The Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . .
December 16th, 2006 by 
Caroline Spector
It’s That Time of Year again. (Or –TToY)
You know, when children dream of sugar plum fairies and parents dream of one day paying off the credit card debt from TToY. But fear not, dear reader, I shall not attack TToY. I am here to bring joy and recommendations for What to Watch at TToY.
For the Sentimentalist: Meet Me In St Louis. One of Judy Garland’s best movies and that’s saying something. Set in 1903 during the St Louis World’s Fair, Garland was never more radiant or delightful than in this film. The film was directed by Vincent Minnelli who was falling in love with Garland as they were filming, and, boy, it shows.
I defy anyone to watch the penultimate moment in the film, Garland singing a bittersweet version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” without bawling like a wee little baby.
But it isn’t just this great scene that makes the movie such a treat this time of year. It’s the whole megillah. Garland singing “The Boy Next Door” and “The Trolley Song.” The Halloween scene — the only thing Margaret O’Brien has ever done that won’t make you want to throttle her.
Minnelli’s film is a love letter to an ideal of small town American life — while casting a knowing eye toward its foibles.
For the I-Am-Not-A-Sentimentalist-Dammit- Now-Hand-Me-The-Kleenix- No-Really-I’m-Just-Hormonal: A Christmas Story. Based on Jean Shepherd’s short story collections, this now perennial movie has all the charm of Shepherd’s stories without as much of the bite. Shepherd wrote the script and provides voice-over narration for the film.
Will Ralphie ever get his Red Ryder BB gun? Will Flick double dog dare Schwartz into sticking his tongue on the flag pole? And will the Old Man ever defeat the furnace? A Christmas movie where the heart-warming bits are dipped in just the right amount of vinegar. No need to ruin your mascara.
For the Traditionalist: White Christmas. You thought I was going to recommend It’s a Wonderful Life. Forget it. Great movie. But we’ve all seen it too many times. Let’s let it rest for a few years.
White Christmas is, in many ways, a terrible movie. Poorly paced, hokey, not a subtle bone in its body. But what a cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. There are some great stand alone scenes: Kaye and Crosby doing a drag version of “Sisters.” Almost every scene with Danny Kaye in it, but I’m prejudiced about Danny Kaye. The four leads singing “Snow.” And the finale which is as bizarre an extravaganza of hokum and Hollywood-ization as has ever been on the silver screen.
Watch it with an open heart.
For the Goth: The Nightmare Before Christmas. Tim Burton’s stop-motion gem of wistfulness and melancholy. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween town, has grown bored with the routines of the yearly build up to “his” holiday. He wanders into the forest with his dog, Zero, and . . . well, you’ll just have to watch it now, won’t you? It will make even the saddest spider-farmer feel filled with the Christmas spirit.
For the Film Buff: Holiday Inn. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Irving Berlin score. Need I say more? Crosby and Astaire play song and dance men who start a hotel which is only open on holidays. Not only do you get a terrific version of “White Christmas” by Crosby, but Astaire does one of his best dance numbers in this film. One caveat: This is very much a film of its time. There’s a black-face routine and the portrayal of African-Americans in the film can be jarring to modern sensibilities.
My suggestion: Rent one of these bad boys, make yourself a large eggnog with some of the good rum, sit back, and enjoy.
And have yourself a very Hairy Fishnut Day.
Posted in Caroline, Daily Life, Dance, History, Music, Pop. Culture | 
December 17th, 2006 at 12:28 am
Rachael and I saw ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ this year in 3D.
It’s one of her favorite movies, and 3D improved the experience quite a bit. Burton didn’t do the jabbing-a-long-thing-at-you bits that so many others working in 3D can’t seem to resist.
However, I’m a bit abashed at just how strongly I react to the FrankenBabe, Sally…. What a hottie…
Making Christmas, making Christmas…
December 17th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Great list, Caroline — Steve and I love old movies. You inspire me to go rent them.
December 17th, 2006 at 8:43 am
Auuugh!! You’ve gotten that song stuck in my head! Evil woman!
December 17th, 2006 at 9:49 am
Sorry that the list was a little short. Yesterday was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride for The Dude and I.
And Morgan, I can put another song in your head, but you really don’t want me to. Bwhahaahahahahahahah!
December 17th, 2006 at 9:50 am
and that should have been “The Dude and me” . . . sigh
December 17th, 2006 at 10:45 am
The Dude and I
Caroline Spector played by Debbie Reynolds
Warren Spector played by Gene Kelly
Musical highlights, the dancing guitar chorus line that spreads from the house, to the lawn, and over the roof; the Ninja Necktie Rhumba.
December 17th, 2006 at 11:41 am
“The Dude and I”
ahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha!
Now if The Dude could only dance . . .
December 17th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
You don’t scare me! Hah! I’ve got Innagadadavida stuck in my head now, and nothing is knocking that puppy off the ear worm throne!
December 17th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Oh, yeah?
How about . . . Billy, don’t be a hero. Don’t be a fool with your life . . .
December 17th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Swell list. Wouldja believe I’ve never seen _White Christmas_? (On the other hand, I’ve watched _A Christmas Story_ so many times that I can close my eyes and see Demented Easter Bunnies.)
December 17th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Overvoice:
December 17th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
“I am the clown with the tear-away face!”
December 17th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Ah, White Christmas! My dad resembled Danny Kaye and knew all of his routines by heart so this was a must-see in my household. Among many great bits, the scene where Kaye is trying to keep the ex-general away from the television set is priceless.
December 17th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
I give up, Spector. You are Queen Demento of ear worms.
White Christmas really is cheesy, but I go for anything with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Otoh, I’ve never seen “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
December 17th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
Rory Harper Says:
I found it, Rory, under the credenza. Please put it back on now.
December 17th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
OMFG!!! Morgan, seriously, go rent “Meet Me in St. Louis.” I swear, you will not be disappointed. It’s wonderful.
December 17th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
All of the above-mentioned films are good seasonal entertainment, but nothing says Christmas to me like the Grinch. Or is my heart two sizes too small?
December 17th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
I will. Like, today.
Bud, I’m there with you, dude. I love The Grinch.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
I love the Grinch, but I love Max, his long suffering mutt, the best.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
As long as we’re talking the animated grinch with Boris Karloff–not the Jim Carey one.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
I think Jerry Lewis reincarnated as Jim Carrey. And it was not a move to a more enlightened level of existence.
Except for in ‘The Truman Show’.
…I Know, Jerry isn’t dead, but since about 1970, his career has been. Thankfully.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Never saw the live-action version. I’m definitely talking Karloff and Chuck Jones.
December 17th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Well all right, then.
December 17th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Apropos of ghosts of the living, Algis Budrys wrote a good story once about a ghost who turned out to be the spirit of someone who was still alive. I wish I could remember the title.