Favorite Christmas Movie/Special Moments: Part 1

Let's get this list started!

#1:

"I want to live again!" from It's a Wonderful Life (1946, dir. Frank Capra)

I know it's cliched to pick something from the final part but I'd bet you're surprised I picked this moment. 

I, of course, love the final scene at George Bailey's (James Stewart) house and the "Atta boy, Clarence!" scene. But I love the beginning of George's new lease on life at the bridge. In particular, I love when his face is down, the snow starts to fall, and the music cuts off. Those small moments really help solidify how he got his life back. It's a great happy moment that leads to some of the happiest moments in film history. 

#2:

Speaking Dutch/Signing in Miracle on 34th Street (1947, dir. George Seaton) (1994, dir. Les Mayfield)

I seriously couldn't decide which of these I loved more so I picked both. They both similar and get the same point across - Kris Kringle will find a way to make a kid's day. 

the 40s version is very fitting for the time with Kringle - played by Edmund Gwenn in an Oscar-winning performance (yes, Virginia. Santa has an Oscar)- has him meeting a Dutch refugee who doesn't speak English but knew that Santa would be able to talk to her. And she was right. This scene is also special because it can easily resonate with today's audience. 

In the '94 version, we have a deaf girl and Kris (Richard Attenborough) speaks to her through sign language. Different kind of language barrier but the charm of the scene still stands. By the way, I love hearing stories of actual mall Santas signing to kids.

It doesn't matter where you're from or what language you speak, Santa loves you. 

#3:

Scrooge's Second Chance from Scrooge (1951, dir. Brian Desmond Hurst)

When it comes to tellings of A Christmas Carol this version reigns as one of my favorites and features one of my favorite portrayals of the old miser - Alistair Sims. 

One of the reasons why I love his portrayal is how he acts on Christmas morning. The sheer giddiness on display from him is amazing! And my favorite moment is when he just randomly goes, "I must stand on my head!"

By the way, what I'm about to say applies to all black and white movies and such: Do not get the colorized version! Colorized versions of black and white movies look butt ugly and should not exist!

#4:

The ending monologue in The Twilight Zone: The Night of the Meek (1960, dir. Jack Smight)

My words aren't needed for this. Listen/read Rod Serling's words and be ready to have your heart touched. 

"A word to the wise to all the children of the twentieth century, whether their concern be pediatrics or geriatrics, whether they crawl on hands and knees and wear diapers or walk with a cane and comb their beards. There's a wondrous magic to Christmas and there's a special power reserved for little people. In short, there's nothing mightier than the meek."

#5:

"Maybe it just needs a little love!" from A Charlie Bown Christmas (1965, dir. Bill Melendez)

I know people like to choose Linus's speech about the meaning of Christmas but for me, this is a great moment because it summarizes a lot of what the season is about. Just give a little love especially to those that may need a little extra.

Stay tuned for part two! 

Honorable Mentions here

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Favorite Christmas Movie/Special Moments: Honorable Mentions

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Like, many out there, I love a good holiday movie/special. Those movies/specials feature moments that give me that special festive tingle in my soul. Or maybe that's heartburn.

But anyway, throughout the month of December leading up to Christmas, I'll be sharing posts listing off 25 of my favorite moments. I'll be listing them off in chronological order because there was no way I could give them a good list order. Also, I'll be listing them off in five posts with five moments every five days starting on Dec. 1. 

Before the official list starts, I want to share two specials. These two are things that I love watching because of the overall feelings they give off while watching them.

First, is Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964, Dir. Nicholas Webster). 

I love watching the so-good-they're-bad movies and I love that there's plenty of these movies to watch for the holidays. I picked Martians because it's kind of the poster child for these kinds of movies.

I mean, come on, just read the title!

But I do also think there are some good things about it, mainly John Call's charming portrayal as Santa Claus. One of the best things about the movie is that it's in the public domain, so it's easy to find! 

I also recommend the riffings of this movie by Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Rifftrax. They've riffed other holiday movies and shorts of this quality and I can't recommend them enough. I also recommend Linkara of Atop the Fourth Wall's take on the comic book version of it. Yes, seriously there was a comic adaptation of it. 

The other honorable mention goes to A Muppet Family Christmas (1987, dir. Peter Harris). 

It has this magnificent cheesy family Christmas special vibe that they just don't make anymore. But then again, I'm not sure anything can top this when it comes to the feel and the crossover spectacle! 

Seriously, before the latest Avengers movie, this was the most daring crossover! 

Thankfully there are some lovely people who've uploaded it to Youtube.

So there's the beginning of this crazy list. Stay tuned for me. 

In the meantime, enjoy this compilation of classic holiday commercials. 

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