Classic Christmas Movies

Watching Classic Christmas Movieshas become a big holiday tradition for many people. Even those like me who don’t enjoy watching movies over and over get hooked on the old standards as well as the new television movies when December rolls around. My favorite newer Christmas movie isChristmas With The Cranks based on “Skipping Christmas”  by John Grisham’s . Christmas is my favorite time of the year so skipping this holiday would never be an option for me.

 Movies related to Christmas help to create a fun atmosphere and can also teach moral lessons related to Christmas. While everyone will have different Christmas movies that are most enjoyable, there are some that remain favorites.

  “A Christmas Story” is told from the point of view of a young boy in the days before Christmas and on Christmas Day. It shows him doing routine things each day against the backdrop of the Christmas season with the decorated  store windows, Santa Claus, the snow and frostiness, and of course his wish for a Christmas toy. But his parents disapprove of the toy that he desired. The movie is good at showing the innocence of the Christmas season.  One of my daughters insists that this movie, which runs for twenty four hours in our area, be playing all Christmas Day.  

 “A Christmas Carol,” written by noted author Charles Dickens, tells the story of old Scrooge whose only purpose in life is to make money. Scrooge puts making money above his family, friends and everyone who cares about him. His response to Christmas is a grumpy, “Bah Humbug.” He gets a different experience however, when ghosts appear to him and try to point out the error of his ways.  The movie’s lesson is about the importance of appreciating people in your life.

  “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a story about hope and the worthiness of everyone. It tells the story of a man experiencing despair and self-destruction because he thinks he is of no worth to those around him, and they would be better off if he didn’t exist. An angel grants him his desire and he gets to see what he contributes and what life would be like without him.  

 Every Christmas, “A Miracle on 34th Street” can be seen on television. It asks and answers the question “Is there really a Santa Claus?” The movie is about a man who claims to be Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, but is not believed and so he has to prove his identity claim. 

 “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is about the Griswold family with Mr. Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, who gets into silly accidents that provide a lot of humor. The movie shows the lives of the family as they celebrate Christmas and the difficulties that arise when their entire family comes to visit for Christmas.

  “Home Alone” is about a large and chaotic family with lots of kids who are going on Christmas vacation. Amid the chaos of leaving on the morning of the trip, one child is left behind and must stay and fend for himself in a very large house during the Christmas season. At first he was happy to be alone but then two thieves break in and he has to fight them off. The movie shows the importance of family and loved ones.

 A sequel, ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’  tells of the boy who was left alone going to an aunt and uncle’s home and again  encountering the two thieves who are seeking revenge.

  “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was first made as an animation for television but other versions have since been done as motion pictures. The Grinch is a grouchy, green man who lives in the mountains above the small town of Whoville where residents, called The Whos, celebrate Christmas enthusiastically every year. The Grinch, who doesn’t like Christmas, wants to spoil it for Whoville and so he tries to steal all the toys, food and gifts that The Whos have accumulated for Christmas. The movie provides a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas.

  “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is an animated television movie about the popular Peanuts comic strip. The movie is about the comic strip’s main character, Charlie Brown, and tells of the experience with his friends for Christmas. It also has Biblical references that relates to the true meaning of Christmas.

  “Frosty The Snowman” is an animated story about a snowman, named Frosty, that comes to life and who must avoid a greedy musician who is trying to get the magic that brought Frosty to life. The movie is very funny and has lots of wonderful songs.  

 “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” is also an animation about the reindeer with a shiny nose that kisses a pretty girl and also helps out his friends.

 If viewing Classic Christmas Movies is a tradition for you I hope that you enjoy them more than ever this season. If you haven’t been watching Classic Christmas Movies I hope you will start a new tradition and join the throngs of us who laugh and cry through variety of movies available. There is something in this genre for everyone.