Welcome to my annual list of short reviews of some of my favorite classic Holiday films -- a few weeks before Christmas to give you time to buy them or rent them or find them on TV, assuming you haven't already done all three, several times each.
Please note that this is a two-part article, with a link to the next page at the end of Part I. The movies are listed more-or-less in random order, and we've added two new films for 2006.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946, dir. Frank Capra)
What can I say about "It's A Wonderful Life" that hasn't already been said? If you've seen it, you either enjoyed it or didn't pay attention or are a genuine cynic. If you haven't yet seen it, I'd like to know your secret to avoiding it, since one of the keys to the movie's popularity is the fact that its copyright was allowed to expire without being renewed, allowing every TV station that wanted to show it to do so without paying royalties ever since the early 70s. This movie probably has more Web sites devoted to it than any other I've run across. Rather than list them all below, I've included a link to the Web Ring for the movie, as well as my Frank Capra tribute containing links to many of the best Wonderful Life sites, plus my tribute to Jimmy Stewart.
Meet John Doe (1941, dir. Frank Capra)
This is one of my all-time favorites, and I promote it whenever I can! It definitely has the redemptive Holiday spirit about it (and the sappy Capra touch), plus Barbara Stanwyck at the top of her game. Even if you think Cooper is the most wooden actor ever born (he's not, of course), Babs plays off him perfectly. More than romantic Capra-corn, it's got a strong political message, and the scene in the stadium is a chilling statement about fascism.
Miracle On 34th Street (1947, dir. George Seaton)
While this movie is sometimes thought of as another sappy Christmas flick that shows up over and over every Holiday season, it's actually a pretty funny look at non-conformity and the fine line between faith and insanity. After 50 years, nothing's really changed, has it? Okay, okay, it's sappy, too, but a young Natalie Wood will steal your heart, and the supporting cast is excellent (especially William Frawley as the ward-healer). Edmund Gwenn is perfect as Kris Kringle. I try to watch it all the way through every Christmas.
A Christmas Carol (1951, dir. Brian Desmond Hurst)
Alastair Sim leads an all-star British cast in the best of many filmed versions of the venerable Dickens tale of greed and redemption. I know you've seen this story a thousand times, in cartoon format, as a comedy with Bill Murry, with The Fonze as Scrooge, etc., but this one is the real McCoy, trust me. It was released as Scrooge in the UK.
The Bishop's Wife (1947, dir. Henry Koster)
A heartwarming tale of an angel, played by Cary Grant, who comes to earth to help a preacher (David Niven) rediscover his calling, but who instead seems to be stealing his life, not to mention his wife (Loretta Young). And at Christmas time, too! Remade in 1997 as The Preacher's Wife, starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947, dir. Roy Del Ruth)
I've probably gotten more questions about this movie over the years than almost any other, especially at this time of year. For some reason people remember the film, but don't remember the title. It's also out of print, although I wouldn't be surprised if somebody didn't grab this public domain gem and release it on video or DVD soon. This story of a hobo who ends up squatting during Christmas at a posh mansion is becoming kind of a cult favorite. Don't miss it if you get a chance to see it. (Also available on VHS.)
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951, dir. Sidney Lanfield)
When racetrack tout Bob Hope finds himself in hot water with the mob, he hits upon a fast money-making racket: phony Santa Clauses collecting for an "old folk's home." This fast-paced comedy, from the story by Damon Runyon, also stars Lloyd Nolan, William Frawley and Marilyn Maxwell.
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1991, dir. Charles Jarrott)
Richard Thomas, Edward Asner, and Charles Bronson star in a TV-movie based on a letter written to a newspaper by a little girl asking if there really was a Santa Claus. This has never been released on DVD, but you can find a recently upgraded copy on our Free Movies on DVD site.
New!Christmas Holiday (1944, dir. Robert Siodmak)
Deanna Durbin in a rare dramatic role and Gene Kelly in a rare bad guy role make this one worth watching. Not a typical feel-good Holiday movie, and only loosely based on the Somerset Maugham story, this noirish drama has two songs by Durbin, who plays an entertainer, but no songs and no dancing by Kelly. The music score was nominated for an Oscar.
More Christmas Film Reviews in Part II
Other classic movie checklists that you'll enjoy.
