Regardless your appeal with all the movies and TV specials each
December, what I can't figure out is, why at Christmas time do we see an
increase in horror flicks? Or why James Bond reruns seem an
appropriate accompaniment alongside the Nativity? I suppose nothing
invites the spirit of Christmas more into the hearts of many than a good
slasher movie or super spy 007 defusing a nuclear warhead while romancing a
beautiful, scantily clad international vixen (I watch these too). Fortunately there are plenty of
good "Christmas" movies to watch. With that I'm presenting
my list of the greatest "Christmas" flicks of all time; not that
anyone asked me to of course. Some are of the more serious nature, while others
merely provide a good laugh. The list, naturally, is based on the Christmas
movies/shows I have seen and which again are my favorites.
MY TOP TEN ALL-TIME FAVORITE CHRISTMAS
MOVIES
1. A Christmas Story (1983) - What's not to like? High production
value. Great, classic story. 24-hours full of chances to watch it on TBS come Christmas Eve. And memorable, repeatable lines: "He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny. He
does not! He does too, he looks like a pink nightmare!” or "Fra-gee-lay. Must be Italian”, and of course
“You'll shoot your eye out.” Love it! I'd like to think my childhood
would have been like Ralphie's . . . had I been born in the 1940s and my
developmental years lacked a television.
2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Arguably (along with number three on my
list) the most classic of all old-school classic
Christmas movies. We're talking Jimmy Stewart. But watch the black and white
version. Here's your movie quote: "Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings anangel gets his wings."
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) (original version) - Mom made me
watch this one as a kid. Have to keep the tradition alive. The remake while not
bad, just doesn't match the original in any way. "Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.
Don't you see? It's not just Kris that's on trial, it's everything he stands
for. It's kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles."
4. A Christmas Carol (many versions) - there a plenty to
choose from. Oddly enough, one of my favorites is the Muppet Christmas Carol
(1992). Creepy at times, but generally quite fun. "You're a little absent-minded, spirit." "No,
I'm a LARGE absent-minded spirit!"
5. Home Alone (1990) - Not the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or the 5th
sequels. The first! Pain and misery are a Christmas staple . . . or should be.
I'm still cringing at the stepping on the nail scene. "You guys give up yet? Or are you thirsty for more?"
6. Elf (2003) - The newest entry to my list, but one
strongly holding its own. One could make a Top-ten list of just favorite
Elf movie quotes. All gems! "I passed
through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly
twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel."
7. The Santa Clause (1994) - Creative use of the Santa Claus
name. "Charlie, stay away from those things.
They're reindeer, you don't know where they've been. They all look like they've
got key lime disease."
8. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
(1989) - It's a bit
crude, but still loaded with some epic lines and gags. "Is your house on fire, Clark?" "No, Aunt
Bethany, those are the Christmas lights."
9. Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980) - Another J. Stew classic. While not as
mass released as the others, this film combines a favorite actor with a
favorite choir. Christmas magic! Or something like that.
10. Polar Express (2004) - I didn't like this one at first.
But some great music truly helps this film leap into my Ten. "This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of
Christmas - as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your
heart."
Honorable Mention: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated), Scrooged.
-Any idea how often Christmas has required saving? 15 times!
According to the official source of sources Wikipedia. Included in the mix
of Christmas rescuers have been several dogs, a bear, a nun, Elmo, Ernest P.
Worrell, and in a roundabout way, John McClane (twice).
-There are five Muppet inspired Christmas entries. Eleven if you
include Sesame Street and Elmo themed films.
-The earliest Christmas movie I could find is A Holiday Pageant at
Home from 1901. No word if it will be released in Blu-ray or 3D anytime soon.
-Published in 1843, no fewer than 100 adaptions of Dicken's A
Christmas Carol have been produced. Ranging from traditional film and
television, to opera, stage, radio, Ebeneezer Scrooge has been represented in
various forms by an elderly duck, George Jetson, Oscar the Grouch, an orange,
Yosemite Sam, Susan Lucci as Ebbi Scrooge and Vanessa Williams as Ebony
Scrooge, Mr. Magoo, and Beavis of Beavis and Butthead "fame." Oh, and one more, Fonzie! Well,
Henry Winkler, but same thing.
-To keep things positive, I'm only going to highlight one truly horrifying TV Christmas special: The Star Wars Holiday Special. Oh the humanity. I love Star Wars. But even George Lucas isn't responsible for this nightmare.
In the end, after we've all been fully entertained with Muppet
slapstick, a home defending ten year-old, and an ABC gum chewing elf, let's
return to the true meaning of Christmas and remember our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. See you next year. Or this coming Easter.
