"Just Like the Ones I Used to Know": The Pen in Hand's Guide to Vintage Christmas Movies

Photo by Geoffrey Carter

(Originally published, December 10, 2021)

By Geoff Carter

Well, the Christmas season is upon us in full force. The commercials are everywhere. We’ve seen that ad for the car—or Energizer Bunny, wrapped in a bow and sitting in the driveway on Christmas morning at least one hundred times. Sometimes it’s hard to find the spirit of Christmas amongst all the glitz, glitter, and gold. Thankfully, what we’ll still have, though, in the comfort of our living rooms, is the tradition of the Christmas movie. Some of these classic holiday films have become an integral part of many family customs. It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^thStreet, and White Christmas are a few of the classics that return every December. For some families, family viewings of these movies are a cherished part of their holiday season.

Last week, The Pen in Hand listed the ten favorite TV holiday specials which—in our minds—should be evaluated separately from the Christmas movie; the specials were produced mostly for children; the movies, however, treat the holiday in a more worldly, realistic, and adult perspective. Films like While You Were Sleeping and Edward Scissorhands are not your traditional holiday fare, but even though the season is not integral to their plots, thematic elements of the holiday add to their respective stories.

Of course, this raises the ugly controversy of whether Die Hard is really a Christmas movie, an issue—in the interest of peace and goodwill—that the Couch Potato will not address today.

So, without further ado, the Pen in Hand presents his ten favorite Christmas movies.

The Couch Potato’s Ten Best Christmas Movies

Creators of the movie: its director Michael Curtiz (d.1962) and Paramount Pictures company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

White Christmas: The classic features all the components of a lush Hollywood musical: star power, good writing, wonderful songs, terrific choreography, and—in this case—the music of Irving Berlin. War buddies Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) bring their Broadway musical to a remote Vermont ski lodge—on Christmas Eve—in order to save their ex-commander from financial ruin. Notable for the great dance numbers by the underrated Vera-Ellen.

Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, and Mary Wickes. Written by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. Directed by Michael Curtiz.

English: “Copyright 1946 RKO Radio Pictures Inc.”, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s a Wonderful Life: George Bailey, a man who on Christmas Eve discovers he is on the brink of financial ruin, decides to commit suicide so his family can collect on his insurance. He is suddenly interrupted by his guardian angel who shows George what life in his small town of Bedford Falls would have been like had he never been born. Notable for Frank Capra’s devastating view of the disappointments and constraints of small-town life and the film’s emotionally stirring conclusion.

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Thomas Mitchell, Ward Bond, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, and Beulah Bondi. Written by Frank Capra, Frances Goodrich, and Albert Hackett. Directed by Frank Capra.

English: “Copyright 1947 by Twentieth Century–Fox Film Corp.”, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Miracle on 34^th Street: A last-minute replacement for Santa Claus during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is taken in by a cynical buyer, her young daughter, and her lawyer boyfriend. As they get to know the old boy (who insists he is the real Santa), they begin to realize that Mr. Kringle is more than he seems, and that they have perhaps underestimated both him and the season itself. Notable for the heartwarming scene between Kris Kringle and a young orphaned Dutch girl, and the screen debut of a very young Natalie Wood.

Starring: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, Gene Lockhart, and William Frawley. Written and directed by George Seaton.

A Christmas Story: The saga of nine-year-old Ralphie, whose obsessive Christmas wish of getting a genuine Red Ryder Air Rifle is told in a series of hilarious vignettes by his adult self. Even though everyone warns him, “you’ll shoot your eye out,” Ralphie persists in the pursuit of his dream gift. The film is notable for its cult status, especially the scenes where the father receiving his “award”, the tongue stuck on the flagpole, and the department store visit to Santa.

Starring: Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon, and Peter Billingsley. Written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark. Directed by Bob Clark.

Joyeux Noel: The fictionalized epic war drama of the truce of 1914 in which German, French, and Scottish troops ceased fire and met with each other in no-man’s-land during Christmas Day. The young soldiers sang carols, shared presents, and even engaged in an impromptu soccer game. Based on a true story. Notable for the great ensemble acting and the wonderful singing by Walter Kirchoff and Anna Sorenson.

Starring: Benno Fuhrmann, Diane Kruger, Guillame Canet, Daniel Bruhl, and Gary Lewis.

The Santa Clause: The recently divorced Scott Calvin accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his rooftop and die. After he and his son finish Santa’s deliveries, Scott discovers that he is now—against his wishes—the new Santa. During the following year, he finds his beard and waistline growing out of control as he starts to accept the inevitable truth that he is now the new Santa. Notable for Tim Allen’s exuberant comic performance as the unfortunate Scott Calvin.

Starring: Tim Allen, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholtz, Judge Reinhold, and Eric Lloyd. Written by Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick. Directed by John Pasquin.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Tim Burton’s masterpiece of stop-action animation that tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, whose disillusionment with Halloween, his own holiday, leads him on an accidental visit to Christmas Town where he falls in love with the holiday and ultimately decides to make it his own. Notable for the magnificent soundtrack by Danny Elfman.

Starring: (Voices) Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Reubens, Chris Sarandon, William Hickey, and Glenn Shadix. Written by Caroline Thompson. Directed by Henry Selick. Produced by Tim Burton.

Edward Scissorhands: The story of a gentle humanoid recluse, Edward, who has scissors for hands because he was left unfinished because of his creator’s untimely death. A kindly Avon lady finds Edward and decides to take him home. Although he is technically not a real person, Edward’s innocence and creativity makes him more human than the people around him. Things come to a head on Christmas Eve. Vincent Price’s final film. Notable for the famous Ice Dance scene in which we see Wynona Rider dancing in the snow.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Wynona Rider, Alan Arkin, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael hall, and Vincent Price. Written by Caroline Thompson and Tim Burton. Directed by Tim Burton.

While You Were Sleeping: Lucy, a young transit worker left alone in the world after the death of her father, sees a man mugged and thrown on the train tracks. She pulls him off and, while he is in a coma—and because of a series of misunderstandings—the man’s family believes she is his fiancée. Lucy accepts the invitation to celebrate Christmas at their home and begins to hope she is not alone in the world anymore. Notable for Sandra Bullock’s breakout comic performance.

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Jack Warden, Peter Boyle, Peter Gallagher, and Ozzie Davis. Written by Daniel G. Sullivan. Directed by Jon Turtletaub.

Elf: The story of Buddy, an orphaned baby raised as an elf at Santa’s Workshop. When Buddy grows up and finally discovers his true heritage, he decides to travel south in order to find his birth father, a struggling publisher of children’s books. Buddy finds a job at a department store Santa’s workshop but has a hard time adjusting to life as a regular person. Notable for Will Ferrell’s frenetic comic performance.

Starring; Will Ferrell, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Bob Newhart, and Zooey Deschanel. Written by David Berenbaum. Directed by Jon Favreau.