The Best and Worst Christmas Movies?

[re_nortex]

Also, not sure why all the hate for “It’s a Wonderful Life”...I wonder if it’s because the bad guy is the rich businessman? It’s okay to hate Lionel Barrymore’s character in this case, because HE WAS DISHONEST when he found the money, knew who lost it, and didn’t turn it over. A great classic.

That's right. Frank Capra intentionally set up Henry F. Potter as an evil guy yet there's a lot to like about that character in terms of thrift and self-reliance. His planned takeover of the broken-down Building and Loan seemed to be based on sound business principles, which was not the case under the slipshod management of Peter Bailey and the dim-witted Uncle Billy. George's protest about these people deserving a decent standard of living isn't a very good argument and Potter rightly rebuffs it, in my opinion.

Probably the part I dislike most about "It's a Wonderful Life" is when George Bailey (at the behest of his wife) parts with his own honeymoon money to give to those storming the BB&L. Sure, it was his own decision and not done under the strong arm of the government but he made it too easy on those people who should have abided by the rules when they deposited their money there. I think this is the kind of charity (borderline welfare?) that Ayn Rand was against.

All that said, if I just watch the film for sheer enjoyment, ignoring some of the sketchy economic lessons, it's an entertaining yarn. And George's telephone scene with Mary is a classic.

...and on a lighter note, a few years back, we had so give and take here on FR about whether Pottersville (a Las Vegas of sorts) was actually a better place than Bedford Falls. :-)

[Revolting cat!]

“Debbie Does Christmas”

[Fiji Hill]

“Santa Claus” (1959), a low-budget Mexican film dubbed in English, tells of a plot by Satan to sabotage Santa’s annual Christmas Eve mission to bring gifts to the world’s children. Satan warns the demon assigned to the task that if he fails, he will have to eat chocolate ice cream instead of hot coals. The film probably didn’t win much acclaim from the critics, but when I saw it as a kid, I loved it.

[yarddog]

I liked “It’s a Wonderful Life” but never understood why it was considered so great. I would rate it about average tho.

[bunnie911]

Worst - Bad Santa is disgusting
Best - Prancer, Christmas Story, Family Man, Polar Express, White Christmas

[TNoldman]

My wife and I watch two movies every Christmas - “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Blazing Saddles”.

[verga]

Not a movie but does anyone remember the episode of “Dragnet” where the orphan kid sells his revolver to buy a present for his little brother?

One of my personal favorites. This is the one where the kids takes the baby Jesus from the Church right?

[Mich Patriot]

Great reply...I agree with your points on Potter’s attempted takeover being based on sound principles (given the limited info offered in the movie). I don’t mind how George saved the business with his own money...lots of people determined to save their businesses pump more money in, and after all, it was his dad’s business and he’s a loyal community & family guy throughout the flick.

SO many memorable scenes...I love the guy at the bridge who falls out of his chair hearing Clarence talk about being an angel. Or how about “...you like ALL the boys” - “What’s wrong with that?” LOL

[fatnotlazy]

I know what you mean. The color series ran from 1966 to 1970. There was an old black & white version of Dragnet which ran during the 1950s. The 1960s version shows up sometimes on classic tv channels, but I haven’t seen it lately. I miss it; it was fun to watch.

[j_tull]

Trading Places

[davius]

Love Drunk - The Lion In Winter

Love Sober - A Christmas Carol (Sim or Scott)

Hate Drunk - Spaceballs

Hate Sober - A Christmas Story

[yarddog]

I think that is the one.

There have been so many Dragnet series that it is hard to remember them all.

Also the movie was really funny to me especially the scene where they are dancing in their goat leggings trying to explain what was going on.

[re_nortex]

SO many memorable scenes...

How about the very un-PC Sheldon Leonard (as the bartender, Nick): "That's it! Out you two pixies go...through the door, or out the window!"

There's an interesting link here titled It’s A Socialist Life? with some choice quotes from Boston talk show host Michael Graham who characterizes "It's a Wonderful Life" as "...the worst movie ever made, but basically anti-American." I've got to think that Graham's analysis is at least partly tongue in cheek but there are parts that ring true:

Smart, ambitious George gets stuck at the modest Building and Loan back in Hickville when his brother marries into a cushy corporate gig and his father dies. After years of dreaming of going off to college, traveling the world and becoming a top engineer or architect, his life is spent scraping by, and helping others do the same.

Somehow the movie — like the Occupiers of today — tries to turn that into a virtue. Despite his wife and kids, George turns down $20,000 a year so he won’t have to work for that “evil banker,” Mr. Potter.

Occupy Bedford Falls!

[pjd]

Favorites:
A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life.

Least Favorite:
A Christmas Story. (I think it demeans the meaning of Christmas.)

[Persevero]

“It’s A Wonderful Life”

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

“The Little Drummer Boy” (haven’t seen it in ages, but it was my favorite as a child)

Also, “Elf” is wonderful. I don’t know how Will Ferrell pulled that out of his usual horrible choices, but Elf was really funny, clean, and although devoid of any Christian message about the reason for the season, quite sweet.

Hate: All the animated “we must save Christmas!” themed movies, there are like 100 of them, each one more banal than the last.

[smalltownslick]

Holiday Inn, preceding White Christmas.

[Mich Patriot]

That is an interesting take on George’s life. Sliced either way, it’s a feel-good movie for me. As you mentioned, sometimes you just have to watch a movie without picking the hell out of it. :)

[boop]

Favorite: An American Christmas Carol with Henry Winkler. Hardly ever seen these days, and Winkler really shows his acting chops.

Worst: Elf (I hate Will Ferrell anyway, and this movie simply ENRAGES me)

A Shrek Christmas. Fart jokes have their place, but this special is just gross.

A very rare special: A Cosmic Christmas. Came out in the '70s. Creeped me out as a kid.

[Tucker39]

Two choices for best: “SCROOGE” starring Albert Finney, and “WHITE CHRISTMAS” with Bing, Danny, Rosemary and that girl with legs clear up to her butt.

“We’ll follow the Old Man wherever he wants to go, long as he wants to go, opposite to the foe; we’ll stay with the Old Man.......”

“Gee! I wish I was back in the Army! The Army wasn’t really bad at all. 3 squares a day, for which you didn’t pay......”

[jimfree]

Most loved: Alistair Sim Christmas Carol

Agreed. Many did a good job as Scrooge. Sim was truly great; 61 years later Scrooge is the best of the best.