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They Belong In Every Home: The Best Holiday Movies By Farr
Below you'll find the movies that to my mind, best capture the essence of Christmas, year in and year out. These titles seem particularly fitting now, as we see the rampant consumerism of recent years yield to the fundamentals of the holiday-as a special time for family and friends to come together and give thanks. The values and emotions imparted in these timeless films are sure to stoke the spirit of "Peace On Earth, Good Will Towards Men" (and women).
Holiday Inn (1942) - Don't miss this funny, festive Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire musical about two friends who launch an inn open only on holidays. The film is best known for first introducing "White Christmas", the best-selling single of all time, and an instant favorite with troops then overseas. "Inn" remains consistently tuneful and entertaining, with a sublime Irving Berlin score that covers not just Christmas, but all major holidays. And Astaire and Crosby make a winning team. (For the record, I prefer this Crosby feature to the overbaked, oversaturated "White Christmas", released twelve years later.)
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)- A heartwarming holiday treat, Frank Capra's masterful handling of the bittersweet storyline-in which one George Bailey (James Stewart) sacrifices his own dreams to save the family savings-and-loan business and keep his hometown of Bedford Falls out of the greedy paws of a heartless banker-is pure Hollywood magic. Donna Reed (as Bailey's wife, Mary) and Lionel Barrymore (as the banker) give exceptional performances, but Stewart is the dynamic, all-too-human force holding it all together.
Miracle On 34th Street (1947)- Was there ever a better big-screen Santa than Oscar-winner Edmund Gwenn? This delightful fable about an elderly retiree turned Macy's Santa who sets New York a-twitter with his claim to be the real article gets at the heart of the question: if we humans can no longer believe in things we may not understand, what exactly is the point of Christmas? Look for a cute, young Natalie Wood as a disbelieving young girl Gwenn's Kris Kringle converts.
The Bishop's Wife (1947)- Cary Grant portrays Dudley, the suavest of angels who visits Earth at holiday time to set a certain Bishop's priorities straight. Co-starring David Niven as the Bishop and a dazzling Loretta Young as the title character, this joyful, witty film still has something to say about keeping the spirit of Christmas alive all year round. And Cary was never better.
Scrooge (1950)- Based on Charles Dickens's most widely read and enduring story, this definitive 1951 British version outdoes all others for atmosphere and characterization. The incomparable Alastair Sim, a gifted actor who seamlessly inhabits the title role, makes you feel there could be no other Scrooge. The film runs just eighty-five minutes, yet delivers the story's full impact, with Sim's droopy eyes projecting all of Scrooge's terror, shame, and regret.
The Apartment (1960)- Peerless Billy Wilder feature about C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon), an insurance man climbing the corporate ladder by lending out his bachelor pad for his bosses' assignations. Baxter falls for elevator girl Fran (Shirley MacLaine), but she's still involved in a messy romance going nowhere. Unhappy circumstances draw Fran into Baxter's orbit over the holidays. Will love blossom between these two lost souls? We find out by New Year's, in this poignant tale of loneliness and love.
The Homecoming (1971)- This was the wildly successful TV movie that spawned "The Waltons" TV series. On a Christmas Eve during the Depression, Olivia Walton (Patricia Neal) and her large brood wait anxiously for patriarch John, who's been forced to take a job far from home. With inclement weather making roads impassable, will he make it home for Christmas? The simple, touching "Homecoming" underlines the importance of family love and solidarity over material possessions. Neal is superb.
The House Without A Christmas Tree (1972)- Director Paul Bogart's deceptively unadorned story, adapted from Gail Rock's autobiographical book, involves one transformative Christmas in the 1940's. Precocious Addie (Lisa Lucas) badly wants a Christmas tree, but for James, her widower Dad (Jason Robards), such beauty only brings back his lost wife and past holidays he feels he must forget. He sternly forbids a tree in the house, but underestimates Addie's determination and cunning. See this one for Robards, one of the most powerful actors of his time.
A Christmas Story (1983)- An irresistible, often hilarious 40's-era holiday tale about young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), growing up in a loving but eccentric family, and his obsession with getting a very special air-gun for Christmas. Initially, his parents (Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon) supply precious little hope. Will Ralphie's desperate yearning wear them down in the end? Based on a Jean Shepherd short story, the movie benefits from an immense heart, rich period detail and quirky comic characters.
A Child's Christmas In Wales (1987)- Spending Christmas with his daughter's family, a grandfather (Denholm Elliott) reminisces with his enraptured grandson Thomas about his own boyhood holiday memories in Wales. Inspired by a Dylan Thomas poem, Don McBrearty's lyrical, heartwarming "A Child's Christmas" is a simple, one-of-a kind piece originally produced for public television. Some of the language may be lost on the little ones, but the movie exudes so much charm and Yuletide spirit that it really won't matter.
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I love Scrooged - Bill Murray, Carol Kane are so funny.
And I know I'm in the minority here, but I HATE A Christmas Story. I must have seen it a little too young, but I really did think he shot his eyes out and the rest of it didn't make a lot of sense to me. I still can't watch it without being creeped out
Typically great list, Mr. Farr....except in this economic atmosphere, I'd like to add some Charles Bronson & Stephen Seagal revenge movies, with our econ. leaders in mind.
I agree about "The Apartment," a wonderfully downbeat Christmas movie. On the lighter side, I like "Christmas in Connecticut." The food sounds so delicious.
My favorite Christmas movie is "Little Lord Fauntleroy" with Alec Guiness, Patrick Stewart and Rick Shroeder. It is a delight. I surely wish that the "powers that be" would put it on DVD. My VHS tape is deteriorating.
Laurel and Hardy's "Babes in toyland".
Rudolph the Red Nose Raindeer is pretty iconic and a cult classic...especially the beginning with that snow man....
"silver and gold....silver and gold..."
Don't forget, "Love Actually" and "Bridget Jones"
Both of these movies also have great soundtracks!
Happy Holidays!
Why isn't WHITE CHRISTMAS on this list? Great story, Beautiful songs, Wonderful Dancing, Danny Kaye is BRILLIANT and who can keep a dry eye when the Colonel walks into own place to find all his old soldiers their to pay their respects? COME ON!
Because "Holiday Inn" is on the list, and it's the original.
I have to add my two cents: These are oldies but goodies - true classics
Christmas in Connecticut- Barbara Stanwick is Martha Stewart before Martha was born in this post war comedy about a home advice columnist who is about to be exposed for the fraud she is. Her publisher invites a wounded soldier to have christmas dinner with her and her non existant family.
We're No Angels - Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Rey and Peter ustinoff are escaped convicts on Devils Island who wonder upon a family in need of help on Christmas Eve. Humphrey Bogart is really funny.
Come to the Manger - Lorretta Young is a mother superior who is trying to build a chapel and has to convince all these different people to contribute.
Meet me in St Louis - Simply the best Christmas scenes ever - from the Christmas Ball to Judy Garland singing "Have yourseld a Merry LIttle Christmas" it's a pure joy and annual event in our house.
Thanks for letting me share these.
Excellent choices.
I think we need a few more recent ones than 1987 (great holiday movies don't have to be really old):
2006 - Click - Adam Sandler (essentially a modern remake of It's A Wonderful Life (IAWL), done extremely well)
2001 - The Family Man - Nicolas Cage (another sort-of variation of IAWL; calm down any Cage-haters, this is a seriously touching movie aight)
2007 - The Holiday - Kate Winslet (primarily a great romantic movie but set during holidays)
WOW I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THOSE MOVIES!
I loved The Family Man, for some reason I just loved it, and i dont even like nicolas cage, but its a great holiday movie...
And The Holiday was suprisingly good too for a holiday film, the romantic comedy was less comedy and more sweet and heart warming...I also found it realistic, and such a fantasy to be in either situation....it was great...
OK, I'm feeling really ancient here, but the Bishops Wife was ... pardon the pun ... divine! The Denzel/Whitney remake was ok, but nothing beats Grant when he's great, and he was terrific in this one. For the Hollywood Years movie buffs, this one's worth watching year round -- Christmas viewing is just the cream. This one, and good old Bedford Falls, lead the picks.
Here's a few more:
The Lemon Drop Kid - Bob Hope is brilliant in this christmas movie. Lots of wisecracking thugs and ne'er-do-well 's trying to cash in on Christmas spirit.
Ernest Saves Christmas - Yes, ERNEST. I really don't care for any of this other films but this is cute and innocent. Only a few slow moments and really good family fare.
The Man Who Came To Dinner - Something of an acquired taste. The lead, Monty Woolley, is beyond abrasive and at first you might hate him, but give him a chance and you will see an incredible cast in a wonderful screwball comedy.
For a newer animation choice:
Olive the Other Reindeer - Oh come on, Drew Barrymore as a dog, singing off key, how she thinks she is the new chosen replacement reindeer to pull Santa's sleigh. Very cute and has enough of an adult edge for grown-ups to enjoy.
If, like me, you were to watch great non-sequitor Christmas movies (that simply take place during Christmas, but can be watched year-round), you can't do much better than these:
Die Hard & Die Hard II
Enemy Of The State
Brazil
Stalag 17
Any takers?
How about "Trading Places"?
And "Meet John Doe" and "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and "Lion in Winter." And, yeah, Guy, I'll take Stalag 17 any time of year.
I think autie mame is a good movie for holidays too
Forgot about that one! I owe you one dollar!
Die Hard is a great one!
You can't seriously consider block buster BLOW THEM UP ACTION movies as HOLIDAY movies can you? Come on!!!!!!! You need to broaden your horizons.
I didn't say I hate the standardard holiday films, but by listing non-traditional holiday movies, I'm AM broadening my horizons. Think outside the box, dude...
Oooh, forgot about "Gremlins"!
Some good ones, to be sure. I think just Rosemary Clooney singing "Love, You Didn't Do right By Me" in White Christmas makes that movie a must, though.
Can't imagine you leaving out the original, fabulous "We're No Angels." Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and "Adolph." (etc etc etc)
I have to add the rousing black comedy "The Ref," if it were my list.
I'm so glad you mentioned 'We're No Angels'. It is one of my favorite 'unsentimental, black-humored' Christmas movies. So is the Ref, too, by the way.
See Spencer's Mountain... that was the inspiration for the Waltons....
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