Must-See Holiday Movies

Ok, forget about the traditional Christmas Carol, White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life.  Here is a list of movies that get me into the Christmas mood, and some memorable lines.  Just writing about these has me chuckling.

1. Christmas in Connecticut – This has got to be my all-time favorite Christmas movie; a wonderful example of screwball comedy.  It’s 1945, Barbara Stanwyck writes a Martha Stewart type magazine column from her Connecticut farm.  The only problem – she’s single, lives in a little New York City apartment, can’t cook, and about to be exposed.  Quote of the movie – “Magoo will get you in, Magoo will get you out.”
2. Holiday Inn – A large part of this movie was reconfigured as White Christmas.  I’ve watched this since I was a teen (keep you comments to yourself Kim), and only recently watched White Christmas.  I honestly don’t see why anyone would watch White Christmas instead of this movie.  Holiday Inn has Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire vying for Marjorie Reynolds.  You can’t beat that.  This has a great version of the song White Chirstmas.  Quote of the movie – “I’m Linda Mason.”
3. Scrooged – I know some people hate this movie, but I love it and find it hilarious.  Bill Murray as the Ebenzer Scrooge type character; Karen Allen as his old girlfriend.  Not to mention Alfre Woodard, Robert Mitchum, Carol Kane, even Bobcat Goldwaith.  Quotes of the movie – “Most of these are towels.” “The b**ch hit me with a toaster!” “I’m only four.”  “Would you PLEASE STOP THE G-D HAMMERING!” 
4. Miracle on 34th Street – The original.  Did you know this won Best Supporting Actor (Edmund Gwenn), Best Original Story and Best Screenplay?  What a great movie!  Quote of the movie – “Stop Uncle Fred! Stop!” 
5. Family Man- First of all, Nicolas Cage.  Need I say more?  Beyond that, it’s great to watch his character trying to deal with family life, as well as a whole different socio-economic lifestyle than what he is used to.  Quote of the movie – “Let’s go get you an elephant ear, you know how happy those make you.”
6. Home for the Holidays – These next two movies are technically Thanksgiving movies, so they definitely kick off the holiday season.  This movie is so painful, yet so true.  Holly Hunter and her impossible siblings (Robert Downey, Jr. & Cynthia Stevenson) return home to Anne Bancroft and Charles Durning for Thanksgiving.  So many quotes – “Joanna – what a dick!”, “Give me the G-D time of Day!”.  And, after our recent Thanksgiving trip:  “I can’t wait for G-D Christmas.”
7. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - Another great John Hughes movie.  The excruciating pairing of Steve Martin and John Candy and the seemingly eternal quest to get home.  While I love the “Those aren’t pillows!” scene, it pales in comparison to Steve Martin’s frustration at the rental car counter.  Again, so many quotes – “The baby came out sideways, and she didn’t scream or nothin.”; “You’re going the wrong way!”;  “Give him the G-D glove!”
8. An American Christmas Carol – I had never heard of this movie, but it was one of Don’s favorites.  I’ve come to enjoy it as well.  Henry Winkler plays an Ebenzer Scrooge type character during the Depression.  No quotes, but an excellent movie.

So, get going to Amazon, Netflix, or wherever and get in the holiday mood!