What is Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

[AuntShecky]

Please list your favorite Christmas, winter holiday movie(s).
And yes, feel free to include animated TV specials.

I have two faves, both of which I've seen only on TV, not in
their original runs in theatres. (I'm old, but not THAT old!)

Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is the perennial crowd pleaser, oft deemed a "cultural icon." But I prefer Capra's
OTHER Christmas movie, Meet John Doe. That film seems unfettered by the kind of sentimentality oft called
"Capra corn, " and features scenes that crackle with mordant, satirical humor. It's not afraid to explore the themes of crowd mentality and fickleness as well as the courage involved in making a moral choice. If nothing else, the acting from the other cast, especially that of the two leads played by Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper, would make this movie a classic.

My other favorite is from Preston Sturges: Miracle of Morgan's Creek. If you want Yuletide sentimentality, look elsewhere, but if you want laugh aloud comedy which inexplicably escaped the censors, this is the holiday movie to see!

[bluevictim]

For me, it's a toss up between A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the 1966 version, not the one with Jim Carrey). I guess it's probably mostly because of nostalgia.

[grace86]

One I always used to watch as a kid was National Lampoon's Christmas with Chevy Chase. I've watched it once already this year even though the family isn't around.

:p I love A Christmas Carol....any particular version...only when I was little I used to get scared of the Ghost of Christmas yet to come.

And I have to love all those family specials on the television.....they never end during the holiday!!

[Weisinheimer]

I like it's a wonderful life. It's just fun.
I'm curious about that Meet John Doe movie Auntshecky mentioned. I've never heard of it before, but now I'm going to try to find it.

[Virgil]

I love It's A Wonderful Life. It really is my favorite. I love it even outside of the holidays. I've never heard of Meet John Doe. I will have to look for it. Thanks Aunty.

[LadyWentworth]

I like it's a wonderful life. It's just fun.
I'm curious about that Meet John Doe movie Auntshecky mentioned. I've never heard of it before, but now I'm going to try to find it.

"Meet John Doe" is a great Gary Cooper film. One of my all-time favorites of Cooper's.


My favorite holiday film is definitely "A Christmas Story". It reminds me so much of my life growing up. True. It is a story about a boy growing up in 1940's Indiana and I was a girl who grew up in 1980's Wisconsin. Yet, the general "feeling" of the story, the family, childhood and Christmas itself reminds me of my childhood. I am a sucker for the original "Miracle on 34th Street", though. That is mainly because of my "crush" on John Payne. He's the man who plays the lawyer in the film. :p

As for the Christmas specials, I enjoy them all. My top ones are probably "Rudolph", "Charlie Brown" and "Mickey's Christmas Carol". That version of "A Christmas Carol" is actually my favorite one.

I also enjoy the Christmas episode of "The Flintstones" immensely. :D

[mtpspur]

White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I started to write why until I relaized Christmas had little to do with why I like it and a whole lot more with Rosemary Clooney in a cocktail dress. We continue to dwell in Peter Pan I won't grow up land after all these years.

[beyondhuman]

I remember there was a 2 episode movie length Series called "A Christmas Murder"
It had some really dark characters i loved it, it was sort of a black comedy. The nudist 90 year old man was the best.
It was a New Zealand show so i doubt you guys will find it anywhere

[AuntShecky]

I knew someone would post "A Christmas Story!" It is a delightful movie, really Darren McGavin's tour de force, BUT please folks, please let it inspire you to go and read the original works by Jean Shepherd. (The movie is based on several of his works.) Jean was in my most humble opinion an American humorist of the first rank.

I'm glad someone chose the original Miracle on 34th St also, although the relatively recent one with Richard Attenborough isn't bad at all. Don't know about the '73 made for TV version starring David Hartman.

Also folks, forgot to ask: which of the numerous versions of A Christmas Carol do you prefer?
-the early one w. Reginald Owen?
-the one titled "Scrooge" with Alastair Sims?
- the one produced by and starring George C. Scott OR
the many, many parodies featuring Bill Murray or Mr. Magoo or Mickey Mouse or the Muppets? That last one is
great, featuring a live action Scrooge played by the ubiquitous Michael Caine.

[LadyWentworth]

I knew someone would post "A Christmas Story!" It is a delightful movie, really Darren McGavin's tour de force, BUT please folks, please let it inspire you to go and read the original works by Jean Shepherd. (The movie is based on several of his works.) Jean was in my most humble opinion an American humorist of the first rank.

I'm glad someone chose the original Miracle on 34th St also, although the relatively recent one with Richard Attenborough isn't bad at all. Don't know about the '73 made for TV version starring David Hartman.

Also folks, forgot to ask: which of the numerous versions of A Christmas Carol do you prefer?
-the early one w. Reginald Owen?
-the one titled "Scrooge" with Alastair Sims?
- the one produced by and starring George C. Scott OR
the many, many parodies featuring Bill Murray or Mr. Magoo or Mickey Mouse or the Muppets? That last one is
great, featuring a live action Scrooge played by the ubiquitous Michael Caine.

Darren McGavin is the best part of the whole film! Such a great performance! I have read Shephard's works. I personally think he is one of the best humorists there ever was. The film only gives credit to one of his stories. I believe it is "In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash". Love him! :D

I never saw the "Miracle on 34th Street" from the 1970's. Actually, I noticed that it happened to be on TV last night. I ended up watching something about the holiday season being celebrated in Disney World on the Travel Channel instead, though. :p

I mentioned above that I preferred the Mickey Mouse version of "A Christmas Carol". I have always really enjoyed that one the best. :) I haven't seen the one with Mr. Magoo in YEARS!!

I have probably seen every version of "A Christmas Carol". I do admit to liking the one with the The Muppets, too. :) But if we are going to talk about "serious" versions, I almost think that I like the early one with Reginald Owen best (though I am not a big Gene Lockhart fan :sick: ). It seems that the one with Alistair Sims is the more popular of the two, though. I still prefer the first one that I mentioned.

By the way, I forgot to mention three other holiday films that I have always enjoyed. The one is "The Shop Around the Corner" (what "Sleepless in Seattle" is based on - that could hardly compare to the original James Stewart film). The other is "The Bishop's Wife". Great film with Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young. That was remade as "The Preacher's Wife" with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. NO!!! Denzel could never take the place of Cary! Finally, there is "Christmas in Connecticut". A pretty good film with Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan (love this man :) He is someone who's films I will always stop to watch).

I guess "Meet Me in St. Louis" is kind of considered a holiday film, too. I like that one alot, also. But if I am to be honest, I think the ONLY reason it is considered a hoilday film is because that is where the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" comes from!

[Niamh]

you can garuntee that every year in my house Gone With the Wind in on TV.

[AuntShecky]

I for one am enjoying these wonderfully warm responses!
Re: White Christmas is a charming, lushly photographed in Technicolor, notable for the appearance of the great but under-rated Rosemary Clooney.
Actually, that particular movie (1954) was not the one that
introduced Irving Berlin's iconic tune of the same title. That would be Holiday Inn (1942) which also stars
Bing Crosby as well as Fred Astaire! This movie features a separate song for nearly all the holidays of the year, but modern sensibilities have just cause to find offense in the number devoted to Lincoln's birthday!
And as far as dreaming of a white Christmas, here in the
Northeast, we have to be careful of what we wish for!
Big snowstorm today and another one predicted for
the weekend.

[manolia]

"The nightmare before Christmas"- Tim Burton

[TheFifthElement]

Muppets' Christmas Carol light the lamp not the rat! guaranteed to put you in the Christmas mood. I know all the songs...all of them :goof:

[LadyWentworth]

"The nightmare before Christmas"- Tim Burton

I can't believe that I forgot that one!!! I think alot people don't realize that it actually is a Christmas film! :p


As for "White Christmas", I liked it enough. I am not a huge Danny Kaye fan, though. :sick: Still, I know about the controversy over that song in "Holiday Inn" (I don't get too offended by anything, though). I always much preferred "Holiday Inn" over "White Christmas". The one has Fred Astaire (that is always a plus!). Then again, the other has the song "Sisters". I love that song. :) My heart goes to "Holiday Inn", though. Other than Astaire, it has another plus with the song "Happy Holiday". :)

[AuntShecky]

I agree with you, Dear Lady W. about the song "Happy Holiday" -- and Fifth Element, do you remember early in
the Muppet movie when all the little mice slash accountants (Bob Cratchet's co-workers) exclaim:
"It's cold in here! We're freezing our assets off!"

[Niamh]

I forgot about Muppets Christmas carol And a Nightmare before Christmas!!!

[manolia]

I can't believe that I forgot that one!!! I think alot people don't realize that it actually is a Christmas film! :p


:lol: Indeed, it is a Christmas film ;)
I also like "Scrooged" by Richard Donner. Funny film ;)

[AuntShecky]

I forgot to mention "Simple Gifts" a PBS special that aired one Holiday season at least a decade ago. It is a hour-long collection of six very touching vignettes, a few of which are animated. Highly recommended!

[Scheherazade]

"My Fair Lady"
"Sound of Music"
"Fiddler on the Roof"

And a whole bunch of other musicals!

I could have danced all night, you know! ;)

[browneyedbailey]

The newest How the Grinch stole Christmas

[Lily Adams]

I know it's already been mentioned, but "The Nightmare Before Christmas". It doesn't have the repetitive Christmas carols, and it has Halloween instilled in it. Which is my favorite holiday.

I remember bringing it to my daycare when I was four for either Halloween or Christmas. One of the counselors started arguing with me that it was a Halloween movie more than a Christmas one. (or the other way around if it was Halloween) I remember telling her that it was both. And then another counselor praised me very much for bringing it in because he liked it.

And "Edward Scissorhands". It's Christmas-y.

I also like to watch to the MST3K version of "Santa Claus Conquerors the Martians" during this time of year.

"BOOM Prancer, BOOM Dancer! OH THE HUMANITY!!!!"

[babes]

Ohhh I like "The Holiday" and "ELF" and Wait.. I forgot the other one.. Haha =p hmmm something to do with Ben Afflect and thius girl from SEx and the City. I just dunno the title.. ANYWAY.. That's it :D

[LadyWentworth]

And "Edward Scissorhands". It's Christmas-y.

Yeah. It is "Christmasy", isn't it? I never thought of that before until you said it. :)


and "ELF"

That is another really good one that I somehow have forgotten about.

One that isn't particularly Christmasy, but it does take place during Christmas, is "Love Actually". I really liked that one.

[Mal Reynolds]

I also like to watch to the MST3K version of "Santa Claus Conquerors the Martians" during this time of year.


Hmm, that's one of my favourite episodes, and I think I'll watch it now.


Christmasy movies?

My favourite has to be "A Christmas Story," doesn't feel like Christmas without it.

Charlie Brown and Rudolph are also movies I have to watch every Christmas, and will be watching until I am six feet under. Christmas Vacation is good as well~

OH!
Scrooged is a good movie too. Don't know if anyone's mentioned it.

[Lily Adams]

Yeah. It is "Christmasy", isn't it? I never thought of that before until you said it. :)

:D



Hmm, that's one of my favourite episodes, and I think I'll watch it now.

I should, too. Have'nt seen it yet this season!

"S-A-N-T-A C-L-A-U-S Hooray for Santy Claus!"

"Cha cha cha!"

[AimusSage]

I am particularly fond of Blackadder's Christmas Carol

[Lily Adams]

I am particularly fond of Blackadder's Christmas Carol

:eek:

HOW COULD I FORGET?!?!?!!

Merry Kweznuz!

[Pendragon]

The Santa Clause

[Niamh]

I am particularly fond of Blackadder's Christmas Carol

:lol: I LOVE that! BlackAdder cracks me up something terrible!:p

[Lbo]

im a big dork, but i always rewatch all my harry potter movies around christmas.i think fulfills some subconscious/slightly OCD need i have.
however, i think i would watch the notebook again just cuz i have time.
if u havent seen it, i would def. recommend the notebook because its ridiculously endearing and romantic.and any a. hepburn movies are a must.
also, i really wanna see atonement. i havent seen it yet, but i bet its really good.peace<3=]

[LadyWentworth]

I am particularly fond of Blackadder's Christmas Carol

I love Blackadder!!! It used to be on TV here when I was 11 years old. I loved it. Then they took it away for awhile. Then they brought it back and took it away again. :(

I managed to buy myself the Christmas Blackadder, though. :D

[pussnboots]

I have several:
Miracle on 34th St -the original
Frosty the Snowman - I'm a little kid at heart
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindear

For New years I like to watch the Honeymooners marathon - to the moon!!!

[Janine]

pussnboots, I love "Miracle on 34th Street" - hope I get a chance to see it this Christmas season.

Isn't everyone a 'little kid at heart' during the holiday season?

Is it the older "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" you like? I saw that last year - how can one beat it and I like "The Nativity", from the 50's with marionettes - nothing like that these days - it is so sweet.

I hope to watch "The Christmas Story", "Miracle on 34th Street" and "A Wonderful Life" this Christmas; maybe "Little Women" and some ballet DVD's I have; wish I had "The Nutcracker" - I might on tape. If I have time I will watch "The Human Comedy" because there is some parts with Christmas in that old film and it is a great film.

[The E in M.E.]

Muppet Christmas Carol, definitely, but I also like White Christmas. And at New Year's it's kind of a tradition to watch the entire Lord of the Rings.:thumbs_up

[Shalot]

Christmas Vacation is hands down the best. It is on right now - I've got a DVD. Where can I get a pair of dinasaur pajamas like Clark's? And what are Eddie and Catherine doing with the rubber sheets and the gerbils? And I love Eddie's black dickie that you can totally see through his cheap white sweater. How funny!! And what beats, "Merry Christmas, the sh*****'s full." Also, I think the guy who plays Rusty might be playing Leonard on the new show "The Big Bang Theory" (but I am not certain). And the wife of the snotty couple used to be on Seinfeld.

I also like A Christmas Story. I think they're putting a marathon of that on sometime this year - I can't wait. I loved that so much when I was little. It came on HBO a lot.

Watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer this year, with that weird clay-looking puppet animation. I used to LOVE that when I was a kid.

Amazingly enough, I have never seen It's A Wonderful Life. My husband (LostCoast) is watching me type this and says I need to watch it at least once. Then I said, "Can we watch it this year" and he said "you only need to watch it once" I take it we won't be watching this year. OR, I'll be watching it alone I guess.

For all the good Christmas movies, don't they make a lot of bad crappy ones too? Every year they come out with at least one Christmas movie. That sounds like a good research project - a year-by-year account of Christmas movies and whether they were good or bad.

And to follow-up, the best Christmas albums and songs.