Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Time for some GREAT Holiday Movies

Here we are in week two of Jingle Bell Rockin' and I'll be giving away a print book and a deck of Ellora's Cave playing cards to one commenter. Natalie will announce all the winners on Friday so be sure to stop by throughout the week and especially on FRIDAY.

I've shared several of my holiday memories since we started this 'memory sharing' project but one of my favorites involves my sister. She is four years younger than me and we've always been close despite the fact she has lived clear across the country from me for many years. When we were just young women and living at home with Mom and Dad, we had a habit every year of watching for the movie White Christmas to show up. This was back in the day before VHS/DVD/Cable...yep, a loooooong time ago. Considering in the early 80's, White Christmas with Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye was a very old movie, it was usually on LATE somewhere. If one of us just happened to be scrolling through channels late at night, we'd holler at the other, shrug into our fuzzy robes, grab hot chocolate and curl up together to watch movie-sappiness at it's best. Do you recall the movie? Bing and Danny were entertainers on their way to do a show at a failing inn in Vermont. It was owned by a beloved General whom they served under during the war. During a night of overall whackiness they meet two sisters (also entertainers) and whisk them off with them to do the big show.

Yes it's sappy but the music is wonderful and lots of snow and ROMANCE is in there air. I haven't seen the movie in years because it's just not the same seeing it without my sister.


Another movie that brings back great memories is A Christmas Story. My kids loved this one and could watch it over and over. A good thing since some channnels actually show marathons of A Christmas Story. Can anyone ever forget poor Ralphies quest for the Red Ryder BB Gun and the constant refrains of....You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!
The holiday movies I love most are so varied, depending on my mood. I love A Christmas Carol and have found my favorite version to be the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge. It's perfect. It's dark, spooky, yet sentimental. If I'm in the mood to laugh until I cry, I pop in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and wonder if all of us don't have a 'cousin Eddie' in the family. My families holidays are usually filled with movies. The presents are bought and wrapped. The scent of cinnamon and chocolate is in the air. Why not top it off with over the roof sentiment? And now I'm dying to know what are some of YOUR favorite holiday shows?

45 comments:

Natalie Dae said...

I'm a terrible Bah Humbug when it comes to Christmas so avoid all the movies, songs, everything I possibly can. I'm glad you enjoy the movies, though!

:o)

Anne Rainey said...

I LOVED the new version of The Christmas Carol! We bought it on Blu-Ray too and have watched it twice already :)

Unknown said...

My fave is Christmas Vacation. Can't get enough of it. If I am going for the warm fuzzies it's Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart and Holiday Affair with Robert Mitchum.

Regina Carlysle said...

Why you littel GRINCH, Natalie. LOL. It's really HARD not to get that way sometimes though. So much to do and not enough time.

Regina Carlysle said...

Which version is it, Anne? I know Patrick Stewart did one after the George C. Scott version.

Regina Carlysle said...

I LOOOOOOVE Christmas Vacation. We watch in many times every holiday season and laugh our asses off!

I have to check out these other two movies, Melissa. I love Jimmy Stewart and his It's a Wonderful Life is awesome but I haven't seen Shop Around the Corner.

Cai said...

I will admit to being a HUGE softie in this area. I'll watch LMN for all the "new" Christmas movies and there's one that get me every time. I can't remember the name of it right now, but it's about a woman who sends Christmas Cards to soldiers and a soldier who comes to find her...it's sweet, sentimental and mushy. Perfect for the Christmas season! LOL

Molly Daniels said...

Hubby loves all versions of Christmas Carol, and I agree with you: George C Scott was PERFECT:) I also love the Muppet version.

But my all-time Christmas fave is Prancer, with Sam Elliot:)

Hahahaha...WV is waaaaayyy off today: rants!

Tess MacKall said...

I love the movie White Christmas, Regina. I've already started looking for it. lol My fave scene is when at the end of the movie they are doing the show and the back of the stage just sort of opens up and you see all that snow. Magical.

And I'm with Molly--Sam Elliot and Prancer. LOL

Off and on since Thanksgiving I've been catching a "modern" Christmas movie here and there on the Hallmark channel. They've had some really nice ones I've enjoyed. Ya'll try the Hallmark channel for one you may not have seen.

Brindle Chase said...

Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer has always been a tradition in our home, and we love all those old "animated" christmas movies. My fav was always Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Of the Modern era, although not really a traditional xmas movie, Sleepless in Seattle really harnesses both the spirit and heartache of the holiday season.

Regina Carlysle said...

Oh Cai, I love the ones on LMN too. I seldom remember the names of them because the titles are similar. I think I SAW the one about the soldier but can't remember the title either.

Regina Carlysle said...

Molly, I used to watch the Muppet Christmas Carol with my kids when they were little! Awwwwww.

Regina Carlysle said...

HAHAHHA. Yeah, Tess when they sing We'll Follow the Old Man...I just blubber. I keep meaning to buy the movie on DVD. I have all my favorites but THAT ONE.

Regina Carlysle said...

siiiiigh Brindle, LOVE Sleepless in Seattle. It's PERFECT. When you mentioned that one it made me think of my favorite Sandra Bullock movie "While You Were Sleeping". She just feel in LOVE with that family over Christmas and her life was so lonely. LOVE IT.

Avril Ashton said...

I don't have a favorite movie, but I do have my two fave channels for holiday movies. The Hallmark Channel, and Lifetime. They never disappoint when the holidays roll around. I'm well prepared to bawl my eyes out and smile, in that order.

elaing8 said...

I love holiday movies and tv specials.
A Christmas Story is a favorite of mine.
Scrooge with Alistair Sims is my favorite older movie (B&W)Holiday Inn is another again older movie.
Rudolph,Grinch and Frosty are some favorite tv shows,I don't like the remakes.

Regina Carlysle said...

Avril, I just love those channels for nonstop tear-jerky flicks. Sentimental stuff at the holidays is perfect.

Regina Carlysle said...

elang8, Now that you've mentioned the Grinch, I'm dying to see it again. We have a little 2 lb yorkie named Gypsy and sometimes I call her Gypsy Lou Who. LOL

Debbie Gould said...

Frosty the Snowman and all the sappy movies on Lifetime and the Hallmark channel get me every time!

Anonymous said...

I love White Christmas, It's A Wodnerful Life, Grinch, Scrooge with George C Scott...then there is this cartoon, about the donkey that carries Mary to Bethlehem, don't know the title but it's so cute!!!

Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com

Dita Parker said...

Love both classics like Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life and contemporary X-mas classics like Love Actually and The Nightmare Before Christmas. What? It's a Burton!

Wendy A said...

I love miracle on 34th street.I love the older Christmas musicals movies like White Christmas,Holiday Inn, I like romantic happily ever after stuff.There singing back then was wonderful all happy and up beat and no I am not that old.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!

Fedora said...

I still love the animated classics the best ;) My favorites are A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Grinch (the old Dr. Seuss version, not the live action one)--the kids are starting to watch these and enjoy them every year, too :) It helps get us all in a Christmassy mood ;)

Regina Carlysle said...

Cai!!!! A friend of mine just told me the name of that Christmas TV movie is The Christmas Card.

Darkreader said...

We watch A Christmas Story every year and love to watch Friday After Next - so funny!

Regina Carlysle said...

Debbie, My kids loved that and we were so hooked on Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer. The one with the land of misfit toys, the Abominable Snowman and the Dentist.

Regina Carlysle said...

Valerie, we like the same stuff! I can't remember the name of the donkey one either.

Regina Carlysle said...

OMG Dita, I can't believe I forgot the original Miracle on 34th Street. LOVE LOVE that one. It's perfect. And Love Actually is one of my favorite movies to watch ANY TIME of the year. Once I saw that one I had to rush out and buy it.

Regina Carlysle said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too, Wendy. The old ones are my favorites too and I wonder if it's not because they just bring back soooo many memories. Does anyone remember Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck?

Regina Carlysle said...

You're a MEAN ONE, MISSSTER GRRRRRINCH! I love the animated one, Flchen. And Cindy Lou Who is adorable. My kids still like to watch it...me too.

Regina Carlysle said...

Darkreader, which one is Friday after Next? I've got to see this. Is it new?

heidi330 said...

I love Sgrooge, that is one I have to try and see everyone that is out this time of year. However the one I love to watch with my 4yr old son and my granddaughters is "Polar Express" it has become one of our favorites. Thanksgiving Day after the meal is done and all the cleaning is done, all the kids and me get comfortable and sit down and watch it. That's like the offical start of the christmas season. PLus I get to see everything new again with my 4 yr old. You forget how great christmas can be then you are blessed with a young child in your home again and everything comes back. Its great to share it with him and my grandbabies.
Thanks
Heidi

C. Zampa said...

I'm a Christmas movie junkie. I love them all. But, oh, I love White Christmas, too. I STILL get a lump in my throat when Major Waverly steps into the room and the party starts to cheer him.

Then there's It's a Wonderful Life, and a new favorite of mine, "Noel", with Susan Sarandon and Robin Williams...a beautiful Christmas movie.

Aw, heck, I just love all Christmas movies!

vicky42000 said...

I love holiday movies. It is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I look for them and Tivo them to watch when I can. I love the older ones like White Christmas and It's a wonderful Life as well as the newer ones like the Nightmare Before Christmas and the Grinch who Stole Christmas.

Zina said...

I love White Christmas with Bing too, It's a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and animated classics Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Zina

Mia Watts said...

I know a lot of people who look forward to the classics. I think I avoid them. I do like the occasional Christmas Carol, but otherwise, nope.

It totally makes sense to me that you do, though. :) You have such a great connection with things that bring nostalgia and feel good moments.

Vicky CK said...

My mom introduced me to Miracle on 34th Street from the get go (original of course). And when she re-married, we all get introduced to White Christmas. Those two have been family traditions ever since. LOVE those movies. Big sappy romantics in our house.
And Scrooged was the first version of the Christmas Carol that I ever really liked (still love that version of ghost of xmas present, lol).
And I know no one understands, but I have never liked the movie were the kid is wanting the BB gun. I'm sorry, it just gets on my nerves!
As for LMN, Have you seen Eliouse At Christmas? That one is SOOO cute (maybe too cute, but still). Great to watch with young girls (I have 4 nieces, so get to see all these).

vickykerr[at]sbcglobal.net

V. J. Devereaux aka Valerie Douglas said...

Christmas is my favorite holiday.
I love the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol, it's still one of the best ones. To me that story is still the epitome of what Christmas should be all about, family and loved ones.
Patrick Stewart did a great version of it, too.
And of course there was also A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart, that was a tradition in our family.
I'm soooo not touching Prancer and Sam Elliot, although now that you mention it, he was the inspiration for my Christmas story. (Don't tell my DH)
*laughing* I never imagined writing a Christmas erotica...although I guess it's really as much a Christmas romance because it's at least as sweet as it is erotic.
(psst, it's out this month)

Lisa Anderson said...

I too love A Christmas Story and NL Christmas Vacation.

But my all time favorite is The Bells of St. Mary's starring none other than Bing Crosby. He's a priest in this one. It too has great music.

Another is Unlikely Angel starring Dolly Parton. She plays a country singer who dies and in order for her to earn her "wings" she becomes a nanny to a family that needs to learn to be together.

Have a great day everyone!

Lisa Anderson
liloskar37@yahoo.com

Dalton Diaz said...

A Christmas Story. We watch it over and over!

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

My Husband always watches It's a Wonderful Life and even though I like to complain about it I still enjoy curling up on the couch with him and watching him enjoy himself.

Madison Scott said...

I LOVE A Christmas Story. It's my favorite. We watch it every year.

Anne said...

A Christmas Story is my favorite movie. I laughed so hard the first time watched it and it's appropriate for everyone. I still tune in to parts of the original cartoon Grinch.

Anonymous said...

My kids are still young so they have become attached to the Santa Clause movies and The Grinch. Every year we watch as many of the cartoon that come on as we can.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I love Christmas.My favourites movies is Annie,A Christmas Story, Mr Grinch and Single Santa Seeks Mrs Clause but I can see every christmas movies that the tv channels show on Christmas.