“ Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.”- Miracle on 34th Street
Have you ever watched a black-and-white movie beyond the beloved “It’s a Wonderful Life”? If not, you really must. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and let me convince you that there is much to be enjoyed in viewing these classics.
For me, there is just something that captures my attention when watching a black-and-white movie.
There are no special effects on a grand scale. You know, the ones that bombard our senses every couple of minutes. CGI, there is a place for it in modern films, but it is nowhere to be found in these old treasures. They can be corny, but that’s part of the charm. In some of the productions, the characters can mesmerize you with their dancing numbers, and if there is singing involved so much the better. During the Christmas season, they are especially dear to me.
Maybe it’s the nostalgia that comes when viewing them that draws me in. The gentleness, the appearance of simplicity, and the innocence of the storyline will have me relishing all the good feels that I look for in viewing a Christmas movie. I certainly know that I appreciate the beautiful, classic fashion, cars, and the set designs. No matter what it is that makes them special to me, sign me up for a fun night (or nights) of Christmas movie viewing.
I know that many of you have your family favorites when it comes to Christmas movies. Movies, that if you don’t watch them, something is missing from your family traditions. Elf, The Santa Clause, The Holiday (I do enjoy that one. English cottages anyone?), and Die Hard (Sorry, but I don’t get that one for Christmas.) to name a few. There are many wonderful, additional ones to choose from, so I do understand the appeal, I just don’t want you to miss out on additional treasures from a bygone era.
If you asked my family, they would have a different list than I have, but for me, there is nothing like watching Miracle on 34th Street to get me in the mood for dreaming of possibilities. Watching a young Natalie Wood as her character Susan wrestles with the idea that there just might be a real Kris Kringle after she has been told that there isn’t such a person by her mother. Edmund Gwenn is just the gentle soul that you would imagine playing Kris. He is so good at it he won an Academy Award for his delightful portrayal. Maureen O’Hara plays Susan’s mother, and John Payne as the up-and-coming love interest, round out a perfect cast to get you in the holiday mood.
Another favorite of mine is “Christmas in Connecticut”. What’s not to like about a returning war hero? How about a food writer who in real life can’t even boil water, yet has the readers of her column and her boss, convinced that she is the perfect housewife? Now, take the boss and the war hero showing up at her house, expecting a traditional family Christmas with all the trimmings and you have an entertaining, funny movie, with a dash of sweetness sprinkled on top.
Some of my other must-see classic Christmas movies are “The Shop Around the Corner”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan. You will be entertained with this dear little package of a movie, all tied up with a bow. It is the original “You’ve Got Mail”.
If you are looking for another movie that just leaves you happy after viewing it, then “The Bishop’s Wife” is a must-see, starring the ever-classic Cary Grant & Loretta Young.
Speaking of Loretta Young, don’t miss the little-known “Come to the Stable” where she plays a nun along with Celeste Holm, who takes over the New England town of Bethlehem, in their desire to build a Children’s Hospital. Such a fun, heartwarming tale.
There are too many classics to list here. I just wanted to give you a push in the right direction. Make a big bowl of popcorn, or snack of choice. Get snuggled under a big comfy blanket, and start viewing some new-to-you, Christmas movies. Let us know in the comments which ones you watched and what you thought of them. Maybe you already have these and others on your Christmas rotation, share which one is your favorite.
Happy Viewing…….
0 Comments