A few lesser known Christmas movies you won’t want to miss
This post is out a day early because the hard to find classic “Remember the Night” is on TCM Wednesday night! Don’t miss it or the other gems on this list.
All movie buffs make movie lists and many will go to their graves arguing for what they think are the most essential movies in this or that category. Christmas movie lists wrapped in childhood nostalgia may be the most controversial of all the movie lists we make. Battling against that impulse I will not be recommending A Garfield TV Christmas special (streaming on Amazon Prime). It probably has no redeeming value but I cannot bear the thought of the season passing without singing along to its inane songs (snippets of songs really) and quoting favourite lines along with my children. My wife, who did not grow up with it, rolls her eyes every time. On a related note, should Christmas movies be rated by the same scale as regular movies? I say not always, so I created a system using 🎄’s. Same 🎄-🎄🎄🎄🎄 but reflecting the grace I extend to something with Christmas spirit. Case in point the afore mentioned A Garfield Christmas special 🦛 or 🎄🎄🎄. Such is the power of Christmas.
Shop Around the Corner (🦛🦛🦛🦛)
I saw this deliriously charming movie for the first time last year and ever since I have been weeping for the wasted years. This is possibly the greatest and most perfect romantic comedy ever made. Stars Jimmy Stewart and Margret Sullivan shine as co-workers who dislike each other well simultaneously being secret pen pal lovers. Ernst Lubitsch directs with absolute grace and deft comic timing well Samson Raphaelson and Ben Hecht’s script has aged well, remaining undated in surprising ways.
Where to Watch:
Not Streaming, Rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Airing on TCM Dec 23rd
First Lady of Christmas Barbara Stanwyck
Christmas in Connecticut (🦛🦛🦛 or🎄🎄🎄🎄)
Barbra Stanwyck has done better work for sure but this tale about a professional woman who is forced to put on the act of being a perfect housewife to keep her job gives her plenty to do. Aided by her best friend the hilarious S.Z. Sakall who plays it rather effeminate she fends off a chauvinist boss and equally chauvinist would be husband well falling in love with the handsome younger man. Lots of laughs and a smart message in this charming but not otherwise notably made production.
Where to Watch:
Not Streaming, Rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Airing on TCM Dec 24
Remember the Night (🦛🦛🦛🦛)
Stanwyck again, this time accompanied by Fred McMurray. Best known together as the lustful murdering lovers in noir classic Double Indemnity (🦛🦛🦛🦛) (a fine choice if your tired of Christmas cheer). They also play unlikely lovers here. He is a D.A. and she is the criminal he puts in jail, or is about to that is until he bails her out of jail and takes her home to mom for Christmas. Don’t ask just enjoy. Written by comic genius Preston Sturges and directed by the brilliant Mitchell Leisen this one is a winner on every level. It has genuine and deep heart beneath the funny.
Where to Watch:
Not Streaming, Airing on TCM Dec 20th
Thoughts? Feel free to weigh in!
White Christmas (🦛🦛1/2 or 🎄🎄🎄1/2)
This one is probably too long for the kiddos unless they are used to classic cinema but the good news is you can come and go without missing a thing that can’t be explained in a sentence. The always funny Danny Kaye and surprisingly funny Bing Crosby play ex army buddies turned superstar performers who meet attractive sisters played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Miles. They follow the two sisters to Vermont for Christmas and end up helping out an old army pal. It is a bit of a slow start for first timers but stick around long enough to see the second version of the song “sisters”(about 30min in) and I think you’ll stick around for the whole thing. Despite Crosby’s mid-movie claim this one has all the schmaltz. It also has loads of songs, dances, comedy and romance. It is pure old fashioned fun.
Where to Watch:
Not streaming, Rent or Buy on Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube
Prep & Landing (🦛🦛🦛1/2 or🎄🎄🎄🎄)
Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (🦛🦛🦛 or 🎄🎄🎄🎄)
If you are still not watching the animated short Prep and Landing and it’s sequel you are missing out on all that Christmas shorts have to offer. Remember the perfect blend of smart comedy and sincere heart that made Pixar the powerhouse it became? These two shorts staring Santa’s Elves working behind the scenes to make Christmas possible have all that. If these shorts are not Christmas perfect I don’t know what is.
Where to Watch:
Stream on Disney+, Rent or Buy on Apple TV
Please share this post with anyone you think may enjoy it.
The Christmas Chronicles (🦛🦛1/2 or 🎄🎄🎄)
Christmas Chronicles 2 (🦛🦛1/2 or 🎄🎄🎄1/2)
The first script is conventional, kids help save Christmas, (in both movies actually). There are all the usual tropes, a dead parent, a wayward teen, a younger child who still believes. What sets the first movie apart from the pack is that Kurt Russell plays Santa as a cool guy with great hair who is a little miffed that a long ago poem gave him a rep for having a round belly when he works hard to look good. Russell plays it completely straight, no tongue in cheek here, and his Santa is cool. It makes everything that comes after work no matter how cliché. Solid direction and good effects help keep things moving well. The second movie works, maybe even better then the first by having a better more creative plot, adding Goldie Hawn as the perfect Mrs. Clause for Russell’s Santa and giving us the most awesome version of Santa’s village committed to film. I would visit that theme park (hint, hint). In both movies the hysterical Elves almost steal the show and they get more screen time in number two. Loads of fun for all ages.
Where to Watch:
Streaming on Netflix, Not for rent or sale
Klaus (🦛🦛🦛🦛)
One of the most beautiful animated movies ever. I was enchanted when I first saw it and knew I was watching an instant classic. The completely original story by director and co-writer Sergio Pablos proposes a “real” version of Santa Clause unlike any you have seen before. Featuring the voice talents of Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones and others, plus a small but very funny and completely in character part by the late Norm MacDonald it is a perfect movie from start to finish. It has enough creativity, depth, heart, smarts and gravitas to actually be counted among the best Christmas movies ever made. I love every part of it.
Where to Watch:
Streaming on Netflix, Not for rent or sale
Bonus:
If you became a fan of Ryan Reynolds and Will Farrells Spirited (🦛🦛🦛 or 🎄🎄🎄1/2) when it was released last year you probably want to know that Apple TV+ has released a sing-along version this year.
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There you have it, a few Christmas treats to seek out. If all of these are already on your watchlist I salute you. If not hopefully you find a new love in a season that admittedly already has more movies than is practical to watch even if like Costco you start your Christmas in mid-September. Still I hope you find something to enjoy on this list. Please share your own favourites in the comments. Well I don’t actually have room for more Christmas movies I am still always looking for more finds so let me know yours. Maybe I do need to start watching in September? I will post a special New Years post on December 31st for those introverts like myself who would rather stay home then go to a party. It will consist of recommendations to ring in the new year. Until then, Merry Christmas!