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Leo McKern as the Ghost of Christmas Present

posted 10 years ago by Shanak41
8 replies | jump to latest

According to the trivia page, Leo McKern was originally cast as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Why he didn't end up keeping the part isn't indicated. Now, how do you suppose things would have gone if he had? Now, I've seen McKern in a lot of things, and I like him. But I don't think he would have worked here. I've always envisioned the Ghost of Christmas Present as being someone with a very commanding presence, which I feel that McKern simply doesn't have. While he has had his share of dramatic roles, like in "A Man For All Seasons", in general I think of him as more a comedy actor. Take for example, his role in "Help!" with the Beatles. And when he dressed in drag for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". I think roles like that are more up his alley.

One detail that I think is very important to the Ghost of Christmas Present is that he have a very rich, powerful voice. Edward Woodward has such a voice, and he captured the Ghost's whole persona ideally. He was quite possibly the best Ghost of Christmas Present ever. I think his only real competitor is Kenneth More from the Albert Finney version. Again, I totally respect Leo McKern, but I just don't think he was right for this particular role. For the record, though, had he kept the part, it would have been at least his third movie with David Warner. What do other people think regarding how he would have done?

[–] bettinahooper 9 years ago

Leo McKern was one of the great British Stage actors- I saw him in a couple of plays in Bath and Bristol. He had enormous presence when necessary to a role. He also had a fantastically versatile voice (which he knew how to use). He would have given us a superb Ghost of Christmas Past.

Having said that, Woodward is one of my all time favorite actors and this is one of my all time favorite movies. It's perfect as it is.

[–] smh1026 9 years ago

I was so surprised to see that Edward Woodward was only 5'9" in real life. I can't find out anywhere how they made him look about 7 feet tall. Does anyone know?

[–] strntz 8 years ago

Internet sources say he was 6'0. Seeing as how those numbers are usually exaggerated I'd say he was at least 5'10 or 5'11.

In any case, the long shot where he and Scrooge were walking on the street was done by a stunt double on stilts. As for closeups, I'd guess he was standing on a platform.

Until the other day, I always thought Fred Astaire was about 6'2". Maybe it was his slender build but when I watched Holiday Inn, I was surprised to see he wasn't much taller than Bing Crosby, who was only 5'7 or so.

Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.

[–] Adler-99 8 years ago

Woodward himself was walking on stilts, from what I read. He did have a tall stunt double who walked the route to test heights and hazards.

[–] Prismark10 9 years ago

McKern was a commanding character actor he would had worked as the ghost.

It's that man again!!

[–] boll-weavil 8 years ago

The closest comparison we have is Stratford Johns who took the role in the first ever interpretation of the musical version in 1992 and was very good. In choosing Woodward, they went with an actor more akin to Kenneth Moore who played in 1970. Both would have worked but Woodward is, for me, one of the best in this role.

[–] Big_AL-96 8 years ago

I think McKern could have pulled it off.

In my opinion all these are excellent as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Francis De Wolff
Kenneth More
Edward Woodward
Desmond Barrit

I think someone who could have played the role well would have been Brian Blessed

Let's pray the human race never escapes Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere. C.S Lewis

[–] Shanak41 8 years ago

I didn't really like Barrit as the ghost. De Wolff was pretty good, but More and Woodward were both awesome. Lionel Braham did a good job with the role too. To tell you the truth, I've changed my mind about McKern being unfit for the role. I guess I was thinking mostly of his more lighthearted comedy roles when I started this topic two years ago. But now that I've seen him in more serious roles like "Ryan's Daughter" and "The French Lieutenant's Woman", I realize he could totally do it.

And by the way, I agree with the idea of Brian Blessed playing the ghost. That would totally work.