Family and friends get together every year for Christmas. Many will watch their favorite Christmas movies. This will include It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th St. and White Christmas. There is no dispute, that they make everyone feel good. It’s a Wonderful Life, has become an institution. Everyone enjoys Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, singing and dancing in White Christmas. There are many movies about this sacred holiday, that entertain. The following movies do that, but also challenge the traditional movies.
10. Blast of Silence (1961)
This is a movie for any grinches or Scrooge’s. It is film noir, directed by Allen Baron, on a shoestring budget. Baron also starred in it. He played Frank Bono, the lead. Bono is a hitman from Cleveland. He travels to New York City, for a job. He has been given a contract, on a mid level mobster, named Troiano. He goes about NYC following his target. He is trying to decide where he will kill him.
The film takes place during Christmas time. The ironic part is that Bono hates Christmas. During his wandering, in The Big Apple, he is confronted by singing, and other signs of Christmas. This includes one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas; The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. There are many reasons for Bono’s hatred of the season. The most logical is that he was brought up in an orphanage. His thinking is reinforced by the voice of his conscience. This voice in his head is Lionel Stander. He was a veteran character actor. Stander was mostly known for playing on the show, Hart to Hart.
The film’s dark tone is reinforced by Big Ralph, (Larry Tucker). He is a sleazy as they come. Bono can’t stand him, but needs his services. Although Frank’s world is grim, it soon becomes brighter. He runs into an old flame, Lori, (Molly McCarthy). Unfortunately, they don’t connect, like Frank wants. He must continue in his chosen profession and complete his job.
Blast of Silence is well done film noir. It is a tribute to the talents of Allen Baron. He has crafted a bizarre, but compelling tale revolving around Christmas.
9. Babes in Toyland (1934)
Laurel and Hardy are known for their shorts. They also made many movies. One of their most famous is Babes in Toyland. This was directed by Gus Means and Charlie Rogers. Rogers was a good friend of Stan Laurel, and directed a few of the team’s comedies. The movie is a fantasy, that involves the beloved Mother Goose characters. Santa Claus appears in the film, observing his toys being made. The specific toys are the wooden soldiers. They are being built by the bumbling duo of Stannie Dum, (Stan Laurel) and Ollie Dee (Oliver Hardy).
The story revolves around the romance of Bo-Peep, (Charlotte Henry), and Tom-Tom, (Felix Knight). Their romance is threatened by Silas Barnaby, (Henry Brandon). Barnaby covets the shepherdess, and uses his leverage, as mortgage holder, on the home of Mother Goose, (Virginia Karns), to force Bo-Peep to marry him. Stan and Ollie foil his plan, and receive the punishment of dunking, handed out by Old King Cole, (Kewpie Morgan). It is a comical scene, with Hardy being dunked. Luckily for Stannie Dum, he stays dry. The king is satisfied, punishing Ollie.
Silas Barnaby is enraged at looking foolish. He decides to have Bo-Peep kidnapped by Demon Bogeyman, (Eddie Borden). It is up to Stannie, Ollie and Tom-Tom to save the imperiled Bo-Peep. They are also assisted by the wooden soldiers.
A fine job was done by the art department, creating the world of Mother Goose. It was a hard job creating sets before computers. This movie is given another dimension, because of the set designer’s imagination. The costumes and makeup also help this movie. This movie is usually played at Christmas on television. It is a joy, to watch one of the best comedy teams, work their magic.
8. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
A Christmas Carol is the most famous story of this revered holiday. This is the story, of the crafting of that tale, by Charles Dickens. It is based on the book by Les Standiford. He also cowrote the screenplay with Susan Coyne. The director, Bharat Nalluri, has given the appropriate feel to early Victorian England.
Charles Dickens, (Dan Stevens) is a well known writer. He had, by 1843, written The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. Even though these two novels did well, his next works did not. He is struggling to feed his family, and keep his nice house. He has a large family, and his wife, Kate, (Morfydd Clark), is expecting another child.
Dickens, has financial difficulties. The only way to ease his burden, is to write a successful novel. This doesn’t come easily, because he has been asked to write a Christmas story. This might seem simple, except he has to write the story, in less than two months. He agrees to do the story. He is interrupted by domestic life and his father asking for money. Charles Dickens is determined, and sets about writing his story.
Dickens had an unimaginably horrible childhood. His father was sent to debtors prison. He was forced to work in a boot polish factory, under inhumane conditions. This was nearly a generation, before labor laws. This helped his imagining, of the dire conditions of Bob Cratchit, and the English working class. We also see his basis for Scrooge, and his back and forth conversations, with the characters. It is a nearly unbelievable feat, but Dickens finishes the book. He also publishes it, and designs the book’s cover. The novel sells out its first printing, and a second and third are done. The book keeps Dickens from going into the nightmare of poverty. It also gives a different take on Christmas. The holiday was only celebrated as a church holiday. It was after the book, that the celebration, took on a different meaning.
Dan Stevens is a trained Shakespearean actor. This formal training allows him, to give an excellent portrayal, of one of literature’s most famous novelists. He shows the anguish and pain of Dickens bleak memories. He also shows anger, when his father, keeps asking for handouts.
This movie gives a portrayal of success out of determination and hard work. It also gives an almost firsthand account, of the struggle to write A Christmas Carol. This struggle was worth it. The novel became one of the most popular stories in the world.
7. The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
Everybody knows obnoxious people. You may work with them. They may be a friend of a relative or friend. You probably wouldn’t invite them to your house for dinner. Unfortunately, Mr. Ernest W. Stanley, (Grant Mitchell ) invites a very obnoxious person to his home for dinner. He does this at the urging of his wife, Daisy, (Billie Burke). The dinner guest, is world renowned critic, Sheridan Whiteside, (Monty Wooley). Whiteside isn’t interested in spending anymore time in Mesalia, Ohio. He is persuaded by his devoted secretary, Maggie Cutler, (Bette Davis).
Everyone hopes that the dinner will be uneventful. It turns into a disaster. This happens when Whiteside, slips on icy steps, on the front porch. He is diagnosed with a severe injury, that inhibits his leaving. He uses the house to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. He also conducts business, running up very expensive phone calls. Mr. Stanley confronts Whiteside, about his disruption of the household, and his enormous bills. Whiteside’s response is to threaten Stanley with a massive lawsuit.
Despite Whiteside’s fame, he can’t do without his secretary. Unfortunately for Whiteside, Maggie falls in love with Bert Jefferson, (Richard Travis). There is a well done ice skating scene between Davis and Travis. Davis’ Maggie is skating for the first time, and its comical. Her boss is unmoved, when he is told by her, that she wants a life. This prompts a tirade by Maggie. Maggie’s love life is later disrupted by Lorraine Shelton, (Ann Sheridan). Whiteside concocts a plan to get rid of her. Sheridan’s character is not only scheming, but annoying. The plan is hatched by his visiting friend, Banjo. He is played by Jimmy Durante. Banjo is a cheap version, of Groucho Marx, and fits in well with Whiteside.
The movie is exceptional for Monty Wooley and Bette Davis performances. Davis proves she has excellent comic timing. William Keighley is responsible for this film. He also helped Davis along, with her first comedy, The Bride Came C.O.D. This movie stands as an example to choose your dinner guest wisely.
6. Prancer (1989)
This movie gives a child’s view of Christmas. Everyone knows or should know the names of Santa’s reindeer. This movie has one of them in its title. No elves appear in this film or Santa. There is only a lone reindeer; who may be far from his home base. There is a world of adult cynicism, that is rendered asunder, by one little girl.
Jessica Riggs, (Rebecca Harrell Tickell), lives on a farm, with her father, John, (Sam Elliot) in Three Oaks, Michigan. John is a widower, who is struggling to survive. He has a bitterness about him, which his daughter can’t understand. One day, she encounters a reindeer, with an injured leg. The little girl still holds firm to her belief, in Santa Claus. Jessica believes the reindeer, has gotten away from The North Pole. She seeks out a vet, Orel Benton, (Abe Vigoda), who reluctantly treats it. The reindeer, recovers slowly, with treatment, and cookies, supplied by Jessica. She later manages to get him oats. Her father discovers the reindeer, after he escapes from the barn. He manages to enter the house, eating a pie, and causing havoc.
John Riggs gets rid of the reindeer, selling it to a Christmas tree salesman. He can use the reindeer for publicity. Jessica finds out, and tries to free the reindeer. She falls and injures herself. Her father is distraught, and stays by her bedside. He tells her he loves her very much, after reading from the article, Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.
While Jessica is recovering, people sing Christmas songs outside her window. A reporter has written an article about Jessica and it was read in church. They are inspired by it. It is at this point, that John puts Prancer in his truck, and with Jessica they release him on a lonely road. Prancer runs down the road, and disappears from view. John and Jessica look up, and see a light in the sky, and a sleigh.
Prancer is a charming tale for the holiday season. It’s about a child’s belief, and parental love. Jessica’s faith touches not only the town, but an old and bitter woman, Mrs. McFarland, (Cloris Leachman). She allowed Jessica to clean her old house, so she can feed Prancer. When doing so, she came across Christmas decorations. She puts them up, giving brightness to the gloomy house. She also decorates the outside. This gives Mrs. McFarland, new insight to life and Christmas. This is what Jessica has done for the the entire town.
Sam Elliot has done well in Prancer. He works very well with child actress, Rebecca Harrel. The amazing thing is this was her first film role. The director, was very impressed with her audition, and called to give her the role. This movie is a heartwarming tale, that will give anyone watching it a warm feeling.
5. The Great Rupert (1950)
Jimmy Durante was a well known entertainer, when this movie was released. He had appeared in many films, and on radio. His primary fame is as the narrator of Frosty the Snowman. He may have started a trend. A year after it’s television debut, Fred Astaire narrated Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Durante seemed to fit anywhere. That is why, in this movie, he shares screen time, with a squirrel. This show stealer was created by George Pal. He was a very talented animator, and produced this film.
The Great Rupert tells the story of Mr. Louie Amendola, (Jimmy Durante). He is the patriarch of a show business family. The family consists of Rosalinda Amendola, (Terry Moore), and Mrs. Amendola, (Queenie Smith) The family is struggling to find work, and pay their rent. A man named Joe Mahoney, (Jimmy Conlin), is struggling with his squirrel act. Joe breaks up his long time animal act, by releasing him in the park. The squirrel doesn’t go far. He finds a home in the Amendola’s smaller apartment.
The furry creature brings luck to the family. He even keeps the Christmas spirit alive for them. Despite the family’s circumstances, they manage to find and decorate a tree. This gives them a brighter attitude about their circumstances. During the course of events, Rosalinda finds love with Peter Dingle, (Tom Drake). This being a Christmas movie, a few songs appear. One is a Durante version of Jingle Bells. The squirrel, through the animators talent is able to dance. The family because of the squirrel, finds work. Joe the original owner, then reunites with Rupert. It is a vivid imagination that came up with a squirrel/Durante partnership. It works well. The Great Rupert can become part of the Christmas movie canon.
4. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
This is the other James Stewart Christmas movie. It is known, but not talked about, like It’s a Wonderful Life. The Shop Around the Corner, isn’t as complicated a tale. It plot takes place mainly in a small shop. This film helped to jump start Stewart’s career. It gives him the all American image. It stayed with him for nearly a decade, until Alfred Hitchcock and Anthony Mann, reshaped it.
The movie, revolves around Alfred Kralik, (James Stewart). Kralik is a senior shop clerk at Matucschek’s store. It is owned and operated by Hugo Matucschek. Aside from Kralik, there are others in the store, with varying personalities. They are Pirovitch, (Felix Bressart), Ferencz Vadas, (Joseph Schildkraut), Pepe Katona, (William Tracy) and Rudy, (Charles Smith). They are all loyal employees, except Ferenz Vadas. He is a fancy dressing snake in the grass. Alfred Kralik is loyal, but yearns for bigger and better things. Kralik’s life is going smoothly, at the shop, until Klara Novak is hired. Kralik and Clara don’t see eye to eye on anything. They are always arguing.
Alfred Kralik has been corresponding with a woman. He yearns to meet her, and hopes for marriage. Clara has also been corresponding with a gentleman, and hopes for the same. What Clara doesn’t know, is the secret that Kralik knows, may make them closer.
Ernst Lubitsch directed this simple charming story. He bought the rights to the play, Parfumerie. He wanted James Stewart for the lead, and waited until he wrapped another picture. He also wanted Margaret Sullivan. The two were nearly as combative offscreen as on. James Stewart had an unrequited love for Sullivan, for a long time. They were close because of their days working in New York. She was the ex-wife, of Stewart’s best friend, Henry Fonda. Ernst Lubitsch, made many films in his life. He stated that this was his favorite. It is a special film.
3. Come to the Stable (1949)
There are many stories based on real life. Come to the Stable is one of them. The story was written by Claire Boothe Luce. She was the wife of Henry Luce : he was the founder of Time magazine. The basis of the story are two nuns, who built an abbey, in Connecticut, a couple years prior to the movie. The story is a stretch from reality, but that’s Hollywood. It still works.
The movie stars two academy award winning actresses, Loretta Young and Celeste Holm. They play Sister Margaret, (Young) and Sister Scholastica, (Holm). The nuns in this story, come to Bethlehem Connecticut, to found a children’s hospital. Their efforts to complete their mission are comical. They drive crazily through the streets to see the Bishop, (Basil Ruysdael). They park their borrowed car on the sidewalk. They borrowed it from songwriter, Robert Mason, (Hugh Marlowe. They interrupt his life, and drive him insane throughout the movie. The sisters also play a doubles tennis match, in their nun clothes. All of these things, lend to this film being entertaining and serious.
The sisters are helped by Amelia Potts, (Elsa Lanchester). She plays an artist who paints religious pictures. The Amelia Potts character, was based on religious artist, Lauren Ford. She helped in the founding of the Abbey of Regina Landis, in Connecticut. Elsa Lanchester was married to the actor Charles Laughton, until his death. She is famous as the bride, in The Bride of Frankenstein. Come to the Stable, shows her ability to act naturally. The nuns receive needed financial backing, from an unlikely source. It is in the form of Luigi Rossi, (Thomas Gomez). Rossi, is a man who’s made his money unconventionally. It is his way of making up for his path in life. He has also been devastated, by the death of his son; who was killed in the war. His only request is that his son be remembered in someway by the sisters.
This movie is able to work as a comedy and a drama. That is in part due to Henry Coster. He directed this movie. He was able to give a semi comedic feel to another film, involving religious figures, The Bishop’s Wife. Loretta Young also starred in this movie. Come to the Stable is a film that touches the heart. It shows that if a goal is laudable, it can bring people together.
2. The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
This is a very British film. It was filmed there. It has as it’s lead Ralph Richardson. He was a born thespian. He plays Rev. Martin Gregory. He is a minister, who has become distant from his family. This includes his daughters, Jenny (Celia Johnson), Margaret, (Margaret Leighton) and Michael, (Denholm Elliott). Jenny takes care of her father. Margaret has come for a visit, and is overcome by tragedy. This has lead to a drinking problem. Michael has leave from the army, for the holiday. Reverend Gregory’s sisters have also come for Christmas. They are Aunt Lydia, (Margaret Halstan) and Aunt Bridget, (Maureen Delaney). Both of these actresses, reprised their stage roles. Everyone has had aunts like these. One highly opinionated and one loving and more on the quiet side.
The overriding family opinion is that Rev. Gregory should retire. The main reason is so Jenny can have a life of her own. This would be with David Paterson, (John Gregson). David is put off by Jenny’s love and devotion, to her widowed father. The biggest reason that problems exist, is because the family feels their father’s profession hinders them. They feel their behavior has to be modified, among other things. Michael explains that people can’t be relaxed around his father. They must always be on their best behavior.
This is something that Rev. Gregory doesn’t understand. He has deep and insightful discussions with his children, particularly with his son and daughter, Margaret. When he is berated, by his sister, Bridget, Martin gives it back to her. He says she could have taken care of him, so Jenny could have been happy.
This movie, has some of the deepest and meaningful dialogue, of a Christmas movie. The screenplay was written by Anatole deGrunwald. It was adapted from the play by Wynard Brown. One of the most interesting things stated by the Reverend was about Christmas. His sister says she loves the holiday. Martin says he hates it. This is because of the commercialism of it. He explains the reason, that the holiday is celebrated is because of Jesus’ birth. It troubles him deeply that many don’t understand that. It is a statement like this, that makes The Holly and the Ivy, a very powerful film. It is about family coming together because of a man’s faith. Ralph Richardson was an extraordinary actor, who has brought to life a character, who can stand against any famous Christmas character.
- The Miracle of the Bells (1948)
Fred MacMurray, before he became tv dad Steve Douglas, acted in movies. He was, when this film was released, a movie star. A bit of odd casting, makes Frank Sinatra, a priest, named Father Paul. This is a movie shown at Christmas, and involves a saint. Sinatra wasn’t playing in a musical in this film. It is a strictly dramatic role.
MacMurray’s character is Bill Dunnigan. He is a down on his luck, Hollywood agent. Dunnigan finds out about a new movie, in production. It is about Joan of Arc. The actress playing St. Joan, is making her first feature film. Her name is Olga, (Alida Valli) She has the lead. Bill Dunnigan is on the set, during day to day filming. He also begins accompanying Olga, for publicity. The two fall in love. The movie wraps, but tragedy strikes. Olga’s first film, is her last. She becomes ill and dies. After the actress’ death, the studio shelves the picture.
Dunnigan goes back to Olga’s hometown in Pennsylvania. He waits for the train to bring her body home. She was liked by everyone, and Dunnigan arranges the funeral, with Father Paul. It is during this time, that Dunnigan comes up with an idea. He will ask every church in the town, to ring their bells for three days. He hopes that this will get her film released.
The movie is based on the book by Russell Janney. The screenplay was done by Ben Hecht. He was one of the most famous scriptwriter’s in Hollywood. He didn’t want to read the book. Quentin Reynolds, who cowrote the screenplay read it. The movie feels like film noir. It is told in flashback by Bill Dunnigan. MacMurray was familiar with the genre. He had experience with it, starring in Double Indemnity. The opening has Dunnigan waiting for Olga’s train. It is a sad moment. The movie becomes a little uplifting, when Dunnigan’s life becomes brighter with Olga in it.
The interesting thing is that a doomed actress, plays a doomed religious figure. The main point is that an actress playing a saint, gives hope to all. The scenes when Olga play Saint Joan are good. Alida Valli does well in this movie. It’s just that she was unfairly compared, to Greta Garbo. Her career may not have been long, but she shines in The Miracle of the Bells.
What makes all of these Christmas films different, is their less than popular status. Film critics would know them all. Movie fans may as well. The public knows a few, like Prancer and The Shop Around the Corner. The strong acting, that is present in these movies, is sometimes missing, in the mainstream holiday favorites. Actors like Jimmy Durante and Monte Wooley, are able to perform comedy well. The films on the list, may make traditionalists scratch their heads. That is okay. It may drive them to see these good, and slightly different films. It is hoped, that everyone can sit down, with friends and family for a wonderful Christmas dinner. The fun begins, when everyone enjoys their favorite beverage afterward, and watches one or two of these quality films.