Christmas movies bring in the holiday spirit
Some of the best all-time movies have the common theme of the Christmas season, and they stand up through the decades. Sitting by the fire, surrounded by family, and watching a movie is a way to put anyone in the Christmas mood. Movies for the kids are animated, lively movies filled with good morals, while the black and white movies are usually the route to go with older ones, and they always teach someone the real meaning of the season.
This movie produced in 1983 focuses on a young boy named Ralphie growing up in the 1940s. Ralphie longs for a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa, even though his parents, his teacher, and even the mall Santa tell him he’ll shoot his eye out. However he will not hear any of it; Ralphie wants that BB gun. Throughout the movie Ralphie, his little brother Randy, and their parents Mr. and Mrs. Parker prepare for the holidays and face one ordeal after another, from getting a Christmas tree to watching the big town parade. Along with family crises, he has to deal with the school bully who hassles every kid at school for their lunch money. The real moral of this story is that sometimes what a person wants is not what is always good for them. Despite the good moral and Christmas spirit of the movie, it does contain adult language which may not be suitable for younger children.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas“
The animated television classic, produced in 1966 and based on a Dr. Seuss book, tells the tale of a Grinch who lives on the mountains over Whoville, and is constantly annoyed by their Christmas spirit. From their loud trumpets and other instruments, to their singing of Christmas, the Grinch is just plain fed up! So to get back at the Christmas-loving Whos, he plans to steal their Christmas. After constructing a Santa outfit, making a reindeer out of his tiny dog Max, and making a sleigh; he departs to go steal Christmas from the Whos. This movie teaches children the true meaning of Christmas–that the holiday is not simply about the presents and decorations.
This movie, produced in 1946, was filled completely in black and white and takes a more serious tone. George Bailey’s business has lost $8000 in a time when that was a whole lot of money. Bailey, a friend of many and a father, plans to end his life by jumping off a bridge. His loved ones’ prayers, however, bring him an angel named Clarence who is still waiting to get his wings. Clarence takes George back in time to show him that the small, nice deeds he has done have made a large difference in those around him. This movie can liven any older person as well as the young, and put them into the family spirit.
For the young and the old, this movie produced in 1947 brings back the belief in Santa once more. When Kris Kringle, a nice old man who has been posing as Santa for Macy’s, is institutionalized for claiming that he really is Santa. It’s up to Fred, the Santa-believing lawyer, to convince the court he is sane. Fred’s friend Doris, Kringle’s employer, and her daughter Susan don’t even believe he is who he claims to be. Finally, Fred comes up what he thinks will be just the way to convince the people that he is who he says he is. Will Kris ever be accepted as the actual Santa? Will Doris and Susan ever believe in him?
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer“
A movie produced in 1964 with animated puppets tells the story of two misfits of the North Pole: Rudolph, whose nose lights up bright red whenever he feels strong emotion, and Henry, an elf who is not so good at making toys but wants to be a dentist. This movie artfully conveys the sad fact that those who are different are usually shunned, when they should be recognized for being unique. It’s a great movie for the kids who need to learn early that everyone is different in some way, and that they should be accepted for it.
This movie, produced in 1954, is a classic anytime. It’s all about two war buddies from WWII who get together after the war has ended and start performing as a singing and dancing duo. Along the way they run into two other performers, two similar sisters with different personalities named Betty and Judy Haynes. Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, completely smitten with the girls, follow them to their next show. Upon arriving at the inn in Vermont, the boys run into their former general who is having trouble keeping his inn open. The war buddies and the Haynes sisters begin to plan a colossal show not only to bring people to the inn but to also honor Wallace and Davis’s old general, and romance ensues between them all. This movie is full of humor, dancing, and singing galore! It’s a great movie for viewers of all ages.
Though all these movies were made and produced some time ago, they still hold the Christmas spirit. These movies are not only entertaining and enjoyable, but they teach the true meaning of Christmas in ways simple enough for anyone to understand. Family time is really what the holiday season is all about, and these movies bring the whole family into one accord.