Favorite Christmas Movies! What's Yours?

Les Femmes ^ | December 22, 2013 | Mary Ann Kreitzer

[NYer]

When I think of Christmas movies the first one that pops into my head is It's a Wonderful Life. Our kids loved it so much growing up that watching it over Christmas vacation (usually on Christmas eve) became an annual tradition. I love George Bailey, but my favorite character is George's guardian angel, Clarence, although Mr. Martini is a close second. I love his tender concern for George after he gets clobbered in Martini's bar by the husband of Zuzu's teacher. Most of the minor characters in the film are wonderful. George's parents, his brother Harry, Bert and Ernie, Violet, Uncle Billy. One of the funniest scenes takes place after George rescues Clarence from the river and the man who runs the railway house listens to Clarence telling George he's an angel. It's hilarious! What a cameo!

But there are lots of other memorable Christmas movies. Some are set at Christmas, like A Christmas Carol. Others have Christmas scenes like Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Bells of St. Mary's. One of my favorite Christmas films is Miracle on 34th Street -- not the remake, but the 1947 version with Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and the absolutely endearing Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle. That movie is truly magical!

If I had to guess my husband's favorite Christmas movie it would have to be A Christmas Story with Darren McGavin. It's all about Ralphie who wants a BB gun for Christmas, but seems destined for disappointment. Just mention the movie and Larry starts quoting lines from it. "You'll shoot your eye out!" Whenever I think of it I see the lamp that has a lady's leg for the base with the fringed shade and Ralphie's poor friend with his tongue frozen to the metal pole. Believe it or not you can actually visit Ralphie's house in Cleveland and even buy a lady's leg lamp, just about the tackiest gift item in history. 

Then there are all the cartoon specials for kids, but the only one I really like is Charlie Brown's Christmas. It's one of the few films that expresses what Christmas is all about. Linus' rendition of St. Luke's gospel is lovely as he describes the true meaning of Christmas. And who doesn't love the kids all cooperating to transform Charlie Brown's pathetic little Christmas tree. It's Christmas magic! I love watching that with my grandchildren.

The number of made-for-TV Christmas movies is legion and every year it seems more materialize like ornaments on an over-decorated tree. But the one that sticks in my mind is the pilot for The Walton's TV series: The Homecoming, A Christmas Story. It takes place in our own neck of the woods, the Blue Ridge Mountains. And what a lovely film it is. You can feel the warmth of family. How I loved that wonderful series!

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

[mowowie]

What was that movie that had Joan Collins as a woman who kills her husband on Christmas Eve while her young daughter sleeps upstairs, At the same time a raging maniac escapes from a mental institution dressed as Santa and pays the home a visit?

[familyop]

“The Beheaded 1000” (kung fu movie)

[georgiegirl]

Shop Around the Corner—especially if it’s snowing.

[knarf]

I thought they were both unknowns ... I apologize ... I WILL look it up ... thanx.

[jjr153]

Too bad Frank Zappa never made a Christmas album.

[Greybird_az]

Christmas with the Kranks
Just Friends

[jjr153]

The official name is not “White Christmas” it’s “Holiday Inn” wing Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

[ozaukeemom]

It was on last night and I watched it. :)

I think I am the only person on earth who cannot stand Christmas Story. lol

I love Miracle on 34th Street. I have been enjoying some of the silly movies on Hallmark and other channels.

[puppypusher]

Miracle on 34th Street.The Original.

Home Alone 1 and 2.

The Santa Clause.

There are a few more but my memory is fuzzy right now.

[rcrngroup]

“The Nativity Story” staring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

My mother cannot get enough of holiday movies on Hallmark Movie Channel. Which makes me sort of glad we’re doing Christmas at my sister’s house; it seems once you’ve seen one HMC holiday movie you’ve seen them all. I swear they use the same four or five plots for all of them...

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

“I think I am the only person on earth who cannot stand Christmas Story. lol”

My wife can’t stand it either. I got it on DVD for Christmas in 2007 and to this day, that DVD has only ever been played on my laptop. :)

[Chickensoup]

Christmas in Connecticut...I love everything about it. The clothes, the cornball, the plotting. I was born way too late.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

I know it’s not a movie, but “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is my favorite. It’s one of those pieces of art (yes, I said art) that is just perfect.

[murron]

Any movie of A Christmas Carol, with the exception of the one that Disney put out a couple of years ago with Jim Carrey.

[ReformationFan]

It’s A Wonderful Life
The Apartment
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Holiday Inn
Christmas In Connecticut
A Christmas Story

[Licensed-To-Carry]

Ben-Hur

[Stand Watch Listen]

The moment, in any of the Christmas Carol movies, when Scrooge wakes up and the passing boy announces "Why it's Christmas Sir".

"Miracle on 34th Street".

And now, since 2010, a Hallmark movie "November Christmas" vies for our vote.

[Stand Watch Listen]

The official name is not “White Christmas” it’s “Holiday Inn” wing Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

Common confusion...'Holiday Inn' (1942), with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire introduced the song 'White Christmas'. 'White Christmas'(1954) with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.

[mlizzy]

Not a Christmas movie per se, but we watched Millions last year as a family, and I hope we do so again. Great flick!!