A few weeks ago I blogged about the things that get me into the holiday spirit. Thanks to my cable subscription and two daughters under the age of eleven, I’ve recently been reminded of a key element in my Christmas mojo; holiday classics.
Now classic is a pretty broad term. For most, the word “classic” brings to mind, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol.” But the truth of the matter (for me anyway) is that there are all kinds of “classics.”
Feel Good / Reason for the Season
This is the bucket where I’d put “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol.” I find it interesting that “A Christmas Carol” has been remade a jillion times, but “It’s a Wonderful Life” hasn’t. (Has it?) My favorite version is the one with George C. Scott done in 1984. Not sure why really. Maybe because those were my teenage years and I was young and impressionable? But you have to admit, George C. Scott does grumpy pretty well.
Kids Specials
What is it about that old Rudolph special that makes us watch it over and over again? According to Wikipedia, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & The Island of Misfit Toys” first aired on December 6, 1964. And it’s still going. When I was growing up, seeing this holiday special officially meant it was time for me to sharpen my pencil and get my list ready for Santa Claus. Other favs for this category:
- It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas
- Frosty’s Winder Wonderland
Quotable “Adult” Classics
These are the ones I get sucked into today. The ones that bring a “Princess Bride” aspect to the holidays because they’re laden with quotable bits:
Scrooged
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
A Christmas Story
What about you? What are your categories? Your favorites? The quotes you repeat over and over again for the sheer joy of it all. Just for fun, let me give you something that will linger in your head the rest of the day.
7 Comments
Jackie King
December 12, 2013 at 10:04 amLoved the clips! But I loved the picture at the top of your blog best of all. Hugs and Merry Christmas!
Marianna Heusler
December 12, 2013 at 10:08 amLoved the clips and all the movies you mentioned. They did try to remake A Wonderful Life – I think it featured Marlo Thomas. But it fell rather flat, to say the least. Speaking of remakes, I read that they are remaking Rosemary’s Baby, setting it in Paris. Hollywood is running out of ideas – so they really need us!
Rhenna
December 12, 2013 at 11:36 amD’oh! Forgot all about the one with Marlo Thomas. Maybe the first one is just too good to remember anything else. 🙂
Tam Francis
December 12, 2013 at 11:04 am“Wonderful Life” is my fave too. Maybe the reason “Christmas Carol” has been remade so much is because its classic lit? My hubby’s fave is “Miracle of 34th St.” I have to admit I have a crush on John Payne. Oooo, we also really like “Sun Valley Serenade” and my kid’s love “Meet me in St. Louis.” I cry EVERY time Judy sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s not strictly a Christmas movie, but somehow we always watch it this time of year 🙂
Our fam’s new fave is Elf. We can’t get enough of it and often watch it a couple times. As with most Christmas flicks, it’s got that wonderful happy ending Christmas spirit, with a lot of funny, funny jokes and gags thrown in.
Thanks for this post. You’ve inspired me. I may have to do a review of my fave classics since my blog focuses on the 40s! Woo hoo!
Rhenna
December 12, 2013 at 11:34 amOh, yeah! So glad to spawn an idea! And you’ve added some definite favorites from my list. (Favorites I couldn’t think off early this morning. :P) Hubby and I were actually in New York on our honeymoon with they were filming Elf by the big Christmas tree, so definitely big memories around that one.
CJ Burright
December 12, 2013 at 5:12 pmI MUST watch A Christmas Story every year – part of the “ah…presents are unwrapped, dinner is done, it’s time to relax” ritual. And if I happen to come across any of those puppet-animated Christmas stories, I can’t resist.
Susan
December 13, 2013 at 3:53 am“The little lights aren’t twinkling, Clark.” One of my faves.
I also love “The Family Stone,” and “The Holiday.”
Love the oldies, too.
“Remember the Night,” with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurry.
“Christmas in Connecticutt,” with Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan.
“Holiday Affair” with Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh.
And “White Christmas.” Gotta watch “White Christmas or it just isn’t Christmas.
But the best movie. The one I have, have, have to watch every year. . . “A SEASON FOR MIRACLES” by Ms. Marilyn Pappano. It’s one of those movies/books that make Christmas Christmassy.
Thanks for asking.