"No man is a failure who has friends."
Risking cliché, let's end this 25 Days of Christmas movies with the Frank Capra classic It's a Wonderful Life. At first glance, you might think this is one of those not-really-a-Christmas-movie Christmas movies. It's just a story that happens to take place on Christmas Eve, right? Well overtly or not, there's a lot about It's a Wonderful Life that captures the spirit of the season.
George Bailey, played by the incomparable Jimmy Stewart, is the everyman - a small-town fellow with big dreams. When those dreams go unrealized, we feel for George and - sad as it is to admit it - we can't help but see a bit of ourselves in him. That's not a very festive place to be emotionally, but that's when the Christmas spirit comes to the rescue. When George reaches his breaking point, an angel (in the form of a darling little old man, played by Henry Travers) comes to show him the way through - and what could be more Christmasy than an angel restoring a man's faith in life?
The way George finds that faith has a lot to do with the values we all suddenly recall each December: Being thankful for the simple things, finding joy in family & friends, and realizing that small acts of kindness can affect great change in the lives of those around us. That is, after all, what this season is all about. Is it any wonder then that It's a Wonderful Life is a Christmas classic?
"Well, ya comin'?"
I can't think of many picture books that top Chris Van Allsburg's to me. His stories and illustrations weave fantastical elements into everyday life, making readers walk the line between fantasy and reality. Personally, I never doubted the reality of The Polar Express. But in the movie, we're invited to question the magic just like the unnamed Hero Boy. Is it all real, or is it just a dream?
Personally, I enjoy the book more than the movie. Yes, the movie is a wonder to behold - the animation is gorgeous, Santa's workshop is unlike any other depiction out there, the theme music is spot-on, and I never fail to cry a little at the end (surprise surprise!). But that know-it-all kid makes me want to tear my hair out.
In spite of the annoying know-it-all, I still find the movie version completely worthwhile. But I'd argue that an even better way to experience The Polar Express is to listen to Chris Van Allsburg's words read aloud by Liam Neeson - the audio is available in full on youtube. It's a fitting way to experience the Hero Boy's journey and to discover the Conductor's message for ourselves: "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."
"Another Christmas in the trenches."
My brother and I are huge Home Alone fans. Kevin says Home Alone 2 is his favorite, whereas I'm completely indecisive. I know Kevin loves Lost in New York because we get more Marv and Harry time ("Wow! What a hole!"). We also love the concierge played by Tim Curry and Rob Schneider as the bellhop ("No tip? Okay..."). So yes, the humor game has definitely been upped in the Home Alone sequel.
I would argue that the heart of the story has also been given a boost. You've got Mr. Duncan from Duncan's Toy Chest donating all the money raised on Christmas Eve to the children's hospital and you have The Bird Lady (or as we call her, Maggie - shout out Angels in the Outfield!). The Bird Lady's story is just as compelling as Old Man Marley's in the original movie, and it gets me every time when Kevin McCallister tells her: "I won't forget to remember you." I suppose if you like how the first Home Alone married humor and heart, you're probably right to agree with my brother and pick Home Alone 2: Lost in New York as your favorite of the pair - this movie offers even more of each. Oh, and still plenty of screams.
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
You know that technically the Christmas Season starts on Christmas Day, right? Convenient for me, since life caught up with me and I barely made it through watching all 25 movies on my list, let alone blogging about them. So bear with me - we're in the home stretch! And it's time to give some love to Snoopy and the gang.
Aside from being adorable in a sad puppy sort of way, you gotta love Charlie Brown for his sometimes-bleak, contemplative outlook on life - always searching & questioning. This time, he's pondering the true meaning of Christmas and is fed up with the commercialism of the season, like his little sister asking Santa to "just send money."
In effect, Charlie Brown is the sad little evergreen in a sea of pink aluminum trees. He's a purist and can't be bought by the "big commercial racket," as Lucy calls it. Linus tells us in the end: "I never thought it was such a bad little tree... Maybe it just needs a little love." Like the tree, Charlie Brown needed to be shown love to give love, and so found the answer to his question of what Christmas is all about.
"I'm Jesus, David, and you know why? Because Phyllis, a woman, has uslurped my role as Santa."
Every year when my friend Rachel comes home for Christmas, we get together to eat all of our favorite things, take selfies with her mom, and watch Christmas episodes of The Office. Netflix has made it super easy to re-watch your favorite TV shows, and many of those shows have Christmas episodes. In fact, Huffington Post recently published "Your Handy Guide To The Best Christmas Episodes On Netflix." So whether or not The Office is your TV Show of choice, try mixing up your holiday movie viewing with a Netflix night!
If The Office is your TV Show of choice, here's a list of all of the Christmas-themed episodes. Speaking from experience, season two's "Christmas party" is a great one, giving us Yankee Swap and some first class Jim & Pam subplot. Season three's "Benihana Christmas" is one of the first episodes I remember seeing of The Office, and it's hard to beat the hilarity and horror of Michael marking his new "girlfriend" — the Asian waitress he just met — with a Sharpee so he can tell her apart from the other Asian waitress. Season six has "Secret Santa," where Phyllis dresses up as Santa and Michael pouts until he decides to trump Phyllis by dressing up as Jesus.
As for which episodes to miss, take it from me: Don't bother with the "Moroccan Christmas" from season five. Granted, the Dwight subplot is great ("My horn can piece the sky!"), but the main plot involves getting Meredith to rehab, and it's just not as Christmasy as some of the other aforementioned gems.
In conclusion, this is where I'll leave you: "Earlier today this office needed a Santa. And then it needed a second
Santa. And then it needed a Jesus. And now, it needs a Michael. And
that's one suit Phyllis cannot fit into." _ Michael Scott
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."
When writing these 25 Days of Christmas posts, sometimes I feel a bit silly. Or obvious. Like, who hasn't seen Elf? Should I really bother going into the details of such a beloved and widely-viewed movie? Then I found out I do know someone (who shall remain unnamed) that hasn't seen Elf. Gasp! So you see, I needn't feel silly or obvious. There are clueless folks and Scrooges out there who have yet to be shown the path to quality holiday entertainment!
The premise: What happens when a human raised by Santa's elves ventures from the North Pole to New York to meet his real dad, a big city hot shot who happens to be on the Naughty List?
The talent: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel (blonde!), & James Caan.
The elfish lessons we can learn: Treat every day like Christmas. There's room for everyone on the Nice List. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
"You'll shoot your eye out, kid."
Our childhood days call to us something fierce around this time of year, and I think that's why A Christmas Story is such a timeless favorite. There aren't many, if any other, Christmas movies that focus on a kid - just an average kid in an average house in middle America. Whether or not we grew up in the radio days, we can all relate to Ralphie: homework, bullies, annoying little brothers, red cabbage, Dad's not-so-closeted cursing, getting into trouble, waiting in line to see Santa, and trying to figure out the right way to answer Mom's question - "What do you want for Christmas?"
In fact, A Christmas Story might be the most relatable Christmas movie out there. There's no magic, no extreme catastrophes - just a lovable kid in whom it's easy to see a little bit of yourself and your family's relatively normal Christmases past. But through writer & movie narrator Jean Shepard's clever storytelling, reliving those Christmases past through Ralphie's eyes is anything but mundane.
The premise: What happens when a boy in the 1940s tries to convince his parents that a B.B. gun is the perfect Christmas gift?
The quote everyone knows: "You'll shoot your eye out!"
The quote everyone should use whenever possible: "Wow - WHOOPEE! A zeppelin!" _ Randy
The iconic object: The leg lamp.
The quote that captures the nostalgia: "Christmas was on its way - lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved." _ The Narrator
"Sometimes angels rush in where fools fear to tread."
What is the true meaning of Christmas? 1947's The Bishop's Wife has the right idea. It's the story of a bishop trying to raise money to build a shining new cathedral. He prays for help and is sent an angel named Dudley in the form of Cary Grant (all angels look like Cary Grant, right?). The angel seeks to help the bishop, played by David Niven, but not in the way the bishop would wish.
It turns out that heaven knows the bishop's problems have little to do with money and cathedrals. No, the bishop's trouble is that, in his rise to power and prestige, he's neglected his concern for the little people and even the most important person of all: his wife. This is a story of preserving love and kindness in the face of today's crazy notion that having more means more happiness.
The premise: What happens when an angel comes to earth to guide a bishop and his wife?
The best scene: When Cary Grant and the bishop's wife, played by the lovely Loretta Young, attend a boys' choir practice. Enjoy it here!
The best short quote: "The only people who grow old were born old to begin with." _ Dudley the angel
The best long quote: "Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells, and with gifts. But especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled... All that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It's his birthday we're celebrating. Don't ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most... And then let each put in his share. Loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth." _ The Bishop
"A blue furry Charles Dickens who hangs out with a rat?"
If it's possible to combine Dickens' artful prose, the great Michael Caine, and boomerang fish as a recipe for success, then you know the Jim Henson studio is behind it. The Muppet franchise has got to be one of, if not the first to produce TV specials and movies that appeal to children and adults alike. Sure, they don't venture into truly adult humor like Shrek or anything, but the Muppets are full of one liners and witticisms that would sail over the heads of the kiddie audience - but of course they still crack up the little ones with gags like singing vegetables. What better time of year for a movie like that to bring families and generations together for the Muppet trademarks: laughter, heart, a song, and a touch of culture.
The "Did you notice?": While some Muppet movies portray the human actors treating the Muppets a bit incredulously, Michael Caine chose to play the role of Scrooge perfectly straight in this adaptation, ignoring the fact that his fellow actors are legions of furry weirdos. In so doing, the movie preserves the integrity of Dickens' story. It's not laughable that Bob Cratchitt is a frog, rather the audience is invited to fully accept the Muppet world as a real one, allowing us to get caught up in the heart of the story.
The fun fact: So that both Statler and Waldorf could appear in the movie, the creators invented a second Marley brother - Robert Marley. That is, Bob Marley.
The best song: "One more sleep til Christmas" wins in the end, but Michael Caine is very darling among all those Muppets in the final scene, "With a thankful heart." Love him!
"Let's just say we're doing it for a pal in the army."
God I love this movie. I love Bing's warm bass-baratone. I love one song more than the last for a whole spectrum of reasons - they're heartwarming, eye-popping, bizarrely staged, and riddled with talent. Vera Ellen might weigh as much as my arm, but boy she can tap your face off. Danny Kaye is such a lovable goofball. Rosemary Clooney has a classic cabaret-style voice - not to mention perfectly manicured lipstick even when she's sleeping. Don't we all go to bed with full makeup, or was that just so 1954?
Anyway, you gotta love the totally Hollywood White Christmas story line. It starts with two ex-army mates that quickly become a famous song-and-dance duo. The duo, Bob Wallace & Phil Davis, team up with a sister act, The Haynes Sisters, to save the vacant Vermont inn now owned by the fellas' ex-commander, Major General Waverly. How will they bring business in to the inn? Why, by staging a lavish Broadway show right there in Vermont, of course! Bless you Hollywood.
The "Did you know?": The original plan was to re-team Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire since Holiday Inn had been a big hit in 1942. But Fred had quit the biz for the time being, so they brought in Danny Kaye. The reprise of "Sisters" (photo above) where Bing and Danny dress in (slight) drag was written into the script after the two were goofing around with the song on set and cracking everyone up.
The best song: I've got to give it up for "Snow." Not only for the harmonies and impromptu diorama-building, but for Bing's delivery on his final line: "I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shut eye, go to sleep, and dream of snow."
The best dance: It's so hard to pick just one. My favorite seems to change each year. But for now I'll run with "The best things happen while you're dancing." I'm open to arguments to the contrary.
The random quote we should all adopt: "Mutual I'm sure."
"Eat, Papa, eat!"
Let's face it: We're busy. We're scrambling at work so we can afford to take a couple days off around the holidays. We're last-minute shopping and wrapping and baking. We're celebrating with family and making time for fun with friends who are in from out-of-town. We're suffering the two-day flu and still hacking up a lung (guilty!). Yes, fitting in Christmas movies is getting increasingly difficult. That's when we turn to shorts like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The premise: You know the song.
The most memorable characters: Hermey, the elf that wants to be a dentist & Yukon Cornelius, the prospector.
The quotes worth remembering: "Bumbles bounce!" & "Eat, Papa, eat!"
The fun fact: Many of the design elements in this movie - Santa's workshop, the elf outfits, the animals - inspired the styling in another favorite North Pole movie: Elf.
The burning question: On the Island of Misfit Toys, what's wrong with Dolly? She looks perfectly cute and doll-like! A quick google sheds some light - her issues are psychological. In 2007, the show's producer explained that Dolly is suffering depression from feeling unloved. So there you have it. Kids' shows dealing with the tough stuff at Christmastime.
"Everything is hunky-dunky."
In this festive romantic comedy from 1945, the wonderful Barbara Stanwyck plays a sort of Martha Stewart named Elizabeth Lane - the perfect cook, housewife, and mother with a magazine column detailing life on her farm in Connecticut. The catch? It's all a lie!
When a strapping young war hero is chosen to visit her Connecticut farm for a real homey Christmas, Elizabeth must stage an elaborate deception or risk losing her job at the magazine. While at times unbelievable or silly by today's standards, that's what makes this movie charming. And what better time of year to be charmed?
"There are always Uncles at Christmas. The same Uncles."
Welsh poet Dylan Thomas first recorded "A Child's Christmas in Wales" for a radio broadcast in 1952. In 1954, the broadcast became a book — and in 1987, the book became a movie. While this hour-long film might not appeal to the masses, it's a seasonal favorite at my house (my mom watches it no less than a dozen times, and that's not an exaggeration). It's a story for anyone that enjoys Victorian-era nostalgia: Gaslights hung with mistletoe, tin soldiers & toy whistles, carols in the front parlor, and words like "slap-dashing."
The poem itself is Dylan Thomas' reflection on Christmastime in a seaside Welsh town. The movie is almost entirely a recitation of the poem, framed as a man regaling his grandson with stories and memories of his childhood Christmases. Fair warning: At times, it's one of those wordy poems — the kind filled with imaginative imagery and beautiful lines, if you have the patience to listen.
My favorite parts in the poem are about the snow ("Our snow was not only shaken from white wash buckets down the sky, it came shawling out of the ground and swam and drifted out of the arms and hands and bodies of the trees..."), the useful presents ("engulfing mufflers of the old coach days, and mittens made for giant sloths"), the useless presents ("a false nose and a tram-conductor's cap and a machine that punched tickets and rang a bell"), and the uncles.
** Watch this movie in full on youtube!**
"Look upon the newborn king."
If you ever wondered how 1968 did stop motion, cue up The Little Drummer Boy. As you might guess, most of the animation is not so hot. The motions are jerky, the characters are kind of creepy, and sometimes it sounds like the music is streaming through a warped record player. Tempting, right? Bear with me - there's a reason why my family still watches this short movie every year.
Of course we laugh a lot at the dated production value. We imitate how the Drummer Boy shouts every line. "OH FATHER! MOTHER! DID YOU BRING ME SOMETHING?" But all joking aside, the reasons we genuinely love The Little Drummer Boy are twofold. First, the movie is narrated by Academy award winner Greer Garson. She's like the female Sam Elliott — she should narrate everything. Second, the soundtrack (aside from a couple goofy songs) is courtesy of the awe-inspiring Vienna Boys Choir. Their rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" is uplifting perfection, and it makes the last five minutes of the movie entirely worth all of the silliness that preceded it.
"Is your house on fire, Clark?"
You know movies like Meet the Parents where everything goes wrong? Christmas Vacation is one of those. I don't know any fan of comedies or Christmas that hasn't seen this one. It's a classic, appealing to people who love it for being a Christmas movie and people who love it for being hilarious. While Clark Griswold's "good old-fashioned family Christmas" is a total disaster on screen, the movie succeeds in bringing families together to watch the madness unfold. That in itself is something of a Christmas miracle.
** Christmas Vacation is showing in Marcus movie theaters for a limited time this holiday season! **
"God bless us, everyone."
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has got to be one of the most-adapted stories of all time. There are stage versions, versions filmed in black and white, a version with Muppets, with Mickey, and with Mr. Magoo. Of the many greats, 1970's Scrooge starring a young Albert Finney is one of my favorites. It's a musical, and not only are the songs good, but those songs feature top-notch hitch-kicking and heel-clicking. In fact, this is the only version of "A Christmas Carol" where I look forward to seeing the Ghost of Christmas Future — that's when we hear one of the best songs in the movie.
My other favorite thing about this version of the classic tale is the overall look of the film. The costumes, set design, and casting are spot-on. I love Kermit the Frog, but David Collings looks just like how you'd picture Bob Cratchit. The Ghost of Christmas Present brings to life the original John Leech illustrations from Dickens' book. And everything from London's grime to the bustling marketplace on Christmas Eve are like something from a rich, wonderful painting.
The premise: What happens when an old miser is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve and is given a second chance at life?
The best songs: It's tough to pick just one. There's "Christmas Children," "December the 25th," "I Like Life," and "Thank You Very Much." I suppose the best part is the finale - a mash-up of a few of the movie's best tunes.
The only quibble: This is a long movie. If it gets snooze-y at some parts, stick with it and relish in how a 34-year old Albert Finney so expertly plays a crusty, crotchety old man.
The moral of the story: "There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have." _ The Ghost of Christmas Present
"Can we take a direct flight back to reality, or do we have to change planes in Denver?"
The Santa Clause is pure '90s Disney magic. I remember when the special effects were way cool, like how the snow globe comes to life and the North Pole rises up out of the ground, complete with a keypad that looks like a cheap calculator. Those were the days. Just as Home Alone has an obsessive fan base, I'm pretty sure the same holds true for The Santa Clause; I personally know several such groupies. We love the classic Tim Allen delivery ("He sucks it in like Grandpa"), the way Charlie whines about everything ("Plain milk's fine..."), the super-annoying E.L.F.S. ("Elves with Attitude" is not an alliteration!), and Neil's Oscar Mayer weenie whistle.
But I'll be honest - it's not only the funny stuff. Obvious-CGI or not, I love that magical snow globe. I love the movie's score. I want to spend a night in Santa's workshop with the Ball Room and the polar bear directing traffic. I want to hang with Judy and the other elves with silver specks on their cheeks. I want to always believe what Charlie tells Neil: "Just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist." See — I told you it was pure Disney magic!
The premise: What happens when a man accidentally kills Santa Claus and is magically recruited to take his place?
The best supporting characters: Neil's sweaters & Bernard the elf.
The moral of the story: "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing." _Judy the elf
"I made my family disappear."
When my brother and I quote little-known movie lines like "Did anyone order me a plain cheese?" and "Silver tuna tonight!", you can bet they're from Home Alone. And I'm finding that Kevin and I aren't alone in our obsession. There seems to be a cult of Home Alone lovers who can recite the movie front and back. If you're one of these fine people, please know of my genuine love and admiration.
The great thing about this movie is the way it marries humor and heart. Of course we're all rooting for Kevin McCallister to outsmart the dunderheaded Wet Bandits, but I don't think any fan of the movie would deny that the Christmas Eve exchange between Kevin and Old Man Marley is one of the best moments. There's a message of forgiveness — and having a message through the madness is what makes a successful Christmas comedy. Well, that and the screams.
"Peace on Earth, give me presents."
Classic Muppets — that's what A Muppet Family Christmas is. The fun thing about this short movie from 1989 is that it brings all the Muppet worlds together. While the focus is on Kermit and friends, the Sesame Street gang also join in the celebration, and Kermit and his nephew even venture into Fraggle territory. Bonus: you can watch this movie in full on youtube — how's that for a Christmas miracle?
The premise: What happens when all (and I mean all) the Muppets spend Christmas at Fozzie's mom's house in the country?
The best scene: When the Swedish Chef wants to cook Big Bird for dinner, but has a change of heart — and then there's a song.
The most sentimental quote: "Life would pass in a blur if it weren't for times like these." _Kermit
The funniest line (if you ask me): "Hi, I'm Maureen, the mink." (Wait for it — it comes right near the end.)
"Yes, Santa, there are still Virginias in this world."
Prancer is another one that gets me every time. The story is twofold: It's about a single dad doing the best he can after his wife's passing. It's also about a little girl, Jessica (played by Jessica Harrell Tickell), who is secretly nursing Santa's missing reindeer back to health. At just nine years old, Jessica is totally believable; you can't help but feel for her through her roller coaster of faith, determination, sadness, and wonder.
Ultimately, to me, the movie is defined by Jessica's relationship with Sam Elliott (the voice behind "Beef, it's what's for dinner") as the father who's lost his way. There's a scene where he reads from "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" and it will make you feel every notch on the spectrum of emotion - and if you're like me, cry like a baby. Bless this man and his superb acting and bedtime story voice. And bless this movie's message: When you have nothing left to give this season, give love.
