8. The Santa Clause
Going through a divorce, on Christmas night, grumpy Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) accidentally knocks Santa off the roof of his house. He puts the suit on and finishes the night’s job along with his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd). Only then does he learn that he’s become the new Claus and he must change his attitude for the better of the world, himself, and his family. It’s heartwarming Christmas fare and Tim Allen pulls his weight in his first film role.
7. A Christmas Story
To me, anecdotes make some of the best reading material, and in “A Christmas Story,” they make some great movie moments. The plot revolves around Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a kid who wants nothing for Christmas besides a Red Ryder BB Gun. The only problem is his parents, his teacher, and even Santa Claus don’t believe he should have one (You’ll shoot your eye out, kid). He spends the rest of the season trying to find ways to get the toy. But that’s not all the movie is about. It’s about your weird family and neighbors, beating up the local bully, saying your first cuss word, and remembering your own childhood experiences as you compare them to poor Ralphie’s.
6. Elf
It seems like there are no good Christmas movies anymore. Hollywood tries to fill their movies with holiday bliss to the highest extreme, but they always just make a mess of things and the movies are neither cheerful, nor fun. Don’t believe me? Go rent “Christmas With the Kranks” or “Deck the Halls.” And in 2003, just when everything seemed hopeless, “Elf” was released and changed everything.
The story is about a baby that sneaks into Santa’s toy sack. After he’s delivered by accident to the North Pole, no one knows what to do, so the elves keep him there and raise him themselves. The baby grows up into a 6’5” man named Buddy (Will Ferrell) and his adoptive father tells him where the real Dad is located. Now Buddy, still wearing his elf tights and fuzzy cap, sets out to the big city to find his true father and teach him about Christmas spirit (Dad happens to be on the naughty list, not to mention the fact that he’s played by the terrifically grumpy James Caan).
Buddy is so nice, but diminutive, and this movie knows how to be funny and richly dramatic at the same time. Will Ferrell is great fun as are the supporting characters.
5. Holiday Inn
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire play Vaudeville partners Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover. Jim wants a quiet life in the country, but as he fixes to leave for the farm, his fiancée dumps him for Ted. Lonely in his new home, he comes up with a great idea: He can open up the house to the public during the holidays, then write songs, perform them, and have fun and peace at the same time. After productions begin he hires Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), and they fall in love. But Ted is always around the corner, ready to spoil something.
This is a movie for any holiday, but it’s more special around Christmas. And those song and dance numbers – whoo! So many to like, plus this is where the song “White Christmas” originated, and won an Oscar.
4. Home Alone
Ah, what comes to mind when I think of “Home Alone?” John Williams’ excellent score? John Hughes’ hilariously quotable script? Macaulay Culkin screaming about a dozen times? Two burglars getting the ever-living crap beat out of them? Maybe a little bit of each.
This movie is about Kevin McCallister (Culkin), a 2nd grader who is so sick of his family, he wishes they all (even his crazy relatives) would disappear. Everyone is at the house, readying for a trip to Paris, but the power goes out night before the departure. When they wake up late and rush to the airport, poor Kevin (who had to sleep in the attic) is forgotten and left. Realizing the relatives are gone, he parties, watches violent movies, eats lots of sweets, and goes through his brother’s life savings. But it’s not all fun and games, for two slippery bandits are eyeballing the McCallister house. And while Kevin’s family is trying to get back to him, he must fend for himself, which means fighting against the bad guys (with blow torches, nails, and ice of course).
One good bit thrown in to even things out is a relationship between Kevin and the so-called town kook. It adds the sentiment, but the rest is pure comedy. And Kevin’s dopey brother, Buzz (Devin Ratray), steals every scene he’s in: “Who’s gonna feed your spider while we’re gone?” “He just ate a whole load of mice guts. He should be good for a while.”
3. The Muppet Christmas Carol
“A Christmas Carol” is one of the most famous stories of the season. It has been portrayed in theater, TV specials, and movies, probably equaling somewhere over 100 different versions of the tale. But “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is my favorite adaptation. The writers respect the story, while they fit zany Muppet humor into the film too (Gonzo the Great plays Charles Dickens. That should tell you enough).
We all know the story: Ebenezer Scrooge (a brilliant Michael Caine) is a bitter old man with a hatred for the Christmas season. One December 24th, he’s visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to look over his life and change his views and heart. Great songs and music by Paul Williams fill the soundtrack as well, and it really puts you in the Christmas mood.
2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The movie begins in New York City on Thanksgiving day as Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is paying a visit. I have no idea why he’s there, but he picked a good day to travel because the members of the Macy’s Day Parade are in need of a new Santa to ride in their float. Kris gladly accepts the job and pretty soon, he’s working as the store’s daily Santa too. Kris makes friends with everyone, including the daughter of a store bigwig. The girl, Susan Walker (Natalie Wood), doesn’t believe in Santa Claus and Kris makes it a goal to let her see the light. But after a few mistakes in the store, it seems as though he must make restore everybody’s Christmas faith.
Gwenn does a great job playing Santa in this Christmas classic. It’s an inspiring tale that everyone should see.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life
This is the ultimate Christmas movie. Period. Forget all of the commercialism of the season. This film is absolutely natural. It can raise spirits, inspire, and provide answers on how to be thankful.
George Bailey (James Stewart) is depressed. His friends have all been praying for him and God decides to send an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) to help. Clarence and the audience both need to know a little bout George, so his whole history is displayed. The man lives in a small town called Bedford Falls. Throughout his life, he’s worked at a bank and done nothing but help others while his own dreams were smashed. Now, after his uncle loses the bank’s funds, local curmudgeon, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), is trying to throw George in jail. George thinks his life has been pointless and while he contemplates suicide, Clarence helps him see what life would be like if he had never existed.
It’s a scary thought and the result is a vibrant picture. The ending is a tearjerker and a joyous event at the same time. This film will be cherished for eternity.
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