Favoured / Despised Christmas Movies

[Quasimodem]

Tonight, TVOntario is airing Bill Forsyth's 1984 feature, "Comfort and Joy."

This is one of my favourite Christmas movies. I always enjoy it. Partly because it is a presentation of the life of a disc jockey who ISN'T a charismatic superstar. Also, because it only slightly notices the fact that it is set during the holiday run up to Christmas.

Other than the usual films (Oh, go ahead – mention the usual films!) What are your favourite Christmas movies, and what is it about them, that compels you to revisit them for Christmas?

[ Alternately, is there a film which makes you want to shoot out the TV screen, every time it comes on the air? And why? ]

 

[English Lady]

You just cannot beat Santa Claus (The movie) with Dudley Moore as the over enthusiatic technologically minded elf in it. That film makes my christmas every year.

Of course then there is the Muppets christmas carol. It's a winner!

 

[DirtyJJ]

Here is a "usual" one... "It's a Wonderful Life"... but I love it. Something about Jimmy Stewart is so appealing. I like the story premise too... that everyone touches other people's lives whether you think so or not. A nice timeless movie in my opinion. (I don't like when they drag it out with tons of commercials though... better to rent it commercial-free).

One I dislike, but so much as to shoot the TV... National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I think it's on tonight... again. OK to see once or twice, but not over and over.

 

[McKenna]

.

 

[Guest]

"A Christmas Carol" with Alistair Sim, the only Scrooge for me. I always cry when he wakes up and realizes he's not dead and starts singing and dancing about in his nightgown and scares his housekeeper, and when he delights in the boy who he has sent to buy a goose for the Cratchits.

Perdita

 

[Guest]

I absolutely cannot stand It's A Wonderful Life or Christmas in Connecticut (either version.)

My favorite Christmas movies are Miracle on 34th Street (both old and new versions) and The Santa Clause 1 & 2.

 

[Dirty Slut]

I enjoy them all...

No matter how most people feel throughout the year towards each other, there is something special about Christmas time. It is a time, though short lived, where in we all think of the other person first, and not ourselves. Genuine thoughts of Peace on Earth, and giving abound everywhere, even in the atypical athiest. It is a time when forgiveness strengthens our bonds of humanity. When old acquaintences will not be forgotten, and real love swells in the breast of mankind toward all people. It is a time when families come together to celebrate, and when the lonely, without an immediate family, grouch humbug after forgetting that we are all one great big family known as the human race. It is a time when a stranger can enter our homes, and instantly become a member of our family. It is the one moment on this planet when there is room at the Inn, and nobody gets turned out into the cold. And no matter what grace you have faith in, this is that most holy of times of the year. Happy Holidays to all here at Literotica, and to all who may read this.

DS

 

[Boxlicker101]

Christmas Movies

I like "It's a Wonderful Life", but I can't help thinking that the main character had a much more active early life than most. If I had never been born, the world would be almost exactly the same as it is now. I never saved anyone's life or did anything special, which is rather depressing.

My favorite movie is about the kid who wants the bb gun but I don't remembrer the name of it.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=207952MySmut

 

[whispering_surrender]

Re: Christmas Movies

My favorite movie is about the kid who wants the bb gun but I don't remembrer the name of it.

That would be A Christmas Story. *smile*

"No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" - Ralphie

*blush* I might have seen that once or twice....and may still laugh at the little kid who gets dared into licking the flagpole....

Whisper

 

[Boxlicker101]

That would be A Christmas Story. *smile*

No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" - Ralphie
"You'll probably shoot your eye out" - All the adults he knew.

I knew the name was very ordinary sounding but I coudn''t remember it.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=207952MySmut

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Re: Re: Christmas Movies

That would be A Christmas Story. *smile*

Yeah. If you read Dirt Man's Xmas story entry, you'd see a lot of the same kind of stuff in there: Christmas seen through the wonderfully direct and mercenary eyes of a kid. I especially identify with the Dad, with his ravings at the furnace. The story had the look and feel of my young Christmases too, since it was supposed to be set in Hammond, Indiana ('twas filmed in Cleveland and Toronto). I'm pretty sure I had the same teacher too.

"Wonderful Life", yes. It's kind of like fruitcake. You don;t really like it, but...

Alistair Sim was Scrooge to me, but then I saw the version of the Christmas Carol with, of all people, George C. Scott and it just gave me chills. I am such a sentimental sap at heart.

What? No votes for "Silent Night, Deadly Night" about the killer Claus?

---dr.M.

 

[whispering_surrender]

Re: Re: Re: Christmas Movies

What? No votes for "Silent Night, Deadly Night" about the killer Claus?

---dr.M.

Well, if we're veering from the mainstream....honourable mention to The Ref. Mostly because I want to be able to talk like Denis Leary when I grow up. *grin*

Whisper

 

[Mhari]

Because I'm a warped child, Scrooged with Bill Murray is my favorite. It's sick and twisted yet kinda sweet, just like me!

 

[Colleen Thomas]

How the Grinch stole Christmas. Hands down.

Also love Rudolph, frosty, Emmit otter's jugband Christmas, Santa Clause is coming to town (the one with the mice & the clock) and pretty much all the animated specials.

Really dislike the newer stuff like the santa clause, NL Christmas vacation and the like.


Have a question for all you guys. On the ship I saw an animated version of A Christmas Carrol that featured two mice. It closed with a book reading, dickens I presume explaining that this was the real story. Anyone know what the name might be or who put it out?

-Colly

 

[sweetnpetite]

Re: Re: Christmas Movies

That would be A Christmas Story. *smile*

"No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" - Ralphie

*blush* I might have seen that once or twice....and may still laugh at the little kid who gets dared into licking the flagpole....

Whisper

YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT!

 

[sweetnpetite]

I love Miracle of 34th. Both virsions are wonderful. But I think that the man in the original is sooooo increadably hansom, even by today's standards. And I adore the Santa in that one. (he really *is* Santa you know)


My favorate is "A Christmas Carol" and preferably, the George C. Scott one, but I do like any version. The muppet's christmas carol is great. I also enjoy "A Diva's Christmas Carol" I'm watching the newest one now- but I can't help thinking that it's "Star Trek Christmas Carol" so I guess you could say that I don't care too much for this one. Patrick Stewart is very tallented, and I do like him in other things, but it just downs't work in this case for me. As I said, I like almost any version of this, but I'm not overjoyed when tv shows try to redo it in a half hour rather than come up with there own Christmas tale. Plus, it's unbelievable (to me) in this day and age that even a tv character wouldn't go- 'oh yeah, I'm having a dream about Dicken's A Christmas Carol") Scrooged is good though. It works as a stand alone movie, but not as a part of a tv show using already known characters that are supposed to be rooted in reality. (and I don't like it when they do 'It's a wonderful life" either)


And finally, "A Christmas Story." When I was a kid- I hated hated hated this movie. I think it was too sureal, it frightnened me, and much of it just didn't make sence. I really din't get that it took place in the fifties and all that. Now that I"m an adult- the movie just cracks me up. Even as a kid though, I always liked the part where the kid finally goes off on the bully and beats him to a bloody pulp. But I can't watch the part were the kid gets his tongue stuck to the pole (ouch!)

God, I talk to much....

Apologies

I absolutely cannot stand It's A Wonderful Life or Christmas in Connecticut (either version.)

My favorite Christmas movies are Miracle on 34th Street (both old and new versions) and The Santa Clause 1 & 2.

 

[sweetnpetite]

how could I forget

Charlie Brown.

love the 'charlie brown tree'

love linus explaining the meaning of christmas. (even now that I'm pagan)

the the whole gang. (I won't call them Penuts though, because I never liked that name and then I found out that Charles Shultz didn't like it either)

 

[Quasimodem]

A couple of older films I have always been rather fond of are:

"Holiday" (1938) starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, from the Philip Barry play.
Not really about Christmas, but more centred on New Years, about stopping to smell the flowers.


"Remember the Night" (1940) starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, from a Preston Sturges screenplay. It features a real corn ball country Christmas, a wisecracking Stanwyck, and a fairly non-Hollywood end.

CrimsonMaiden and Sweetnpetite both mentioned "It's a Wonderful Life" from differing sides. How about another Christmas Capracorn:

"Meet John Doe" (1943) starring Gary Cooper and Barbra Stanwyck, directed by Frank Capra, about the ballplayer who is conned into claiming he will jump off City Hall on New Year's Eve, in protest.

Then, there's "Good Sam" (1948) starring Gary Cooper (again) and Ann Sheridan, directed by Leo McCarey, about the man who is so good to his friends and neighbours that he almost loses everything.

Or, am I the only old codger around here who can still remember them, fondly.

Note to SnP:

The male lead in "Miracle on 34th Street" was John Payne, Kris Kringle was played by Edmund Gwenn.
Just to round out the credits, the little girl was Natalie Wood in her third credited film role, and Maureen O'Hara playing her mother.

 

[sweetnpetite]

Thanks quasimodem.

Love Maureen O'Hara (esp. in Parent Trap)

since we are talking about New Years Eve (or maybe we are not) When Harry Met Sally is a pretty good holiday movie. (And great as just a movie) I love Meg Ryan. (Besty Montgomery to those of us who knew her when...)

 

[Lauren Hynde]

My absolutely favourite Christmas movie is Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. It's a gorgeous movie to simply look at, the songs are brilliant, the dark sense of humour is the perfect antidote the all that holiday sweetness.

On the other hand, each time yet another adaptation of Christmas Carol comes up, I feel like I'm going to gag. Sorry. If I have to see another Scrooge, I'll shoot the TV set.

 

[Guest]

Bah humbug!

I love The Grinch, starring Jim Carey, as do my girls. We sit there watching it, singing the songs together, laughing together and even crying together.

I also like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (or was it called The Griswald Family Christmas?). Another fan of Scrooged here, too. I like comedies.

Of course there's also Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus: The Movie, and most others mentioned here.

The classic on BBC TV over Christmas is The Sound of Music. I know, it's not related to Christmas, but is always shown here over the holidays. I love it! Oh, that and the Wizard of Oz and Grease, two more firm favourites of mine.

Lou

 

[cookiejar]

Re: Re: Christmas Movies

That would be A Christmas Story. *smile*

"No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" - Ralphie

*blush* I might have seen that once or twice....and may still laugh at the little kid who gets dared into licking the flagpole....

Whisper

My favorite too Whisper. The father is priceless. It's not Christmas without this movie.

 

[Quasimodem]

A childhood Christmas favourite of mine was "March of the Wooden Soldiers"(1934) aka "Babes in Toyland." starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

Unfortunately, these days the version is most often run is the Tommy Sands - Annette Funicello version, so much so, that TV stations often schedule it under the old "Babes in Toyland" alternate title, "March of the Wooden Soldiers," which the remake was never given.

BTW:
The director of the 1983 film, "A Christmas Story" is Bob Clark, who also directed such family favourites as "Porky's I & II," the Stallone - Parton fiasco "Rhinestone," "Turk 182," "Murder by Decree" and 1974's "Black Christmas."

Despite the auteur theory, perhaps the person most responsible for the appeal and whimsey of "A Christmas Story" can be traced from the novel it was based upon, Jean Shepherd's novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash."

PS: Cookie Jar

The "Old Man" in "A Christmas Story" is played by Darren McGavin.

 

[Boxlicker101]

"Babes in Toyland."

I have seen a couple versions of this movie and my favorite is the one where the bad guy, not the monsters but the human bad guy, refers to the female lead's home town as "Cinciwhatski" but I don't know the names of any of the stars.

I have to absolutely agree with you, Quasi, no movie will be any good without a good script. As writers and aspiring professional writers, I don't think any of us would disagree with that.


http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=207952MySmut

 

[Guest]

Wow, this brought to mind so many other fave films. Thanks, Quas, I too love "Holiday", watched it recently for the xth time.

Lauren, "Nightmare" is also a fave. My niece was Sally this past H'ween. We have a private joke between us, I tell her to be patient and she replies like Sally that she doesn't want to be. Anyone who knows me knows that Jack fits my 'type' perfectly, haha.

SnP: you do not talk to much, I love reading your posts, you're just too precious really.

Box, your first post touched me. Don't say things like that, it isn't true for anybody, believe me.

anon, Perdita