November 26, 2011

• Classic Christmas Movies

  This is a repost because I am making bows watching movies.
  I just watched
  "Planes,Trains and Automobiles"
  for Thanksgiving, now I am getting out
  "Christmas Vacation".
  
  We all have our favorite Christmas Movies,
  one of my all time favorites 'The Lemon Drop Kid'
  
  Here is a List of some great Classic Christmas Movies through the years.
  

  'Babes in Toyland', or 'March of the Wooden Soldiers' (1934)
   
  Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy star as Ollie Dee and Stanley Dunn in Babes in Toyland. They try to help pay the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe, so that the wicked Barnaby (Henry Brandon) cannot foreclose and force Little Bo Peep to marry him. When they are unable to borrow the money, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley, and the outraged Barnaby tries to destroy Toyland with his horrible Bogeymen. 

   'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940)
  Quiet, unassuming Kralik is fired from his job in a gift shop, when his boss falsely believes that he is having an affair with the boss's wife. Out of work and lonely, Kralik finds out that the girl of his dreams is actually the girl who works in the shop. Starring James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, and Frank Morgan; produced and directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Not rated.
  'You've Got Mail' was a remake of this .

  'Holiday Inn'  (1942) 
  'White Christmas was first sung in this Irving Berlin movie starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.Holiday inn is such a wonderful movie!! And so filled with the spirit of christmas. And I definetely agree with everyone here, this is not a film just for christmas. The tunes, and beats, and scores in this movie are really, top rate! Fred is perfect for Ted Hannover. This movie begins with a wonderful song, and dance performed by Fred, Bing, and there girl dance partner. And this partner, Lila Dixon, is engaged to be married to Jim (Bing). Until, Ted, (Astaire)explains how much he loves her. So she promises to marry him, but is still figuring out a way to tell Jim. When the news is finally dumped on him, Jim leaves show business, to live on a farm where he plans on being ''Lazy,'' and celebrating holidays. And then one day, he gets a brainstorm. He decides to turn the farm into Holiday Inn!!

  'The Man Who Came to Dinner' (1942)
  The story is simple. An egocentric celebrity arrives in a small town in Ohio, fractures his hip on the icy steps outside the house of one of the town's eminent citizens, threatens to sue and moves in to recuperate. In doing so, he takes over the household with his entourage and the film follows the resultant mayhem. The film has an ensemble cast supporting Woolley and everyone is outstanding. There are endless references to the "in crowd" of 1941 and the film requires numerous viewings to pick up all the one liners because the jokes are fast and furious.

  I'll Be Seeing You (1944)
  A bit offbeat is this story of a girl on prison furlough (Ginger Rogers) who meets a shell-shocked soldier (Joseph Cotten), each keeping their past secret. She invites him to spend some holiday time with her family during the Christmas season and gradually the romance begins. Nice to see Shirley Temple in a pivotal role doing a nice job as the selfish Barbara who unintentionally reveals Ginger's secret. Spring Byington and Tom Tully are fine in supporting roles and John Derek (then called John Harris) makes a brief appearance as Shirley's date. A bit dated and rather slow moving, but worthwhile because of the fine performances of the leads.
  
  'Christmas in Conneticut' (1945)
  Barbara Stanwyck gives a brilliant, sardonic performance as Elizabeth Lane, a columnist for Smart Housekeeping magazine, whose enticing descriptions of the exquisite meals she prepares for her husband and baby on their bucolic Connecticut farm earns her fame as "America's Best Cook." A writer, she is; a cook, she is not. As she types the words, "From my living room window, as I write, the good cedar logs cracking on the fire..." the view is of clothes flapping on the line outside her bachelorette Manhattan apartment. An able supporting cast keeps her lie on life support: her editor, her stuffy and detestable architect suitor, and the wonderful "Uncle" Felix (S.Z. Sakall), an English-garbling Hungarian chef who provides the recipes that fill her column. Christmas in Connecticut is classic screwball entertainment of the best kind, with its on-target skewering of social convention and house-of- cards-about-to-tumble tension: a perfect farcical vision of domestic blitz. --Susan Benson

  'The Bells of St.Mary' (1945)
  In The Bells of St. Mary's Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is sent to St. Mary's to revitalize the school, which is financially unstable. He immediately finds himself at odds with Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman), a strict woman with decided views on the best way to educate children. But there is a bigger battle looming over the school. The skinflint Horace P. Bogardus is trying to have the school condemned. The story of the miracle that saved the school was nominated for 8 Oscars in 1946.
  
  'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)
  Directed by Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life is one of Jimmy Stewart's best-remembered films. George Bailey (Stewart) has misplaced $8000, and he's ready to end his life. Thanks to the prayers of many who love him, an angel is sent to help him. Clarence (Henry Travers) takes George back in time, to show George all of the wonderful things that he has done -- things that seemed small, but that made a tremendous difference in the lives of the people around him. Clarence's interventions gives George new hope, and he returns to his family with a brighter outlook on life. This is probably the most popular classic Christmas movie ever made.
  
  'The Bishops Wife' (1947)
  in The Bishop's Wife it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... everywhere except Bishop Henry Brougham's home. The bishop (David Niven) is preoccupied with the plans for a new cathedral and a domineering elderly widow who wants the cathedral built her way or no way. His wife, Julia (Loretta Young), is struggling to make Christmas for the family, but is becoming discouraged. In a fit of pique after an argument with the widow, the bishop prays for help ... and his prayer is answered by the unexpected arrival of the angel Dudley (Carey Grant). The tension builds as the bishop becomes jealous of the love that everyone has for Dudley, especially the love shown by his wife and daughter. This story about what's truly important in life was nominated for 5 Academy Awards in 1948.
  
  'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)
  In Miracle on 34th Street Edmund Gwenn is Kris Kringle, a nice old man who is institutionalized for claiming that he really is Santa Claus. His employer Doris (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) don't believe that he is who he claims to be. But Doris's friend Fred (John Payne) does believe the old man, and, as Fred happens to be a lawyer, he's just the one who can arrange the legal hearing to let Kris prove himself. This undisputed Christmas classic was nominated for four Academy Awards and two Golden Globes in 1948.

  3 Godfathers (1948)
  Fugitive bank robbers Robert (John Wayne), William (Harry Carey Jr.) and Pedro (Pedro Armendariz) stand at a desert grave. Caring for the newborn infant of the woman they just buried will ruin any chance of escape. But they won't go back on their promise to her. They won't abandon little Robert William Pedro. Director John Ford's Western retelling of the Biblical Three Wise Men tale remains a scenic and thematic masterpiece. Ford adds color to his feature-film palette, capturing stunning vistas via cinematographer Winton Hoch, who would win two of his three Academy Awards® for Ford films. Again, populist-minded Ford asserts that even men of dissolute character can follow that inner star of Bethlehem to their own redemption.
  
  'Come to the Stable' (1949)
  'Come to the Stable' is a charmingly entertaining tale of two French nuns attempting to establish a children's hospital through their faith in God and their fellow man. This story, set in the post-WWII New England,is not a Christmas movie per se but it does embody the spirit of the season. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm are wonderful as the nuns - Loretta as the feisty Sister Margaret and Celeste as Sister Scholastica with the unshakeable faith. Elsa Lanchester is yet again exceptional, this time in her role as the reluctant aide to the nuns. Hugh Marlowe is wonderful as the harried and frustrated songwriter/neighbor.
  
  'A Christmas Carol' (1951)
  There are dozens of film versions of A Christmas Carol, classic Christmas story by Charles Dickens, in which the miserly Scrooge learns that amassing money is not the ultimate goal of life; rather, loving one's neighbour should be one's first consideration. Most viewers and critics agree that the 1951 version (entitled Scrooge, with Alastair Sim as the title character), is the best adaptation of the original story. Another notable version, and one beloved by children, is The Muppet Christmas Carol, which is an inventive retelling of this classic Christmas movie with its own interesting twists.

  'The Lemon Drop Kid' (1951)
  Stars Bob Hope as a small time swindler who gets in big time trouble at Christmas.
  The Song 'Silver Bells' debuted in this movie.
  I love this movie ,it is funny and has a great cast of character actors from the era.

  'White Christmas' (1954)
  In White Christmas Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) get together after the war and join forces with Betty and Judy Haynes (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to become a top-rated song-and-dance team. When they go to Vermont to perform a Christmas show, the men find that the inn they are working is owned by their former general.
  We're No Angels 1955
  This is a wonderful, if unconventional, Christmas movie, although it is great fun to watch at any time of the year. As the three convicts, Bogart, Ustinov, and Aldo Ray have wonderful chemistry and camaraderi. Their portrayals are delightful, and are made stronger by the dialogue, which is first rate. Leo G. Carrol and Joan Bennet are touching as married couple, and Basil Rathbone has a delicious turn as the thoroughly unscrupulous and black-hearted cousin Andre.

  'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'  (1964)
  This is an "Animagic" production, made with animated puppets filmed in a stop-action sequence, is another favorite of the children. It tells the story of two misfits, Rudolph and Hermy. Rudolph is rejected by the reindeer because his nose lights up bright red when he feels strong emotions. Hermy is rejected by the elves because he doesn't like making toys; he wants to be a dentist. It's a story of how everyone learns that there are those who are blessed with special gifts that set them apart, but should not make them outcasts. Narrated by Burl Ives and featuring the music of Johnny Marks.
  
  'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (1965) TV
  A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first prime-time
  animated TV special based upon the comic strip Peanuts.
  When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

  'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (1966)
  Another perennial favorite for the younger set, the animated television classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas was directed by Chuck Jones. It's the story of the Grinch, who cannot bear the joy and noise of the Whos down in Whoville at Christmas, and how he tries to keep Christmas from coming. His failure opens his eyes and enlarges his heart.

  'The Little Drummer Boy' (1968) TV
  The story, however, which elaborates on the popular Christmas song about a shepherd boy who plays his drum for the baby Jesus and makes the animals dance, is a little more tough-minded than you might expect. The kid begins the story as what we'd now call a neglected child, a surly urchin who says he hates all people. He's pulled back from the brink, first by learning to make music, and then by his encounter with the Christ child. The underlying message alone--that everybody has something worth contributing--qualifies the show for holiday-perennial status.
  
  'Frosty the Snowman' (1969)
  Everyone knows Frosty the Snowman, a made-for-television animated movie narrated by the incomparable Jimmy Durante. Who hasn't spent the holiday season singing "Frosty the snowman was a happy jolly soul ..." It's the story of a snowman who was brought to life by a magic hat discarded by a very bad magician who, when he realized that the hat was magical, tried to take the hat away. The story of how the children saved Frosty is a timeless tale of love and friendship.

  The Homecoming (1971)
  Set on a Depression Christmas Eve in 1933, this heart-tugging story centers around the Waltons. They're a rural American family preparing to celebrate Christmas together. Though times are tough, love and sharing are abundant in this family.The series 'The Waltons' followed this movie,which was the series pilot.

   'The House Without a Christmas Tree'(1972) TV
  One must wonder why an outstanding production like House Without A Christmas Tree, is never shown during the Christmas holidays. It is one of televisions finest moments starring Jason Robards, Lisa Lucas as "Addie" and Mildred Natwick as Grandma. It takes place in a small town in Nebraska in 1946. Robards plays a father who, without his wife, can not seem to communicate with his daughter. We can only hope that this fine presentation of 1972 is brought back for all of us to enjoy again.
  
  'A Christmas Story' (1983)
  One of the newer classics, A Christmas Story is set in the 1940s. Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. All of the grown-ups tell him that he'll shoot his eye out. And then there's the evil bully Flick, who makes most of the kids miserable by beating them up, taking their lunch money, and other dastardly deeds. Will Ralphie get his rifle? And will anyone ever stand up to the horrible Flick? This is a great film; the only caveat is that Ralphie's dad has a potty-mouth, and the words are sometimes quite clear, so it might not be the best fare for youngsters.

  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1986)
  Beware the Herdmans! They're the nattiest, dirtiest kids you could ever meet and they've just deiced they belong in this year's pageant. But the town thinks they belong in the care of the local police. When the curtain finally goes up, a miracle beings and it all turns into...The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Loretta Swit stars in this 1983 TV special written by Barbara Robinson, author of the bestselling book.
  'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' (1989)
   Clark Griswold is at his most well-intentioned but dim-witted best in this one. This movie has lots of strong gags throughout. Just when you think the story is about to lose steam, Randy Quaid shows up -- and the comedy goes to a whole new level. (My favorite scene is still the "sled" ride into traffic). Top notch supporting work from Beverly D'Angelo, and especially William Hickey and Mae Questel (as the great-grandparents)
  
  'Home Alone'(1990)
  This movie was a favorite amongst many when it first came out in 1990, and more than a decade later, this movie *still* remains a classic, and will continue to be a classic for many more years to come. The story is simple, really: young Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is the underdog of the family; always getting picked on by his older siblings, and feeling like an outcast. One day, he gets into it with his older brother, and Kevin ends up being punished. During his punishment, he wishes that he could spend a Christmas by himself without any of his family members. Wouldn't you know it - due to his family's carelessness, they accidently leave Kevin home on their way to the airport (to fly to Paris for Christmas vacation.) Then the fun begins!
  
  There are so many more.Here are some good lists.
   Christmas Movies List
  Classic Christmas Movie List
  101 Classic Christmas Videos Online
  Christmas Movies - AMC Movie Database
  Christmas Movies

  Christmas Flick is a great site for info
   

  I really look forward to seeing some of these every year.
  A good Christmas movie can inspire you for the holidays.

  What are some of your favorite Christmas movies?

   

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