Knight at the Movies Archives
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It was tough -- but here's the top three of my Top 20 holiday film favorites
'Tis the season to unearth all the much loved holiday themed movies that are only to be watched during the Christmas holiday.
Lines are to be recited, songs hummed along with, and tears jerked as each of these movies are once again enjoyed. This list is in
priority order and includes only feature length movies and not TV specials. (Side note: notice all the titles from the 1940s – a
particularly potent decade for Christmas movies.)
1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Classic TV specials aside (Rudolph-The Grinch-Charlie Brown) this is the one holiday
annual the family never failed to watch on TV growing up. A truly miraculous cast – Maureen O’Hara, the handsome John Payne
(underutilized by Hollywood), little Natalie Wood, and a bevy of expert supporting performers (led by the tart tongued newcomer
Thelma Ritter) – enact a topnotch script that still resonates. The only holiday movie to win an acting Oscar (Edmund Gwenn’s Kris
Kringle).
2. A Christmas Story (1983) Jam packed with scenes and lines as quote worthy as Young Frankenstein, this ribald comedy
is genuinely deserving of its annual 24 hour TBS marathon honor. And who else thinks that Flick with his tongue frozen to the pole
grew up to be gay?
3. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) That last scene still gets me every time – just hand me the Kleenex right now.
4. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) The height of studio artistry – even the shadows thrown by the snowmen are painted on and
Garland was never supported better or looked more beautiful. In director Vincente Minnelli’s capable hands the nostalgia is
palpable. Also a great fall movie because of its Halloween sequence
5. Remember the Night (1940) – Wonderful, warm but little known Barbara Stanwyck-Fred MacMurray vehicle written by
Preston Sturges and directed by the expert Mitchell Leisen that should be on DVD. Stanwyck is amazing as usual and there’s a
wonderful, eccentric supporting cast in this heartwarming story of a jewel thief and the DA that falls for her.
6. The Bishop’s Wife (1947) Cary Grant as an angel sent to earth? Sign me up! Especially love the unintentionally
hilarious ice skating sequence.
7. The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) Bette Davis tones it down while gay actor Monty Woolley hams it up almost
chewing the tinsel off the Christmas tree in this typical 40s era comedy based on the hit play. One can almost see the stage
manager cuing the actor’s entrances and exits just out of camera range – part of the movie’s nostalgic charm. And the gay subtext
is as thick as a batch of divinity.
8. The Family Stone (2005)– We’re here, we’re queer, it’s Christmas – get used to it! Gay writer-director Thomas Bezucha’s
instant new holiday classic. Funny, heartwarming, tragic and with Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker AND a multi-racial gay couple –
what self-respecting gay man can resist this onslaught?
9. Come to the Stable (1949) – Loretta Young and Celeste Holm as two nuns in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania inspired to beat
the odds and build a hospital.
10. White Christmas (1954) – Bing Crosy and Danny Gay err Kaye in drag singing “Sisters,” George Clooney’s aunt, Vera
Ellen, the world’s first cinematic anorexic, all those eye popping Technicolor musical numbers and chorus boy cuties galore. Plus, the
most bizarre holiday lyric of all time (from “Snow”): “I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow…”
11. A Christmas Carol (1951) The Chuck Jones 22 minute animated TV version from the early 70s is actually the best I’ve
seen but this will do in a pinch.
12. The Story Lady (1991) Jessica Tandy shines in this little known TV movie set during the holidays which co-stars
Stephanie Zimbalist and Ed Begley, Jr.
13. Christmas Eve (1986) Ditto Loretta Young in another TV Christmas weepie in which the dying Young is determined to
get her squabbling family back together one more time. The gorgeous “Christmas Love Song” played throughout (and later
recorded by Barbra Streisand) is a melodic bonus.
14. Edward Scissorhands (1990) Tim Burton needs to stop beating around the bush and make a full on Christmas themed
movie already. This was almost it as the last sequence, aided by Danny Elfman’s lush music score, proves.
15. Home for the Holidays (1995) – Holly Hunter returns home to her dysfunctional family (which includes gay brother
Robert Downey, Jr.) to celebrate Thanksgiving – a decade before dysfunctional family comedies were all the rage.
16. A Midnight Clear (1992) – Keith Gordon’s elegiac drama set during Christmas between warring American and Nazi divisions
during the last winter of WWII. Strong performances by its good looking cast (Ethan Hawke, etc.) greatly help.
17. Elf (2003) “Who needs a hug?!” Will Ferrell’s most endearing movie and it’s a kid safe comedy to boot.
18. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) Another great Barbara Stanwyck holiday themed vehicle with dreamy Dennis Morgan and
hiccupy Sydney Greenstreet.
19. Mame (1974) Lucille Ball sings (!) “We Need a Little Christmas” while temporarily donning a hideous Santa Claus mask in
this bloated camp classic that begs for DVD release. Santa baby, this is the one I’ve behaved all year to get. Can you imagine the
deleted scenes? C’mon Warner Bros.!
20. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979) Rankin-Bass, creators of the Rudolph TV classic, went the feature
route with this too long bizarre stop motion animation dud that’s packed with icky musical numbers and unintentional camp. But who
can resist a stop motion Ethel Merman figure belting it out?
Lines are to be recited, songs hummed along with, and tears jerked as each of these movies are once again enjoyed. This list is in
priority order and includes only feature length movies and not TV specials. (Side note: notice all the titles from the 1940s – a
particularly potent decade for Christmas movies.)
1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Classic TV specials aside (Rudolph-The Grinch-Charlie Brown) this is the one holiday
annual the family never failed to watch on TV growing up. A truly miraculous cast – Maureen O’Hara, the handsome John Payne
(underutilized by Hollywood), little Natalie Wood, and a bevy of expert supporting performers (led by the tart tongued newcomer
Thelma Ritter) – enact a topnotch script that still resonates. The only holiday movie to win an acting Oscar (Edmund Gwenn’s Kris
Kringle).
2. A Christmas Story (1983) Jam packed with scenes and lines as quote worthy as Young Frankenstein, this ribald comedy
is genuinely deserving of its annual 24 hour TBS marathon honor. And who else thinks that Flick with his tongue frozen to the pole
grew up to be gay?
3. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) That last scene still gets me every time – just hand me the Kleenex right now.
4. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) The height of studio artistry – even the shadows thrown by the snowmen are painted on and
Garland was never supported better or looked more beautiful. In director Vincente Minnelli’s capable hands the nostalgia is
palpable. Also a great fall movie because of its Halloween sequence
5. Remember the Night (1940) – Wonderful, warm but little known Barbara Stanwyck-Fred MacMurray vehicle written by
Preston Sturges and directed by the expert Mitchell Leisen that should be on DVD. Stanwyck is amazing as usual and there’s a
wonderful, eccentric supporting cast in this heartwarming story of a jewel thief and the DA that falls for her.
6. The Bishop’s Wife (1947) Cary Grant as an angel sent to earth? Sign me up! Especially love the unintentionally
hilarious ice skating sequence.
7. The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) Bette Davis tones it down while gay actor Monty Woolley hams it up almost
chewing the tinsel off the Christmas tree in this typical 40s era comedy based on the hit play. One can almost see the stage
manager cuing the actor’s entrances and exits just out of camera range – part of the movie’s nostalgic charm. And the gay subtext
is as thick as a batch of divinity.
8. The Family Stone (2005)– We’re here, we’re queer, it’s Christmas – get used to it! Gay writer-director Thomas Bezucha’s
instant new holiday classic. Funny, heartwarming, tragic and with Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker AND a multi-racial gay couple –
what self-respecting gay man can resist this onslaught?
9. Come to the Stable (1949) – Loretta Young and Celeste Holm as two nuns in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania inspired to beat
the odds and build a hospital.
10. White Christmas (1954) – Bing Crosy and Danny Gay err Kaye in drag singing “Sisters,” George Clooney’s aunt, Vera
Ellen, the world’s first cinematic anorexic, all those eye popping Technicolor musical numbers and chorus boy cuties galore. Plus, the
most bizarre holiday lyric of all time (from “Snow”): “I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow…”
11. A Christmas Carol (1951) The Chuck Jones 22 minute animated TV version from the early 70s is actually the best I’ve
seen but this will do in a pinch.
12. The Story Lady (1991) Jessica Tandy shines in this little known TV movie set during the holidays which co-stars
Stephanie Zimbalist and Ed Begley, Jr.
13. Christmas Eve (1986) Ditto Loretta Young in another TV Christmas weepie in which the dying Young is determined to
get her squabbling family back together one more time. The gorgeous “Christmas Love Song” played throughout (and later
recorded by Barbra Streisand) is a melodic bonus.
14. Edward Scissorhands (1990) Tim Burton needs to stop beating around the bush and make a full on Christmas themed
movie already. This was almost it as the last sequence, aided by Danny Elfman’s lush music score, proves.
15. Home for the Holidays (1995) – Holly Hunter returns home to her dysfunctional family (which includes gay brother
Robert Downey, Jr.) to celebrate Thanksgiving – a decade before dysfunctional family comedies were all the rage.
16. A Midnight Clear (1992) – Keith Gordon’s elegiac drama set during Christmas between warring American and Nazi divisions
during the last winter of WWII. Strong performances by its good looking cast (Ethan Hawke, etc.) greatly help.
17. Elf (2003) “Who needs a hug?!” Will Ferrell’s most endearing movie and it’s a kid safe comedy to boot.
18. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) Another great Barbara Stanwyck holiday themed vehicle with dreamy Dennis Morgan and
hiccupy Sydney Greenstreet.
19. Mame (1974) Lucille Ball sings (!) “We Need a Little Christmas” while temporarily donning a hideous Santa Claus mask in
this bloated camp classic that begs for DVD release. Santa baby, this is the one I’ve behaved all year to get. Can you imagine the
deleted scenes? C’mon Warner Bros.!
20. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979) Rankin-Bass, creators of the Rudolph TV classic, went the feature
route with this too long bizarre stop motion animation dud that’s packed with icky musical numbers and unintentional camp. But who
can resist a stop motion Ethel Merman figure belting it out?
Merry Christmas:
Top 20 Favorite Holiday Movies
12-13-06 Windy City Times Knight at the Movies Column
By Richard Knight, Jr.
Top 20 Favorite Holiday Movies
12-13-06 Windy City Times Knight at the Movies Column
By Richard Knight, Jr.
