Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic entertaining holiday shorts with perennial lessons.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol
What's the Story?
Ebenezer Scrooge is a busy duck when Christmas rolls around. He has to count lots of money in his Counting House. He does have a certain mouse helping him, named Bob Cratchit. And though Bob has a friendly attitude to his miserly boss, he is not duly rewarded for his work and his family doesn't have enough food to go around. Scrooge can't be bothered with other people's misery. That is, until he is visited by three ghosts, who show him the effects of his miserly ways. The other shorts are also related to Christmas, the most religous of which is called "The Small One," which ends with a starlit cross lighting the sky on the eve of Jesus' birth
Is It Any Good?
MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL takes Dickens' lesson-rich tale of greed and redemption and gives it some light Disney touches, making it a better version to share with younger viewers. The theme of generosity comes up again in the touching cartoon (and most religious of the bunch) called "The Small One," in which a young boy must sell his pet donkey.
Not to be overlooked is the final animated short called "Santa's Workshop" -- an early Disney masterpiece complete with rhyming text and a wonderfully imagined North Pole. There are many funny and deliberate details to behold. All in all, these cartoons will get the whole family in the mood for a cheerful Christmas.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about greed. Does it always have to do with money? Can people be greedy in other ways? What does Scrooge miss out on in his life because of his greedy nature?
Getting presents is a big part of Christmas. But should Christmas be ALL about the presents? Can you name three gifts that you can give that are not bought or sold?
Parents might like to check out these age-appropriate tips that can help families navigate the consumer blitz during the holidays.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 29, 2009
- Cast : Alan Young , Edward Brophy , Wayne Allwine
- Directors : Burny Mattinson , Don Bluth
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 64 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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