Christmas Classics

There are tons of them, and that’s not counting the annual Hallmark assembly line of one theme offerings. The list is almost impossible to wade through.  I’m speaking of Christmas movies.  We all love them. And we all have our favorites.  Some of us religiously watch those favorites each and every year….we would consider our holiday season totally incomplete if we didn’t enjoy them at least once.

I’ve got a few of those, just like you.  And at this season, I want to share with you some of my all time favorites.  They are listed here, not necessarily in order of devotion.  Fact is, at Christmas, depending on the state of things, one may be preferred over another.  And they all have what I deem necessary for a Christmas favorite….a take away lesson of love, sharing, and caring, no matter how delivered, for all the little humans hanging out on our tiny planet.

Miracle on 34^th St. (1947)

The original please.  The 1994 version just doesn’t match up.  Come to think of it, few “remakes” ever measure up to their parent. Witness:  this version was nominated for Best Picture.  The 1994 version, not so much. With Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood (as Susie) and a perfect ending, it’s a classic through and through.  And if you’re really astute, you can see a young Robert Shaw as the taxi driver.

 The Christmas Story (1983)

It’s the 30^th anniversary for this instant classic.  Never gets old.  I’ve been to Cleveland and visited the house where some scenes were filmed. Come to find out, they were the exterior scenes…the inside doesn’t come close to looking like the real thing. There’s a separate house where a museum/gift shop is located.  One of the fellows who played the delivery guy of  “the” leg lamp was there offering his autograph for $20!  What a country.

Christmas Vacation (1989)

And it’s anniversary number 24 for this gem. It has to be a classic because I watch it every year.  And I just figured out it is really not for “little” children.  Just too many questions!  But funny.  Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye never had such a funny "cameo!"

The Polar Express (2004)

I actually liked the book better, but this one is….different, and sometimes different is welcome.  And it has Tom Hanks.  Works for me.  It has a lump in your throat ending. 

 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)

Thirty years and counting. Originally a book, this is just an hour long tv movie.  It too, besides being very funny and entertaining, reaches into our humanity and deposits a life lesson on how to think of the poor among us. But the really funny actions of the “ Herdmans,” on a lighter note, beg us all to ask….do we have Herdmans in our family!  I’ll bet you do.

White Christmas (1954)

I dunno.  Every time I see Bing Crosby I wonder just how he made it, and how he got  that reputation of his (velvet voice aside).  With the goofy way he wears hats at an odd angle, he looks like a cross between a little smurf and one of the 7 dwarfs, with a touch of Shrek thrown in.  But this movie hits on so many human levels, a la 1947 style, that it never ceases to warm my little heart.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Talk about hitting so many human emotions, this movie is it in spades.  A story of warmth and perspective, love and redemption, it has lessons on the far reach of love for us all.  And it all could have happened right down the road from Syracuse. At least we’d like to believe that.  And we do.  :)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Just plain fun, with some of the same lessons found in the previously mentioned movies, this one pleases young and…..not so young, alike. And in this one, the kids get the message just as clearly as the adults.  Of course, Linus steals the show.

Note: In the internet news arena this week, there appears a list of the top 10 Christmas movie classics, whipped up by "those who should know." Four of them appeared on my list!  Christmas Vacation (5), Miracle on 34th St. (4), A Christmas Story (2), and of course, It's A Wonderful Life (1). Cool, and the top ones too!

On the list was Elf. Even though I watch Elf every year (usually with little munchkins), I can't make my fingers type it on to the "list."  I dunno, I just can't do it.  Too many trips through the Candy Cane forest I guess.

This time of year is the most special "season" of the year.  It means many things to many people.  It is a season that is a sentient contradiction of its advertised theme.  Conflict and contention live beside peace and  harmony.  The fragile truce lasts only hours before the world returns to its divergent posture. How to make sense of it all?  Perhaps the best way to make sense is to use common sense.  Make it simple - keep is local.

So, whatever guides your boat through these seasonal waters, may you look with open heart and mind.  Consider, if you will. May you be blessed with a glass of your favorite wine, a fire in the fireplace (if you be so lucky to have one), the unfiltered laughter of children, and the unconditional love of a good pet. And it wouldn't hurt if you know someone who loves you, one whom you love in return.  All the rest ... just extras on the plate.   

Spoiler alert:  next blog post, which won't be long in coming, will feature Fairfield again.

Mark Twain Quote: “The xmas holidays have this high value; that they remind Forgetters of the Forgotten, & repair damaged relationships.”