How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Now the story has been redone a couple of times, even including a major motion picture starring Jim Carrey. Despite that, I find that the short made for television version of the story was the best one to date. Created in 1966, this was an animated feature based on the book by Dr. Suess. It covered the exploits of "The Grinch", who had lost is spirit for Christmas over the years. His only goal in life now, is to rid the world of Christmas joy. In order to do this, he will attempt to remove all of the gifts and spirit from the small town of Whoville. The story is really well done, and appeals to a younger audience, but it is still one that I will watch if I ever come across it during the season. The animation was really pretty basic, but I still enjoy the story, and I still enjoy thinking back to the first time I saw it. It clocks it at only 26 minutes, but it still is able to pack a great little story into that time.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Charles Schulz brought his comic strip to life, by writing a mad-for-television version of his Peanuts. A Charlie Brown Christmas was about his main character Charlie Brown, and what he and his friends go through one Christmas. This is another animated holiday special, but this one broke a lot of new ground when it was shown. The most important part, was that they used childrens voices in an industry that had been overwhelmed by adult actors playing the roles of the kids. In addition to that, there were biblical references in the story that helped talk about the real meaning of Christmas. Charlie Brown has been around for years, and will be around for many more years, but this was our first glimpse of him and his gang around the holidays. This is one that I own, and I think that it is one of the great stories that shows how children see and react to the true meaning of Christmas.
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Another one of the Christmas stories that has been redone a thousand times, I like this version the best. Some people like the newer Patrick Stewart version, and some even like Scrooged (with Bill Murray) as a great one in the remade versions. I however, really like the original, simply because it seems like it should be in black and white, and the story seems better placed in the past. A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens, and tells the story of an old "scrooge" who wants nothing out of life but to make more money. He sacrifices his family and friends, and everyone that has ever loved him, in the pursuit of becoming richer. He is then visited by ghosts in his old age, attempting to show him the error of his ways, and hoping that he can go down a different path for his remaining days on Earth. It is another great story depicting the importance of being their for your fellow man on Christmas, and it does a great job of giving a scare while telling a deep story. Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" will always remain one of the most famous, and most well loved of Christmas stories.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
The essential film when it comes to Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life is a story about a man going through some hard times, and makes the wish that he had never been born. Feeling that the world would be better off without him, he wants to remove the pain of everyone around him, by removing himself. For a short time, and angel grants him his wish, and the chance to see what life would be like if he really had never been born. Frank Capra directs, and Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, a family man, who has come across some tough times. The movie is really about hope, and the thought that everyone has something to offer, no matter how small we may feel we are in the scheme of things. The film attempts to show just how much one man can change the lives of everyone around him, and gives us the feeling that even the smallest of deeds can turn into the biggest of deals for someone else. It's A Wonderful Life if a classic Christmas film that has made some lists as one of the best movies ever made.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Is there really a Santa Clause? You bet there is, and this is the film that proves it! Another one of the classic films about Christmas, A Miracle on 34th Street surrounds a man who claims to be none other than Kris Kringle himself. Of course nobody believes him, and it is up to a lawyer and a little girl who must set aside their logical thinking just long enough to have faith that this man could really be THE Santa Clause. Edmund Gwenn as Kringle exemplifies everything we have ever associated with what Santa Clause would look like. He fits the part, and from the start of the movie, you want to believe that it is really him, but you have no proof to go along with your assumptions. It is one mans word, and we are taken through legal proceedings where he must prove who he is, or be deemed insane by the state. It is really a great story about the opinions that people have, and whether or not we are willing to believe something we can't see or prove for ourselves. Miracle on 34th Street is one that should not be missed if you haven't seen it yet.
Frosty The Snowman (1969) (TV)
Another of the great holiday animations, Frosty The Snowman tells the tale of a magical top-hat, that when applied to the head of a snowman, brings him to life. Named Frosty, this man made of snow shows the children of a small town everything great that the Christmas season has to offer. Though it comes it at less than half an hour, this Christmas Special really does a good job of presenting many different emotions in that short amount of time. You find yourself laughing out loud as he marches through town, and even sad at the thought that someone could keep Frosty from having his snowy fun. It is a far-fetched story if we are going to look at it honestly, but it is fun to watch, and it is endearing in everything that it presents. The best part though, is the theme song of Frosty, which is something I always end up singing during the Christmas season. Frosty The Snowman is one of the great animations that came out of the 60's around Christmas time, and still has a place in my home movie collection.
The Bishops Wife (1947)
An episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham, has been working for months on the plans for a new cathedral paid for by a stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Enter Dudley, an angel sent to help him. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves him, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, at work, and in his families affections, as Christmas approaches
Holiday Inn (1942)
Lovely Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels, but suave stepper Ted Hanover wants her for his new dance partner after femme fatale Lila Dixon gives him the brush. Jim's supper club, Holiday Inn, is the setting for the chase by Hanover and manager Danny Reed. The music's the thing.
White Christmas (1954)
After leaving the Army after W.W.II, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up to become a top song-and-dance act. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful sisters (Betty and Judy) who also have a song-and-dance act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly, is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General.
Babes in Toyland (1934)
Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley Dum instead of Bo Peep. Enraged, Barnaby unleashes the bogeymen from their caverns to destroy Toyland.
The Bells Of St. Mary (1945)
Father O'Malley the unconventional priest from 'Going My Way' continues his work for the Catholic Church. This time he is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements.
The Song Of Bernadette (1943)
In 1858 France, Bernadette, an adolescent peasant girl, has a vision of "a beautiful lady" in the city dump. She never claims it to be anything other than this, but the townspeople all assume it to be the virgin Mary. The pompous government officials think she is nuts, and do their best to suppress the girl and her followers, and the church wants nothing to do with the whole matter. But as Bernadette attracts wider and wider attention, the phenomenon overtakes everyone in the the town, and transforms their lives.
The Little Drummer Boy (1968) (TV)
When Aaron's family is killed, he hates all people and his only friends are the lamb Baabaa, the donkey Samson and the camel Joshua. But an unscrupulous travelling performer convinces them to join his troupe, and then sells Joshua to a trio of kings. Aaron follows the star to find Joshua, but then Baabaa is badly injured, and Aaron must overcome his hatred of mankind and find a gift with which to approach the babe in the manger and ask for help.
Later,
Kenaz
