Product Details

• Actors: Vanessa Williams, Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas, John Taylor, Brian McNamara, Kathy Griffin
• Directors: Richard Schenkman
• Writers: Richard Schenkman
• Producers: Claudio Castravelli, Erica Christensen, Michael A. Puliatch, Patricia Clifford, Suzanne Lauer
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: November 19, 2002
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006JMRI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,017 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A new twist on an old classic, this VH1 production may not look like the Dickens favorite with Alistair Sim, but it's true to its spirit. Vanessa Williams is "Ebony Scrooge," a miserly Diana Ross-type singer. She was once part of 1980s trio Desire, but Marli Jacob (TLC's Chilli) was killed in a car crash and Ebony abandoned Terry for a solo career. While in New York for a "charity" concert--designed to benefit her more than anyone else--Ebony is visited by four spirits. First comes Marli, followed by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Suddenly Susan's Kathy Griffin), Present (Duran Duran's John Taylor), and Future. The last is a tragically humorous episode of Behind the Music, featuring cameos by Nile Rodgers and Brian McKnight. It's enough to make a diva change her wicked ways--some of them, at any rate. Williams sings several songs, notably "Sleigh Ride" and "Heartquake." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description
Charles dickens classic holiday tale gets a sassy and musical update in this new holiday classic. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 03/28/2006 Starring: Vanessa Williams Linda Goodwin Run time: 88 minutes Rating: Pg

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas Carol for the Musically Oriented, December 12, 2002

By	Darren (Jersey Shore, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

A witty, musical new twist on the old classic, this VH1 production casts Vanessa Williams as a miserly and grinchy "Ebony Scrooge,". Ebony was once part of a popular 80s singing trio, but after one of the trio is killed in an auto accident, Ebony embarks on a solo career characterized by extreme narcissism and greed. While in New York for a "charity" concert, designed to benefit no one but herself, Ebony is visited by four spirits who want to make her change her wicked ways.

Suddenly Susan's Kathy Griffin gives a noteworthy performance as the sarcastic, tongue and cheek spirit of Christmas Past. Also making appearances are TLC's Chilli, John Taylor from Duran Duran, Brian McKnight and Nile Rogers.

Williams acting isn't the most fluid but her singing is superb. Her articulate vocals in the Christmas songs she sings in this movie provide some great "built in" holiday music videos. The "Sleigh Ride" sequence will quickly get you into the holiday spirit and the "Heartquake" sequence provides some humorous musical 80's nostaligia.

Vanessa Williams holiday musical numbers from this movie would make a great Christmas soundtrack and I'm very surprised VH 1 hasn't already released and marketed it.

Overall, those who love music, Christmas and/or the vocals of Vanessa Williams, will enjoy this fun remake of a treasured holiday classic.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Well Updated Classic, December 26, 2002

By	Christina Dougherty "irishtina" (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thoroughly enjoyed this version of "A Christmas Carol" for many different reasons. The main reason being that I own several versions of "A Christmas Carol" and I find that this is the ONLY one that allows characters to act like real people.

Bob Cractchett DOES stand up for himself, though in a caring manner....Mrs. Cratchett is NOT happy that her husband spends so much time at work and lets him know this...Tim Cratchett is an ill child without being so saintly sweet that's he's unbelievable.

Many of the lines are gems...."Who the Dickens are you calling boy?" is my favorite, as it pays homage to Charles Dickens, and the tiresome "God Bless Us, Every One" isn't spoken by Tim but by a member of the band in a completely new way. I think that "A Diva's Christmas Carol" has some of the sharpest writing for a Christmas movie to come along in awhile.

While Vanessa Williams is good as Ebony Scrooge, the best member of the cast is Brian McNamara as Bob Cratchett. For the first time, you see Bob Cratchett as a real man, torn between his job and his family. McNamara's scene during "Christmas Future" almost brings a tear to your eye because he's superb at showing the depth of the character, without making it so syrupy that you don't care.

The cast is rounded out by various "Music Industry" personalities, none of whom are major stand-outs but play their parts adequately.

I gave this a 4 star rating rather than a 5 star for two reasons: The lack of special effects (when Marley removes her face, you're shown this from the back), and a heavy scene from Ebony's past showing her abusive father. If shooting Marley's face removal from the back was to shield children from a potentially gross scene, it was incongruous along with all of the "*itch" comments. If it was due to budget constraints, it's a shame.

Even with these notes, I highly recommend "A Diva's Christmas Carol" mainly for Brian McNamara, for the great script, for Vanessa Williams, and for some good singing and cute tunes. I wore out my VHS tape, and replaced it with the DVD.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great "Female" version of Ebenezer Scrooge!, November 21, 2002

By A Customer

If you like the old version of Scrooge, you'll love "A Diva's Christmas Carol"! Vanessa Williams is excellent as "Ebony" Scrooge. The story this movie tells is heartwarming, sad, happy and all emotions in between. The music in the movie also rocks! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie when it first premiered on television a few years ago, and am estatic to own the DVD version! The picture quality and sound on the DVD is great! Thanks so much for getting this out on DVD....I've been waiting for this for two years!!