Our Favorite Christmas Movies
Cable viewers, TV streamers and DVD watchers are faced with an annual flood of Christmas-themed movies in practically every genre – drama, spiritual, comedy, horror, animation, documentary, and musicals. Quality-wise, they range from the sublime (Alastair Sim in “Scrooge”) to the ridiculous (“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”).
In other words, there’s something for everybody. If you’re like me, it would be tough to pick one favorite; I spoke with several Lehigh Valley notables, and, fortunately, most of them are not like me. Here are their top picks, as well as the reasons they’re so special.
The Who:
Kassie Hilgert – president and CEO of Artsquest
The What:
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” & “Home for the Holidays.”
The Why:
Hilgert grew up watching the Charlie Brown special. And it really was special then. “These were the days before DVRs,” she said. “It would air only once, so you marked the date on the calendar to be sure you wouldn’t miss it.” It became a family tradition, and its basic message – take the time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas – still resonates with her.
From an adult perspective, Hilgert picked “Home for the Holidays” (1995). Although it takes place at Thanksgiving time, it reflects the humor, tragedy and messiness of family reunions, especially during the holiday season. “It has a dark sense of humor,” Hilgert said, “and depicts the dynamics of relationships among siblings and their parents, and how they deal with them. Everybody in the movie comes apart in their own ways, but they also learn to be more tolerant, forgiving and patient. It captures the joy and friction of being among family members for just a bit too long, moments that we all experience in one way or another.”
The Who:
Shelley Brown – president and CEO of the State Theatre Center for the Arts
The What:
“White Christmas” & “It’s a Wonderful Life”
The Why:
The Bing-and-Danny extravaganza has been a family tradition for many years. “My husband and I love it – it marks the start of our holiday season. We know all the songs, the lyrics and the dances – it’s just lots of fun. There’s a more sentimental side to it, too – “The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing” was played for her stepdaughter’s “daddy and daughter” wedding dance.
Her personal fave is the classic tale of George Bailey and his bumbling guardian angel. “I have to sit and watch and cry with it every year,” she said. Although it was a box-office disappointment when released, it’s become an absolute classic, and was voted as one of the 100 best American films ever made, by the American Film Institute.
Brown said that teaches a good lesson – greatness isn’t always recognized at the moment it’s in the public’s view. “It also shows that ‘the richest man in town’ isn’t always wealthy or famous; the respect and love of the people around you is much more important than money,” she said.
The Who:
Bill White – Morning Call columnist and Christmas lights connoisseur
The What:
“A Christmas Story”
The Why:
For years, White’s had a lot of affection for the late humorist and raconteur Jean Shepherd. So it’s no surprise that White’s pick is a movie based on Shepherd’s writings, particularly “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” and “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories and other Disasters.” (Shepherd co-scripted and narrated the film.)
“It’s a very nostalgic and funny movie,” White said. “It means a lot to me, because it evokes many of my own
Christmas memories.”
It carries over to his professional life as well: His annual Christmas light tours usually include a display on Third St. in North Catasauqua that includes (what else?) a young boy with his tongue stuck to a flagpole.
The Who:
Andrew Cassano – administrative director of the Zoellner Arts Center
The What:
“The Snowman” (1982)
The Why:
This animated, essentially wordless short tells about a boy whose snowman comes to life and guides him on a magical adventure; you’re probably familiar with its song, “Walking in the Air.”
Cassano saw it frequently while living in London from 1980-85, and the music and animation stuck with him over the years. In the U. S., he produced several special performances of it, adding live musicians and a children’s choir. “Each year, I’d show ‘The Snowman’ as we prepped for the performance; and each year, the kids would catch some detail that they’d missed before,” he said.
“The ending is bittersweet,” Cassano said, “and many people feel like that at the end of a holiday.”
The Who:
Matt Lewis – co-owner of video production house Post-Sputnik
The What:
“Gremlins”
The Why:
“My wife [co-owner Sarah Fulton] and I had both loved the movie since childhood, and watching it was an annual traditional from 2002 to 2012,” he said.
Lewis added that the quirky horror-comedy, directed by Joe Dante and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, takes place during December 24 and 25. “Many people forget about that time frame,” he said. “And ‘Gremlins’ is a fun one to throw into the mix, instead of the usual ‘Holiday Inn,’ or ‘A Christmas Story.’
The movie’s been shelved since the birth of their three-year-old daughter. “But when she’s old enough to handle it, we’ll put it back on!” he said.
The Who:
Samantha Layne – afternoon drive-time host, WZZO
The What:
“A Christmas Story”
The Why:
Young Samantha lived in Cleveland during filming, and remembers that the city was buzzing – and so was she. “One of my classmates had a cousin with a small part in the movie [David Svoboda;: “I like The Wizard of Oz. I like the Tin Man.”], and that was my first brush with fame,” she laughed.
But the movie is also filled with relatable moments, she said. “Even if you didn’t go through it yourself, you knew someone who did – the bullying, the humiliation, the desire for something you’ll never get.
“And Jean Shepherd’s narration is just perfect. He really becomes the adult character, and gets inside Ralphie’s head. He’s not just someone doing a voice-over,” she added.
Naturally, its marathon Christmas day showing on TBS is a standard backdrop in her household.
The Who:
Jason Overdorf – filmmaker and owner of Jay and Brian’s Excellent Video Store
The What:
“Love Actually”
The Why:
This star-studded film focuses on love and relationships among eight couples in London during the holiday season. “It’s not an anthology,” Overdorf explains.”All of the stories intertwine – certain characters in one tale will be connected somehow to characters in another. It focuses on the various stresses of the holidays, but also shows how having someone with you can help alleviate that stress.”
Overdorf added that all of the characters end up in the same room at some point – and all of them find love. That’s the key message of the movie, he said: Love actually is all around us.
The Who:
John Williams – president of Muhlenberg College
The What:
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
The Why:
“It’s a heartwarming story of compassion, rewarded,” he said. “You see someone who’s been selfless throughout his life – and then everyone rallies around him when he’s in trouble.” It’s a strong lesson about relationships, he added: “The more you give into a relationship, the more you’ll get back – often when you need it the most,”
he said.
“At every stage of your life, there is always someone who can be of aid to you, to help you along. But at the same time, you must realize that you also have opportunities to help someone.”
In his short time at Muhlenberg, Williams said, he’s seen many “George Baileys” among the faculty and students. No, not in despair, ready to give up – rather, people who generously give of themselves without asking for (or expecting) anything in return.
