Exeter Phoenix is screening a trio of Christmas movies over the festive period in its Studio 74 cinema, each of which is based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
The Muppet Christmas Carol stars Michael Caine, who said before the production: “I’m going to play this movie like I’m working with the Royal Shakespeare Company”.
With Gonzo narrating as Charles Dickens, the film is considered one of the most faithful adaptations of the 1843 novella.
A rather different modern retelling set in 1980s New York, Scrooged stars Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical television executive who is visited by the story’s ghosts.
These include Carol Kane as a particularly violent Ghost of Christmas Present.
Though not a direct adaptation of the Dickens’ story, It’s a Wonderful Life is based on a short story inspired by A Christmas Carol , the self-published The Greatest Gift.
Following it’s release in 1947, the film received mixed reviews and generated a box office loss of $525,000.
It didn’t become a Christmas classic until its copyright lapsed and television broadcasters were able to show it royalty-free.
It’s A Wonderful Life is being screened at 1pm on Friday 20 December, 3.30pm on Saturday 21 December, 6pm on Monday 23 December and 3.15pm on Tuesday 24 December.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is being screened at 1.15pm on Sunday 22 December, 1.15pm on Monday 23 December and 10.35am on Tuesday 24 December.
Tickets for each cost £5.
Scrooged is being screened at 7pm on Friday 20 December and will be hosted by Dolly’s Film Club with an 80’s office Christmas party dress code and drinks before the film starts.
Tickets cost £9 or £5 for students and under-25s.
All films are being shown in Studio 74 at Exeter Phoenix.
