Are you in the mood for some classic holiday movies? When Rachelle at My Hubbard Home asked me to join the Let’s Get Festive Blog Hop, I was so excited for this one!
If you came over from Rachelle, Welcome, and I’m sure you enjoyed her holiday movie picks! At the end of my four fabulous favorites, you’ll find even more from the other bloggers on the hop. So be sure to go all the way to the bottom!
This is our third in the series, after DIY Ornaments, and Advent Calendars. You might be wondering, “Why is she so excited about this particular hop?” Well, because these are some of my very favorite movies! We watch them every single year, and I still look forward to them every time. I love these characters like old friends, and I’d love you to meet them.
These Holiday Movies are Classics
One thing you must know, is that we hardly ever watch anything new. We don’t even have cable or Netflix or anything. We just pop a DVD into the player and watch old movies! (Whenever it’s not football season, that is!)
Besides the artistic black and white-ness of them, one of the things I love about old movies is the culture. For instance, it’s so fun to see how things were different at various times in the past. The clothes, the cars, the social situations. Even the outdated ideas that wouldn’t fly today, can help us understand how we got where we are now.
The earliest of my favorite holiday movies was made in 1934, more than 80 years ago. That’s just seven years after the very first “talkie!” It always amazes me that a movie can be so old, and still be so relevant and classy.
Reviews for My Favorite Holiday Movies
I’ve written what I think about these holiday movies, then there’s a photo of the DVD box. If you click on the box, it’ll take you to a link where you can buy it for your own!
I always have a hard time describing an actual movie without giving too much away. So after each photo, there’s a review from the internet, just to give you an idea of the plot.
So without further ado, here are my four fabulous favorite holiday movies!
Scrooge/A Christmas Carol
I’m sure you probably know this one! It’s the quintessential Christmas movie from way back in 1951. This is the version with Alastair Sim, arguably the most famous and best acted of the many Christmas Carol adaptations. It’s old fashioned, funny, sad, scary, and sweet all at the same time. And of course the ending is wonderful. It always reminds me that people can change and be happy!
Stubbornly refusing to believe in Christmas, and to be separated from his inexhaustible wealth, the Victorian money lender and parsimonious recluse, Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim), can’t be bothered with the poor and destitute at the most festive time of the year. Intent on spending the holy night alone instead, the sceptical curmudgeon is visited by an unexpected and sympathetic friend, Jacob Marley (Sir Michael Hordern), who will pave the way for the inevitable visitation of the otherworldly spirits of Christmas Past (Michael Dolan), Present (Francis De Wolff), and Yet to Come (Czeslaw Konarski). But, what do the pale ghosts want? Can a wicked old miser admit the error in his ways, and embrace change? In the end, is Scrooge ready to love and be loved?
Nick Riganas
The Thin Man
This one you might not know. But once you see it, you’ll be so glad you found out about it! This is the one released in 1934, and the high life of the 30s is so much fun to see. Who doesn’t love a top hat? But the best part is the zippy sophisticated sauciness of the main characters. It’s one of the best comedy-detective-holiday movies ever! Plus, it has a cute and funny dog!
This film is simply magnificent. Powell and Loy have fabulous chemistry and their dialogue is so smooth that there are many moments when you forget you’re watching a film. Script is really sharp, witty, but doesn’t take away from the plot. No silly gags, the jokes are usually underhanded or understated, but still hilariously funny. And to top it off, it’s quite a good and faithful rendition of Dashiell Hammet’s fabulous novel. Simply put, this film is end to end enjoyment.
kergillian
Trading Places
Ok, this might not be one of the most obvious holiday movies, but I still love it after all these years! It came out in 1983 – the year my first son was born. I totally laugh out loud at some scenes, even though I know they’re coming, and I’ve seen them 20 times. (Well ok, 37 times because we watch it every year.)
Culturally and historically, it’s fascinating. And in every other way, it’s hilarious. As someone who loves interiors, it’s also fun to see all the Christmas settings and decorations. The review below was published in The Atlantic, and the whole article is really interesting. I’ve put the link in the citation below.
Trading Places isn’t exactly a traditional Christmas film. There are no carolers or large family gatherings. But the trappings of a great holiday movie are there: It does, in fact, take place around the holidays, include a company Christmas party that features a drunk and disgruntled Santa Claus, and focus on themes of generosity (or lack thereof) and redemption.
The Atlantic
It’s a Wonderful Life
And last but not least, possibly the classic of all classics, the 1946 Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life. This is truly wonderful on so many levels. I actually never watched it as a kid – my husband introduced me to it years ago. And now it’s one of my very very favorite holiday movies.
It’s always seemed so “real” to me. Even though the bad guy gets away with it in the end, we don’t really notice. Because good and caring people find a way to work it all out and be happy anyway. I love that, and it’s an example we can all take heart in – any time of year!
George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years.
Anonymous
Shop the Holiday Movies Post
And here they are again for your shopping pleasure! Just click or tap on the pictures for links to my four favorite holiday movies.
And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!
Were any of these new to you? Old favorites? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments!
And What Did Everyone Else Choose?
Andrea of Design Morsels is next on the tour!
Click on any of the links below to visit the rest of the crew:
Happy Holiday Movies!
I love this Barbara! It’s a Wonderful Life is my very favorite and I can recite every word in the entire movie. I can’t wait to watch it once again this season. Thank you for sharing at Charming Homes and Gardens.
Ha – we know every word of our favorite movies too, and sometimes it’s really hard not to just say them along with the movie! 🙂 SO glad you stopped by Kim – I love CH&G!
Hi Rebecca – Great collection of movies! Never saw that Thin Man – will add it to the list – but the others are all FAVORITES! All time favorite is It’s A Wonderful Life. My husband spent his career working in small, community banks. When he turned 50 I could not think of some what to make it special. He always went into the bank on his birthday – Christmas Eve!- and I hit upon an idea. I hired 4 people to come into the bank that day and act out IAWL. First was the bank examiner…Then came Uncle Billy and I had the insurance guy who worked at the bank come in and say he was worth more dead than alive. The young girl who played Violet Bick was perfect -lots of red lipstick to leave a print…I was waiting outside with a cake decorated to look like money perched in a laundry basket. After I came in I was followed by Harry Bailey ( with snow on his uniform) – and with sparkling cider he toasted to A Wonderful 50th Birthday…and “Violet” sang Old Lang Syne. When 60 came along I had to find something else…so I planned a weekend in Seneca Falls, NY…supposed to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls and turns into the town for the weekend. Showings of the movie, a dance with a contest, the local restaurant becomes Martini’s, a bridge like in the movie….and some stars from the movie attend. We got to meet ZUZU and Mary Bailey! Great weekend….Now, 70 is a few years away and I have my thinking cap on…Enjoy the holidays and these wonderful films!
Oh my gosh Ann – what fabulous birthday surprises!! I bet he treasures both of those! That was a lot of organizing and planning – maybe I’ll ask you for help next time I need to pull off an amazing event!! 🙂 And I’d love to take my husband out to Seneca Falls one day if they still do it by the time all this is over! I’m so glad you stopped by and told us about your Wonderful Celebrations! I’m popping over to your blog now! See you there!
Barbara.
What a fun collection of movies Barbara, we watch almost all of these every year. I figure if I own them, I better make sure I watch them. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Ha! Yes, it’s a challenge to actually watch the ones we own! 🙂 Happy Movie Watching my friend!
I’m not familiar with the thin man movies…I’ll have to check them out. A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life are such classics! I haven’t seen Trading Places in ages, but reading your review makes me want to see it again. We can all use some laughter these days! Thanks for sharing your favorites, Barbara. It was fun hopping with you!
Hi Rebecca! The Thin Man is so fun – let me know what you think when you watch it! I see we both love It’s a Wonderful Life! Isn’t that a great one? Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing the hop! 🙂
Barbara, you’ve inlcuded so many of my favorites here! One of my favorite things to do is cozy up with hot cocoa and Christmas movies! It’s a Wonderful LIfe has been a lifelong pleasure. It’s not Christmas unless I get to see it at least once!
Fun to “hop” with you again! 🙂
-Niky @ The House on Silverado
Right there with you Niky! I love that movie – and hot cocoa and cozy! 🙂 So fun hopping with you too! Hope you have a lovely week!
The Thin Man I have forgotten about that one! I’m so glad you posted this. I’m going to go back and watch that this year. I haven’t seen Trading Places in forever either. I think my son might like that one. I’m so happy to be hopping with you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi! I love those movies so much I even watch them when it’s not the holidays! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too my friend!
Fun movie picks, Barbara. We should all watch A Christmas Carol once a year to steer us towards what’s really important. I watch the thin man movies when they are on tv, but have yet to see the Christmas one. I will keep a lookout for it this season.
RR
Oh you’ll love it Rachelle! It’s the first of the Thin Man series, and so fun! 🙂 Thanks so much for being such a great hop organizer!
Love all the Thin Man movies. They’re all fantastic!
Cindy
YES! I’m so glad you love them too Cindy! We watch the first one at Christmas and the second at New Years every year! 🙂