Call Me Stormy

Carol For Another Christmas

Here’s a celebrated Christmas tale you probably haven’t seen. It was shown on television, only once, in 1964. But the print has now resurfaced, allowing for continuing views of this modern-day “classic.”

We call it a classic because it’s based on a hallmark Christmas saga — Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Story. Rod Serling adapted that tale for a more contemporary retake, involving an embittered industrialist whose son died on Christmas Eve during World War II.  Just as in the Dickens’ original, this tycoon, Daniel Grudge (played by Sterling Hayden), is visited by three Ghosts — Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the Oscar-winning director of All About Eve and Sleuth,  takes the helm for the TV special presentation. The cast is quite stellar, not only including Eva Marie Saint and Ben Gazzara, but also in supporting roles — Peter Sellers, Robert Shaw, Britt Ekland and Pat Hingle.