I’ve seen many Christmas movies, including newer ones that are still being made. I’m not sure why my favorites are “older” ones from 1945-1983, but I think it may have something to do with the older ones not being as snide and hard-boiled as many new films. Being crusty and jaded has never struck me as an automatic stamp of sophistication. I used to like National Lampoon Christmas, but it’s painful to watch at times and rather mean spirited in some ways. I guess I save that kind of stuff for other times of year when feeling “current” may mean something more to me than it does at Christmas. In any event, here is a list of my favorites with the years they were made. Would love to hear what other favorites of all of you may be — John
My Favorite Christmas Films
|
Christmas in Connecticut |
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) Barbara Stanwyck
THE CHEATERS (1945) Billie Burke and Eugene Palette
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) James Stewart, Donna Reed
THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947) Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood
LITTLE WOMEN (1949) June Allison, Mary Astor, Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret O’Brien
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951) Alistair Sim
White Christmas (1954) Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
A Christmas Story (1983) Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon
Home Alone (1990) Macaulay Culkin
***************************************
The last one is iconic for Northwest Indiana, my home state. The story comes from the books and stories of Jean Shepherd, who lived and wrote in the community, where I taught for thirty-five years. It’s my top choice for nostalgia, human nature, and humor. JB