Scrooged
Summary
Bill Murray ’s film credits are impressive , to say the least , and two of his best picture show — ScroogedandGroundhog Day — revolve around two disjoined holidays ( Christmas and Groundhog Day).While both are entertaining in their own right and are quite different from one another , one film finally reigns supreme over the other . The two movies are considered classics and must - watches during their respective holidays in December and February . But only one can take the pennant as the good ( holiday - centric ) Bill Murray task .
Murray first starred inScrooged , which premiered in 1988 and is free-base on Charles Dickens ’s 1843 novellaA Christmas Carol . The plastic film takes the classic Christmas tale and retells it in a modern stage setting , with Murray wreak Frank Cross ( the Ebenezer Scrooge character of the chronicle ) . Five years later , Murray appeared inGroundhog Day , which featured the actor playing a idiot box conditions forecaster who finds himself in a time loop after traveling to Punxsutawney , Pennsylvania , to cover on the February holiday . His character , Phil Connors , is forced to relive the same day ( Groundhog Day ) for many years .
Scrooged & Groundhog Day Are 2 Of Bill Murray’s Most Popular Movies
ScroogedandGroundhog Dayare undoubtedly two of Bill Murray ’s most well - liked films , not only because of their quality and amusement value but also because they take place during the holiday . They both get numerous annual airings around their several clock time of year ( December and February ) , which increases their popularity among audiences . So , even though the two pic aired more than 30 years ago , they are still relevant today .
Scroogedfeatures Murray ’s grapheme , Frank Cross , an egocentric television system administrator , who is visit by the Ghost of Christmas Past , spectre of Christmas Present , and ghostwriter of Christmas Future on Christmas Eve to save his selfish and hateful soulfulness . The film put a modern ( and comedic ) spin on the well - known Christmas tale that many love to watch at the end of the class . Groundhog Daydepicts Murray playing a like cynical fictional character who has to hear a object lesson by the movie ’s conclusion . But instead of being inspect by three ghosts , he is stuck in a prison term iteration .
Murray and Donner clashed over originative differences throughout the filming of Scrooged , largely down to the pair ’s vastly different movie methods .
Why Groundhog Day Is Better Than Scrooged
Without a doubt , Groundhog Dayis the superior picture when comparing it toScrooged . The 1993 film is more singular and testify off the actor ’s dramatic talents while including his comedic chop . Groundhog Dayis the utter balance of drama and clowning and is regarded as one of Murray ’s best labor ( and one of the best movies of the 1990s).The celluloid ’s title has even entered the English mental lexicon as another locution for deadening and recurring situations ( seeing as Murray ’s character was stuck in the fourth dimension iteration for more than 30 years ) , and movies since then have been inspired by it and copy its time loop formula .
Groundhog Dayis a creative and inventive history that has stood the test of time and is the only ( relevant ) film about the February holiday . Meanwhile , Murray ’s 1988 Christmas feature is able to stick out out among the othermovies inspired byA Christmas Carol , but it is still one of many versions of Charles Dickens ’s authoritative tale . Additionally , it ’s promiscuous to root for Murray ’s character inGroundhog Daythan inScrooged.
Scroogedcan be streamed on Paramount+ , andGroundhog Dayis on MGM+ .
