Getting in the Holiday Spirit
Christmas Movies and More
And now it is December. Though I am not religious, Christmas is by far my favourite time of year and I personally like to wring every drop of joy I can get out of it. With the news and the world feeling so hard right now, I’m leaning even farther into the season—the scents, tastes, music, warmth, and sights of it. Later today we will be going to pick up our Christmas tree, which is my official start of the holiday (though I’ve already been listening to Englebert Humperdinck’s Christmas records on repeat).
For those of you who are looking to get in the holiday spirit, I am republishing my list of favourite Christmas films. Two years ago, in one of my first newsletters, I sent out a list of twenty-one, which I expanded last year to over thirty. Instead of adding more to it again, I’m asking you—what do you think I am missing? I know there are many “classics” that I haven’t included, like say The Christmas Story and Home Alone, but these are my favourites, after all. I will make up an addendum of all those holiday movies that subscribers love, so please add yours in the comments—and peruse my list for ideas of what you should watch over the coming weeks.
The other day I sat down to find a Halmmark-esque Christmas movie to watch but was assailed by the seemingly endless made-for-streaming films with identikit covers of identical couples—far too many to choose from on every possible platform. Have you watched and enjoyed any recent Hallmark-style holiday films? I’m interested in so-bad-they-are good (seems more likely a possibility) and actually good—please share with all of us your findings.
While you are getting ready to do your holiday shopping, please enjoy my newsletter on the history of Bloomingdale’s Christmas shopping bags.
As I’ve already started to attend holiday parties, I’ve been sorting through my wardrobe and planning some seasonal looks—this 1986 Bonwit Teller Christmas catalogue is a good place to start for inspiration. When I originally published this newsletter last year, I did not include every page. Below are a few others, followed by the full Christmas movie list with updated links.
31+ FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Witty intrigue and shenanigans at Christmastime in the first film in the “Thin Man” series starring Myrna Loy and William Powell. I’d hoped to share a clip from the Christmas party scene but unfortunately, the video was blocked by Warner Bros. Use that as an excuse to watch the whole film!
Barbara Stanwyck sparkles at Christmas in both this and #7 on this list. A consummate pro, Stanwyck plays the role of petty thief-turned-love interest with a delicacy that has one rooting for “love to conquer all” (or the law, in this case).
Romance blossoms in the mail for two unknowing coworkers—first in 1930s Budapest, and then in turn-of-the-century Chicago in musical form. If you haven’t seen either of these movies, you might recognize the plot from the later email-centered reprise, You’ve Got Mail.
A gangster romance complete with department store meeting, Christmastime setting and Cesar Romero as the suave mob boss—what could be better?
The 1940s were truly a high point for cinematic comedy and for Christmas movies. Based on the 1939 play, this ensemble film is full of witty barbs and acerbic satire. Ann Sheridan is the delightfully manipulative antagonist to Bette Davis’ lovesick wallflower.
Possibly the greatest movie musical, this is a triumph in every sense—Judy Garland the luminous star with beguiling voice, Vincente Minnelli’s direction, Lemuel Ayers’ recreation of 1903 St. Louis, the Technicolor, the now-classic songs.
A wartime drama set at Christmas that’s quite different from others of the period—a woman (Ginger Rogers) on furlough from prison meets a soldier with PTSD (Joseph Cotten) on a train and they fall in love while hiding the truth of their problems. Sentimental and overlooked, it’s worth a watch.
The origin of the now canon Hallmark movie trope of “city girl goes to the country and finds love at Christmas,” Christmas in Connecticut is still the best of this type—Barbara Stanwyck is witty and delightful. Bonus watch is the 1992 made-for-TV version starring Dyan Cannon and Kris Kristofferson, directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
An episodic comedy centered on a less-than-heartwarming idea (the efforts of a nephew to have his rich elderly aunt declared insane), the disparate subplots follow the return home of her three sons in time for a Christmas Eve reunion to be declared the rightful heirs—and their love lives along the way. The full film is available to watch on YouTube. A TV movie remake was produced in 1986, starring Classic Hollywood icon Loretta Young as the wealthy matriarch of the family.
An empty Fifth Avenue mansion is taken over by a hobo and an ever-increasing group of itinerants, veterans, and undercover owners, in a pleasantly light and frothy romance.
Another Christmas classic, rightfully so. Shops (particularly department stores) play a large role in many of the films on this list—a site of interpersonal connection (and meet-cutes) and signifier of the capitalist nature of Christmas in the twentieth century, they present the conditions for romance to overcome the greed of the season. This has been remade many times—the 1955 and 1973 made-for-TV versions are available to watch on YouTube, while the 1994 adaptation is another seasonal must-watch.
In another department store romance, Robert Mitchum plays against type in a light romantic comedy opposite the gorgeous Janet Leigh.
A trained squirrel helps the poor, weakens the greedy and brings together lovers in a sweet comedy set at Christmastime.
The greatest. Is there any question?
If you are able to look past the age difference (17 to 35 on-screen, but 22 to 50 in real life), this is an enchanting romance with Debbie Reynolds an effervescent delight. Dick Powell has my favourite cinematic faux tree, and Anne Francis wears some truly great ensembles as his (rightfully) jealous fiancée.
Considered one of the worst movies ever made, take this on only if you enjoy the truly camp. So bad it’s perfect.
Described as "the most tearful film of sixties," this is a heartbreaker so only watch when you are up for a good cry. Virna Lisi is stunning.
Set in Harlem, this made-for-TV movie follows a young boy, his hard-working single mom, his visiting grandmother, a stray cat, and their Christmas in a slum. A children’s movie but so much more than that.
My personal favourite version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, though I can think of very few stories that have been brought to the screen so wonderfully in so many versions—among the others, I always make sure to watch the 1951 adaptation, Scrooged and The Muppet Christmas Carol every Christmas. A luscious musical, the Victorian party scenes and costumes are superb. If you are looking for a lesser-known option, check out the Depression-era An American Christmas Carol (1979), starring Henry Winkler.
A made-for-TV slasher movie that benefits from great actresses (Sally Field, Jessica Walter, Julie Harris) and some elegant looks. Watch with Black Christmas (1974) for a horror double-bill.
A gender-reversal of another Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, with Marlo Thomas taking on James Stewart’s role. A great cast rounds out this TV movie with Cloris Leachman playing the guardian angel and Orson Welles as Henry F. Potter.
The perfect amount of fantasy, whimsy, New York in the ‘70s, and Fred Astaire complete this TV movie, which follows the stories of three men whose rentals of Santa suits redirect their lives.
While not a Christmas film, the first hour of Ingmar Bergman’s period drama documents Christmas night 1907 in all of its splendid Edwardian-era glory. Magnificently rendered, the costumes and production design are impeccable. I posted the below clip to Youtube—as there is a copyright claim in Scandinavia it doesn’t appear to be viewable in the email, but you can click through to watch it on the site.
Very much an eighties reprise of a forties romance, this movie is a fluffy missed-connections love story with megastars Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro falling in love/lust against the backdrop of a glittering New York.
A very Scottish Christmas comedy, about a Glaswegian radio DJ who gets mixed up in an ice cream truck turf war (a more fluffy take on the real ones that erupted there).
If you like trashy slasher flicks, then this is the Xmas film for you! With a serial killer after any person dressed up in Santa suits, some gruesome murders, boobs, and a Caroline Munro performance, this a true schlockfest.
Toys come alive in this made-for-TV movie produced by the Jim Henson Company. Deeply etched on my memory (particularly the Barbie-type doll obsessively cataloging her wardrobe), for years I thought this was a fever dream as no one I knew had seen it. Very similar in theme to Toy Story that followed nine years later, if you were a child of the eighties this is a great Christmas nostalgia watch.
A remake of the 1961 Disney musical (starring Annette Funicello) and adaptation of the 1903 operetta, it takes a young Drew Barrymore from Cincinnati to Toyland where she encounters many nursery rhyme characters and the imminent threat of an attack. A cute young Keanu Reeves stars alongside her, as they battle evil—all through their belief in toys. Drew and Keanu are the bright spots of a rather uneven, low-budget made-for-TV musical, but it’s still a fun and silly viewing experience—for charm and beauty watch the Disney musical.
Whit Stillman’s debut is very much a comedy of manners, vividly bringing to life the boredom of the upper classes during a Christmas debutante season. Hilarious and impeccably written, it is as visually pleasing as it is aurally.
With so many versions of this classic tale, my love lies with the adaptation of my childhood. I haven’t actually watched reworking (I will do this week) but there is much to admire in the 1933 black and white one and the 1949 Technicolor version (hello, Liz Taylor!) Even the 1978 TV mini-series is memorable, mainly for the remarkably poor casting of Susan Dey as Jo and William Shatner as Professor Friedrich Bhaer—you can watch both episodes on Youtube (one and two).
The real bonus on this list—the best Hallmark movie ever made, in my opinion. Randy Travis and Connie Selleca retread the “city woman goes to the country and finds love” trope in max sentimental style.
That is a fantastic list, thanks! Love seeing "Fanny and Alexander (1982)" on here. I was going to mention Winona's "Little Women" but I'm glad you beat me to it! Also crazy to see 1986's "The Christmas Toy" because I just had all my family's home movies digitized, and this week I saw the "Christmas 1986 tape" and there's footage of my cousins and I watching this. Was a weird "woah I remember that" moment.
Holiday Inn - Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, plus gorgeous gowns worn by the leading ladies. The Bishops Wife with Cary Grant as an angel….need I say more? Plus all the Rankin Bass specials, and of course A Charlie Brown Christmas!