Growing up my absolute favorite thing to watch every year were those Rankin Bass stop motion specials that date back to the 1960s. They still run them every year, though I noticed the absence of “The Year Without a Santa Claus” on the schedule this year. Probably not an oversight. With Covid I suppose we don’t want to take away that one last hope all children have every year.
Last night I watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which was on loan from Apple who bought up the rights to the whole Peanuts TV specials franchise I guess. Anyway, I think this one is my favorite of the seasonal Charlie Brown specials, if nothing else because of Snoopy. He’s hilarious the way he decorates his doghouse (and takes 1st place for his decorations), then skates with the children
This year “Home Alone” is somewhat appropriate, but also somewhat improbable that a whole family would be flying anywhere. I love the feeling of freedom Kevin enjoys once he realizes he’s on his own and can get into his brother’s stuff without getting beaten up for it. Anyone who has siblings can appreciate that. I also love Kevin’s choice of dinner – pizza followed by a huge bowl of ice cream. For me it would pizza, then maybe a bowl of fritoes followed by chocolate ice cream. If you’re a fan of this movie, I hope you’ve seen the commercial with grown-up Kevin re-enacting scenes from the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYcv3cg61b8 Okay, so Ferris did it first in his Honda commercial, grown up Kevin is still pretty funny too. You might also enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at this movie in the one-hour program as part of the Netflix series, “The Movies That Made Us.”
You’re either from another planet or grew up Amish if you’ve never seen “Christmas Vacation.” I first saw it back when I was in college and was probably the inspiration for “The Great Christmas Light Fight” TV program (one I’ve recorded, but haven’t yet watched).
My family has a personal connection to “A Christmas Story” as my uncle and his family were part of the vintage background that helped lend a sense of realism for a classic 1950s/1960s Christmas. My uncle was the proud owner of a pair of antique cars that were necessary for the dated background scenery needed to help set the scene.
My cousin told me she and her brother often joined him in downtown Cleveland for some of the filming. I am so jealous as that would have probably been an amazing experience, but I’m just glad my family was able to contribute to what has become an American Christmas classic. Anyway, even though I missed out on being there for that movie, I got to see another classic (though more of a B-movie) movie being filmed in my hometown.
Back when I was in high school my friend and I found ourselves in downtown Madison (village) one Friday night, probably following a school event of some sort I imagine, and we accidentally wandered onto the film set for “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.” While exciting at the time, I admit it shattered one childhood myth I had about everything Hollywood being exotic. What we stood around and watched was the repetitive motion of a car being driven back and forth down Main Street. Actually, it was driven one direction, then reversed back into position, then driven forward again until the film crew was satisfied they had gotten some useable footage.
I should probably add that the reason they were there in the first place was because we had snow (and I think it might have been like April or sometime after Christmas) and they needed that for the background scenery. I also remember they let us have a close-up look at the car which definitely sticks in my impressionable young mind because of all the photos of naked ladies glued to the interior of the car along with all manner of tacky décor. The car even had a name, “Dooby’s Taxiola.” To be honest, I’m not even sure if any of the footage actually made it into the movie, or whether it’s one of those, “you blink and you missed it” moments. For more info. on the car used in the movie: http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/planes-trains-automobiles/
Another newer movie I’ve come to appreciate and enjoy watching every year is “Elf,” which is also analyzed in the Netflix series, “The Holiday Movies That Made Us.” There were three elements director, Jon Favreau was hoping to capture with the film including making it somewhat reminiscent of the old Rankin Bass specials, giving it a lot of heart and making it a family classic. He’s definitely successful incorporating all these elements. There’s so much to like about this movie from the excellent casting: Will Ferrell was spot on! and James “Jimmy the Dream” Caan in addition to my three other favorite actors, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner and Zoey Deschanal. Plus, I love movies set in NYC (though only part of it was filmed there).
Bonus points if you know what actor "Elf" and "A Christmas Story" have in common (checking the credits is cheating).
Although most probably won’t want a repeat of Christmas this year (especially if you opt to spend it at home away from the rest of your family), one of my favorite movies (called “Christmas Every Day”) is all about reliving Christmas day over and over. Yes, “Ground Hog Day” was probably an inspiration. Young Billy apparently has a few lessons to learn before he can move on to Boxing Day (the day after Christmas which is a public holiday in the UK). I think I like it because of the cast and because it’s set in small town America. Plus, like all good holiday movies, it has a lot of heart (and is very Hallmark movie-ish).
Although “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” (aka “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” for the American audience) isn’t a Christmas movie, I absolutely love the poignant scene where Harry is made to feel a like a part of Ron’s family when he is gifted with an ugly Christmas sweater knitted by Ron’s mom (everyone gets one!). Plus, you’ve got to love the really ornate decorations and coziness of the lounge at Hogwarts. This movie has heart in spades (not to make a gambling reference).
If you’re looking for a little family drama set around Christmas, you can’t go wrong with “The Family Stone” or “Last Christmas.” One is set in an upper middle class family in Connecticut and the other in a Croatian family in London. Both have characters who are critically judged by their family (or their boyfriend’s family) and have issues that are resolved by the end. Both have fantastic scenery and a lot of warmth as one pair of characters drive the story in both, and both also have a little bit of a twist at the end. Warning: both are two tissue films. : (
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I love vintage things, which includes black and white movies. I think the draw is the way Hollywood portrays this exotic old timey world I’m not old enough to have experienced myself, but seems so idyllic. “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus,” “Holiday Inn,” and “White Christmas” are some of my favorites. I also love the iconic “It’s a Wonderful Life” (see last week’s post for more about that).
The last film on my list, which is definitely a must see, and definitely a two tissue film, is “Joyeux Noel.” This is based on the true story of the World War I treaty called on Christmas Eve when the soldiers left the trenches to share a meal and some good cheer while showing each other photos of their family and maybe sharing an impromptu gift or two. How they could go back to fighting after that is beyond me, but war is incomprehensible to me too.
Probably the most appropriate selection for this untraditional Christmas this year is Bill Murray’s Christmas special (as suggested by my husband) called “A Very Murray Christmas.” Murray is stuck in a hotel for Christmas after getting snowed in, so he asks some of the guests (a few celebrities) to help him celebrate by singing something Christmassy. It’s only an hour, so not a bad length if you’re short on time or it’s a school night or something. https://www.netflix.com/title/80042368
I have my sister to thank for alerting us to this very funny Christmas sketch which has become a favorite tradition and added to my list of Christmas viewing: “The Best Christmas Ever” SNL (“Saturday Night Live”) sketch with Matt Damon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WvwX18oMR4 Whether or not you have kids, I think everyone can relate on some level. This sketch is a nice compliment to “Christmas Vacation” as it definitely shares the same spirit. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Karen!
Well, that should keep you pretty busy this week in the run
up to Christmas. Stay safe and healthy everyone and have a happy Christmas!
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