By Barb Pert Templeton
Hit the switch on the wall for the fireplace, grab the microwave popcorn and bottled water then take a seat in front of your big-screen TV – welcome to movie night 2021.
Convenience and progress are always good but when it comes to sitting down to watch Christmas movies in most cases a return to the classics is your best option.
Of course, there are the famous Jimmy Stewart movies, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Shop Around the Corner,” both considered must-see holiday films for many. Then we have musicals like “Holiday Inn” starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire and “White Christmas” with Crosby again along with Danny Kaye, noted as forever favorites to many movie buffs.
Adding into today’s holiday favorites like “Home Alone,” “Jingle All the Way” and “Elf” admittedly there’s no shortage of ‘classics,” but looking back 80 or so years, these remain my favorites.
A Christmas Carol 1938 Directed by Edwin Marin
Storyline: Based on the Charles Dickens novel published 1843 this is the tale of the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge (portrayed by Reginald Owen) who has great disdain for Christmas and the merrymaking and gift-giving that go with it. And of course, we can’t forget there’s the adorable Tiny Tim who remains chipper despite having to use a crutch to get around. His father, Bob Cratchit, (Gene Lockhart) works for Scrooge not making enough money to pay for an operation for the boy. When the miserly Ebenezer is visited by three ghosts from Christmas past, present, and future one night, well the old goat might just have a change of heart about the holiday.
Behind the Scenes:
- Lionel Barrymore was set to portray Ebenezer but became ill and suggested British actor Reginald Owen take the role.
- Actor Reginald Owen’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge was the most beloved version of the classic Dickens tale until 1951 when Alistair Sim’s “Scrooged” bowed and quickly became the holiday favorite.
- When the Disney character Uncle Scrooge McDuck was created in 1947 it was likely based on Owens as it had a fringe of hair and the small tuft of hair on the top of his head.
- This was the only film in which Gene Lockhart, as Bob Cratchit, appeared with his wife Kathleen Lockhart and daughter June Lockhart (later recognized for the TV show Lost in Space) playing his wife and child in the film.
My take on it: This is my favorite version of the classic holiday story. While George C. Scott created an interesting Ebenezer in 1984 and I watched Mickey’s Christmas Carol via Disney at least 50 times with my sons when they were young, something about the scary, old Scrooge with Owen remains the ultimate Christmas Carol.
Miracle on 34th Street – 1947 – Directed by George Seaton
Storyline: An old gentleman with the name Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is hired to be a department store Santa and before long his claim that he is in fact the authentic jolly old elf leads to trouble. The store manager, Doris, aka Maureen O’Hara, and her young daughter, Susan, played by Natalie Wood, is initially skeptical but then a local attorney, actor John Payne, gets involved and soon the film takes a comical, heartwarming romp, including a court case to see just who really is Saint Nicholas.
Behind the Scenes:
- Edmund Gwenn gained 30 pounds to portray Santa Claus in the movie.
- According to Natalie Wood’s biographer, during the shoot the 8-year-old actress was convinced that Edmund Gwenn was actually Santa Claus as he had been very good-natured on the set. It wasn’t until she saw him out of costume at the wrap party that she realized he wasn’t Santa.
- Edmund Gwenn earned an Academy Award, the only actor to do so from a part portraying Santa Claus.
My take on it: I love this film and in particular could watch Edmund Gwenn’s Santa Claus reading the phone book – he’s that good in this role. It’s actually a stellar cast with Maureen O’Hara and John Payne moving the story along nicely and of course the young Natalie Wood reflecting such youthful talent.
It Happened on 5th Avenue –1947 – Directed by Roy del Ruth
Storyline: A homeless man, McKeever (Victor Moore), moves into the boarded-up home of local millionaire Michael J. O’Connor (Charles Ruggles) who spends his winters at a mansion in Virginia. This year, McKeever decided to allow others to move in with him at the mansion including a young man recently evicted from his apartment (Don DeFore) and O’Connor’s daughter, Trudy (Gale Storm) who fakes a life of poverty to stay in the house and soon convinces her wealthy father to do the same.
Behind the Scenes:
- Originally planned to be directed by Frank Capra he chose to do It’s a Wonderful Life.
- The film went 30 percent over its budget
- Exterior shots for the film included Central Park and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
My take on it: It may not have the polish and shine of traditional holiday films of the time with big names in the lading roles and remarkable sets but I really enjoy the story itself here. Don’t we all wish we could take over life inside a huge mansion and invite our friends along for the ride?
