Charlie Harris from the best-selling Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James
Most families have their own, special holiday traditions. When our children were young, my late wife and I used to take them to see the Houston Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker. Now, of course, Sean and Laura are adults, and we no longer live in Houston. Instead of going to see the ballet, we focus on another tradition we had -- watching our favorite holiday-themed movies together on Christmas Eve.My favorite of them all is "The Bishop's Wife" (1947) starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. I can't remember just when I discovered this movie, but I do know that it made an immediate and l
asting impact. It has a combination of whimsy, sweetness, and humor that I continue to find irresistible year after year. If you don't know the movie, here's a simple plot outline: Cary Grant is an angel who is sent in response to a plea from David Niven (the bishop of the title) for guidance. Loretta Young is the beautiful, somewhat neglected wife of the bishop. Cary does his duty although he is beguiled by his feelings for Loretta. It's a story about ambition, love, and understanding what is truly meaningful in life. Supporting players include Elsa Lanchester, Gladys Cooper, James Gleason, and Monty Woolley. Laura loves it as much as I do.My second favorite -- and the one Sean loves -- is one we discovered thanks to TCM. "Christmas in Connecticut" stars Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, with memorable supporting players Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. Dennis Morgan is a war hero, one who starved himself to save a friend, and all he thinks about is being able to eat good food again. His nurse writes to
the publisher of a magazine (Greenstreet) about him, and Greenstreet decides Morgan should spend Christmas with culinary expert and writer Barbara Stanwyck, her husband and child at their Connecticut farm. There are a few problems with this: Stanwyck isn't married, has no child or a farm in Connecticut, and she can't cook. The shenanigans that result from trying to keep the publisher from finding out his star writer is a fraud are amusing and sweet.Other favorites include "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (with Monty Woolley, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, Ann Sheridan, Reginald Gardiner, and the always wonderful Mary Wicks) and "A Christmas Carol" (the 1938 version with Reginald Owen, Leo G. Carroll, and Gene Lockhart). We gather at my house on Christmas Eve and watch a couple of them, and on Christmas Day we watch others. Diesel stares at the screen like he is watching them, too. And, who knows, maybe he understands the stories too. The holidays just wouldn't seem complete without these touches of nostalgia of Christmas past.
Our Season's Readings Contest has begun! I am giving away a signed copy of Dead With the Wind. Leave a comment today through Saturday. I will pick a random winner on Sunday. Sorry! U.S. entries only.
Posts
I love A Christmas Story and watch it every year!
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I think I might love every Christmas movie ever!!!! I currently am on a Hallmark channel watching spree this year
ReplyDelete[email protected]
So many terrific Christmas movies to watch! I love the OLD ones that I watched way back when. Such fun to see actors I grew up watching.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Those are some great movies. We have added The Christmas Card to our list.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Every year we have a Christmas movie a night viewing. I have 2 favorites...A Christmas Story and Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is The Bishop's Wife, too!
ReplyDeleteThe older movies are truely THE best. I still love "It's A Wonderful Life" with Jimmy. He was such a good actor. And of course Diesel understands. Dogs are smart like that. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteMy friend Mary introduced me to both of those classics! I also like to watch Holiday Inn every year. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy the seasonal movies too. Kelly posted about Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas. I haven't seen that one in years but would love to see it again. I especially enjoy all the various versions of Dicken's Christmas Carol. I have 3 or 4 versions on DVD and recently watched Scrooged, with Bill Murray on TV, this past weekend. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThank you for the movie suggestion! I love the classics they hold such a special place in my movie world. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteWe watch White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life every year. Thanks for the giveaway! dmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThese are two of my favorites movies along with White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life. I am looking forward to Charlie and Diesel's next adventure.
ReplyDeleteI watch a Christmas Carol every year. The older version with George C. Scott.thank you for the chance
ReplyDelete[email protected]
What wonderful movies. We also add Scrooged, White Christmas, and a great little movie, Christmas With Tucker.
ReplyDeleteMost Christmas movies are too sweet for me. I love A Christmas Story though.
ReplyDeleteacm05atjuno.com
I love Scrooged!
ReplyDeleteMiracle on 34th Street. All of your faves are wonderful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAaah, these movies again. Love them all but especially the old classics. And thanks for the pictures. Going for my DVDs now.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
I love watching Christmas movies and the classics are the best! patucker54 (at aol dot com)
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Connecticut is my favorite----I just love those old movies.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Christmas movies are heartwarming especially the old traditional movies which are meaningful and memorable. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe Bishop's Wife is in a tie for my favorite Christmas movie and I love Christmas in Connecticut too. You didn't mention the film that ties The Bishop's Wife for me-A Christmas Story! "You'll shoot your eye out, Kid!"
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
My all time favorite is still "It's A Wonderful Life"!!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
I always try to catch Charlie Brown Christmas.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
I really enjoyed Christmas in Connecticut. But my all time tear jerker is Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
ReplyDeletecjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net
DeleteI've always enjoyed the original Miracle on 34th. Street. Especially since I live in Brooklyn. These days I enjoy watching all the new movies that are on Ion tv for the holidays. They are for the most part sweet and sappy which is why I watch them with a box of tissues next to my lounger.
ReplyDeleteWe don't get the Ion channels anymore with our cable. Don't know why they eliminated them. I know there was the regular channel and then maybe an Ion Life channel (healthy stuff). It would be nice to see the Christmas movies on Ion.
Delete