Watch Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is an animated television special produced by UPA Studios and originally released in 1962. The special is an adaptation of the classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, and features the character of Mr. Magoo, a nearsighted and comically bumbling man who finds himself playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

The story follows the familiar plot of Dickens' original work, with Scrooge being visited by three ghosts who show him the error of his ways and help him to regain his humanity and compassion. In this version, however, the ghosts are imaginative and whimsical creations, each with its distinct personality and visual style.

The show features a number of memorable musical numbers written by the legendary Broadway composer Jule Styne and lyricist Bob Merrill. The songs are catchy and fun, ranging from the bouncy opening number "The Lord's Bright Blessings" to the hauntingly beautiful "Winter Was Warm" and the joyful finale, "The Only Thing Worse Than Being Alone."

Despite its age, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol still holds up as a classic holiday special. The animation is colorful and expressive, and the voice acting is top-notch, with legendary actor Jim Backus providing the distinctive voice of Mr. Magoo/Scrooge. The film manages to capture the warmth and spirit of the original story while also infusing it with a comic sensibility that is uniquely its own.

In addition to being a delightful holiday treat for families, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is also an important piece of animation history. The show was one of the first animated television specials ever produced, and it helped set the template for the countless Christmas specials that have followed in the decades since its release. Its influence can be seen in everything from beloved classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas to modern hits like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch.

In the decades since its original release, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol has become a beloved classic, with generations of viewers finding joy and inspiration in its timeless tale of redemption and hope. Whether you're watching it for the first time or revisiting it for the fiftieth, there's no denying the magic of this charming animated gem.