quote: Phil Hill

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"A Christmas Carol" (1938) This version IS ***THEEEE*** only one

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Eh, I like the 1951 version... "Scrooge", with Alastair Sim. He truly looks a miserable miser.

I do like "It's a Wonderful Life", and "A Christmas Story".

Hard to say which one's my favorite, but those are probably the top three. If you're talking television, though, I'd put votes in for "A Charlie Brown Christmas", "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", and "The Homecoming" (The Waltons pilot)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 12-17-2005, 04:09 AM:
 

quote: Phil Hill

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I'm soooo tired of seeing "It's a Wonderful Life" I could barf.

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Opened it yesterday evening. It usually does quite well, but this time it only got about seven in. It's just shown too much; I think it needs to be 'rested' for a few years, and then brought back. Nice print though, much better than the last one.

It's running one show per day 'til next Friday, then on Christmas Eve we've got just 'Wallace and Gromit' in the morning, and then one screening of 'Mrs. Henderson Presents'. Cinema, and indeed the whole complex then closes until Jan. 2nd, and I get a rest!

For a few months I'm doing two days per week of regular projection work. I've hat to re-arrange hours at main job to start earlier every day, and finish early on Fridays to do the projection job. That means I'm on one 15 hour day, two 12 hours and three 9 hours per week. Brings in lots of lovely money though, even after the tax man has taken his slice, which is much needed at the moment.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Everyone.
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 12-17-2005, 06:09 AM:
 
Of course A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation are required viewing. Definitely.

There are many reasons why any normal person would hate this movie, but I really liked Mixed Nuts. So, I'm not ashamed to say it. Madeline Kahn is priceless (and was still HOT) ... "Hey, DICKHEADS!" A suicide hotline service during the holiday season? Genius! "(rapping) I'm stuck in the elevator, help me please ..."

On a side note, I've NEVER actually seen It's A Wonderful Life. Sure, I've seen stills, clips, and quotes like anyone else living in this culture; but I've yet to see the film on its own. Don't care to, either.
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-17-2005, 07:27 AM:
 
I've always liked the original "Grinch" (the animated short, not the recent feature remake). I don't know if this counts as film or TV, however. I've seen 16mm prints, but don't know if it was ever released theatrically.

I agree that "It's a Wonderful Life" is sort of played out, but it's still a good film. I think that Capra is (was) the only director who could make films like this that are actually good and not just cheesy.
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 12-17-2005, 08:55 AM:
 
Christmas Story - Saw it in first run just before my son was born.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol -- OK, on TV, but it was shot on film!

There is also a British short subject I would love to track down on DVD. It was a telling of the TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. They guy shows up every day at his sweethearts house with the daily items. At the end, with the drummers drumming and maid's a milking in her house, she's ready to dump him NOW. A wonderful and subtle piece of comedy, as it truly shows how silly that song is. I believe it was a theatrical short.
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 12-17-2005, 09:24 AM:
 
Gremlins - it's the only Christmas film I know which offers a healthy dose of satire and isn't compromised by sickly sentimental BS. When I was a child I had a next door neighbour who was an exact South London equivalent of the hypocritical, vindictive landlord who meets her demise in the, err, 'modified' stairlift; so I've always had a soft spot for the film.
 

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Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 12-17-2005, 11:59 AM:
 
We've done "It's a Wonderful Life" Christmas eve and night for years. The customers start asking to be sure in October. All three screenings bring around 300 each. Last years single Christmas eve brought 600+. Organ sing-a-long accompanies.
"A Christmas Story" is one of my favorites. I always thought
"White Christmas" the movie, not the song sucked. "Bad Santa" is my irreverent favorite.

[ 12-18-2005, 10:34 AM: Message edited by: Bill Enos ]
 

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Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 12-17-2005, 12:45 PM:
 
Christmas Carol 1951 (great year for creations)
It's a Wonderful Life

Sorry but I get all seasonal this time of year
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-17-2005, 01:56 PM:
 
"Christmas Vacation" is my favorite. I love to say "Merry Christmas! Shitter was full!" every Christmas season, much to the dismay of my wife.

"A Christmas Story" is probably my second fave. "Polar Express" would be in third place.

I've never seen "It's a Wonderful Life," amazingly. I'm waiting for a chance to see it on the big screen. Since my life is so busy around the holidays (theatre + retail), and I'm a bajillion miles from anyplace that would ever show it, the chances are pretty slim at best.
 

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Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 12-17-2005, 02:12 PM:
 
I've never seen "It's A Wonderful Life" either for some reason.

Does "A Charlie Brown Christmas" count? If so, add that to my list. I think everyone will probably agree on "A Christmas Story", "Christmas Vacation". For me, you can add "Home Alone", and "Planes Trains & Automobiles."
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-17-2005, 02:24 PM:
 
Agreed on "Planes, Trains." But, you can't count it because it's a Thanksgiving movie.
 

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Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 12-17-2005, 02:41 PM:
 
OH, OK... But it's all the same to me.

Next you'll be telling me "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" doesn't count either!
 

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Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 12-17-2005, 07:28 PM:
 
If I may expand the thread and inquire as to what Christmas episodes of popular TV shows they like the best?

My all time fav has to be in either the third or forth season of "Married With Children". The one where the mall santa has a parachute malfunction and crashes (and dies) in the Bundy's back yard. That one is classic.
 

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-17-2005, 09:59 PM:
 
What, no one mentioned MARCH OF THE TOY SOLDIERS, the Laurel and Hardy classic? Maybe if I had seen IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE in a MOVIE THEATRE instead of on a 12in tv screen when I was a kid, I would have liked it a bit better, but I am afraid even a big screen wouldn't mute the Capra cornyness that makes me squirm every time. Never liked it; probably never will, and playing it on tv every Christmas and Easter for the rest of my life as they seem wont to do is going to change my mind.
 

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 12-17-2005, 10:13 PM:
 
In no particular order...

"Bad Santa" = Especially because Lauren Graham is hot

"Christmas Vacation"

I had one really good one but I forgot it....I'll edit if I remember...
 

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Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 12-17-2005, 11:07 PM:
 
The Holiday Season scenes in "The Godfather"!
 

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Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 12-18-2005, 01:40 AM:
 
Edward Scissorhands. I consider this a christmas movie of sorts and my favorite.

And a Christmas Story. I still laugh at it every year I see it.

Scrooged with Bill Murray.
 

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Posted by Stephen Brown (Member # 292) on 12-18-2005, 03:49 AM:
 
I Agree with you Allison,

Scrooged.
 

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 12-18-2005, 09:31 AM:
 
That's the one I forgot....Scrooged
 

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 12-18-2005, 10:10 AM:
 
SpongeBob SquarePants: Holiday DVD

Spongebob and Patrick rule!!!
 

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Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 12-18-2005, 04:24 PM:
 
The last time I talked to Phil, he said to me, Bob, I have always wanted to be just like George Bailey! I miss that man. Maybe you could get Clarence to visit me.

Well Phil, when you fall asleep tonight don't be surprised if Clarence doesn't win his wing's with you.

Ding, Ding.
 

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Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 12-18-2005, 05:03 PM:
 
What, nobody likes Christmas with the Kranks?

I did enjoy the Santa Clause in the past, but not its sequel. And if I had to pick only from christmas movies, The Home Alone films would fall in there somewhere nearer the top too.
 

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Posted by Mathew Molloy (Member # 666) on 12-18-2005, 05:19 PM:
 
My favorite: The Nightmare Before Christmas. The music stays with me through the entire season.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is my fave made for t.v. xmas movie.
 

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Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 12-19-2005, 03:58 AM:
 

quote: Richard Greco was the last to post

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Scrooged

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quote: Frank Angel

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What, no one mentioned MARCH OF THE TOY SOLDIERS, the Laurel and Hardy classic?

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I thought about including "March of the Wooden Soldiers" (AKA "Babes in Toyland") on my favorite's list, but for some reason I always considered it a Thanksgiving movie even though it clearly has a Christmas theme.

Perhaps the reason is, when I was a kid, they always showed it on TV around turkeyday.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-19-2005, 09:08 PM:
 
My favorite:

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Holiday
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-19-2005, 09:28 PM:
 
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" was a very cute version that remains surprisingly true to the Dickens story, especially suitable for families.

"Home Alone" is always fun, with a good Christmas message about not holding grudges.

The first episode of television's "Jesus of Nazareth" (directed by Franco Zeffirelli) is a very literal telling of the Christmas story.

The Disney short "Small One" likewise is a nice tale.
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 12-24-2005, 08:28 AM:
 
"On Her Majesty's Secret Service" A good portion of the movie takes place during the Christmas season, and every year I play the DVD as I wrap presents. 'Merry Christmas, 007,' and don't forget the song in the movie, 'Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?'.

It's worth it to give "It's a Wonderful Life" a chance. In college, the Film Intro class would run that right before Christmas break. The auditorium that normally held a class of about 300 was packed to overflowing with over twice as many students. I persuaded a friend to come see it, and he almost walked out when it came on because it was black and white. But by the time it was over, he couldn't believe how great it was! If it can put 600+ cynical college students in the holiday mood, it still has something worthwhile. But see it on a BIG SCREEN with no commercial interruptions if possible (guess I'm preaching to the choir there ).

A group of friends run a print of "White Christmas" every year, and after 33 years, have come up with their own MST3K-style riff on the movie, with their own words to the music, etc. It's really the only way to enjoy that movie, IMHO. After missing it the last couple of years, I tried to get there this year, only to have my car break down en route. Bing's ghost...?
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 12-24-2005, 02:21 PM:
 
The Nightmare Before Christmas!
 

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Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 12-24-2005, 06:28 PM:
 
I'll go with the MST3K'd version of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians", and throw in another stretch of a title..."Go" (1999), which is another one that takes place during the holiday but isn't really about the holiday. But it never ceases to crack me up, so...

Oh, and no Christmas is complete without watching the first seaason "Married with Children" Christmas episode, where the Lakeside Mall Santa's parachute failed to open and he crash landed in the Bundy's backyard.
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 12-24-2005, 08:30 PM:
 
That reminds me of one of my favorite MST3K's, "Santa Claus," a Mexican movie about a little girl named Lupita tempted by a devil named Sratch as Santa watches from his home on a cloud. Very strange, and fertile ground for the 'bots.
 

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Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 12-26-2005, 05:06 PM:
 
DIE HARD "Now I have a Machine Gun. HO HO HO!!"
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-27-2005, 01:22 AM:
 
After crying my way thru the 3-hanky "It's A Wonderful Life" and watching "A Christmas Story" 4 times in the 24hr marathon, I was VERY disappointed that no one ran "Christmas Vacation"!
 

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