My Top Ten Holiday Movies
By Larry Johnson on December 25, 2008 at 3:54 PM in Current Affairs
Merry Christmas and Happy Chanuka. Part of the holiday tradition, at least for me and my family, are the holiday movies. I have been thinking about my ten favorites in this category and came up with the following. You will note that the movie, A Christmas Story–directed by Bob Clark, written by Jean Shepherd, and shown 24 hours straight on TBS every Christmas in recent memory–is a faux midwestern childhood memoir about a nerd before there were nerds (Ralphie Parker) who wanted a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. My definition of a great movie is one I would enjoy watching repeatedly. A Christmas Story was okay once, but I can’t stand it in repeated doses. I find myself thinking Scrooge thoughts, hoping Raphie shoots himself in the head with the BB gun. Sorry, but I wanted to be honest about this. I hate that movie.
So, in reverse order here are my top ten:
Number 10: White Christmas. This movie was made in 1954 and features Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. It is a buddy movie of sorts. Crosby and Kaye, who play Broadway/nightclub entertainers, take their show to a Vermont Christmas Inn, which is owned and operated by a retired Army General who has fallen on hard times. It is a fun movie and ends with the singing of White Christmas, Crosby’s signature song. Crosby originally introduced the song in the 1942 movie, Holiday Inn. That movie will give you a bit of the creeps, when Bing Crosby does a black face number along with two actual black children.
Number 9: Die Hard. The 1988 Bruce Willis thrille (has it really been 20 years?) that made him a star. Nothing says Christmas like a mix of terrorism and Santa Claus. The subliminal message of the movie is that holiday parties, especially office parties, can be risky.
Number 8: Elf Directed Jon Favreau (not the Obama speech writer) and starring Will Farrell. It is stupid, funny, and quintessential Christmas brain candy.
Number 7: The Santa Clause. Is Santa actually a divorced dad with custody issues? Watch this movie and decide for yourself. Featuring Tim Allen it is funny and you can watch it with your mom without feeling embarrassed.
Number 6: Miracle on 34th Street. I prefer the 1994 version, which features Richard Attenborough, Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson. The is the 1947 version as well, which introduced Natalie Wood as the little girl who did not believe in Santa.
Number 5: Home Alone. Best physical comedy in any movie, much less a Christmas movie. Unlike the warning from the wretched “Christmas Story” (e.g., be careful with the BB gun because you will shoot your eye out) we see the danger in action–Macaulay Culkin blasts Joe Pesci in the “christmas” nuts and Pesci ain’t too jolly.
Number 4: National Lampoon Christmas Vacation. A must see. Even if you don’t like Chevy Chase you will like Chevy Chase. If you are Jewish and don’t understand the Christmas thing, watch this movie. It is an anthropological study of the average American Christmas nightmare. Love it.
Number 3: Love Actually. This is a funny ensemble movie, with Hugh Grant leading the way. Yes, it’s largely a chick flick but I’ll fess up–I like it. Let’s face it, love may break your heart but it also is funny.
Number 2: It’s Charles Dickens. There are three versions of his classic story, A Christmas Carol, that I really like. My favorite is Scrooge, which is a musical and stars a 34 year old Albert Finney as old Ebenezer Scrooge. Alec Guinness makes a couple of brief but memorable appearances as the ghost of Jacob Marley. The songs in this are terrific.
Second up is Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. I like this best among the pre-1970 versions. It stars Alastir Sim and a bunch of folks you never heard of unless you were raised in the United Kingdom. Let’s give our English cousins their due–they know how to make great Dickens’ movies about Christmas.
Last there is the Bill Murray version, Scrooged. If you don’t like Murray you will hate this. If you like him, hysterical. Carol Kane plays the best ghost of Christmas present ever.
Number 1: It’s A Wonderful Life. Schmaltz? You betcha. Frank Capra delivers and Jimmy Stewart traditionally gets the credit for coming to his senses and realizing that he is important to the happiness and welfare of others. But the real star of the movie is Donna Reed. While Stewart has a meltdown and tries to kill himself–he goes batshit when money goes missing at the savings and loan–it is the woman who remains calm and works the problem. Weird. Stewart behaves like a selfish prick and gets the credit. Reed stays calm and saves the family (she does a form of community organizing). And once again, the woman gets to play second fiddle.
Merry Christmas from No Quarter.
(Release: November 13)
on sale for only $16.95.
has a spatula.)
8% Off at $11.95, with a rare five-star ranking by 294 customers: 
And check out these: 
("This crazy redhead is on to something. Her pink Rambler story alone is worth the price of the book," writes 
- “Richard Sale’s reportage on Washington, the CIA, the American armed forces, and foreign intrigue has created a perfect background for this account of the steady growth of President Clinton as a master of the game of nations.”--W. Patrick Lang, former head of Middle East Operations, DIA
"Anne C. Heller's stunning biography of Ayn Rand" uses a "plethora of newly unearthed research and fresh insight."
“Love Actually” is wonderful! I was just asked for my top two movies and I too was embarrased to consider “Love Actually” as one of them. And, I’m a chick.
It’s one of those wonderful English ensemble movies that I could watch over and over again.
i absolutely love *love actually*. It is one of my favs, too! I do watch it over and over again. :O)
“Love Actually” IS a good movie! And we spent part of our day watching, “A White Christmas.”
We watched “Polar Express” this past weekend – AGAIN. Love it!
Nice list, Larry!
I enjoyed Love Actually and I recommend Definitely, Maybe. It’s from the creators of Love Actually and if you like one you’ll like the other.
Love your list, Larry. Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life and Love Actually are three of my favorite movies of all time. George Bailey is such a quintessential American character. He deferred his dreams, acquiesced to his brother, dealt with life imperfectly. If you haven’t seen it, go to Atlas Shrugs, where she has it posted with subtitles. It is back a few days, maybe a few days before Christmas. Even though I have seen it dozens of times, I got a lot out of the subtitles as there is some dialogue that is hard to pick up. I just love that movie.
Home Alone is also great. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until we watch that movie. The story is hilarious and Kevin is just an adorable little character. The second one is not as good, but also is enjoyable. Naturally, I prefer the Chicago version. The home where the film was made enjoyed a bit of celebrity back then. It is also fun to see some of the locations as we were able to check them out up in the Wilmette area.
Love Actually is one of those sappy movies that is a chick flick, but I know plenty of guys who love it too. Trust, betrayal, faithfulness, longing and fidelity are all entwined in several vignettes. Hugh Grant is quite bewitching in this film, and Keira Knightley is stunningly beautiful.
Elf is a newer addition to our list of family favorites. It is Will Ferrell stupid, but the story of the “slow” son makes it universally appealing. The clip you have chosen is one of my favorites in the movie. Tim Allen in The Santa Clause movies is also great.
I buy a few copies of every year and give them as gifts to those who haven’t experienced them.
Great list!!
We just finished watching The Christmas Story again tonight. I didn’t really care for it the first few times I saw it, but the movie does grow on you after a while.
It is wonderful to take some time away from BHO, the economy and work to enjoy some time reflecting and enjoying the messages in these films. God bless us everyone!
My favorites,
It’s A Wonderful Life -although I never looked at the angle you presented, Stewart’s Uncle did say “Mary did it, she went around and told everyone you needed help”…Stewart a selfish prick? A bit harsh. He gave up alot of his own aspirations for the sake of the town by not selling out the savings and loan- I don’t call that selfish. The selfish prick was the old miser Potter.
The Christmas Card-on the Hallmark channel-excellent
A Song for the Season
Meet Me In St Louis-one of Judy Garland’s best
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
A Christmas Carol
Wodiej
Labeling Jimmy Stewart a “selfish prick” was meant only for his decision to kill himself. I personally view suicide as the most selfish act. You don’t realize the effect that your act will have on others. thanks
LJ
Larry, I don’t mean any disrespect but can you imagine how utterly hopeless a person must feel that they think the only way out is suicide? Some people do consider/do this for selfish reasons. However, many are just plain depressed and around the holidays is even worse. Depression is a much bigger problem than society realizes. Just another side to look at.
Larry, he was considering suicide as the only way to repay the savings and loan and his family with the $15k policy…
He was in a state of overwhelm and frantic when he grovelled to Potter and was told his pathetic life insurance policy with only $500 equity but a $15k payoff made him worth more dead than alive. Suicide is selfish but that wasn’t his motivating factor. It’s my favorite #1 and I always cry like a baby when his hero brother offers up the toast “To my brother George, the richest man in town.” I’m getting a little misty eyed just typing it.
#2 Love Actually…so funny and I love the mosiac of airport greeters at the end while the Beachboys “God Only Knows” is playing…lovely.
#3 Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street (old version) are favorites too.
You missed three —
A Child’s Christmas in Wales — a classic. If you haven’t seen it, get it on DVD.
A Christmas Story — for everyone who grew up in the Midwest about 50 yrs ago.
The Man Who Came To Dinner — 1940’s humor with a bite.
The main character’s arrogance should remind us of some more modern commentators.
Absolutely LOVE “Child’s Christmas in Wales”. Also the animated short “The Snowman” is a real charmer.
“Christmas Story” is also a favorite although I don’t watch any particular movie every year.
Alistair Sim was a wonderful character actor, one of the finest ever, particularly when it came to comedy.
…by the way, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I’m a big fan of Donna Reed and Thomas Mitchell.
Not a movie but for several years, I enjoyed (up until this year) streaming a 12-hour radio program called An American Christmas. I couldn’t find one station streaming it this year. Some local stations are featuring it (not streaming) but not in my area. It’s produced by Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller. A wonderful program of music, myth and lore.
Good list, Larry.
Agree about the “A Christmas Story” – saw it last year for the first time – I don’t get the fuss.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” – my #1 too – Capra-corn? YES! And gimme more. Love it.
And, the 1951 “A Christmas Carol” with Sim is THE best telling of that story ever filmed, IMO.
Also, I would add “Going My Way” – not really a Christams movie (till the end) but…
Bing and Barry…and, too-rah-loo-rah-loo-rah.
Merry Christmas to all!
I cannot watch or listen to Bing Crosby, ever since I learned, he beat his kids from his first marriage. Two of the four committed suicide. And he carried on an affair with an actress whose name escapes me now; she committed suicide when he refused to leave his wife.
Inger Stevens was the actress. He also had an affair with Grace Kelly – some say she married the prince on the rebound. I’m with you about der-Bingle – a real jerk. His wife Dixie apparently had mental/drinking problems, but who wouldn’t?
The first time I saw A Christmas Story when it first came out, I laughed so hard my sides hurt. I was raised in Chicago and it was my childhood revisted. The scene with the little brother in the snowsuit brought back so many memories and my father’s language was much like the kid in the movie. A pure treasure.
For some reason A Wonderful Life has always left me – excuse the pun – cold.
I heard Judy Garland sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on the radio today – so thanks to the person who reminded the rest here of Meet Me in St. Louis.
What, no Polar Express and Bad Santa
I like your take on “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Larry. You are SO right…the Oscar for best supporting actress. . . BARF!
“A Christmas Story” is one of my faves ever since my late husband said, “it’s the story of MY childhood”.
I have a crush on Vince Vaughn this year so I loved “Fred Claus”, though I don’t know whether or not it will stand the test of time.
I also like “The Polar Express”.
Merry Christmas to you too.
“it’s the story of MY childhood”.
I was talking about this movie with my 80 yr old dad today.
As a kid, his absolute dream was to have a radio. He knew he wouldn’t get one, as they did not have the money.
Chistmas morning, there was a box as tall as he was. He told me it took him just ages pulling out endless, forever crumpled newspaper. He started wondering if there was anything in there. He finally got to the very bottom and there was the radio. “It was blue.”
He remembers running home from school to listen to radio shows.
I rest my case.
I forgot some others….”Trading Places” with Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis and Eddie Murphy. And, Wodiej, I like A Christmas Card too. John Newton is from Chapel Hill.
Great choices Larry. One I would add, and relatively new: The Polar Express. This movie will grow in stature every year. We watch the hilarious Christmas Vacation every Christmas season, as well as the Alastair Sim Scrooge, and It’s a Wonderful Life. This year we watched White Christmas, and I was very impressed by the dancing of little Vera Ellen, who reminded me of Mitzi Gaynor through the whole movie. Thanks for the list!
Oh yes, I too will respectfully disagree on A Christmas Story. That’s another one we never get tired of watching, and always find it fresh and funny. Love the horrible bully Scut Farkus, and his miserable toady! And the department store Santa!
Saw The Polar Express for the first time this year and thought it was very good. We viewed it at an IMAX theater, so it became a truly exciting experience. Unique and recommended viewing.
Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory
1966 ABC Television starring Geraldine Page and narrated by Truman Capote.
“Emmy Award winning adaptation of Capote’s recollection of his youth in the rural South during the Depression. Living with a slightly dotty but loving “cousin,” Capote remembers back to when he was about 10 years old and it was suddenly decided that “it was fruitcake weather.” The task of baking 30 cakes for mostly far away friends and other rituals of Christmas time are painted with such loving and nostalgic strokes, this becomes a truly beautiful Christmas experience. The pverty of the 1930s fails to stop or even slow down a loving relationship at a loving time of the year. An Emmy Award well deserved!”
This and Alistair Simm’s version of A Christmas Carol!
Thanks. How could I have forgotten “A Christmas Memory”. They save pennies, nickles and dimes all year to buy the ingredients (including moonshine) and postage to mail the fruitcakes…the most important one going to President Roosevelt. Heartwarming and so authentic a production. Having no money left after the fruitcakes, their surprise gifts to each other, the dotty Aunt he calls “my friend” and Truman, are handmade kites. That last scene with the two lying on their backs on the hill watching their kites soar…wonderful.
Loved this movie and was going to mention it at the end by asking if anyone remembered it’s name because I couldn’t. Thanks for the memory — wish they made more of this type of flick today!
Can’t stand the dysfunctional family genre of current Christmas movies — seldom funny and generally depressing.
I like the Grinch. One of my favorites. We had the kids and the grandkids all done up yesterday with Who hairdos. That’s what happens when you spend ten days snowed in. I now answer to Cindy Who.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
I think that the best Christmas TV Show is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with its combination of humor and philosophy. (BTW, I am not comparing it with any of the movies.)
Great list! I LOVE It’s a Wonderful Life.
So far this week I have seen Wonderful Life (in b/w and color), Christmas Vacation, White Christmas, Little Women, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Family Stone, The Holiday, Christmas with the Kranks, Frosty, and the Christmas Shoes.
Can you tell i love chrsitmas movies? And I usually cry while watching them… is something wrong with me? hehe
Merry Christmas All!
We have the same taste in Christmas movies. I love The Family Stone, Love Actualy, Little Women, and Home Alone. I recommend Bad Santa and Four Christmases currently in theaters if you are looking for something a bit more naughty.
Little Women is a terrific Xmas movie — forgot about that one.
I forgot to add Muppet’s Christmas Carol. That is a funny movie too!
Happy Holidays Merry Christmas,
I love #2, agree that The Polar Express is a unique work.
Zuzu’s petals every time.
Great list. Thanks.
My favorite..THE HOLIDAY..with Jude Law..can’t get enough looking at that male creature!
Merry Christmas everyone here at NQ..just stopped in between food courses .. to wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday!!
HO Ho Ho ..Merrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyy!!
Great list. Looks about what my list would be, but I might substitute one for “The Ref” with Dennis Leary and Kevin Spacey. I think that was a hysterical movie.
Seconded, one of my favorites. Brilliant and funny.
Top notch writing and acting.
Happy Christmas all.
I am the odd person out here. I don’t care for most Christmas movies. I abhor It’s a Wonderful Life. Home Alone is good once or twice. Elf is almost funny once. At least Bob Newhart is in it. Christmas Vacation is pure Chevy Chase, but again, once you sen it that’s it.
I sound like Old Grumpy Guy, don’t I?
I do like two versions of A Christmas Carol. My favorite version is the Alastir Sim’s classic followed by the George C. Scott version. I am sure a true Brit thinks that no American could ever play Scrooge well, but then in a fair world no Brit could play Scarlett O’Hare either. However, Scott did a very god job and actually Vivian Leigh was perfect.
Friends and I spent the day watching old James Bond movies. The real good ones with Sean Connery.
Don’t forget “Christmas in Connecticut” in which Barbara Stanwyck plays a woman who writes a newspaper column a la Martha Stewart, but is unmarried and cannot cook. The resulting fun,faking and romance always make me smile.
Another vote for Alastair Sim’s “Christmas Carol,” one of my all-time favorite films.
His performance is nothing short of transcendent. If you can watch him wake up Christmas morning to realize it’s not too late to redeem himself and then positively explode with joy, scaring the daylights out of the poor housekeeper (brilliantly played by Kathleen Harrison), and not feel lifted out of yourself, there’s something wrong with you! (Parts of that incredible scene were almost certainly improvised, BTW.)
Another of my favorite moments is the unspoken question and answer that pass between Scrooge and the little servant girl who greets him at the door when he arrives at his nephew’s house to beg his forgiveness and wish him a merry Christmas. It takes place just as he’s about to open the door to the festive celebration going on in the parlor. Goes by so quickly you’re likely to miss it if you don’t watch for it.
This is British acting–not just comedy acting, either–at its very best, even in the smallest parts.
Warning: If you watch a TV broadcast, they’re likely to cut some of the best scenes. Rent the DVD instead.
If you want a little taste, there’s a YouTube video that includes both scenes described above:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8gOU8XJc7Y
Thank you for that! I just LOVE the staircase scene: “To keep me mouth shut?”
“Polka!”
Right now I’m watching “How it’s made” and I almost choked. Did you know, gum, originally made of tree resin, is now made with plastic and rubber? Oh yeah, that’s healthy.
We watch Love, Actually every Christmas. God, I love that movie! (So glad to see it not pooh-poohed here!)
I dislike Jimmy Stewart movies. The only version of It’s A Wonderful Life that I’ve seen had Marlo Thomas as the lead. Was it Cloris Leachman who played the angel?
Anyway, thanks for the post and for No Quarter. And Happy Holidays.
Peg
I see the last open comment thread was from yesterday and since Larry is the Author of this blog I am putting message here for him…
http://murraywaas.crooksandliars.com/2008/12/23/exclusive-cheneys-admissions-to-the-cia-leak-prosecutor-and-fbi/
Oh yes, A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote is my favorite Christmas movie ever. I cry every time I see it but it doesn’t seem like it’s ever on tv anymore.
I love “Love Actually” but can’t stand “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I think it looks like life (the town) would be more wonderful and exciting if George wasn’t born.
I love It’s a Wonderful Life and I have to watch it every year at Christmas!
I first watched it when I was 14 and fell in love with it. It made me cry and still does:
“No man is a failure who has friends”
I’m the richest gal in town!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGH0uZDnUZg
SOME OF US, JUST DON’T HAVE IT SO PERFECT (ONE OF MY FAVORITES)
I’m not too much a fan of Love Actually. A movie about a bunch of shallow people who “fall in love” with other people because they are hot.
For most romantic comedies, this is Cardinal Rule #1. Cardinal Rule #2? A man should pursue the object of their affections relentlessly until they annoy the woman into finally accepting a date, whereupon she suddenly falls madly in love with her suitor/stalker. A great lesson for all young boys, to be sure. Andrea Dworkin wrote about this phenomenon in one of her books, I believe.
Nonsense. No one would watch it if it was as you describe it.
It’s about loss, sacrifice and betrayal, as well; and where there are pursuits, the feelings are mutual.
Hey, I was raised in Milwaukee!
I’ve never seen “Love Actually.” My husband and three sons insist on watching “Die Hard” every Christmas, and I admit to enjoying the cowboy tell the terrorists, “Yippee Ki-yay. But for my personal favorite, I am partial to watching an angel named Clarence every Christmas get his wings.
I like all the movies on Larry’s list; here’s one of our favorites not on the list:
The Ref
starring Dennis Leary, Judy Davis & Kevin Spacey. Absolutely hilarious. It is rated R for language & inuendo, so not for young ones. Still, one of the funniest movies we’ve ever seen. Its about a jewel thief (Leary) caught in an upscale Connecticut town during Christmas.
I saw this a few years ago. Ever since, my sister has been wishing us a “Merry F***ing Christmas.”
Thanks for mentioning Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. I love Alastair Sim and all the other terrific U.K. character actors. It’s my fave! Loved all your other picks. My brother agrees with your take on Ralphie and his dumb bb gun … good laughs over here about that. We were also laughing about how we wanted to see Godzilla (the original with Raymond Burr cut and pasted into a Japanese movie). We don’t know why we needed to see it on Christmas Day. Well, that’s what happens when you spend your life in NYC and you’ve been severely affected by watching “Million Dollar Movie.” Merry Christmas!
I love all versions of A Christmas Carol and watch as many as I can in December. Happy Holidays and God Bless Us Everyone at noquarter.
Does anyone remember A Christmas Carol cartoon with Mr. Magoo? I love Mr. Magoo.
A Christmas Story is a favorite here being Mid Westerners.
Christmas in Connecticut
The Man Who Came to Dinner
White Christmas
“It’s a Wonderful Life” – hands down. We watch it every Christmas & “Scrooged.”
Let’s give our English cousins their due–they know how to make great Dickens’ movies about Christmas
Turns out they know how to write great Dickens’ novels as well.
Merry Christmas, ya knuckleheads.
For Christmas Story fans here is a list of 10 favorite lines from the movie (beyond “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” that is)
1. He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny
2. Fra-gee-lay. that must be Italian.
3. Some men are Baptists, others Catholics; my father was an Oldsmobile man.
4. He had yellow eyes! So, Help me, God! Yellow Eyes!
5. My father worked in profanity the way other artsist might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.
6. You used up all the glue on purpose!
7. Let’s face it, most of us are scoffers. But moments before zero hour, it did not pay to take chances.
8. Well I double-DOG-dare ya!
9. Oooh Fuuudge!
10. Naddafinga!
There was also an interesting article about it’s author, Jean Sheppard, in Slate a few days ago. I’m sure it’s still there is you want to check it out.
greatings…
usefull…
Bachelor Mother, with Ginger Rogers
Holiday Inn, with Fred Astaire, and Bing Crosby.
The Bishop’s Wife, with Cary Grant.
And I’ve become a fan of David Niven, this year.