History TearJerker / TheMuppetChristmasCarol

** Scrooge was initially relieved at being at the Cratchit house again until he realizes how quiet it is.

** Afterward, the Ghost of Christmas Present ushers Scrooge along with a very apologetic tone, as if even he didn't anticipate this part to happen.

* It's relatively small compared to a lot of the others but Michael Caine's reaction shots during "Bless Us All" are enough to make people tear up. You can practically see the exact moment in the song that [[HeelRealization he realises what a jerk he's been to Bob]] (and, by extension, Bob's family) as well as the moment he realises his own culpability in Tiny Tim's poor health. There's also the FridgeHorror (Fridge Sadness?) of the fact that we already know Scrooge suffered a cripplingly lonely childhood, meaning that this is potentially the first time he's truly seeing a happy family enjoying Christmas even though they have practically nothing to celebrate it with. The sight of him clearly silently fighting back tears is almost more heartbreaking than seeing him openly crying.

** Then there's the exchange that precedes the scene, after Belle and Scrooge's MeetCute at the Fozziwig Christmas Party. When the Ghost of Christmas Past brings it up, Scrooge immediately knows what she's talking about and, in a broken voice, ''begs'' her not to take him there. Even the Ghost seems a bit sad as she moves forward anyway, as if she knows just how much this is going to hurt.

** Then there's Scrooge's pleading at the beginning of the scene, "Oh, please, spirit, do not show me ''that'' Christmas."

* Rowlf is reduced to a non-speaking cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time) despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of the death of his creator and performer, Creator/JimHenson, and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could match up to Jim as the character (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem, while Kermit, Waldorf, and the Swedish Chef were all recast to Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, and David Rudman, respectively). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' at the time of the film's release).
** To put this in perspective, Rowlf was considered the Muppet closest to Jim himself (even closer than Kermit), and to many a fan, Jim Henson ''was'' Rowlf the Dog, accept no replacements. Worse, Henson's passing led many of those same fans to believe that, unlike Kermit, poor Rowlf would never be able to say even a single word again out of respect for his late performer/creator.
** At least Rowlf got to be in the movie. Scooter wasn’t so lucky. After Richard Hunt’s death in 1992, he stopped appearing out of respect for Hunt. He wouldn’t appear again until 1999, but he would only be reduced to being a background extra and not be brought back into the limelight until 2002. Two of Hunt's other characters, Statler and Beaker, were respectively given to Jerry Nelson and Steve Whitmire, while Janice makes a silent cameo playing trombone at Fozziwig's Christmas party.

** Kermit's speech is [[RealitySubtext especially poignant]] when you remember this was the first feature film after Jim Henson's death as well as the first to not feature Muppeteer Richard Hunt, who succumbed to AIDS shortly before production began. (Many of Richard's characters were since DemotedToExtra.) And the whole scene became that much more moving after Jerry Nelson (Robin/Tiny Tim) died in 2012 after suffering from emphysema for over a decade. The disease caused him to have an IncurableCoughOfDeath not unlike Tiny Tim's in the film. Not only that, Jerry had a daughter (Christine) who died of cystic fibrosis...a symptom of which is a cough.
*** Seriously, if you're not sad enough from Kermit's speech as it is, you can replace any time he says "Tiny Tim" with "Jim Henson" or "Richard Hunt" and the tears will be flowing in ''seconds''.

* The dedication to Creator/JimHenson and Richard Hunt also invokes this on a meta level.

** And in this scene, Scrooge's tears are clearly him realizing that ''[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone he]]'' is the reason for Tiny Tim's death.
*** That seems to be what hurts him more than his own mortality. He's not frightened by the thought of his own death, but he is saddened that he learned empathy too late to be able to help anyone.

** Like Tiny Tim's death, this is made worse by the 2012 passing of Jerry Nelson, who performed both characters.

* Rowlf is reduced to a non-speaking cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time), despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of the death of his creator and performer, Creator/JimHenson, and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could match up to Jim as the character (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem, while Kermit, Waldorf, and the Swedish Chef were all recast to Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, and David Rudman, respectively). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' at the time of the film's release).

** At least Rowlf got to be in the movie. Scooter wasn’t so lucky. After Richard Hunt’s death in 1992, he stopped appearing out of respect for Hunt. He wouldn’t appear again until 1999, but would only be reduced to being a background extra and not be brought back into the limelight until 2002. Two of Hunt's other characters, Statler and Beaker, were respectively given to Jerry Nelson and Steve Whitmire, while Janice makes a silent cameo playing trombone at Fozziwig's Christmas party.

** During the song, young Scrooge follows Belle as he listens. Then, while her back is turned, he turns and walks away. Then at the end, Belle turns to see him gone, and shows an expression of disappointment, as if the song was a SecretTestOfCharacter, which Scrooge failed by walking away. The look on young Scrooge's face before he leaves shows that [[HopeSpot he has acknowledged Belle's words]] [[IveComeTooFar but feels he cannot turn back from his own greed]].

* Rowlf is reduced to a non-speaking cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time), despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of the death of his creator and performer, Creator/JimHenson, and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could match up to Jim as the character (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem, while Kermit, Waldorf and the Swedish Chef were all recast to Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz and David Rudman, respectively). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s, when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' at the time of the film's release).

* Rowlf is reduced to a cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time), despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of the death of his creator and performer, Creator/JimHenson, and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could match up to Jim as the character (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem, while Kermit, Waldorf and the Swedish Chef were all recast to Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz and David Rudman, respectively). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s, when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' at the time of the film's release).

** At least Rowlf got to be in the movie. Scooter wasn’t so lucky. After Richard Hunt’s death in 1992, he stopped appearing out of respect for Hunt. He wouldn’t appear again until 1999, but would only be reduced to being a background extra and not be brought back into the limelight until 2002.

* Rowlf is reduced to a cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time), despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of Creator/JimHenson's death and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could do that character justice (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s, when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' at the time of the film's release).

** Then, when old Scrooge joins singing with Belle, him clearly choking up cause of it. The fact he knows the words also shows that he never ever forgot about that day, remembering every single word.
* When "The Love We Found" kicks in at the end it becomes heartwarming and sad at the same time.

** To put this in perspective, Rowlf was considered the Muppet closest to Jim himself (even closer than Kermit), and to many a fan, Jim Henson ''was'' Rowlf the Dog, accept no replacements. Worse, Henson's passing led many of those same fans to believe that, unlike Kermit, poor Rowlf would never be able to say even a single word again, out of respect for his late performer/creator.
** At least Rowlf got to be in the movie. Scooter wasn’t so lucky. After Richard Hunt’s death in 1992, he stopped appearing out of respect for Hunt. He wouldn’t appear again until 1999, but would only reduced to being a background extra and not be brought back into the limelight until 2002.

** Scrooge was initially relieved at being at the Cratchit house again, until he realizes how quiet it is.

** When Kermit/Bob's voice breaks on his son's name as he says, "Life is made up of meetings and partings; that is the way of it. I am sure we shall never forget Tiny Tim, or this first parting that there was among us." This is followed by a slow pan to Tim's empty chair and ownerless crutch, to the swell of a French horn wistfully reprising "Bless Us All"...
** Kermit's speech is [[RealitySubtext especially poignant]] when you remember this was the first feature film after Jim Henson's death, as well as the first to not feature Muppeteer Richard Hunt, who succumbed to AIDS shortly before production began. (Many of Richard's characters were since DemotedToExtra.) And the whole scene became that much more moving after Jerry Nelson (Robin/Tiny Tim) died in 2012 after suffering from emphysema for over a decade. The disease caused him to have an IncurableCoughOfDeath not unlike Tiny Tim's in the film. Not only that, Jerry had a daughter (Christine) who died of cystic fibrosis...a symptom of which is a cough.

* Scrooge's reaction to hearing that he was the subject of Fred's mocking round of ''Yes And No'' is heartbreaking. When he realizes the group is laughing about him he just looks completely broken and sad. It's a testament to Creator/MichaelCaine's skills that he manages to convey it so powerfully in just a few seconds.

** In the same scene, there's something horribly sad of Scrooge watching his childhood pass before him in a flash, realizing just how quickly his youth disappeared and how little he was able to enjoy it.

* It's relatively small compared to a lot of the others but Michael Caine's reaction shots during "Bless Us All" are enough to make people tear up. You can practically see the exact moment in the song that [[HeelRealization he realizes what a jerk he's been to Bob]] (and, by extension, Bob's family) as well as the moment he realises his own culpability in Tiny Tim's poor health. There's also the FridgeHorror (Fridge Sadness?) of the fact that we already know Scrooge suffered a cripplingly lonely childhood, meaning that this is potentially the first time he's truly seeing a happy family enjoying Christmas even though they have practically nothing to celebrate it with. The sight of him clearly silently fighting back tears is almost more heartbreaking than seeing him openly crying.

* When Scrooge beheld his child self working alone in the classroom, he immediately began trying to justify to the spirit all the time he spent by himself while it seemed like his child self was also convincing himself to stay and work. The emotions on their faces betray that they really wanted to celebrate the holidays, but didn't know how, or felt too pressured away from having fun. Present Scrooge is realizing that his rationalizations didn't hold up.

--> "I was often alone...more time for...reading and...studying. The Christmas holiday was...was a chance to get some extra work done. Time for...solitude."

* When Scrooge beholds his child self working alone in the classroom, he immediately began trying to justify to the spirit all the time he spent by himself while it seemed like his child self was also convincing himself to stay and work. The emotions on their faces betray that they really wanted to celebrate the holidays, but didn't know how, or felt too pressured away from having fun. Present Scrooge is realizing that his rationalizations didn't hold up.

* When Scrooge beholds his child self working alone in the classroom, present Scrooge was trying to justify to the spirit all the time he spent by himself while it seemed like his child self was also convincing himself to stay and work. The emotions on their faces betray that they really wanted to celebrate the holidays, but didn't know how, or felt too pressured away from having fun.

** At least Rowlf got to be in the movie. Scooter, wasn’t so lucky. After Richard Hunt’s death in 1992, he stopped appearing out of respect for Hunt. He wouldn’t appear again until 1999, but would only reduced to being a background extra and not be brought back into the limelight until 2002.

----

** When we see the Cratchits during Christmas Present, Piggy is hunched over the stove and stealing chestnuts. During Christmas Yet To Come, she's in the exact same position until you realize that she's bent over the stove ''crying''. ''Miss Piggy'' is '''''crying'''''. This is made worse by Scrooge's reaction with his voice breaking as he pleads "not Tiny Tim".

** Then, when old Scrooge joins singing with Belle, him clearly choking up cause of it. The fact he Knows the words also shows that he never ever forgot about that day, remembering every single word.

** Before the song starts, there's the conversation between the young Scrooge and Belle. He insists he's putting off their wedding until he has more money because he loves her. Belle calmly (but no less heartbreaking) replies "You did once".

** During the song, young Scrooge follows Belle as he listens. Then, while her back is turn, he turns and walks away. Then at the end, Belle turns to see him gone, and shows an expression of disappointment, as if the song was a SecretTestOfCharacter, which Scrooge failed by walking away. The look on young Scrooge's face before he leaves shows that [[HopeSpot he has acknowledged Belle's words]], [[IveComeTooFar but feels he cannot turn back from his own greed]].

** When we see the Cratchits during Christmas Present, Piggy is hunched over the stove, stealing chestnuts. During Christmas Yet To Come, she's in the exact same position, until you realize that she's bent over the stove ''crying''. ''Miss Piggy'' is '''''crying'''''. This is made worse by Scrooge's reaction with his voice breaking as he pleads "not Tiny Tim".

* Tim's illness, first when he gets excited about the dinner and then at the end of "Bless Us All," when he coughs after singing the last note. The song is cheery but that cough is a reminder that the family, while together now, may not be complete in the future and they move on to the dinner to keep up their spirits. You can see Scrooge looking moved, before he asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if Tiny Tim will live.

* The revelation in the Christmas Yet To Come that Scrooge is going to die unloved and alone. The slowness of the scene and Scrooge's reactions suggest that he realized the identity of the reviled dead man early on, and has been in denial about it.

*** That seems to be what hurts him more than his own mortality. He's not frightened by the thought of his own death, but saddened that he learned empathy too late to be able to help anyone.

* Rowlf is reduced to a cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time), despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of Creator/JimHenson's death and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could do that character justice (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s, when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''[[Series/Dinosaurs]]'' at the time of the film's release).

* Rowlf is reduced to a cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party (and looking as though he's having a great time), despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of Creator/JimHenson's death and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could do that character justice (Dr. Teeth and Link Hogthrob also suffered from this problem). He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s, when Bill Barretta took over the role (Barretta was working as the body performer for Earl Sinclair on ''Series/Dinosaurs'' at the time of the film's release).

* Rowlf is reduced to a cameo as the pianist at the Fozziwig Christmas party, despite being a major supporting character in earlier films and shows. This is because of Creator/JimHenson's death and the Muppet crew at the time felt that they didn't have a performer who could do that character justice. He wouldn't start to speak again until the late 1990s, when Bill Barretta took over the role.

--> ''[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone We should've known our evil deeds]]''

--> ''We should've known our evil deeds''
--> ''Would put us both in shackles''

--> [[JerkWithAHeartOfJerk ''Our hearts were painted black'']]

[[JerkWithAHeartOfJerk ''Our hearts were painted black'']]
''We should've known our evil deeds''
''Would put us both in shackles''