It’s no secret that I love classic movies. It’s possible that the epitaph on my gravestone may read:
She loved Classic Movies (and also Needtobreathe and flannel)
But never do I get more classic movie googley-eyed than at Christmas. Any other time of the year, I do mostly okay realizing that many people do not care for my movie faves and may never see the greats (like His Girl Friday and The Philadelphia Story and My Man Godfrey and somebody stop me…), but at Christmas?
At Christmas you just HAVE to see the classics. You have to! Trust me, they are better than the Hallmark movies. In case you’re a newbie to holiday classics, here is my list of top ten Christmas films in no particular order other than It’s a Wonderful Life getting the number one spot because that’s just a no-brainer.
10. It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)
True story: I borrowed a little angle from this for the Christmas short story I just released, One December Night. You can get that story FREE here. Shameless self-promotion now over. Starring Dan DeFore and Ann Harding, this is a super fun flick about a homeless man who takes up residence in a (he thinks) abandoned mansion. One of the best quotes in the movie: “You’ll find plenty of vacancies if you boys just use your heads. That came out sounding a little different from the way I meant it.”
Old movie fun fact: Any time a guy watches a girl play piano or vice versa, you know sparks are gonna fly.
9. White Christmas (1954) / Holiday Inn (1942)
I’m lumping these two together because a) it let’s me cheat and get away with adding an extra movie into this Top Ten list and b) they’re kinda sorta the same movie. They both star Bing Crosby, the both have basically the same sets and they both feature the No. 1 best-selling single of all time: White Christmas. I can never decide for sure which I like better. White Christmas has more humor. Holiday Inn has more Fred Astaire dancing with firecrackers. White Christmas might win, though, solely because of this moment:
8. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
I don’t steal all my story ideas from classic movies, but when I do they become real books and my dreams come true!! Or at least this one did. The idea for my very first novel, Made to Last, came from this movie. In Christmas in Connecticut, Barbara Stanwyck plays a recipe/crafty/homemaker-type columnist who has everyone convinced she lives the perfect life in the perfect home with the perfect husband and child. She ends up having to come up with said home, spouse and child…only while she’s supposed to be fake married to one guy, she falls for another. The banter is a ton of fun…as is watching the entire cast do a really horrible job taking care of Stanwyck’s pretend child.
Because of course you check the bath water temp with your elbow. Also, pay attention to how often the baby is just abandoned in a bedroom ALL throughout the movie.
7. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
In all honesty, I watch this movie almost entirely for Tootie who is c-r-a-z-y. I mean, seriously, it’s almost disturbing how weird that little kid is…disturbing and hilarious. I often forget Meet Me in St Louis is a Christmas movie–it’s always the World’s Fair hype and the Halloween absurdity that stands out to me more than the Christmasy parts. But then Judy Garland sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and I remember. Interesting trivia about this movie: Judy Garland had to be begged to do this film as she was reticent to take on another teenage role when she was in her 20s. Vincente Minnelli, who she’d end up marrying soon after, convinced her to do it…and later in her life she claimed it was one of her favorite roles.
This is Tootie on Halloween. Seriously…she’s cray-cray.
6. The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
I just recently watched this one and I have to say, I don’t know if I’d ever seen it before. There’s nothing overly amazing about the romance in it, but oh my goodness, the dialogue is just crackling. And Bette Davis plays the antithesis of her usual characters. She’s…sweet. The story centers on an acerbic literary critic who slips on the front steps of a businessman’s home and breaks his hip. So he, along with his entourage (which is made up of more than humans), take over the house indefinitely.
In addition to Morgan Woolley (who is a-ma-zing in his role), this movie also includes Mary Wickes who portrayed wisecracking side characters in a crazy number of movies.
5. Bachelor Mother (1939) / Bundle of Joy (1956)
Yep, cheating again. Bundle of Joy with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher is the musical remake of Bachelor Mother with Ginger Rogers and the ever-debonair David Niven. I love both versions, and truthfully, most people probably don’t consider them Christmas movies. They actually begin right after Christmas and most of the action takes place during New Years. But they’re cute and fun and holiday-ish. And while the real-life marriage might not have worked out, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher singing “Lullaby in Blue” together definitely does. (Also, the “All About Love” number is just way too fun.)
4. Remember the Night (1940)
There are so many things to love about this movie. It features one of the most underrated actors of all time–Fred MacMurray–plus Barbara Stanwyck. They’d later star together again in Double Indemnity. In Remember the Night, Stanwyck gets caught shoplifting and MacMurray is the prosecutor. He postpones the trial (because it’s harder to get a conviction at Christmas dontcha know), but then he feels bad for her and takes her home for Christmas. When they fall for each other, it makes the upcoming trial a wee bit awkward.
MacMurray and Stanwyck are a LOT nicer in this one than in Double Indemnity. This movie also stars Beulah Bondi who plays everybody in the world’s mother in old movies.
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The movie that put Santa on trial! This is one you just can’t help loving. I mean, sure, the Santa storyline is a little overly cutesy and Maureen O’Hara’s character is kind of mean in the beginning. But it’s a classic story…and Natalie Wood is adorable. Plus, as the daughter of a letter carrier, I like any movie in which the USPS becomes the hero. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you must not have seen the movie…so check it out. (And then shake your head over how strange and slightly creepy it is that Natalie Wood’s character is allowed to hang out all day with an adult male stranger. Man, talk about different times…)
Okay, I love this movie but this line always makes me laugh ’cause I think it’s actually kind of bad advice. Theologians could have a field day with it. But whatever, it’s touching.
2. A Christmas Carol (1984)
There are about eight bazillion and one variations of this classic Dickens story, but the 1984 version with George C. Scott is by far my favorite. Certain parts of it—like Jacob Marley and all his chains and baggage floating backwards out the window or the Ghost of Christmas Present opening his robe to reveal two children representing Ignorance and Want—freaked. me. out. as a kid. Still do, really. And oh my goodness, the third ghost! I still can’t handle seeing bony fingers pointing at gravestones or really anything. But I love how the movie starts in this place of bleak hopelessness, manages to totally creep you out and then drops such giddy happiness on you at the end. I loooove it!
Jacob Marley played by Frank Finlay. So terrifying for me as a kid…well, and as an adult.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
This is one of the best movies ever. EVER-ever. Directed by Frank Capra. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Capturing basically every human emotion in one story. Humor. Romance. Despair. Fear. Joy. It’s got everything. It’s about an angst-filled man named George Bailey who is convinced the world would be better off without him…and an angel named Clarence sets out to prove him wrong. Honestly, if you haven’t seen this movie yet, you need to make it a life priority. You just do. I realize that I’ve slipped into gushing in the form of sentence fragments and commands, but that’s just what I do when I love something too much: lose my ability to speak intelligibly and become bossy. But seriously…watch it.
Yes, yes I did have a crush on young George Bailey when I was little. But come on, he saved his brother’s life and kept Mr. Gower from making a huge mistake and grew up to become Jimmy Stewart. AND he serves girls ice cream. I may have been young, but I had darn good taste.
How many of these movies have YOU seen? Did I miss any of your favorites?
p.s. If you’re in the mood to READ a Christmas story rather than watch, both my FREE short story (One December Night) and my second book (Here to Stay) take place during Christmas. Here to Stay is currently on sale for just $2.99 at Amazon and $3.99 at Barnes and Noble.
Comments 33
Great list! I’ve seen most of these, but there are a few that I haven’t, and one that I’ve never even heard of (Remember the Night). I didn’t know that Bundle of Joy was a holiday-ish movie…I need to add it to my Netflix queue! I recently read Debbie Reynolds’ first memoir/autobiography and it was really interesting (though also pretty depressing), and I remember her talking about that movie.
Here are my top ten classic movies, in no particular order except the first one which is my favorite Christmas movie ever: Christmas in Connecticut, It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime, The Bishop’s Wife, Miracle on 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and The Lemon Drop Kid. Maybe that last one would be tied with Meet Me in St. Louis. You’re right…Tootie is crazy. =) She cracks me up!
My favorite non-classic Christmas movies are Elf, The Santa Clause, While You Were Sleeping, and You’ve Got Mail (sort of Christmassy at times, right?).
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Yep, I don’t think Bundle of Joy was ever really billed as a holiday movie, but I always consider it one. Part of my love/nostalgia for it has to do with my mom singing us Lullaby in Blue as kids. 🙂
You have a great top ten! The Bishop’s Wife is one the one that probably would’ve been No. 11 on this list if I’d gone on.
March of the Wooden Soldiers with Laurel and Hardy is #1 in our family for 3 generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBmgwbdTJWA
Author
That IS a hilarious movie. We had it on VHS when I was little and I remember watching it tons!
So many of my favorites on there, but what excites me even more is that there are several I have never seen! Yay! New classic movies to watch!
One I didn’t see on your list that I also love is The Bishop’s Wife. Love Cary Grant as an angel! 🙂
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Yep, I’m pretty sure that one would’ve been No. 11 on the list if I’d kept going. I really like it and Cary Grant as an angel is great.
I agree with you that George C. Scott is the best Scrooge ever. I am very particular about A Christmas Carol. It is my favorite book and I remember watching A Christmas Carol and the tree lights, as a kid, wondering if it would be alright to wake everyone, yet. It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas are also among my favorites.
Have a wonderful CHRISTmas and blessed New Year.
Author
Yay another George C Scott fan! Glad somebody else agrees about that movie version. I think it captures the story better than any other version. (Though, I do love the Muppets take on it as well. 🙂 )
Melissa, love your list–and yes–I’ve seen them all! I guess It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas would be my top faves, but I adore all your choices. 🙂
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Two good picks for sure. 🙂
I have seen 9 of these. My all time favorite is Miracle on 34th Street. Fulfilled a life-long dream last year and attended the Macy’s parade.
Author
Oh fun! I really wanted to go to the Macy’s parade this year solely because my favorite band was playing in it. 🙂
I love all these too, and I am called a Christmas a-holic But of not classic’s I love The Christmas Card Thanks for sharing them and Merry Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
Author
I’ve heard a lot of people say they love The Christmas Card. I’ll have to watch it sometime.
Awesome list Melissa. I’m surprised by your order a bit. I thought Christmas in Connecticut would be ranked higher. If 1984 is in the Christmas Classic era, then I would make a push for some other flicks from the 80s, but I guess Dickens wrote it before any of these others stories right? Good stuff.
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To be honest, Clay, other than reserving the top spot for IAWL, the only real order to this is the order they popped into my head. Probably if I was thinking hard about placement, a couple like Meet Me in St Louis and Miracle on 34th Street would rank a little further back and Christmas in Connecticut, It Happened on 5th Ave and probably White Christmas/Holiday Inn would rank higher.
As for the 80s Christmas Carol, haha, yes Dickens kinda wins as far as it being a classic. I did debate whether I could legitimately include it, but then I was like, hey, this is my list. I can do what I want. 🙂
Great list, though I’m surprised to see four titles here that I’ve never seen. Of the six I have seen, I’d definitely include them on my list. I would definitely add The Shop Around the Corner & its remake, You’ve Got Mail. Though the original is definitely more of a Christmas movie. As for the Christmas Carol, there’s only one version I like and that’s the musical Scrooge starring Albert Finney. Love all the songs and how it adds more poignancy, especially to his relationship with Isabelle. I laugh. I cry. I get up and dance. In fact, I’ll probably watch it in the morning since I just recorded it a few days ago. 🙂
To round out the list, I would include two that are a little more unusual. First, even though it has nothing about Christmas in it, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will always be a movie to watch around the holiday. Probably because that’s when it aired on TV when I was young and it was my favorite movie. And last, I have to add Die Hard. Unconventional and certainly more recent but still a classic!
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LOL you are not the first person I’ve heard include Die Hard on a Christmas favorites list. 🙂 But you ARE the first person I’ve seen include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. That movie is so colorful and fun. Although the child snatcher terrified me when I was little.
I love The Shop Around the Corner! I think it would’ve been No. 12 on the list. 🙂
Another non-Christmas better-at-Christmastime movie that I’d include would be The Sound of Music. BTW, Melissa, I saw that TCM is showing Nos. 10, 8, 7 & 6 of your list this (Christmas Eve) afternoon/evening.
On another note, I must have been tired when I wrote my comment if I used “definitely” 3 times in one paragraph. Usually, I try to self-edit a little better than that. 🙂
Author
OOH yes Sound of Music. A non-Christmasy Christmas movie, for sure. 🙂
I love your list Melissa. I would gladly watch them all, again. I want them all for my personal library. Many thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome! I’ve not had time to watch any of these just yet this Christmas season, but after making this list, I NEED to have a movie marathon. 🙂
I also love the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol! I just showed it to my junior high English class & they were riveted. And thank you for gushing over It’s A Wonderful Life. It was under-appreciated when it released and–even tho’ it’s shown on TV every year–still is today. So glad to discover some movies I’ve never seen on this list. Now I know what to queue up during vacay! Thanks for sharing your novella with all of us. Merry Christmas, Melissa!
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Oh I’m glad your class loved it. I love it when young people discover classics for the first time. 🙂 And yes, IAWL was SO under-appreciated which is just crazy to me. I don’t know how anyone can see it and not adore it.
Merry Christmas to you, too!
These are great, but you missed The Bishop’s Wife. Cary Grant as an angel. What more could you want?
Oh, and We’re No Angels with Humphrey Bogart–sooo funny and sweet!
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Yep, the Bishop’s Wife definitely would’ve been No. 11. I think whenever it comes to that movie, I always bump it down the list because when I think of Cary Grant movies, there are so many others I love more. But that’s probably silly to take into consideration since this is a Christmas list, not a Cary Grant list. Haha! I do love that movie. And I totally forgot We’re No Angels…soooo good!
I have seen about half of them. I love classic movies and have watched “Miracle on 34th Street” about five times already this year. I am reading “One December Night” now, so I guess I need to look up “It Happened on Fifth Avenue”; never heard of that one.
Author
Yay for reading One December Night. 🙂 I hope you get a chance to check out It Happened on Fifth Avenue. It’s pretty cute. 🙂
You’ve listed some wonderful movies. I would add The Bishop’s Wife and We’re No Angels (a Christmas comedy with Humphrey Bogart); Prancer and The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, and The California Raisins Claymation Christmas.
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen the California Raisins Claymation Christmas but seeing it in your list made me smile…reminded me of the halloween my siblings and I dressed as the California Raisins. 🙂
My family loves many of these too. The old classics are the best.
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I so agree. 🙂