"'Bah!' said Scrooge, 'Humbug!'"

A Very Vintage Christmas post #10

A novel, first written in 1843 by Charles Dickens,A Christmas Carol tells the tale of a man by the name of Ebenezer Scrooge-a miserable old man, who has lost all faith in the spirit and true meaning of Christmas.On Christmas Eve night (how ironic),Scrooge gets a visit from four ghosts.The first, the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, who tells him that in order to save himself from a terrible fate, he must accept the visit of three ghosts, all who have different things to show and teach him.

Though very reluctant, Scrooge goes along on adventures with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.He is shown the happiness that he felt at Christmas as a child, the devastating life events that hardened his heart, the happiness that Christmas still holds for those around him, and what would happen/how people would feel if Scrooge were to die then.

After seeing and experiencing all this, Scrooge awakens on Christmas Day, full of new hope and happiness in the holiday and in mankind.He is determined to live his life as the best man he can be, full of good humor, understanding, and helping his neighbors.

Over the years, A Christmas Carol has been adapted into 22 film versions, 24 television versions, as well as numerous radio and theater versions.

You can see many of the above mentioned different versions on televison throughout the Christmas season.

You can price/buy the film and the book at http://www.amazon.com

The book is available,free of charge, for Kindles.

I would highly recommend just about any of the film/televison adaptations, and I would also recommend reading the book.I, myself, have been reading the book and intend to finish it tonight, on Christmas Eve.Charles Dickens was known for his ability to paint a picture with words, being extremely descriptive with his writing.So, the book is rich, full of details, and is a great story, all about finding the true meaning of Christmas.

This is the last Christmas movie post for A Very Vintage Christmas.

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And have a very merry and A Very Vintage Christmas!

Smile

The last two weeks have been some of the hardest I've faced in the last few years.Things have just been pretty stressful,from getting work done,to personal relationships, to being able to attest to the fact that holidays are really hard for people who have lost loved ones.

But I witnessed something yesterday that got me really smiling for the first time in the last week or so.This song popped into my head, and it hasn't left since.

So, I'm sharing it with you, because everyone has hard days, but if you smile, you'll get by..

"Smile, though your heart is aching.

Smile, even though it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by.

If you smile through your pain and sorrow,

Smile and maybe tomorrow you'll see the sun

Come shining through for you.

Light up your face with gladness.

Hide every trace of sadness.

Although a tear may be ever so near,

That's the time you must keep on trying.

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile."

And, being Think Classic, I can't post that without saying something about it's origin.

That song was originally just an instrumental piece from a Charlie Chaplin movie, entitled Modern Times (1936).It was composed by Chaplin,himself.

Later on, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics, and Nat King Cole was the first to sing them in 1954.It's been sung by many, many people since then, including Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, even the cast of Glee, and so many more.

To see the clip with the instrumental music from Modern Times, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps6ck1ejoAw

Here's Nat King Cole singing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3bZU0CMdkE&feature=related

Judy Garland singing it in the late 50s/early 60s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQfwpEDdOw&feature=related

Barbra Streisand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMhD7JT0iok&feature=related

Michael Jackson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvJKPSxCUZg&feature=related

Stevie Wonder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMCXfxZrOC8

Glee Cast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJFiMPYjnmw