Must See Christmas Movies

I love movies that make me cry not because something sad has happened but because I am reminded of the good side of human nature. This why my two favorite all time Christmas movies are "Its a Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas"

In "It's a Wonderful Life", Jimmy Stewart plays a business man who finds himself in serious trouble at Christmas time. He becomes so desparate that he contemplates suicide. It is at this moment that the angel Clarence comes to the rescue. Clarence shows George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart's character) what the world would be like if he had never been born. At the end of the movie George Bailey comes home to find all his friends and the people he's helped over the years have donated the money that he needs to solve his problem.

I've watched this Frank Capra movie for more than 40 years and every year I begin to cry during the final scene when George is rescued by his friend

Made in 1947, it still carries its poignant message to the generations that have followed its creation.
I highly recommend this classic Christmas movie. Enjoy it with your family. For more information about "Its a Wonderful Life" visit http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1510710784/tt0038650

Next on my list of favorite Christmas movies is "White Christmas" starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. In this movie Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) find that their WWII general is in financial trouble. The ski lodge that he owns is in trobule because of lack of snow. Bob goes on televison and asks his old army buddies to come to the inn to help the General out. As a subplot Bob falls in love with Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney) but do to a misunderstanding she leaves him and returns to New York. I have two cry moments in this movie. I cry first when Betty and Bod reunite and again when the general comes into a room full of his old army comarades. Bing Crosby sings "White Christmas" and while they are singing the song they open up the bay doors and it is finally snowing. See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/ for more information. In my opinion this is another must see family movie.

"A Christmas Carol" has been done over several times. My favorite two versions of this movie star George C. Scott and the more modern version "Scrooged" stars Bill Murray. George C. Scott is perfectly cast as the miserly Scrooge. His performance is outstanding. This version might be a little scarry for the kids.

Richard Donner updates this classic tale in "Scrooged" starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross. Frank is a Television station owner who is putting on "A Christmas Carol" when he finds himself visited by 3 ghosts because, like Scrooge he has given up on Christmas. Just like Scrooge, the ghosts convince Frank that Christmas is a wonderful holiday. More on this movie can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096061/

I not only enjoy tear jerkers; I love comedies as well. National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation" is one of my all time favorite Christmas comedies. Chevy Chase plays Clark Griswald. This film is "Murphy's law" in action. If anything could go wrong it does. Clark plans the perfect family Christmas and then everything goes down hill from there. It is a hilarious movie and you can find out more about it at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/synopsis.

I love Tim Allen in The Santa Clause. This is a very funny movie about a guy who becomes the new Santa Clause after the old one dies. Tim Allen as Scott Calvin suddenly finds himself changing into Santa. His belly enlarges, his hair turns white and he suddenly can't get enough milk and cookies. This is a great family movie. Read more at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111070/plotsummary

The sequels to this movie- "Santa Clause 2" and Santa Clause 3" are equally as funny.

"Home Alone" starring Macaulay Culkin has rapidly become a Christmas classic. This story about a boy who is accidentally left home alone while his family goes on vacation and finds himself defending himself against two would-be burgulars is hilarious.

Finally, I would recommend "A Christmas Story". This is a very unique movie about a boy who only wants a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. This movie is an annual television favorite.

From tear jerkers to comedies, watching these classic movies has become an annual tradition for me and my family.