Albert Finney's 'Scrooge' gets Blu-ray upgrade

There's no denying it. The calendar has changed, November has arrived and Christmas is on the way. So here's our first round of holiday DVDs and Blu-rays, with more on the way, I'm sure.

"Scrooge" (CBS/Paramount/Blu-ray, 1970, G, $24.99). This musical version of "A Christmas Carol," starring Albert Finney in the title role, gets a Blu-ray upgrade (offering fantastic picture and sound) and reminds us that it's time to prepare for the zillion versions of Dickens' story that will soon flood the air … er, cable and satellite … waves.

And this is a pretty good one, with one memorable song ("Thank You Very Much" … which is now in my head for the rest of the day) and terrific performances by Finney and, as ghosts, Alec Guinness, Edith Evans and Kenneth More.

Extras: widescreen, trailer

"Gift of the Magi" (Vivendi, 2010, $14.93). Padded but pleasant version of O. Henry's famous short story has Marla Sokoloff and Mark Webber as the young marrieds who agree they can't afford Christmas gifts for each other, then each plan secret surprises. Made for the cable Hallmark Channel.

Extras: widescreen, trailers; three free downloadable holiday songs

"Christmas Lodge" (Vivendi, 2011, $14.93). A sweet little Canadian TV movie about how attempts by two people to save the title lodge lead to romance. This one also has a strong Christian component. Enjoyable family film.

Extras: widescreen, trailers; 4x6 Thomas Kinkade reprint, three free downloadable holiday songs

"The Santa Incident" (Vivendi, 2010, $14.93). This Hallmark Channel movie is a silly but benign comedy about Santa being shot down by military dunderheads who think he's a UFO.

Extras: widescreen, trailers

"The Nutcracker: The Untold Story" (Universal/Blu-ray, 2010, PG, $26.98). Given that this is one of the worst reviewed theatrical movies of last year, I naturally thought, how bad can it be? There is just no way to prepare you for this horrifying lump of coal for the holidays, but suffice to say it's been turned into a Holocaust allegory by way of "The Wizard of Oz," "Mad Max" and "The Producers"! OK, the lead actress, Elle Fanning, is a child, but what were Nathan Lane and John Turturro thinking?

Extras: widescreen, featurette