Top ten Christmas flicks

Don’t drop a chunk of change at the cinema when you can cozy up at home with these holiday movie classics. Here are ten of my favorites.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life:  Frank Capra’s 1946 classic film takes place in the fictional town of Bedford Falls. The movie opens with people praying for a man named George Bailey played by Jimmy Stewart. Their prayers are answered when guardian angel Clarence Odbody is sent to help him. It’s a Wonderful Life was recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 Best American films ever made, and I have to agree.

2. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer:  This made-for-TV movie originally aired in 1964 (on NBC.)  It tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer that feels out of place, because of his nose. The misfit toys, and Abominable Snowman are just some of the characters featured in this holiday classic. 

3.  A Christmas Story:  The late Bob Clark (Porky’s) directed this 1983 film, which has become a cult classic. A Christmas Story revolves around the imagination of a 9- year-old boy named Ralphie (played by Peter Billingsly) whose only wish is to get a Red Rider beebee gun for Christmas.  The screenplay was adapted from the book, “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”, by Jean Shepherd.                

4.  The Polar Express:  Released in 2004, and nominated for an Academy Award, was directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis. The film, based on the children’s book, which shares the same title, is the story of a little boy who is having doubts about Santa. This heartwarming story follows his journey aboard the polar express, which is bound for the North Pole. Tom Hanks lends his voice to four of the characters in the animated film, including old Saint Nick himself.

5.  National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: This Lampoon’s film was originally released in 1989, and reunites veteran Griswold’s portrayed by Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid as the scheming, “cousin Eddie.”  Christmas and mayhem come home in this comedic “new” classic guaranteed to become a family holiday tradition. 
                                                                                  
6.  A Christmas Carol: A timeless Dickens’s classic, is the story of a miser named Scrooge who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. There have been many versions throughout the years, but the 1984 version starring George C. Scott is a personal favorite.

7.  How The Grinch Stole Christmas:  The original animated classic, which aired in 1966, is based on Dr. Suess’s famous book.  It is the story of a green creature named, Mr. Grinch, who attempts to destroy Christmas for the Whos in Whoville. 

8. White Christmas:  Irving Berlin’s 1954 holiday musical masterpiece stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney.  Kaye and Crosby play World War II US Army buddies, who later become Broadway sensations performing to sold-out crowds.

Kaye and Crosby meet sisters, Betty and Judy and decide to bail them out of trouble and head to Vermont to celebrate Christmas. The movie features Bing Crosby performing his legendary hit song, “White Christmas.”                                                                                                  

9.  Christmas in Connecticut: Released in 1945, and starring Barbara Stanwyck as Elizabeth Lane, it tells the story of a journalist who is trying to hide a BIG secret. When a World War II hero wants to meet the Martha Stewart of her time, Lane finds herself literally in hot water as she tries to hide her real life as a single New Yorker who can't even boil eggs!

10.  Frosty the Snowman:  This thirty-minute animated classic, first aired on CBS in December of 1969.  It’s the story of Frosty, a snowman that comes to life when he finds a magical silk hat. It’s based on the hit holiday song, and has entertained children of all ages for generations.         

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