Bosque Film Society presents “Scrooged” with Bill Murray at Christmas & Film Appreciation members-only gathering Dec. 14 at The Cliftex Theatre
by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
Bosque Film Society Founding Board Member
CLIFTON – With the holiday season upon us, the Bosque Film Society invites all of our new members to the annual Christmas & Film Appreciation Gathering for members-only Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at The Cliftex Theatre.
After a short meeting with our members, we will present the 1988 Christmas comedy SCROOGED. While the BFS will be providing prosecco, wine, beer and water as well as some holiday cookies from Corner Drug Café in Clifton, we are asking members to bring a holiday treat to share with the society as well. In addition, the theatre concessions will be open with popcorn, candy and soft drinks for sale.
This gathering will represent the first official meeting since the Bosque Film Society held its Charter Member Meet & Greet Nov. 16 at the beautifully restored and historic Cliftex Theatre. With 63 of our 102 charter members in attendance, everyone enjoyed some refreshments and socializing before holding a meeting to vote on films that will be presented at the bi-monthly Film Appreciation Nights in 2022.
“It was truly a humbling and thrilling experience to see so many of our Bosque Film Society charter members at our inaugural general membership meeting Nov. 16,” Bosque Film Society founding president Brett Voss said. “For me, it confirmed that there is a large, enthusiastic group of movie lovers in and around Bosque County, and it was a true pleasure to meet you all.
“Now, we are looking forward to scheduling the movies that were democratically chosen that evening. We will keep you posted about the schedule.”
For those not familiar with SCROOGED, imagine a modern take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in which the main character through ghost visits from Christmas Past, Present and Future reassesses his outlook on Christmas, charity and compassion for his fellow man. Sounds a bit cheesy? Be assured Richard Donner’s take on the classic Christmas story starring Bill Murray is anything but cheesy.
The film’s marketing capitalized on Murray’s Ghostbusters role, referencing his encounters with ghosts in both films. SCROOGED grossed over $100 million worldwide as film received a positive response from test audiences, but was met with a mixed reviews upon its release from critics who found the film too mean spirited or too sentimental.
As the perfect Scrooge of the 1980s, Murray’s goofy faces take the edge off his mean, bah humbug, Christmas-hating, sarcastic self. In encounters with the Christmas ghosts, the hardnosed, cynical and selfish television executive is shown how miserable he really is, and how unhappy he makes everyone else. The Bob Cratchit of his story is his long-suffering secretary, Grace Cooley played by Alfre Woodard. Her son, the Tiny Tim character, is old enough to speak, but has never opened his mouth.
Look forward to a heck of a cab ride with the ghost of Christmas past, a ghost of Christmas present that packs a punch and flicks ears because the truth is painful, and the sinister Grim Reaper ghost of Christmas future.
Along with Murray’s three brothers, Brian, John and Joel, SCROOGED features numerous celebrity cameos.
As director and producer, Donner is also known for Superman (1978), Ladyhawke (1985) and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (1980). He died on July 5, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. He has a wide array of movies to his name like The Omen, Maverick, Conspiracy Theory, Radio Flyer, Goonies and the Lethal Weapon movies.