The Christmas Shows and Movies of My Youth
Whenever it gets to this time of year, there are many things that allow me to think pleasant thoughts about the Christmas season. Sometimes a gentle snow fall, or the sight of a well planned out display of lights, or the memory of past kindness that I have experienced. The thing that really makes the spirit of Christmas rise to the forefront of my soul are the Christmas shows and movies I remember from my youth. Even though I have seen them all at least 45 times, every time I see them they move my heart a little. Especially today, with everyone wanting more stuff, and more commercialization, it is hard to remember that at the core of this holiday is the thoughts of love and caring. To me, even though I experienced the religious aspect of Christmas, it still seems to mean more than that to me. The idea that hearts can change, love can come, miracles can happen are the real feelings behind the holiday. Even if you were a strict practicing Christian it would be hard to argue that the teachings of Jesus, attempted to provide all of these very things. So I wanted to compile a list of Christmas shows and Christmas movies that I think are a must for this season.
It’s a Wonderful Life-
This classic movie has all of the charm and hope that you want in a Christmas Movie. George Bailey doesn’t appreciate what he has, and is continually looking outside of Bedford Falls to look for happiness. When he finds out , with his guardian angel, Clarence, what would have happened to everyone without him. And none of it was good. The moral is appreciate what you have, and what you’ve experienced, you are the only one who could have. It’s easy to relate to a character who realizes in the end that he is the richest man in town. I hate to admit this but if I allow myself to feel emotional at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, it will lead to a few unabashed tears. This movie is guaranteed to put you in the mood.
Santa Clause Is Coming To Town
This was always my favorite of the claymation specials of my childhood. The story of Santa Claus, well I believe every word of this one. He comes from the North Pole, he was an orphan raised by elves, and a toy maker to boot. He had a pet penguin, and was hunted by the Burger Meister, Meister Burger. This was kind of a twisted story when you think about them burning all of the children’s toys in the town square. Something autocratic about all of that. And the fact that there was an evil warlock tooling about, there seems to be a plethora of opportunities for nightmares and childhood trauma here, but in the end, we get Santa and Jessica becomes Mrs. Clause and we all got presents and lived happily ever after. I think the fact that I look at it with the warmth that I do shows that they got it right.
A Christmas Carol-
The great thing about this movie is that it has been made so many times and in so many ways that you are bound to be able to find one that will tickle your fancy. From the classic black and white film, to a musical, to Bill Murray performing Scrooged, to the Muppet Christmas Carol, it doesn’t matter which one you like you will still get the feeling of hope, rebirth and change the story brings with it. Here’s why, no matter how nice a person you may be, there is a part of each of us that is just like Ebenezer Scrooge, tired of Christmas and everything to do with it. We all build walls around us, but they just aren’t as visible as those built by Scrooge. We all have regrets, whether it’s working to much or caring too little, or letting love slip away. The great part of the story is that profound change can come to everyone’s life, quickly and with power. When you see the change in Scrooge, you can recognize that just a little bit of yourself has changed as well. The idea that if you have faith, all things from Tiny Tim’s sickness to the ills of society will fade away into an unhappy memory. “God bless us, every one.”
2>A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
This classic was made in 1965 which is a year before I was born. So by the time I was aware, it was already a classic. People were already complaining that they didn’t feel like they were supposed to feel. It was one of the must watch events for the season. I remember my very creative teachers, dressing us up as Peanuts characters for the annual Christmas Show at school. (I was Linus) The story for Charlie Brown gets more real every year. What is the real meaning of Christmas. Linus gives the key speech about what Christmas is all about. The great thing about this timeless classic, is that they talked about how commercial Christmas had become back then, what would they think today in this “I’ve gotta have everything and I gotta have it right now, world!” All I can tell poor old Charlie Brown is that it hasn’t gotten much better. People seem to be more superficial and greedier than ever. The hope is that even though many people act this way, perhaps their hearts will change and grasp that it’s all about peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Also it would be remiss not to mention that every crappy Christmas Tree in the world is now known as a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, thanks Charlie Brown, you’re not such a blockhead after all.
A Christmas Story
This 1983 classic has been a favorite of many, I think because of the iconic Christmas messages it sends. We all to some degree remember our fathers a little like Ralphie’s Dad in this movie. But mostly it captures what I remember I liked about Christmas as a kid. I don’t think I ever wanted a Red Rider BB Gun or not, but I am sure that I had the same kind of all encompassing dreams about receiving some sports related gifts. There are a hundred little moments in this movie that can be directly transported to my own youth as a kid growing up in Greenville, Maine. From Randy being so bundled up in winter clothes that he can’t put his arms down, falls over and can’t get up off of the ground, to sticking your tongue to a flag pole in cold weather. Yes I believe I had seen that done in person, on more than one occasion. I am happy to report that I was not foolish enough to try it myself. Like all kids we had to face up to bully’s, with yellow eyes. You were either a bully, a toadie or one of the nameless rabble of victims. Until Ralphie snaps and kicks the ever lovin’ crap out of Scott Farkus, we all wish that we had the courage to kick the snot out of our own Scott Farkus’. Again all classic moments, from having Santa kick him down the slide to shooting your eye out with the BB gun you have lusted after for so long. I triple dog dare you not to watch and like this Christmas Classic.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
This Dr. Seuss classic from 1966 has stood the test of time, it has been a staple of Christmas my entire life and it really tells a story that I think a lot of people feel, that the real meaning of Christmas is often overlooked by all of the material goods we have. The Grinch hates Christmas because of all of the noise that comes from people being happy. He sees the material gifts as the culprit and figures that if he steals every present, then he will in effect stop Christmas from coming. In the end of course he realizes that Christmas is more than presents, which many, many people could stand to realize today. “He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. Maybe Christmas, he thought… doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more!” When you analyze a lot of the material from the Grinch it is pretty funny stuff, I mean in the song they say, “You’re a monster, Mr. Grinch / Your heart’s an empty hole / Your brain is full of spiders, you have garlic in your soul / Mr. Grinch / I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.” And of course: “Your soul is an appalling dump-heap, overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable, mangled up in tangled up knots!” There is not a lot of gray area here, The Grinch is a bad person who doesn’t do much good. He represents all of those out there that do not like Christmas for whatever reason. Many people feel exactly as the Grinch does that it is all a marketing maze of foolish greed, and if you took all of that away you would be left with nothing. I think that the truth is that inside all of us, somewhere, sometimes very deep inside where no one sees, there is a belief that the spirit of Christmas is just a little more. That we can be the best that we are to all people, at least on this day. That our own individual material needs are not as important as being kind to someone else. That the act of giving is more than a requirement, it is a choice that spreads throughout all of the people involved. I think at some point in life everyone has felt their heart grow three sizes after doing something kind for someone else. If you haven’t you should give it a try. It’s more powerful than any marketing campaign and will create a need to do it more and more. So look for the Grinchs in your life and try to do something nice for them. They will more that likely surprise you with their own human capacity to give back.
Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon’s classic tale about Clark Griswald and his quest for the classic family Christmas that he remembered from his youth. The problem is that his family came and got in the way. From the ginormous Christmas tree, to the super light display on his house, Clark is acting like every person who remembers Christmas fondly and wants to share that feeling with his own kids and everybody else for that matter. Bring in all the drama from no Christmas bonus to his cousin’s RV parked in the driveway. All Clark wants is an old fashioned family Christmas. Christmas with the Griswalds has become a staple of holiday entertainment because it is funny and connects adults with their past. Following are some quotes from the movie:
Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
Eddie: Naw, I’m doing just fine, Clark.
Ellen: What are you looking at?
Clark: Oh, the silent majesty of a winter’s morn… the clean, cool chill of the holiday air… an asshole in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer…
[Eddie, in the driveway, is draining the RV’s toilet]
Eddie: Shitter was full.
Clark: Ah, yeah. You checked our shitters, honey?
Ellen: Clark, please. He doesn’t know any better.
Clark: He oughta know it’s illegal. That’s a storm sewer. If it fills with gas, I pity the person who lights a match within ten yards of it.
Clark: We’re kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.
Audrey: We’re not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?
Clark: No, I have one of those at home.
Eddie: You surprised to see us, Clark?
Clark: Oh, Eddie… If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am now.
There is no wonder that people have been enjoying this one since it’s release in 1989. It’s a good laugh anytime the Christmas Season is getting you down. To quote Clark: “Where do you think you’re going? Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse. “
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
One of the best of the claymation contributions to Christmas that was released in 1964. Not only does this story tell you about Rudolph, but it also tells you that it’s OK to be different and that everybody, no matter what their flaws are unique, contributing members of the world. From Rudolph’s “deformity”, To the Island of Misfit Toys, where trains with square wheels wait for Santa to connect them with a child that loves them. The scary part of the movie is the Abominable Snowman, who apparently being left to his druthers, likes to eat reindeer. A scary dude for children who are really small to deal with. But in the end even he has a purpose, putting the star on the Christmas Tree without the use of a ladder. Great characters here, Yukon Cornelius, Herbie the Dentist, all misfits that run away looking for the place in the world where they fit in. Realizing that the place where they fit in is where they started out from. It also teaches people not to pick on someone just because they are different, because that difference makes them unique and valuable. Conformity stinks and you shouldn’t be bound by that, be yourself and your talent will shine through. A classic that you should watch every year. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, my friends! Burl Ives says so.
More Coming Soon!
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