Friday, December 21, 2007

Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

If you're like me, you enjoy watching all the classic Christmas movies around the holiday season. Here's a list of some of my favorites that I grew up watching with my family.

1. It's a Wonderful Life ~ We all know the story, for it has become a Christmas classic—etched into our collective memory. At its core, "It's a Wonderful Life" is a parable of a good, honest man who, after years of struggling to do the right thing, questions his life and the choices he's made. Teetering on the brink of despair, the protagonist, George Bailey, finally concludes that his life has been a failure. Surmising that it might have been better if he had never been born, he contemplates suicide, only to be rescued by an angel determined to get his wings. ~by Kathleen A. Ervin
2. The Bishop's Wife~ I watched this film once when I was younger, but just recently it's become one of my favorites. Cary Grant plays an angel who comes to the aid of a stressed bishop (David Niven) who is attempting to raise funds for a larger church. Loretta Young plays the bishop's much-neglected wife. The movie takes place around Christmas, and is a charming film for all ages to enjoy.
3. White Christmas~ I've always loved musicals, and White Christmas is no exception in my favorites list. More of a light film rather than a serious, spiritual one, White Christmas is a lot of fun and very cute as well. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye play Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who are veterans after World War 2 who get into a successful show business. They meet up with Betty and Judy Haynes (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen), sisters who are also in show business. After being comically thrown together, the entire group travels to an inn which the girls are performing in at Pine Tree, Vermont. The boys discover that the owner of the inn is their old-time Major-General, who is financially unstable and lacking in business at the inn. All decide to help the Major out by bringing Wallace and Davis' show to Pine Tree, and eventually end up bringing unexpected joy to a Major-General who is feeling discouraged and useless. Of couse, this film takes place around Christmas as well, and showcases the famous tune "White Christmas".
4. Miracle on 34th Street~ This is the older version that I grew up watching. I've never seen the 1994 film, but I've heard it is also done well. Maureen O'Hara plays Doris, a well-respected employee at Macy's whois practical and extremely sensible when it comes to issues such as Santa Claus. Her daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood), is the same way her mother is. When Fred Gaily (John Payne) and a kind older man who claims to be Kris Kringle, come along, Doris and Susan begin to feel differently. Another classic film that I've always enjoyed watching.
/> 5. The Nativity Story~ This film came out only last year, so it has become a fairly new addition to my favorites list. Done reverantly and staying true to the beautiful account of Jesus' birth, captures the humble obedience of both Joseph and Mary and the deep love they had for each other, and their Lord and Savior. This is a wonderful film to add to your Christmas collection.
6. A Christmas Carol~There have been so many different films of A Christmas Carol, but the George C. Scott version has remained as my favorite. I think everyone must love either the book or movie. My family has to watch this every Christmas.
7. The Shop Around the Corner~Recently this has become one of my favorite Christmas movies. If anyone is familiar with the recent You've Got Mail, Shop Around the Corner is the original basis for that film. Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan play two clerks who work together on a daily basis, and are frequently fighting with one another. Little do they know that they are secretly writing each other, and are in for a shock when they find out!
8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer~ OK, don't laugh. I have to admit that growing up I LOVED watching Rudolph. And I still love it!
9. The Christmas Toy~Alrighty, you can laugh at me again. I grew up watching this one too, but it's so cute! A spoiled tiger toy named Rugby thinks he is the best Christmas toy because he is Jaime's favorite, so he thinks Christmas is all about him. On Christmas Eve, Rugby makes the dangerous journey down to the living room to get himself wrapped and ready for Christmas morning...but he is followed by his fellow toy-mates, who try to make him understand that he will not always be Jaime's favorite. When I was little, I was always fascinated that all the children's toys came alive, and if they were seen by humans, they'd be frozen!
10. Meet Me in St. Louis~ I just watched this film- tonight! The film ends around Christmas, so in a way, it has a Christmasy feel. And it's a musical as well...so it's up in my favorites list now.
What are some of your favorite Christmas movies?
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas...and a lovely time visiting with family and friends. Much love to all of you!
In Christ,
Sara
For there will be born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ~Luke 2:11

7 comments:

Kaysie said...

I love Christmas movies too!
I think my favorite is probably "It's a Wonderful Life". but many of the ones you put here are my favorites.

Have a Merry Christmas!!!
In Christ,
Kaysie

Neesie said...

Merry Christmas! I'm very pleased to say that I have seen almost all of those movies! I'm not quite sure which one I like the best though. :-)

I have started a blogger! Come check it out okay?!

Maxine said...

Sara, this is so good! There were only two that I didn't see -- I want to see The Shop Around the Corner--that sounds good!. I think I'll pass on The Christmas Toy.:-) But all the rest I've seen and I like them all. I'll forgive you for putting The Bishop's Wife rather than the Preacher's Wife which is a favorite for me, you understand. :-) Keep tuned at my blog for my dvd reviews from my Amazon Listmania!

Beka said...

Ooh-- good movies! Actually, I must confess I haven't seen too many of these, but I would like to. We all watched It's A Wonderful Life after Christmas dinner this week as a family, and all enjoyed it. Mark and I watched A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve, too; that was my first time seeing that one. I would really love to watch The Shop Around the Corner.
Hope your Christmas was wonderful. We missed you all on Sunday!

Ella said...

Sara, many of my favorites are on this list. As we are fans of Jimmy Stewart, Shop Around the Corner sounds delightful!

~Lauraborialice said...

Happy New Year!!

Beverly said...

I'm just now getting to read this, and what a wonderful list you've compiled! I Loooooove Shop around the corner!!