Erin Wooddell
While some people watch the claymation specials or the cult classics to get in the Christmas spirit, I need to see my favorite black-and-white films. Just as the traditional songs by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby make my spirits bright, so do the films in the following list, with their vintage sounds and fashions.
A few of the greatest classic Christmas movies:
While some people watch the claymation specials or the cult classics to get in the Christmas spirit, I need to see my favorite black-and-white films. Just as the traditional songs by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby make my spirits bright, so do the films in the following list, with their vintage sounds and fashions.
A few of the greatest classic Christmas movies:
It's a Wonderful Life—My favorite Christmas movie is It's A Wonderful Life. I know it's old-fashioned, but that's part of it's charm. I always cry when George comes home and sees all his family and friends, and what they are doing for him. I also love the Christmas cartoons--Frosty, Rudolph, and especially The Grinch!
-Gail (our final survey participant. Thanks everyone!)
-Gail (our final survey participant. Thanks everyone!)
Holiday Inn—Not only is this my (Erin's) favorite Christmas movie, it's also one of my favorite movies of all time.
I'd already been a big fan of the Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire pairing in Blue Skies and the first time I saw this movie, I fell in love.
Jim (Bing) and Ted (Fred) are buddies in a three-person show in New York City. Jim sings, Ted dances and the lovely Lila plays the part of the lady torn between to two. As the movie unfolds, we see that their on-stage story rings true behind the scenes, as Lila's engaged to Jim, but secretly in love with Ted.
Jim is tired of working all the time, and was planning on quitting the show and moving to the country with his new bride. When she breaks his heart, he goes alone, and comes up with a brilliant idea—open an inn in Connecticut that's only open on holidays. (Back then, they observed more holidays, like Washington's birthday and Lincoln's birthday, so they had more occasions to celebrate.)
Linda, an aspiring actress, auditions to work at the new Inn and gets the part as leading lady. She and Jim fall for each other, and Jim proposes. The night of their proposal, Ted arrives at the Inn, drunk and heartbroken because (big surprise) Lila left him, too. He dances with Linda and assumes he's in love. He comes to work at the Inn, and a lot of hilarity, double-crossing and woman-stealing ensues.
I love that the songs were written for each and every holiday they showcased. Some of them have become jokes in my family. The song "Lazy" is one of my favorites, and I often sing that while enduring an especially stressful time at work, or while working inside during beautiful sunny days. Also, fun fact: Most people think "White Christmas" was written and recorded for the movie of the same name. That is false. "White Christmas" was written for Bing Crosby's role in Holiday Inn.
If you love old films with a side of crooning and dancing, you'll love this holiday classic.
I'd already been a big fan of the Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire pairing in Blue Skies and the first time I saw this movie, I fell in love.
Jim (Bing) and Ted (Fred) are buddies in a three-person show in New York City. Jim sings, Ted dances and the lovely Lila plays the part of the lady torn between to two. As the movie unfolds, we see that their on-stage story rings true behind the scenes, as Lila's engaged to Jim, but secretly in love with Ted.
Jim is tired of working all the time, and was planning on quitting the show and moving to the country with his new bride. When she breaks his heart, he goes alone, and comes up with a brilliant idea—open an inn in Connecticut that's only open on holidays. (Back then, they observed more holidays, like Washington's birthday and Lincoln's birthday, so they had more occasions to celebrate.)
Linda, an aspiring actress, auditions to work at the new Inn and gets the part as leading lady. She and Jim fall for each other, and Jim proposes. The night of their proposal, Ted arrives at the Inn, drunk and heartbroken because (big surprise) Lila left him, too. He dances with Linda and assumes he's in love. He comes to work at the Inn, and a lot of hilarity, double-crossing and woman-stealing ensues.
I love that the songs were written for each and every holiday they showcased. Some of them have become jokes in my family. The song "Lazy" is one of my favorites, and I often sing that while enduring an especially stressful time at work, or while working inside during beautiful sunny days. Also, fun fact: Most people think "White Christmas" was written and recorded for the movie of the same name. That is false. "White Christmas" was written for Bing Crosby's role in Holiday Inn.
If you love old films with a side of crooning and dancing, you'll love this holiday classic.
Christmas in Connecticut—My mom has always loved black-and-white movies. She has also always been an early riser; busy from the moment she gets up. When I was a kid, it was a treat when I'd wake up on the weekends and she'd still be in her pajamas, watching an old film. I would join her, and I think that's how I fell in love with this genre. It reminds me of those times together.
I still remember the first time I watched Christmas in Connecticut with her when I was still in grade school. It was taped on an old VHS that we'd have to track to get the lines to disappear.
I loved Barbara Stanwyck. Unlike some of the other classic characters of the time, hers was a career woman, making her own way (though with lots of lies) as magazine writer in New York City. (Maybe that's where my dream originated?)
When she finds out that her publisher wants to invite a navy soldier (who's healing after being stranded at sea) to her farm in Connecticut for Christmas, she panics. You see, she doesn't live in Connecticut. Or have a farm. She's not married and doesn't have a baby, as her column touts. She also can't cook. As the food writer, that's a bit of a problem. It's all been a ruse to keep up circulation and to keep her job.
Luckily, there's a man in her life who has a farm and the means to complete the charade so that the publisher and the navy man won't be fooled. She agrees to marry him, even though she doesn't love him.
The best parts of this film:
I still remember the first time I watched Christmas in Connecticut with her when I was still in grade school. It was taped on an old VHS that we'd have to track to get the lines to disappear.
I loved Barbara Stanwyck. Unlike some of the other classic characters of the time, hers was a career woman, making her own way (though with lots of lies) as magazine writer in New York City. (Maybe that's where my dream originated?)
When she finds out that her publisher wants to invite a navy soldier (who's healing after being stranded at sea) to her farm in Connecticut for Christmas, she panics. You see, she doesn't live in Connecticut. Or have a farm. She's not married and doesn't have a baby, as her column touts. She also can't cook. As the food writer, that's a bit of a problem. It's all been a ruse to keep up circulation and to keep her job.
Luckily, there's a man in her life who has a farm and the means to complete the charade so that the publisher and the navy man won't be fooled. She agrees to marry him, even though she doesn't love him.
The best parts of this film:
- Uncle Felix. He learns the meaning of the word 'catastrophe' in the beginning of the film and proceeds to say it with his accent so that it comes out as "cata-strof." He's loyal, loving and an adorable supporting character. (Seen in chef hat in above picture.)
- The hilarious way certain things keep failing and others eventually work out
- Jefferson Jones (aka Jeffy-boy, aka the navy guy). He is seriously so cute. His dimples? Adorable. I need to watch more films with him... While watching it earlier this week, I couldn't help but noticing his resemblance to Joshua Jackson. See:
If you want to watch a holiday film about love, food and happy endings, give this movie a shot.
Miracle on 34th Street—I feel like every person has seen this movie at some point, whether the original 1947 version or the remake. I've seen both, and I find the original with Natalie Wood to be the best. She's so adorable, and the man who plays Santa Claus looks exactly the way Santa Claus should. I recommend watching the original in black and white, not remastered in color, because some of the color looks off.
Holiday Affair—This movie is sweet and adorable. It stars Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis' mother. She's beautiful in this film.
Watch this for a sweet story about second chances in love.
Meet Me In St. Louis—Judy Garland, the World Fair, petticoats and beautiful songs... what else do you need in a holiday classic? This film covers several holidays, and though it's not exactly a Christmas film, I love watching the characters dance at the Christmas ball in their beautiful gowns, and I get teary-eyed at how beautifully Judy Garland sings my favorite Christmas song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." If you've never seen this movie, you need to check it out, simply for "The Trolley Song."
Holiday Affair—This movie is sweet and adorable. It stars Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis' mother. She's beautiful in this film.
Watch this for a sweet story about second chances in love.
Meet Me In St. Louis—Judy Garland, the World Fair, petticoats and beautiful songs... what else do you need in a holiday classic? This film covers several holidays, and though it's not exactly a Christmas film, I love watching the characters dance at the Christmas ball in their beautiful gowns, and I get teary-eyed at how beautifully Judy Garland sings my favorite Christmas song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." If you've never seen this movie, you need to check it out, simply for "The Trolley Song."
Do you like watching black-and-white films around the holidays? If so, did we miss any on your must-watch list? Comment below or Tweet us @adventuringMISS using hashtag #xmasmovies.