendo universe

Luka Couffaine – Miraculous universe

Marc Anciel + Nathaniel Kurtzberg (poly) – Miraculous universe

Marcus Cubitus – Astérix universe

Mark Connor (nnic) – The Simple Plot of... ( music videos )

Millie + Moxxie Knolastname (poly) – Hellaverse

Motojirō Kajii + Ryūrō Hirotsu – Bungō Stray Dogs universe

Mountain ghoul + Swiss Army ghoul – Ghost ( band )

Nathalie Sancœur – Miraculous universe

Night Owl – Miraculous universe

Ōgai Mori, 💍01.11.2022 + Yukichi Fukuzawa (poly) – Bungō Stray Dogs universe

Patrick Waff + Peter Roghlow (poly) – @scimmy’s OCs

Sparrow – Miraculous universe

Spiderman Noir – Marvel universe

Stolas – Hellaverse

Ted Spankoffski – Hatchetfield universe

Zestial – Hellaverse

[ao3feed-destiel-02]

Christmas of the past present and future

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/V14uR9S by WatchAndRead02 Dean is visited by the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, who shows him a Christmas of the past, present and future. Dean will have to change his behavior before that future becomes a reality. Words: 907, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 5 of Holidays with the Winchesters Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: Gen Characters: Dean Winchester Relationships: Implied Castiel/Dean Winchester - Relationship Additional Tags: Inspired by A Christmas Carol, That future would definitely never happen, Fix-It of Sorts, Hopeful Ending, Hopeful Dean Winchester read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/V14uR9S

[laresearchette]

Friday, December 15, 2023 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: THE FAMILY PLAN (Apple TV +) FINESTKIND (Paramount +) JOE BOB'S CREEPY CHRISTMAS (Shudder) THE SECRET GIFT OF CHRISTMAS (W Network) 8:00pm 50TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS (Global) 9:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING (CBS Feed) 91ST ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE (CW Feed)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA REACHER (Season 2)

CBC GEM BARDOT

CRAVE TV CHRISTMAS IS YOU CHRISTMAS ON WINDMILL WAY EDWARD SCISSORHANDS GOOSE GREEN LANTERN GROUNDHOG DAY THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS JINGLE BELL PRINCESS LES AFFAMÉS LIFE OF PI PARANORMAL REVENGE (Season 1) RACETIME REGINALD THE VAMPIRE (Season 1) TOM AT THE FARM WILDHOOD

NETFLIX CANADA ARCHER (Season 14 - finale season) CAROL & THE END OF THE WORLD CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET (GB) FACE TO FACE WITH ETA: CONVERSATIONS WITH A TERRORIST (ES) FAMILIA (MX) GET SANTA PAW PATROL (Season 10) YOH’ CHRISTMAS (ZA)

GRAND SLAM OF CURLING (SN) 12:30pm: Masters - Draw 14 (SN) 4:30pm: Masters - Draw 15 (SN1) 8:30pm: Masters - Draw 16

THE JINGLE BELL JUBILEE (CTV Life) 6:00pm: A city manager recruits the help of a childhood friend to save his town's Christmas charity event, while she attempts to set him up with her close friend.

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 7:30pm: Bruins vs. Islanders (TSN5) 8:00pm: Sens vs. Stars

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 7:30pm: Lakers vs. Spurs (TSN/TSN3/TSN4) 7:30pm: Hawks vs. Raptors (TSN3) 10:00pm: Knicks vs. Suns

OPEN SEASON: CALL OF NATURE (Family Channel Canada) 7:30pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Boog and Elliot open up a hair salon, and soon find that their new enterprise has attracted the attentions of the local gangster Woolly the Bully; Karla is forced to reveal her greatest talent and greatest shame to everyone.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1999) (CBC) 8:00pm: Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge (Patrick Stewart) receives visits from three Christmas spirits who show him his past, present and future.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (CTV2) 8:00pm: A former actress takes charge of a town's annual Christmas Eve courtroom production, in which the true authorship of the famous poem "A Visit From St. Nick" is debated.

A CHRISTMAS FOR THE AGES (CTV Life) 8:00pm: Prompted by their youngest granddaughter, four generations of women celebrate Christmas and family in the style of the 40s, 60s, 90s, and today.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF JERSEY (Slice) 8:00pm: Bite Me, I'll Bite Back

THE SEARCH FOR SECRET SANTA (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm: Cub reporter Sofia thinks she's found a Christmas story that will save her career when she discovers a long-lost, undelivered Secret Santa gift addressed from B. to Claire.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES: ULTIMATE GIRLS TRIP (Slice) 9:00pm/10:15pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Former New York City Housewives Dorinda, Kelly, Kristen, Luann, Ramona and Sonja reunite for a week in St. Barts; Kristen and Dorinda get off on the wrong foot; Kelly is concerned that Kristen seems more like a fan than a Housewife. In Episode Two, at the beach, the ladies discuss Sonja's communication skills and revisit the infamous Scary Island; Luann hosts a seafood dinner where Sonja questions Kristen's marriage; some handsome young men join the ladies for a house party.

MATRIARCH OF MURDER? (Investigation Discovery) 9:00pm: When an innocent young mother turns up dead on the tracks, the small town of Findlay, Ohio, must figure out who would take the life of such a kind soul.

BABYLON 5: THE ROAD HOME (adult swim) 9:00pm: John Sheridan unexpectedly finds himself transported through multiple timelines and alternate realities. Along the way, he reunites with some familiar faces and discovers cosmic new revelations about the history, purpose and meaning of the universe.

THE BLACKENING (Crave) 9:00pm: A group of old college friends reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by his rules, they soon realize this isn't a game.

[novelsmini]

Overview on Oliver Twist novel along with author

  "Oliver Twist" is a classic novel written by Charles Dickens, first published in 1837-1839 in serial form and later as a complete book. Here is some full information about "Oliver Twist":

1. Plot: The story revolves around a young orphan named Oliver Twist who is born in a workhouse and raised in a harsh and oppressive environment. He runs away to London, where he becomes involved with a group of juvenile delinquents led by Fagin, a cunning criminal. Oliver's journey is a tale of poverty, crime, and ultimately, redemption.

2. Characters:

   - Oliver Twist: The protagonist, a kind and innocent orphan.

   - Fagin: The leader of a gang of child pickpockets and a master manipulator.

   - Nancy: A member of Fagin's gang who takes care of Oliver but is torn between good and evil.

   - Bill Sikes: A brutal criminal and Nancy's lover.

   - Mr. Bumble: The pompous and self-important beadle of the workhouse.

   - Mr. Brownlow: A kind and wealthy man who takes an interest in Oliver.

   - The Artful Dodger: A charismatic member of Fagin's gang and Oliver's initial guide to the criminal underworld.

3. Themes: "Oliver Twist" explores themes such as poverty, social injustice, the corrupting influence of society, the struggle between good and evil, and the possibility of redemption.

4. Social Commentary: Charles Dickens used "Oliver Twist" to shed light on the harsh living conditions and injustices faced by the poor in 19th-century London. He criticized the workhouse system, child labor, and the treatment of orphans.

5. Adaptations: The novel has been adapted into numerous films, TV series, and stage productions. One of the most famous adaptations is the 1968 musical film "Oliver!" directed by Carol Reed.

6. Legacy: "Oliver Twist" is considered one of Dickens's most enduring and popular works. It remains a classic of English literature, known for its memorable characters and vivid portrayal of Victorian society.

7. Influences: Dickens's personal experiences, including his own time working in a blacking factory as a child, influenced his writing and his commitment to addressing social issues through his novels.

"Oliver Twist" continues to be studied in literature classes and is celebrated for its powerful storytelling and social commentary. It remains a significant work in the canon of English literature.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a prolific and influential British novelist and social critic. Here's some information about him:

1. Early Life: Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England. He came from a middle-class family but experienced financial difficulties in his youth when his father was imprisoned for debt. These early experiences greatly influenced his later writings.

2. Literary Career: Dickens became a highly successful writer known for his vivid characters, intricate plots, and social commentary. Some of his most famous works include "A Tale of Two Cities," "Great Expectations," "David Copperfield," "Bleak House," and, as mentioned earlier, "Oliver Twist."

3. Social Critic: Dickens was a passionate advocate for social reform and used his novels to highlight the harsh living conditions and injustices faced by the poor and working-class people of Victorian England. His writings often criticized the shortcomings of the legal and social systems of the time.

4. Serialized Novels: Many of Dickens's novels were initially published in serialized form in magazines and newspapers, making his work accessible to a wide audience. This serialized format also encouraged readers to eagerly await each installment.

5. Memorable Characters: Dickens created some of the most iconic characters in literature, including Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol," Pip from "Great Expectations," and Miss Havisham from the same novel. These characters have become cultural touchstones.

6. Legacy: Charles Dickens's works continue to be widely read and adapted into various media. His storytelling style and social critiques remain relevant today. "A Christmas Carol" is especially popular during the holiday season and has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and adaptations.

7. Personal Life: Dickens had a complex personal life, including a troubled marriage and several children. He was known for his energetic public readings of his own works, which were immensely popular.

8. Death: Charles Dickens passed away on June 9, 1870, at the age of 58. He is buried in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his enduring literary legacy.

Charles Dickens's contributions to literature and his commitment to social reform have left an indelible mark on both the world of literature and the broader societal discourse. His novels continue to be studied, cherished, and adapted, ensuring that his legacy endures.

For more info click here -https://novelsmini.blogspot.com/

[ebbyscrooge]

I NEED TO WATCH THIS!!!!

Yes, I might have to as well, if I can. Maybe I’ll watch with @avisscrooge!

Top 10 Bridgerton Characters

10. Eloise

I’m gonna be honest. I almost didn’t put her on this list, but I like her better than Colin plus I really enjoyed in her the book. She’s funny and plucky, but she can get kinda nasty at times especially towards Daphne.

9. Prince Friedrich

I would not mind seeing this snack attack back in season 2. He’s not right for Daphne, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a precious cinnamon roll.

8. Portia Featherington

Controversial choice I know considering she’s a villainess. But she owns her ish. She’s strong, resourceful, and gets done what needs to be done. I respect that.

7. Lady Danbury

Honestly, she has many similar qualities to Mama Featherington. She’s a strong woman, but doesn’t resort to being as cutthroat as the other woman. She singlehandedly raised Simon into the man he is today and that’s a pretty big accomplishment.

6. Will

He’s the Cory to Simon’s Shawn, the Troy to Simon’s Abed, the Chandler to Simon’s Joey. I could go on, but you can tell that bromances are my thing, yeah? I love how he’s got Simon’s back but isn’t afraid to be a truth teller either. All around A+ friend.

5. Violet Bridgerton

Basically, she’s the mom I wish I had. Good humored, supportive, and loving, sure she can’t give a physiology lesson to save her life, but at the end of the day she’s still a great mom.

4. Anthony

This mofo grew on me. Not a fan on my first watch. Rolled my eyes a few less times on the second watch. Now, on the third watch, I just openly appreciate him in all his glorious crotchetiness. 

3. Penelope

She’s the character that reminds me the most of myself. Smart, awkward book nerd who crushes hard on guys who never notice her.

2. Daphne

She’s who I wish I was more like…confident, poised, go-getter. Her fighting for her man is what really sold me on her. 

1. Simon

He’s got two qualities I love in my fictional men - angstiness and tenderness. He was definitely infuriating during his “I choose death over marrying you” moments, but overall he was so loving and sweet to Daphne. Who couldn’t help falling for this man?

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

Hot take: “Hawkeye” is Marvel’s version of “A Christmas Carol”

1) Grumpy protagonist who seems to hate everyone around him

2) Protagonist is being visited by the “ghosts” of his past during Christmas (Ronin, Yelena, Kate)

3) In fact, let’s go through the ghosts; Kate is Christmas Past, Ronin is Christmas Present, Yelena is Yet to Come

4) Natasha Romanoff is Jacob Marley (Scrooge’s partner who’s been dead for some time and visits Scrooge as a ghost)

5) The protagonist’s character arc is learning to find joy in life and becoming a kinder, gentler person

[shipcestuous]

I’m the Christmas anon from a while back; thanks for such a comprehensive list! I actually have a major soft spot for the siblings in Santa Clause 2, and the GotG Holiday Special stole my heart. I’ll definitely have to look into some of the other things you mentioned. Also, I can’t BELIEVE I hadn’t thought about Ebenezer and Fan before; in the 1984 TV version, especially, she seems even more important to him than Belle was. I have a lot to think about!

[x]

I wish it could have been more comprehensive, but I suffer from a terrible memory.

I just watched Scrooge: A Christmas Carol which came out this year on Netflix, I think, and there was some cute Ebenezer/Fanny in the past, plus present-day Scrooge mentioned Fanny fondly several times (while putting down his nephew, lol). They changed her name though. I hate that Fanny became a slang word for body parts because I've always loved that name. Anyway...

I don't think I've seen the 1984 version, but I can recall having seen a couple versions where Fanny was more central than Belle.

Also, not sure if you're into brothers, but Three Wise Men And A Baby, a Hallmark movie from this year, is focused on the relationship between three brothers (with love interests being secondary), and it's not only a pretty good Christmas movie but has some great scenes between the brothers.

I really want to watch the Santa Clause movie series this year and then wrap it up by watching the Disney+ series. I don't know if there will be time, maybe next year.

I also didn't mention a series that was on a few years ago with Francois Arnaud called The Moodys. Lots of family interact with adult kids, and there's an incest adjacent romance between one of the characters and his cousin's girlfriend.

I also watched an old DCOM this year called Twas The Night with Bryan Cranston. The main character has a banter-y relationship with his younger sister (and no love interest), though they spend most of the movie apart. A great movie for family relationships, though, since it focused on his relationship with his uncle.

[twistedtummies2]

Top 15 Mickey Mouse Appearances

“I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing: that it was all started by a mouse.” Today marks the official 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. Having counted down my Top 15 favorites among their animated features, I think the time has come to take a look at the company’s mascot, and arguably their most famous and iconic character creation: Mickey Mouse. The exact origins of Mickey are somewhat shrouded in myth and speculation, but regardless of all the details behind how he was created, why he was created, and just who, specifically, should get the majority of the credit FOR his creation, one thing is certain: Mickey is quite possibly the single most popular cartoon star in the world, alongside or perhaps even surpassing Bugs Bunny. For some, he is a representation of innocence and optimism; for others, he’s more simply a pop culture phenomenon or a spokesperson for merchandise. Whatever you think of him, this little rodent isn’t going away anytime soon, and remains the avatar of Disney itself, partially because he was originally voiced by the company’s chief founder, Walt Disney. I thought it would be fun, on this auspicious day, to look back on Mickey’s history over the years, and list some of my favorites of his more noteworthy appearances. Several of these appeared on a very old list I made on DeviantArt several years ago; that list is severely outdated, however, in several places. So for those of you who might remember it, don’t worry about it: this countdown will be more accurate, expansive, and up to date. I won’t be counting down any of Mickey’s classic theatrical cartoons, I should point out; you won’t be seeing “The Mad Doctor” or “Steamboat Willie” here. This is simply because…well…there are a LOT of Mickey Mouse cartoons, and picking the ones I love most is a mammoth undertaking I don’t want to really attempt at the present. Instead, we’ll be talking about all of Mickey’s other major appearances: video games, movies, TV shows, and maybe - just maybe - we might even cover a comic or two. With that said, let’s waste no time! Slap on your circle-eared headbands, and tell the club to begin the march! These are My Top 15 Mickey Mouse Appearances!

15. Castle of Illusion.

This is one of the most well-known and lauded video game appearances Mickey has had over the years. “Castle of Illusion” was originally made for the SEGA Genesis in 1990; many years later, in 2013, it was remade for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC gaming stations. I never actually played the original one, but I AM more familiar with the remake, and I think it’s a splendid remastering of an old cult classic. “Castle of Illusion” tells the story of Mickey going on a typical fairy-tale-esque adventure, as he tries to save his beloved Minnie from the evil witch, Mizrabel (who is sort of a cross between Maleficent and the Evil Queen). To do this, Mickey must travel through a series of worlds, created from illusion magic within the witch’s castle, facing Mizrabel’s many minions along the way. There’s nothing too complex here, but the game is nevertheless a worthy time for tiny ones, with some colorful visuals, fine music, and easy-to-grasp gameplay. The original game was so popular that it not only spawned this remake, but also three sequels. It was also the inspiration for another famous Mickey Mouse game…but that’s another story.

14. Mickey’s Christmas Carol.

Me placing this classic short adaptation of one of my favorite stories of all time, Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of “A Christmas Carol,” so low in the ranks? “Who are you, and what have you done with the writer?!” some of you may be yelling. Well, no, I assure you I am myself (as far as I’m aware), and I haven’t COMPLETELY lost my marbles. Yet. As much as I love this fabulous cartoon rendition of the Carol story, when it comes to Mickey’s actual presence in the cartoon, his featured name in the title is somewhat misleading. In the cartoon, Ebenezer Scrooge is played - appropriately enough - by Scrooge McDuck, and as anyone who knows the story is aware, he’s honestly the main character. Mickey plays the role of Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit. Granted, it’s a perfectly fitting role for Mickey, as he fits the part of Cratchit perfectly. His natural sweetness makes an already sympathetic character seem all the more loveable, allowing all the moments of humor, warmth, and even heartbreak powerful, even when he isn’t the most dynamic character in the story. However, because Mickey’s role is comparatively small, when you look at his part here and other appearances on this countdown, I feel it must get lower ranking. Sorry, Mickey’s Christmas Carol; I still love ya.

13. Dream-Along With Mickey.

Now, I’ll be forthright here and now and confess I haven’t seen this stage show live; and considering it was discontinued in 2016, I suppose I never will. But thank God for the Internet! A kid’s show put on at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, in front of the Cinderella Castle, this cute and simple spectacle has Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy all throwing a party, when it is revealed that Donald…(GASP!)…DOES NOT BELIEVE IN DREAMS! (slams fist on the table) THE DEVIL TAKES MANY FORMS!!! Ahem…sorry. Anyway, to try and show Donald the importance of dreams, Mickey and the others each reveal dreams and wishes they’ve always longed for, and they are quickly brought to life…at least in a way. Minnie wishes to be a princess, and lo and behold, classic Disney Princes and Princesses appear and have a little ball. Goofy wishes to go on a pirate adventure, and Peter Pan and Wendy show up, along with a group of friendly pirates to join in the fun. This is where things go wrong, as Captain Hook and Maleficent show up soon after. It’s revealed the villains plan to take over the Cinderella Castle, and turn the Magic Kingdom into “The Place Where Nightmares Come True!” With help from Peter Pan (and the audience), Mickey and his pals are able to defeat the villains, as Hook and Maleficent retreat. Donald is thus shown the values (and dangers) of dreaming. Ultimately, “Dream-Along” was a fairly cute and simple children’s show, by Disney standards, but even as someone who never saw it live, it was fun, and probably one of Mickey’s best stage appearances. To be blunt, any chance for Mickey Mouse to take on the Mistress of All Evil is appreciated.

12. The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse.

I have to confess I resisted the urge to watch this cartoon series for a while. I guess my old man syndrome kicked in, because I wasn’t particularly fond of the brand new art style at first, and worried it would just turn Mickey and his pals into a Cartoon Network Crazy-Show ripoff (for lack of a better way of putting it). But, when I found out the series was actually being rather well-received, and there was even a ride being made based on it, I decided to open up my mind and give the show a chance. (Admittedly, a certain episode involving the Big Bad Wolf may have had something to do with it, too. Ahem.) This cartoon show attempted to both update Mickey and his pals, while also conversely returning them to their roots: slapstick shenanigans of the toony variety. In that effort, I’d say it largely succeeded: this series brought Mickey out of the well-tread comfort zone of the sweet little straight man, and tried to bring him back to a more mischievous, zany, at times downright PSYCHOTIC personality from back in his very earliest shorts. The cartoons are fast-paced, energetic, and absolutely INSANE in every respect; they feel like a cross between something like “Adventure Time” and “Eek the Cat” more than what you’d generally expect from Mickey Mouse. The only reason this doesn’t get higher on the list is simply because it IS very new to me, and while I appreciate how they amped up the hilarity, I’ve always had a sort of iffy relationship with this particular STYLE of visual humor, if that makes sense. Sometimes it REALLY makes me laugh, and other times I literally just cannot keep up with it. Again, just call me an old man or something; I guess I’ll generally prefer straight man Mickey to this lunacy…but for what it’s worth, this lunacy is something I can definitely see myself returning to many times in the future.

11. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas.

This Christmas special was an anthology film featuring several Yuletide tales with the classic characters from the world of Mickey Mouse. Much like with “Christmas Carol,” Mickey gets top billing in the title, but he’s actually only the star in one of the featured stories. Namely, he and Minnie are the headliners for an animated adaptation of the classic story “Gift of the Magi.” In the short, Mickey has a treasured harmonica, while Minnie has a pocket watch she loves dearly. Each wants to get the other a Christmas present related to their most precious items: Minnie wants to buy Mickey a fancy case for the harmonica, and Mickey wants to get Minnie a gold chain for her watch. However, cash is tight for the pair. When their separate plans to get enough dough to afford each of their presents go awry, both mice have to make a choice on what is most precious to them: their most valued heirlooms, or each other. I won’t give away the twist ending, but if you know the story…well…you know, and if you DON’T know, you can probably guess. It’s a sweet, fun little story, and the anthology concludes with all of the characters featured throughout coming together for a musical finale, including Mickey and Minnie, of course. Overall, both this specific segment and the special as a whole are sweet, wholesome, and very fun, especially for kids. There WAS a sequel to this, called “Twice Upon a Christmas,” which I guess shows how successful the first one was…but that sequel happens to be made of moldy cheese, so we won’t talk about it here.

10. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in The Three Musketeers.

Apparently, a lot of people really disliked this little animated adventure when it first came out, and I’m honestly not exactly sure why. Indeed, over time, this direct-to-video and TV musical movie has gained a substantial following, and I guess I’m among those who follow it. Inspired by the classic swashbuckler of “The Three Musketeers” (it can’t really be called an adaptation as the events of this story apparently take place AFTER that story in this universe), the movie features Mickey, Donald, and Goofy as a trio of servants at Queen Minnie’s castle. All three want to someday become famous Musketeers, going on adventures and protecting the kingdom. However, they are stymied by the fact that Donald is a coward, Goofy is…well…Goofy, for lack of a better way of putting it, and Mickey is considered too short for the force. However, the three get their chance thanks the wicked machinations of the treacherous Captain Pete, who assigns them as bodyguards and lets them join the ranks specifically in the belief they’ll be too incompetent to do their job, giving him a perfect chance to enact his evil schemes against the Queen. You can probably guess where things go from there. While not a brilliant picture, it’s not bad either: the animation is solid, the characters are well-used and well-portrayed, and the soundtrack - largely made using melodies from various famous ballets, operettas, and pieces of classical music - is catchy and has its moments of real cleverness. I wouldn’t by any means call it one of the greatest animated pieces of all time, but if you’re in the mood to see some swashbuckling with a slide of slapstick, it’s a fun time.

9. Runaway Brain.

This 1995 half-hour-long short is a parody of various classic horror films. It is widely regarded as possibly one of the scariest (and certainly one of the CRAZIEST) cartoons Mickey has ever appeared in. In this animated freak show, Mickey is tricked by a mad scientist, Dr. Frankenollie (ha ha, I see what you did there, Disney) into taking part in a batty experiment. The result of the experiment is that Mickey’s brain is swapped with that of a monster named Julius (basically Pete as the Frankenstein Monster). Julius ends up becoming smitten with Mickey’s girlfriend, Minnie Mouse. This leads to a darkly comedic story filled with psychotic shenanigans, as Mickey (in Julius’ body) and Julius (in Mickey’s body) constantly vie for Minnie’s affections, with widely comical results. The whole thing feels like a bizarre blend of Popeye, Frankenstein, and King Kong, all rolled into one. Incredibly bizarre and madcap in its nature, it has become something of a cult classic among Disney aficionados, and for good reason. If you ever wanted to see Mickey Mouse turn into a feral beast…first of all, I don’t know WHY you would want that, but second of all, this is the cartoon for you.

8. Wizards of Mickey.

This is the only comic I decided to include on the list, primarily because, to be honest, I’m just not super familiar with Mickey Mouse comics in general. I’ve read a few from various parts of Mickey’s history - everything from the first appearance of the Phantom Blot to an adaptation of Dracula with Mickey as Jonathan Harker and Goofy as Van Helsing (yes, that is a thing, and I ALMOST included it on this list; consider it 16th place). However, I’m by no means an expert on the subject, and I wasn’t sure what should be or should not be counted among those ranks. Maybe when I read more Mickey comics, I can do a separate, specific list of my favorites there. With all that said, of all the Mickey comics I’ve read, I think this series - which has been collected into several TPBs - is probably the best so far. Originally published in Italy (which has a LOT of really great Disney comics), “Wizards of Mickey” is a fantasy-style reimagining of the Mickey Mouse universe, inspired by “The Lord of the Rings.” In it, Mickey is a young wizard-in-training, who teams-up Donald Duck and Goofy - a pair of bungling magicians - to enter a tournament, where he plans to try and get hold of a bunch of magic crystals to help his village. Things take a turn for the worst, however, when Mickey finds out his mentor has been captured by the Phantom Blot: in this universe, a dark wizard who has his own plans for the crystals. Mickey must face the Blot’s minions, known as Team Black Phantom (led by Pete), and win the tournament to save not only his master, and not only his hometown, but the entire world. I really love the way all the different characters are used and depicted in these comics; I’d genuinely love to see them adapted to some other medium, such as a movie, TV show, or even a video game! It’s unlikely to happen, but hope springs eternal; if you’ve never really read many Disney comics, this series is a fun place to start.

7. Fantasmic!

Arguably Disney’s most popular and spectacular stage show, Fantasmic is essentially “Dream-Along” ON STEROIDS. There is basically NO plot to this show…or at least, none till about halfway through. The first half is just fun randomness, as Mickey “dreams” various adventures, love stories, and general happy times, all while dancing and performing magic tricks. However, things go wrong when the Evil Queen gazes into her Magic Mirror, who declares that as long as Mickey has control, “love will always survive,” and the Queen will never again be Fairest in the Land. Enraged, the Queen first transforms herself into The Witch, and then summons various Disney Villains to help her “turn that little Mouse’s dream into a Nightmare Fantasmic!” This results in possibly the biggest climax of any live Disney show, and possibly any live show ANYWHERE, as Mickey is forced to do battle with Maleficent in order to take back his dream and restore order to the Disney universe. Unlike “Dream-Along with Mickey,” I have actually seen this show live at Disneyland (it has been retooled since I saw it, mind you), and I can safely say it has well-earned its stellar reputation. There have actually been a few different versions of the show, including a now-defunct rendition for Tokyo’s DisneySea, and a longer version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. However, the Disneyland version is generally considered to be the best. It remains one of the most influential live shows of any theme park, and there’s even a kicking metal song (by the band Nightwish) named after it! (pauses) No, that is not a joke, and the song is awesome, LISTEN TO IT. I am highly tempted to put this in the top five…but spectacular as it is, there’s not much in the way of plot and character, so I don’t feel justified putting it that high. Still, if you ever get a chance to see this show in any of its forms – particularly live, so you can get the full impact - you most definitely should.

6. House of Mouse.

In hindsight, this show was actually pretty weird and a tiny bit tricky to explain. Basically, this series was intended as a showcase for the Mickey Mouse Works short series, along with many older Disney cartoons. It ran between 2001 and 2003, with frequent reruns since then. The premise is simple, but also rather odd: basically, Mickey and the gang are in charge of a nightclub where all sorts of Disney characters – sourced practically every movie, various cartoons, and even a couple of rides – just…well…kind of hang out and watch cartoons. Yeah. That was basically it. Every episode had an overarching story of some kind, but the purpose of the series was showcasing the cartoons, often tied around a theme set in the main story of the episode itself. These stories ranged from the typical to the absolutely insane. Many focused on Mickey and Co. having to deal with Mickey’s two featured rivals: Pete, who wanted to shut the place down, and the scheming and conniving Mortimer Mouse. However, some episodes used major Disney film characters in wacky ways. This is especially true of the villains: for example, in one episode, Mickey plays cupid for Hades and Maleficent. In another, Jafar, of all characters, is called on to save the club with his magic, and sings a villainous version of “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo.” Even in this show’s weirdest moments, it was a lot of fun. It’s a bit like Roger Rabbit as an animated series; just having all these Disney characters mingle together and interact leads to lots of crazy shenanigans, oddball stories, and snappy side jokes. The cartoons it showcased were often a lot of fun, too, both new and old. It even got two TV special spin-offs: “Mickey’s Magical Christmas,” and a Halloween special called “Mickey’s House of Villains,” both of which I consider guilty pleasures. It’s definitely a highlight in Mickey’s illustrious career on TV.

5. The Prince and the Pauper.

This half-hour short, produced in 1990, is an adaptation of the classic Mark Twain story, and was the first time Mickey had been seen onscreen in roughly a decade, following “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This cartoon has since been aired on T.V. a few times, and released to video and DVD (though I’m not sure if it has a Blu-Ray release yet). In this adventure, Mickey is cast as not one, but TWO characters. One is the wealthy, spoiled, but frightfully bored Prince, who longs to escape the humdrum life inside his palace and explore his kingdom. The other is the Pauper; a timid young beggar who longs for fame and fortune. When the two accidentally meet up, they decide to swap places for a day, which leads to both cartoonish hijinks and some surprisingly powerful emotional moments, with the Prince and the Pauper each having to learn important lessons, facing probably the most intimidating and villainous version of Pete out there, and even having the Prince’s father die pretty much right before Mickey’s eyes. Yeah, this one gets pretty heavy. It’s big on laughs, but also big on heart. Even though it’s only a half hour long, it has the production values of an out-and-out Disney feature film, and is just as good and as memorable. If you haven’t seen it already, look it up when you get the chance; two Mickeys for the price of one is a deal you don’t come by often.

4. Kingdom Hearts.

Mickey Mouse as a Yoda-like swordmaster and sorcerer. Frankly, when you hear those words, your first reaction is probably something along the lines of “WHAT?!” But, to be honest…just like other entries here, crazy as it is, it’s a lot of fun! Quite frankly, Mickey Mouse in this series is probably one of the coolest freaking characters in the games, as well as one of the most powerful. Referred to as “King Mickey,” he is the ruler of Disney Castle, and a frequent ally of Sora and perhaps especially Riku, whom he has formed a particularly close bond with. While just as optimistic and loveable as ever, this Mickey is actually…well…if you’ll pardon my language, HE’S A BAD@$$. When I say “Yoda-like,” I mean it very literally. Seeing this little mouse go bouncing off the walls with a keyblade is both incredibly funny and really freaking awesome. And while he’s got all the qualities we expect from Mickey, he can be a surprisingly serious and even dangerous character. Just to give you one example, at one point in “Kingdom Hearts II,” it actually seems like Goofy is killed. Yes, you read that correctly; he gets hit in the head with a rock, passes out, and everyone thinks he’s dead. And while I never expected he really was (as Goofy says when he pops up later, “Gawrsh…I get hit in the head all the time!”), the reactions everybody in the scene had were surprisingly powerful…ESPECIALLY Mickey. Why? Because at first of course he’s all sad…but then suddenly his fists clench, he glares to one side, and Mickey Mouse says, deathly serious, in that adorable little voice: “THEY WILL PAY FOR THIS.” I don’t care who you are; when Mickey Mouse says those words, dressed all in black and holding a giant key, you are either going to burst out laughing, mutter “Oh, it’s on now,” or both. I did both. King Mickey has only become more and more prominent in the series as it has gone on, with a few games going into his origins in this universe, and is definitely one of its most popular characters. But then again, when you have Mickey Mouse as a magical, acrobatic swordsman, would you expect anything less?

3. Mickey and the Beanstalk.

Originally featured as part of the package feature “Fun and Fancy Free” (which, as many of you will hopefully know, is one of my personal favorite Disney movies ever made), this short was once planned to be a full-length movie on its own terms. However, budget constraints at the studio due to WWII meant that it was lumped together with another short subject, “Bongo”: the story of a loveable little circus bear who longs to venture in the wild. Since then, however, “Mickey and the Beanstalk” has been viewed and released more than once on its own terms, separate from the rest of the movie it first appeared in. In this adaptation of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” trouble begins when the lunkheaded Willie the Giant (who is less “evil” and more…well…a complete idiot child with a bad, BAD temper) steals a magic harp from a little kingdom in the magical land of Happy Valley. Without the harp, the kingdom begins to fall into ruin. When Mickey ends up coming across some magic beans, he ventures up the beanstalk with Donald and Goofy to confront Willie, take back the harp, and save Happy Valley. Mickey was an experienced giant hunter by this point; he’d appeared in an earlier adaptation of the story of Jack called “Giantland,” and faced a different giant in a different fairy-tale in the classic cartoon “The Brave Little Tailor.” However, of all his exploits facing titans as silly as they are terrifying, it’s this outing that is the most lauded and well-remembered, and for good reason. It’s still one of Mickey’s best appearances and among his most iconic.

2. The Sorcerer's Apprentice. While only about the length of a typical Silly Symphony, and featuring absolutely no dialogue, “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” - first featured in the classic compilation picture, “Fantasia” - remains quite possibly Mickey’s most influential and well-recognized appearance, aside from perhaps “Steamboat Willie.” Based on the timeless fable of the same name (which the music illustrates), the sequence features Mickey as the poor apprentice of the wizard Yen Sid. Bored of doing menial chores around the sorcerer’s tower, he steals his Master’s magic hat and uses it to bring a broom to life. Mickey then has the broom carry water for him, planning to make it do allt he chores. Sadly, things go horribly wrong when the broom - unable to stop its work - begins to flood the sorcerer’s tower. The harder Mickey tries to stop the madness, the more the situation spirals out of control. It’s a cautionary tale with a couple different themes, and many people love to read into the story, as well as the characters: Mickey, of course, has often been seen as synonymous with Walt Disney himself. The character of Yen Sid – whose name, you will note, is “Disney” spelled backwards – was a caricature of the man himself, too. As noted by film historian Brian Sibley, one can see Mickey and Yen Sid’s powers as a parallel to Walt’s own sort of “inner magic;” it’s hard to see the scene of Mickey dreaming of rewriting the cosmos and happily making the ocean dance at his heels, and not think of Walt Disney’s ability to make the possible impossible, and the man’s desire to see his dreams come true. However, the fact Mickey cannot control the magic, no matter how hard he tries, is also noteworthy, especially in hindsight. This is not only due to the fact Fantasia didn’t work out the way Walt planned and hoped, but the controversies that continually crop up about the man’s life, and even the Disney company in general to this day. Taking all that out of the picture, if you just take the cartoon at face value, it’s still charming, sweet, funny, and enchanting; all the things a good Mickey Mouse piece should be. It makes a dazzling centerpiece for one of my all-time favorite Disney films.

1. Epic Mickey.

There are many, MANY reasons why I love Epic Mickey. Practically from the moment this game was announced, I was EXTREMELY interested. A game where your choices helped determine the ending was nothing exactly new, but when that game used a particularly interesting combat/gameplay system, and had a focus on story and characters, with an interest in forgotten Disney lore? Well, for me, personally, that was a HUGE source of interest! An immediate success, the game spawned two sequels – “Epic Mickey 2: Power of Two,” and “Power of Illusion,” a handheld spin-off inspired by the aforementioned “Castle of Illusion.” There were plans to have a third/fourth game to finish things off, but, for whatever reason (I seriously don’t know), the project was canceled. Disappointing as that sad fact is, the games we got were still pretty interesting, ESPECIALLY the first one. The plot is a rather meta story in which a mischievous Mickey accidentally wreaks havoc upon a world created by Yen Sid. The sorcerer has conjured up a sort of pocket universe, where forgotten Disney Dreams go to live and retire in peace. Mickey’s meddling unintentionally creates the terrifying Shadow Blot (a drastic reimagining of the Phantom Blot). The Blot is a ravenous ink monster, who transforms the happy world into a Wasteland. Years later, Mickey – now a cartoon star who has completely forgotten about his little accident, and knows nothing about the fallout – is kidnapped by the Blot and his second-in-command, the treacherous Mad Doctor. They wish to steal Mickey’s heart so they can escape the Wasteland and take over the world beyond. Using Yen Sid’s magic brush, Mickey goes on a quest through the Wasteland (a twisted version of Disneyland) to defeat both the villains and escape. The story is engaging and genuinely touching; the use of so many forgotten, abandoned, and underrated elements of Disney’s past is really fascinating, as well. The music is INCREDIBLE (seriously, this is one of my favorite video game soundtracks out there). As for Mickey? Frankly, I love how this game manages to make Mickey an action hero, without going into Kingdom Hearts territory. Make no mistake, I’m pretty sure Kingdom Hearts inspired parts of this – the concept of “action hero Mickey” certainly seems reminiscent, as does the focus on hearts and how they work – but this one handles Mickey in that role in a way that I would argue is better. KH had to reimagine the character in many ways, this one doesn’t really reimagine him at all; his appearance, his voice, his personality…all of it is classic Mickey Mouse, and whether you make him an impish rogue or a fun-loving hero, you can still root for him and believe him every step of the way. The game’s head creator, Warren Specter, said that a big draw for him on this project was a chance to present Mickey AS Mickey; not as a cute, cuddly squeaker for toddlers, nor as an over-serious action hero, but just as he always has been: the everyman and occasional prankster. And to that end, I think the game succeeds. It earns its title easily and very well, and for that, “Epic Mickey” definitely takes the top spot on this list of My Favorite Mickey Mouse Appearances.

[burningthrucelluloid]

Christmas Carol-cember, Day 17

Of all the 80s films that have become a franchise, I’m surprised Ghostbusters even had one with such longevity that extended outside the Reagan-era "business ventures that provide a service but is being held back by environmental regulation."

A movie born out of Dan Aykroyd’s personal interest in the supernatural and to co-star with his SNL buddy, Jim Belushi, “Ghostbusters” was truly the film that beat the odds set against it considering the lack of faith from the studio heads as it grossed over $200 million in 1984 and became a pop culture juggernaut with toys, movie sequels, comic books, video games and animated television shows.

Course that’s not much if you consider Robocop, The Toxic Avenger and Rambo got their own animated TV series in the 80s and their franchises haven’t exactly had the same longevity of popularity like Ghostbusters. When the fifth movie came out this year yet the Toxic Avenger remake shows no signs of being released and the other two licenses show no interest in being revisited, clearly Ghostbusters got what the hip kids call “that special sauce.”

So it should come to no surprise that the company responsible for creating these kid-friendly versions of movies that were aimed for older viewers was DIC Entertainment, the same folks behind the 1997 Tim Curry film I covered last week. In the case of today’s outing, “The Real Ghostbusters” (called such over a title dispute with Filmation’s “The Ghost Busters”) was recorded in Los Angeles under joint operation by Columbia Pictures Television with Coca-Cola Telecommunications funding the distribution. But typical of DIC, they shipped the storyboards, scripts, vocal performances and music over to their Japanese HQ and handed over to studios TMS and Toei to put the episodes together before returning them to the Unites States for airing. Though more often than not, DIC would outsource the work to South Koreans studios to do the work for a lower cost, a practice that continues to this day. Which one is hard to pin down as they weren’t credited and all most fans have to go on is speculation.

Regardless of who animated what, ABC aired this episode on December 13, 1986 with the title “Xmas Marks the Spot.” One that also plays on the Dickens tale with their own twist to the narrative.

It’s Christmas Eve in New York City, but for the Ghostbusters, it’s another work day as they return from a countryside haunting during a snow storm. When their car stalls and they walk out to get help, the four are transported to 1840s London where they spot an old man being attacked by ghosts. Stepping in with good intentions, though only assuming the town is just some old fashioned historical commune, the four bust the ghosts, only to be coldly reprimanded by the old man with a “Humbug.” They return home to discover everyone hates Christmas and the best selling book is an anti-Christmas manifesto written by one Ebenezer Scrooge (Peter Renaday). Realizing their mistake too late after the captured ghosts are placed in the Containment Field, the four have to work together to try and save Christmas. Egon Spengler (Maurice LaMarche) dons a special suit and enters the Containment Field to locate the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future while Winston Zeddemore (Arsenio Hall), Ray Stanz (Frank Welker) and an equally scroogey Peter Venkman (Lorenzo Music) return to the past with technology to try and haunt Scrooge themselves as they take on the roles of the three ghosts until Egon can return. For if they fail, Christmas will forever be a Humbug…

This episode has all the feel of a Saturday Morning Cartoon.

Limited animation, big goofy expressions with a comical sidekick who babbles and characters talking to one another in ways that feel like the writers wanting to impart a “lesson of the day.”

That said, I applaud the writers for getting creative with the premise.

When you establish these guys hunt ghosts, why wouldn’t they immediately bust some ghosts haunting Scrooge without a second thought?

That part is hilarious and still retains the goofiness that defined the Ghostbusters.

I’ll even extend praise to the vocal cast playing the characters. Maurice LaMarche, best known for his stellar Orson Welles impression, does a solid job capturing the flat monotone of Harold Ramis while spewing pseudo-science. Frank Welker’s Ray sounds more like a child-like Fred from Scooby-Doo, but he sells it. Arsenio Hall’s Winston has his moments of wit and he really shines when he pretends to be the Ghost of Christmas Present. Then there’s Lorenzo Music as Peter Venkman, who certainly pairs his lucid tones to match the sarcastic wit of Bill Murray while also showing some depth of feeling when he takes on the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past and his attempts to teach Scrooge how his rough past forms his present causes Venkman to see a parallel between each other.

Also, cause I know it will be brought up if not mentioned, yes, Lorenzo Music was also the voice of Garfield for the cartoon series and then Bill Murray was Garfield for the 2004 movie.

That hot take is as old as as the Numa Numa video.

“The Real Ghostbusters: Xmas Marks The Spot” has a few moments of inspiration, but it’s buried in the same trappings as was present in most 80s cartoons around this time. But that’s not to say the people who worked on it didn’t give their heart into the project, the voice cast clearly commits to the bit, I like that the writers were able to use the one Ghostbuster who doesn’t like Christmas to find the merit in good tidings by finding a parallel with his own past to learn his own lesson and the idea of regular people having to step in to serve as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future using modern technology was amusing and original. Its corner-cutting animation is ultimately what keeps it from rising above a passive recommendation, but certainly worth saying that it showcases what made this show popular.

That and toys based on the show. Cause who doesn’t want their own proton pack?

“The Real Ghostbusters: Xmas Marks the Spot” can be purchased on YouTube, Amazon and AppleTV. But you can also watch the full episode for free on YouTube with the link down below.

Next time, we’re headed to Gotham City as it seems the Batmobile lost it’s wheels and the Joker got away.

[scotianostra]

Scottish actor Alastair Sim was born on October 9th 1900.

Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Sim was educated at Bruntsfield Primary, James Glliespies and George Heriot’s schools. In 1918 he was admitted to the University of Edinburgh to study analytical chemistry, but was called up for army training, there is no mention of him seeing any action, so I think the war must have ended before his training finished.

Sim’s career involved a series of false starts, including a spell as a jobbing labourer and another as a clerk in a local government office, Sim’s love of and talent for poetry reading won him several prizes and led to his appointment as a lecturer in elocution at the University of Edinburgh. He also ran his own private elocution and drama school in Dalry, from which, with the help of the English playwright, John Drinkwater, , he made the transition to the professional stage in 1930.

In a national cinema poll in 1950, Sim was voted the most popular film actor in Britain, always modest about his fame, he promoted the careers of many young actors later in life.

Sim appeared in many classic British films in the mid-20th century. His portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in 1951’s A Christmas Carol drew acclaim but his role of Miss Fritton, the headmistress, in the film series The Belles of St. Trinian’s and The Blue Murder at St. Trinian’s is perhaps his most well know part, but he did appear in over 50 films, Sim also appeared in many TV shows, the most notable was slightly before my time, running from 1967 to 1971, a legal based positron called Misleading Cases.

He died in London in 1976, following a battle with lung cancer.

The last pic is on Lothian Road Edinburgh where he grew up. 

[aion-rsa]

Graves of Fictional Characters You Can (Or Could Once) Visit

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Warning: contains spoilers for The Deathly Hallows, One Piece, Game of Thrones, Torchwood, Breaking Bad, Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS4) and House of Cards.

As messages to the public go, the one taped to the door of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, next door to Whitby Abbey in the UK, is polite but conveys a muffled sense of exasperation: “Please do not ask staff where Dracula’s grave is as there isn’t one. Thank you.” In August, writer Kevin Meagher posted his widely shared photo of the sign on Twitter, from where it was picked up by local and national press. What kind of idiots think Dracula has an actual grave, was the general response. Don’t these people understand what a fictional character is?

Perhaps the Dracula grave-hunters are idiots, or perhaps not. Maybe they just know about the many real-world burial sites of book, film and TV characters to which fans can come and pay their respects…

Dobby the Elf – Harry Potter

Along the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline in Wales is surfing beach Freshwater West, where the Shell Cottage scenes were filmed for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 1.That’s the site Harry dug the grave of Dobby the Elf, who was killed after jumping in front of a knife Bellatrix Lestrange intended for Potter. In the film, the grave was marked by a simple stone inscribed with the words “Here lies Dobby, a free elf”. In the decade since that film was released, fan Kaiya Nazer has maintained an unofficial tribute on the site in the form of a stone bearing those very words. It’s been regularly visited, sometimes stolen but always replaced, ever since.

Ebenezer Scrooge – A Christmas Carol

Scenes filmed for Clive Donner’s 1984  A Christmas Carol adaptation in St. Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury left a memento that stands to this day. Fans of the Dickens morality tale will be familiar with the moment in the story in which the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (played in the Donner film by George C. Scott) is confronted with a vision of his own grave. A headstone inscribed with Scrooge’s name was left behind in the churchyard after filming and is still visible halfway along the path, overlooking the quarry.

Walter White – Breaking Bad

Up until July 2021 when the memorial was removed, Breaking Bad fans could make a pilgrimage to Vernon’s Steakhouse, Albuquerque, New Mexico to say a few words for local boy Walter White. The headstone was originally placed in the city’s Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery following an extravagant mock funeral arranged by fans, but complaints from those with real loved ones buried at the site led to it being moved to a strip mall on the edge of town, and affixed to the wall of a fan-owned steakhouse. The stone featured an extract from Percy Bysshe Shelly’s poem ‘Ozymandias’, the title of Breaking Bad’s penultimate episode.

Robin Hood

The idea of paying tribute to fictional characters with gravestones isn’t a new one; this monument and inscription to folkloric hero Robin Hood date back centuries. The ‘grave’ is in private woodlands in the grounds of Kirklees Priory in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, where it’s told that Robin Hood spent his last days before firing an arrow to mark the place he should be buried. It may be historically spurious, but it’s a local landmark considered real enough to have made its way onto the official Ordnance Survey Map.

Whitebeard and Portgas D. Ace – One Piece

Introduced to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka as part of its annual One Piece Premier Show – a celebration of all things Straw Hat Pirates from the huge manga series that spawned a enormous franchise – were two monumental graves. One featured the iconic white coat of Edward Newgate aka Whitebeard, the Strongest Man in the World, and the other the distinctive hat, goggles and weapon of Ace, adopted brother of Monkey D. Luffy. Unfortunately for fans, the grave tributes were seasonal, but the yearly celebration event remains.

Various – Game of Thrones

In April 2019, Australian channel Foxtel pulled off a magnificent campaign to mark the arrival of Game of Thrones’ final season. For three days, fans could pay their respects to some favourite departed characters by visiting their graves, an expert collaboration by DDB Sydney, Revolver/Will O. Rourke and The Glue Society. The 2000 square metre cemetery was located outside Foxtel’s Maquarie Park in New South Wales, and featured Stark, Baratheon and Tyrell family mausoleums, along with specially personalised graves for Tywin Lannister (embedded with a crossbow arrow) and – sob! – Hodor, whose hands are shown holding the door, and many more.

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Ianto Jones – Torchwood

It’s fair to say that Torchwood fans struggled to get over the death of Ianto ‘Coffee Boy’ Jones in 2009’s Children of Earth. That grief found expression in multiple ways, from campaigns to bring the character back, to fan fiction, social media tribute accounts, and this: Ianto’s shrine on Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. For years, devotees have visited the site and left their own messages to Jack’s lover, who was taken far too soon.

Frank Underwood – House of Cards

In late 2018, Netflix launched the sixth and final season of political thriller House of Cards with a teaser announcing the death of Kevin Spacey’s character Frank Underwood. Spacey had been written off the show following multiple allegations of sexual assault that came to light between the making of seasons five and six. The streaming network followed up the teasers with a prop gravestone for Underwood located in Oakland Cemetery next to the grave of his father Calvin Underwood in the character’s hometown of Gaffney, South Carolina. Wonder if anybody ‘watered’ Frank’s grave like he did his father’s, eh?

Uncle Ben and Aunt May – Marvel’s Spider-Man

Okay, strictly a virtual rather than real-world location, but it’s a cool Easter Egg all the same. Marvel’s Spider-Man on the PlayStation 4 has a side quest in which you can visit the Harlem cemetery in which Ben and May Parker, uncle and aunt of Peter, are buried. May’s simple headstone is inscribed “When you help someone, you help everyone,” and Ben’s reads “Beloved husband and uncle.” Pay your respects to unlock the ‘With great power…’ trophy. While we’re on the subject of videogame graves, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla similarly has a side mission to discover the final resting place of Ragnar Lothbrok, which leads to some loot.

Adrian Balboa and Paul Pennino – Rocky

Featured as part of tours of Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia are the headstones of Adrian Balboa and her brother Paulie, as featured in 2006’s Rocky Balboa and revisited in 2015’s Creed. The cemetery was the filming location for Adrian’s interment in the earlier film, and the prop headstones remain and are still available to visit near the front gate.

Real people’s graves mistaken as fictional by fans

Sometimes, grave tourists are so keen to pay tribute to beloved fictional characters that they impinge on the resting places of real people who’ve passed away and appear to fit the bill, including:

The Fraser Clan stone on the site of the bloody Culloden Battlefield is regularly visited by Outlander fans looking to pay tribute. Not everybody’s happy about that.

In Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Kirkyard, Harry Potter fans visit the gravestones JK Rowling used as inspiration for multiple character names, including McGonagall and Tom Riddle. The same apparently goes for a real-life Harry Potter who’s buried in Israel.

There’s a Frederick W. Krueger buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Alpena County, Michigan who is mistakenly visited by fans of the Nightmare on Elm Street character.

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In Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Titanic fans come to pay their respects to a J. Dawson who died on the 15th of April 1912, the day the Titanic sank.

The post Graves of Fictional Characters You Can (Or Could Once) Visit appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[ao3feed-destiel-02]

Christmas of the past present and future

Christmas of the past, present and future https://ift.tt/XsqrLvZ by WatchAndRead02 Dean is visited by the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, who shows him a Christmas of the past, present and future. Dean will have to change his behavior before that future becomes a reality. Words: 907, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 5 of Holidays with the Winchesters Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: Gen Characters: Dean Winchester Relationships: Implied Castiel/Dean Winchester - Relationship Additional Tags: Inspired by A Christmas Carol, That future would definitely never happen, Fix-It of Sorts, Hopeful Ending, Hopeful Dean Winchester via AO3 works tagged 'Castiel/Dean Winchester' https://ift.tt/mlg2En7 December 08, 2024 at 03:40PM