Grinch vandals have tempted fate by smashing a tombstone that marked the fictional grace of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Police in Shrewsbury, UK, are now investigating how a grave marker – the one used 40 years ago as a film prop in A Christmas Carol – was destroyed. The 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens’ classic novel starred George C. Scott as the bah-humbugging curmudgeon. After visits from the Christmas ghosts of the Past and Present, a future ghost shows Scrooge what will happen to him if he doesn’t cheer up.
The character is led to a gravestone that reveals his own name, leading Scrooge to turn his life around. After the film was wrapped the stone was kept in place on the grounds of St. Chad’s Church where it was a popular tourist attraction.
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West Mercia Police said the vandalism occurred sometime between Thursday and Sunday last week, with photos showing the stone broken into several pieces.
Authorities issued an appeal: “Officers are appealing for witnesses after the gravestone of the famous Charles Dickens’ character, Ebenezer Scrooge, was destroyed in Shrewsbury.
“The vandalism is believed to have happened within the last three days, where the headstone belonging to the fictional character has been broken.”
(Image: West Mercia Police / SWNS)
PC Jono Lightfoot, said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries to understand what led to the gravestone being destroyed, and we are appealing to the public for their help.
“If you were in the area between Thursday 21 November and yesterday (Sunday 24 November), and witnessed any unusual behaviour, please get in touch as it may help with our enquiries.”
Dickens’ Christmas classic has seen countless adaptations over the years, perhaps most famously the Muppet’s version, released in 1992 starring Michael Caine.
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