As you have gathered from some of my other stories, much of my life has been influenced by movies. Seen on either TV repeats, VHS tapes, or now the almost extinct DVD. Tracy and I have most of the Star Wars character lines memorized. An off-hand comment often triggers a flashback to a movie scene. A reference to looking up a word in the dictionary could prompt a response from the movie, The Princess Bride, “Inconceivable! …That word you are using, I don’t think it means what you think it means.” I know I’m pathetic, but the Christmas season wouldn’t seem the same without watching the classic Christmas movies.
I asked some of my friends which Christmas movies were their favorites. Answers varied, but were fairly consistent. Top of the list was “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. The music and dancing carried the whole show to decades of repeats. The black and white version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” with James Stewart and Donna Reed is flavored nicely with Clarence, the awkward apprentice angel looking for his wings. “The Bishop’s Wife” with Cary Grant and Loretta Young is heartwarming. “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” got quite a few votes. Snoopy stole the show. Linus and his security blanket bring clarity to the true reason behind the commercialized Christmas. The message is more relevant today than it was in 1965.
Some of the more recent entries included the series of “Santa Clauses” with Tim Allen. Who doesn’t want to smack the psychiatrist fiancé for spoiling a little boy’s image of Santa Claus? “Elf” with Will Ferrell and Bob Newhart carry on the comedy of an adopted North Pole dweller. I love “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” with Burl Ives narrating. I particularly identify with the inmates of the Island of the Misfit Toys. The cartoon version of “Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Boris Karloff narrating is one of my favorites. Who would guess Karloff, the actor who spent his career in horror flicks, would be chastising the behavior of a guy with no heart. I mean, the Grinch could have just ordered a heart up from Dr. Frankenstein, the Wizard of Oz, or even Amazon. “Miracle on 34th Street” was perfect for Maureen O’Hara as harassed single parent of a precocious eight-year-old played by Natalie Wood.
Some of the more recent box office movies have made big money, but took their time in getting the spirit of Christmas expressed. National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase is still full of slap stick comedy. I refuse to watch “Bad Santa.” I have watched Bruce Willis in “Die Hard” many times and still cheer when Mrs. McLane punches out the self-serving TV reporter. My question is: how did such violent movies get lumped together with Christmas classics. Although most Christmas movies end with family and friends reunited in celebration of Christmas, they still miss the point. Singing snowmen, elves, and Santa Claus are not Christmas. They express the “goodwill among men” part of the real Christmas story. If I pretended to be a HT movie critic, I would preview the blockbuster, soon to be opening at packed churches all over town. The newest bright star to hit Hollywood, Baby Jesus of Bethlehem portraying the Messiah! Complete with soul stirring narration by Dr. Luke and amazing CG angels proclaiming “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
By ED PECK – Special to the Herald times
