It's a Wonderful Life---this is my all-time favorite Christmas movie. It has been our Christmas night tradition for about seven years now. We pretty much know the movie line for line. (We used to watch the movie a few times during the year, but for the past four years, we have saved it for Christmas night...somehow it makes it more special to reserve it for once-a-year viewing.)
A Christmas Carol---Charles Dickens's timeless classic. Our favorite is the 70's version with George C. Scott.
Miracle on 34th Street (classic black and white version, with Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood)....Now I am going to be totally honest here and tell you that I really don't like this movie and only tolerate it because it is a must-see for my family. I know I am marching to the beat of my own drum here because most everyone loves this movie, but it just doesn't do it for me.
Christmas in Connecticut---an adorable 1945 romantic comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan. This is right up near It's a Wonderful Life as my favorite holiday movie. It is totally charming and delightful.
Holiday Affair---1949 romance starring Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey. It's rather fun seeing Robert Mitchum in a romantic role.
The Bishop's Wife---from 1947, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. Cary Grant plays an angel who helps David Niven get back to what is most important.
I'll Be Seeing You---touching 1944 romantic drama starring Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten. I reviewed this film HERE.
It Happened on Fifth Avenue---Heartwarming 1947 flick starring Victor Moore and Don DeFore. I reviewed this film HERE.
White Christmas---such a classic...love the music...love Danny Kaye...love Bing.
Remember the Night---1940 romance starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. The first of four pairings between Stanwyck and MacMurray. I am in the process of reviewing this one...hope to get it up in a day or so.
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This is our list of classic Christmas movies. I'll be back soon with part 2, which will include the more current fare we enjoy during the holiday season. So what are some of your "wouldn't be Christmas without it" movies? And what is your absolute favorite Christmas movie?
As always, thanks for sharing!!
Hi Patti! I'm really surprised that I haven't seen every one of those! I haven't seen Remember the Night. I'll have to check that one out! My favorite is still "It's a Wonderful Life," too. I loved it when we could change TV channels and find it on, somewhere, all during the season! I don't think I have a favorite "A Christmas Carol." I like different ones, at different times. I do like the George C. Scott version, but I also love the musical, "Scrooge" with Albert Finney! (not to be confused with "Scrooged" with Bill Murray! :)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen nor heard of Christmas Eve, Loretta Young still looks so beautiful in that picture. I love A Christmas Carol and I turn A Miracle on 34th Street on every time they show it! I really like Christmas in Connecticut although I thought Dennis Morgan was too handsome for Barbara Stanwyck (silly, I know!).
ReplyDeleteAs for newer movies, we bought Elf last year because it was $5 at the grocery store and I love that movie!!! I must've watched it about 4 times last Christmas and definitely plan on watching it again this year. It's a very cute movie!
Becky, I have never seen the musical version. I think I will have to look into that. I have heard that "The Muppets Christmas Carol" is very good...but I have to be honest, The Muppets are completely not my thing, so I've just never put it on my watch list.
ReplyDeleteAnd though I say the George C. Scott version is my favorite, the only other one I've seen is the Alistair Sim version. How odd for me to choose a 70's version over a mid-century one, but like with "Les Miserables," I do. Maybe, in part, because I have been watching it for years. It had already grabbed my heart before I ever tried the older version.
Oh, and "Remember the Night"
is really cute. Look for my review later this week.
Victoria, did you hit the link to read my review of "Christmas Eve?" I reviewed it about 10 days ago. I totally love that one. It's a bit of a tearjerker, and, yes, Loretta Young was amazingly beautiful...at 74 years of age!!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen "Elf," but my son loves it.
Yes, Dennis Morgan was incredibly handsome in "Christmas in Connecticut," (don't you love his lopsided smile?), but, unlike you, I think Barbara Stanwyck was looking mighty good as well.
My absolute favorites are Christmas in Connecticut, Holiday Affair, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, and Susan Slept Here and Bundle of Joy (oh! and Never Say Goodbye). I don't consider those last 3 films strictly Christmas movies, but the holiday does figure into key scenes -- plus, I discovered them when TCM aired them during the holidays in prev. years.
ReplyDeleteRuth, I think "Never Say Goodbye" is adorable. I discovered that one this summer. Errol Flynn was great in the Santa Claus role!!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of "Susan Slept Here." I will have to look that one up.
I do know that "Bundle of Joy" is the remake of "Bachelor Mother." My husband is a huge Ginger fan, so we have watched that one dozens of times. I've never seen "Bundle of Joy," though my daughter has.
I've got two weeks off at Christmas for the first time in years so I could do with some good movie recommendations.
ReplyDeleteHoliday Inn and White Christmas are two of my favourites and I like the sound of Holiday Affair from your list.
Keep 'em coming !!
My favorites from your wonderful movie Christmas list are, The Bishop's Wife and Holiday Affair.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you said that about Miracle on 34th Street, because it didn't really do much for me either, even though everyone else seems to love it. I thought it must just be me. I adore White Christmas. There are several here that I'm really intrigued to see - Christmas in Connecticut, It Happened on 5th Avenue and I'll Be Seeing you.
ReplyDelete