I thought I’d share some lessor known Christmas movies that are among my favorites. Most people are familiar with ‘the classics’— various versions of “A Christmas Carol”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Miracle on 34th Street”. As great as these are, here are some treasures you may not know.
3 Godfathers, 1948
That’s “3 Godfathers” not “Godfather 3″ (a movie definitely not on my Christmas list). This 1913 Peter Kyne story has been filmed several times. The one for Christmas is the 1948 version, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. It’s the only “John Wayne Christmas movie” I know of. Of course, it’s a western. Three bad guys rob a bank and as they flee through the desert, come across a woman dying as she gives birth to a son. With her last breath she asks them to care for him, which they promise to do (Who could refuse?). I won’t spoil the plot other than to say this is a highly redemptive movie dripping with biblical allusions and imagery. There’s plenty of humor and drama. Will the baby get safely to “New Jerusalem”? It will take a miracle! John Ford’s visual artistry is on full display (much of it was filmed in Death Valley). It’s in color. Comedy, drama, action, romance and redemption, it’s got it all. Children can enjoy this one.
We’re No Angels, 1955
It’s Christmas eve on Devil’s island and three prisoners are making their escape. They stumble on a shopkeeper and his family and the rest is … well the rest is one of the most charming movies you’ll ever see. The spirituality is more subdued in this thoroughly delightful story. Humphrey Bogart (it’s the only ‘Bogart Christmas movie’ I know of), Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray play their parts with relish. Three endearing rascals in perfect harmony. The tension is driven by the convicts’ desire to escape and their growing enchantment with the family, who are about to be done in by evil Uncle Andre (played with delicious villainy by Basil Rathbone). They came to pillage and make their escape, but their confliction is captured in Bogart’s line, “We’ll bash their heads in, gouge their eyes out, cut their throats … after we wash the dishes.” It’s directed by Michael Curtiz who also directed Bogart in “Casablanca”. In glorious color, it’s another one that younger viewers can enjoy. Note: Don’t confuse it with a movie of the same title made in 1989 starring Robert De Niro, there’s no relation.
Holiday Affair, 1949
We’re descending in order of spirituality on this list. There’s no spiritual subtext in this delightful romantic comedy. Take a cautious war widow (Janet Leigh) with a young son; swing around to Christmas time when the boy wants a train; bring on Robert Mitchum and you’ve got a story. Alarmed by feelings the romantic stranger arouses, she suddenly consents to marry a thoroughly decent guy (Wendell Correy) she’s been putting off for years. You’ll enjoy every twist and turn of the romantic triangle. All the characters are likable (the boy manages to remain “cute” throughout — no small accomplishment). You end up rooting for everybody and, in a way, everybody wins. Although Timmy may not end up with the train he was hoping for, he does get a train of a sort. Enjoy the ride in the only “Robert Mitchum Christmas movie” I know of. Note: Be careful if you go looking for this one. There’s a 1955 TV version (staring Phyllis Thaxter) and a 1996 TV version (starring Cynthia Gibb). I haven’t seen either one, but they couldn’t possibly be better than the original.
The Shop Around the Corner, 1940
You probably know the story even if you haven’t seen this movie. It was remade as “In the Good Old Summertime”, an MGM musical with Judy Garland and Van Johnson in 1949; and as “You’ve Got Mail” in 1998 (starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan). The plot revolves around two letter-writing (emailing in “You’ve Got Mail) sweethearts, both unaware that their correspondent is a coworker (or competitor in “You’ve Got Mail”) they intensely dislike. Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan star in the original, directed by Ernst Lubitsch. The story is based on a 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie, which explains why the original movie takes place in Budapest. It’s set in a little retail shop with Jimmy Stewart as the manager and Margaret Sullavan as the new employee. On this very small stage a lot of very big things happen. There’s some serious drama, romance and plenty of laughs, all within a very wintery Christmas atmosphere. The other three movies I watch every year. This one I watch every two or three years, but it’s definitely worth watching once. Note: This is not the only “Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie” I know of.
Let me know what your favorite under appreciated Christmas movie is. I might enjoy it.
Merry Christmas,
Chris
December 27th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Rudolph, 1964
Not obscure, but good.
Don’t let the little clay guys fool you; there is deep meaning here. Be who you are, march to your own beat. . . Turn the abominable enemies into friends (after pulling all their teeth out?). . . It’s what’s inside that counts. . .
Yes, the “be who you are” could be carried too far in this day and age; perhaps could be re-worded, “be who God created you to be.” I love that God’s definition of Misfit is different than mine and that He redeems every kind on this Isle called Earth.
Parents: there is a fine line between helping your child put their best foot forward and helping them see their weaknesses realistically. Tape on the nose is not advised.
Fine points aside, an animated movie that can make a 6-year-old cry at injustice, then rejoice when rightness rules, and that provokes an adult to watch it over again, is worth remembering.
Best line: “Let’s be independent together.”
December 29th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I’ll bet I saw it when it originally played (I’d have been 7 at the time). I’ll have to take another look (those little clay guys can fool you).
Blessings,
Chris