Christmas festivities are well under way for most of us. I thought I would summarize a list of “Holiday” films that, no doubt you have seen already. But if perchance you missed one or two of them, they are all worth viewing, AND they are all four star films, at least by my criteria. In no particular order:
A Christmas Story: The 1983 classic starring Peter Billingsley as youngster Ralphie Parker, who desperately wants a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas, despite warnings from everybody, including Santa, that you might “shoot your eye out.” Narrated by author Jean Shepherd, this whimsical story takes you back to a different time, and the adventures of our young hero are a treat to watch.
Scrooged: This 1988 film stars Bill Murray in a modern day version of Dicken’s Christmas Carol. Murray plays a highly successful television executive whose cold, heartless decisions lead to the Christmas appearance of the various ghosts. A touch of technology puts this movie in a slightly different mode than some of the older versions. The closing scene is punctuated by the song “Put a Little Love in Your Heart,” and will have you singing along as this decidedly different adaptation draws to a close.
Home Alone: This 1990 movie is touted as a “must see holiday film for the whole family.” I can’t say I take exception to that, as it is always a treat to watch a nine year old, left home alone by accident, to fend for himself as his parents and siblings head to New York for Christmas. Probably the most fun is watching his (successful) efforts to fend off two bumbling burglars, who repeatedly try to take advantage of the little guy.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: The Clark Griswold family returned to the screen for the third time in this 1989 “farce” comedy. Having watched their trials and tribulations through several traveling vacations, we are treated to Clark’s effort to fashion a “Griswold family Christmas.” Chevy Chase tops his prior two efforts with a hilarious sequence of family bonding as every relative in the clan shows up for the festivities. Slowly but surely their beautiful home is virtually decimated as all of Clark’s efforts backfire. This is by far the funniest of the three “vacation” films.
Miracle on 34th Street: (the 1947 version please!) Monty Wooley stars as Macy’s department store Santa. Crossing paths with young Susan, whose mother has taught her there is no Santa Claus, mysterious things begin to happen. Wooley maintains that he is Santa, and Macy’s head of personnel attempts to have him committed. The courtroom scene ends with one of the more memorable scenes of all time, and little Susan learns some lessons.
Polar Express: Few films, Christmas or otherwise, can match this 2004 film for pure delight. Tom Hanks stars, in an animated form, as the conductor of the Polar Express, a train headed to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, with a load of children, who don’t really believe. The trip is full of adventure from beginning to end, and after arriving at Santa’s kingdom it gets even better. The scene where Santa and the reindeer take off for their annual trip is unforgettable.
