Dad: A Memoriam
November 26, 2021
Top 5 Holiday Songs
December 19, 2021
Top 5 Christmas Movies
We all have our favorite holiday movies. I know a ton of people who continually quote movies like “A Christmas Story”, “Christmas Vacation” and “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Come Thanksgiving dinner is when our family breaks out the holiday movies. We have a nice size collection, but there are ones I must watch, for it to feel like Christmas time for me. Some you may have heard of and others perhaps not. They all hold a special place in my top five.
1. Holiday Inn (1942)
Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, this movie is what White Christmas was based off of. If I am going to be honest, I love this movie more. Fun fact about the song White Christmas, this movie was where it was debuted, and Bing Crosby was not expecting it to be as popular as it was. In fact, he thought the song “Be Careful It’s My Heart” would be the breakout song. Yet here we are decades later still singing White Christmas and a movie by the same name was made.
2. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
You really can’t go wrong with a classic Jim Henson movie. With some awesome songs it also hits home regarding being thankful for what we do have. That together with the idea of being able to accomplish anything. It is about an otter family made up of Emmet and his mother. They both want to get each other a present for Christmas, but they don’t have the money to do so. They each end up entering a talent contest to be able to win money for the other. Awesome movie definitely check it out if you have not seen it.
3. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
Another great stop action movie. Anyone who knows me, knows I love faerie and anything within that same vein. In this, Santa is raised by the immortals within an enchanted forest. Hence Santa knowing magic and multiple languages. It is a beautiful tale of the origins of Santa.
4. Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas (1987)
Technically this is a TV special and I have other specials that would top this one, but it is longer than some of them. So, I just added it to the movie list. I love most things Claymation. This even has the California Raisins in it. My favorite part, as well as my son’s, is the Carol of the Bells with Quasimodo. A funny take on some classic songs and just awesome visuals done with Claymation.
5. Christmas In Connecticut (1945)
Barbara Stanwyck stars in a classic black and white Christmas romance. She plays a famous columnist in a magazine. However, everyone thinks she lives on a farm and is an excellent cook. Within her writing she weaves the story of how she cooks and the farm life with a family. In fact, she lives in a small apartment within the city and knows nothing about cooking. She gets her recipes from her friend who happens to be a chef. She is later asked by the owner of the magazine to host a returning soldier at her farm for the Christmas season. Hilarity and strange situations ensue.
Honorable Mentions
The Santa Clause (1994)
I love the movie and I would watch it if it was on TV. We don’t have it on DVD or anything. So just streaming it is. It is just not a staple for me to watch it EVERY year.
A Christmas Story (1983)
While I do love this movie, when they played it for 24 hours and my mom would watch it, it got a bit old for me. So, ever once in awhile I will put it on. Just not every year.
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
There is a remake of this, but I like the black and white version. What can I say, I am partial to the oldies. This is a good story, a little weird that there might be indication that the wife was on the verge of being unfaithful, but regardless, good movie.
I could have added a ton more. These are not in any order and I have more I watch every year. I just wanted to give a good selection to perhaps give people something different to choose from. Check them out and mix it up a bit this year. You may find a new favorite!
