I saw the film three times in the theatre on its original release, and the song was cut from the film, as were several other songs written for the film (and included on the original soundtrack recording). The soundtrack was released a couple weeks before the film, and I remember being surprised by how much was missing from the finished film, song-wise. Not only was this great song missing, so was Room in Your Heart, a song from Beaker and Dr.
Bunsen Honeydew (and a great tune, which also would have helped the story to progress, as it shows clearly what Scrooge's biggest problem is), and Chairman of the Board, a number celebrating being industrious by Sam the Eagle (and while okay, the scene is better for losing it). The Marley and Marley number is shorter in the film, as well, and would be better in the film with the extra lyrics. Paul Williams' score for this film is first-rate, as is the obvious love for the story, the characters, etc.
There are several excellent versions of A Christmas Carol out there, but this one is a standout. Especially when you watch subsequent Muppet films like Muppets from Space and the horrible Muppet Wizard of Oz. My biggest complaint is that some of the staging of the songs seems rather.
..lackluster.
After the great opening tune, Scrooge, which takes you all through London, following Michael Caine past hundreds of singing Muppets and humans, the next big number is Kermit's One More Sleep 'til Christmas, which nicely uses the Muppet rats and even some penguins. But When Love is Gone, while beautiful and extremely poignant (once Scrooge starts singing with Belle), is horribly staged. The song is slow enough.
..it definitely needed someone with a musical background to help stage it.
Sloooow camera shots, a horrible soundstage (clearly a mini-town in the background), and some awkward lip-synching...
perhaps some flashback sequences to when Belle and Ebenezer were in love (following their meeting at Fozziwig's Party) or something, just to help it go somewhere. Until Michael Caine breaks down in tears, the song (while quite lovely) is just not enjoyable to watch. And It Feels Like Christmas, one of the best songs in the film (and one that should have had a long life.
..it deserves to be re-recorded by other artists), just feels like it peters out.
Bless Us All, the big song by Tiny Tim and the Cratchits, is wonderful, and a nicely played moment in the film, which makes Tiny Tim's passing (and a beautiful performance by Kermit and Piggy in the scene talking about it) that much more poignant. A true Christmas classic, and probably the best musical version of the story. I saw the film three times in the theatre on its original release, and the song was cut from the film, as were several other songs written for the film (and included on the original soundtrack recording).
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