For those who celebrated, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was filled with family frenzy and fun. As we relax in the aftermath, I thought a few holiday movies might be in order. I know I will be in couch mode for much of the weekend. Over the past several years I have reviewed some of my favorites, which I remind you of here.
The Bishop’s Wife is a holiday classic. You can’t go wrong with Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young with some wonderful winter scenery and a little fantasy.
Desk Set with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy is one of my all time favorites. With wonderfully clever dialogue and sophisticated humor, this one of the pair’s very best.
For a more modern look at the holiday season, Whit Stillman’s 1990 Metropolitan takes a peek inside the world of young Manhattan socialites in this indie classic.
The prewar romantic comedy The Shop Around the Corner, with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan was the original inspiration for You’ve Got Mail. The pen pal story is just as charming, if not more, with old fashioned type as with modern technology.
For the younger set, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas was always a favorite with my children. While perhaps a tad too scary for the very young, the creativity and special effects will keep your crew suitably entertained.
Of course, I have to mention Christmas in Connecticut with indomitable Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan. An independent working woman gets caught in her fabricated story about her home life with humorous and naturally romantic consequences.
While not officially a holiday movie, I am including The Mortal Storm for its wintery alpine setting. Another pairing with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, this early anti-Nazi movie is a powerful and emotional story. And no spoiler alert, but I would have the kleenex handy.
I haven’t included the many popular favorites that I’m sure most of you have seen. But just in case, don’t forget to put on your list The Holiday, Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, A Christmas Carol and A Christmas Story.
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Nasreen Zamir
This made me happy to see Stacey. I always used to love your movie reviews! Glad to hear that you had a lovely Christmas and hope that you have time to relax now.
Movies have “certainly changed” from the days of yore…we did see “Unbroken” and the theater, albeit small, was packed. franki
PERFECT selections!!
Great list Stacey, thank you. I was surprised to find that I hadn’t seen most of them and I’m a huge TCM movie watcher. Planning on watching almost all of these as I too am in couch mode. It’s wonderful to take some time off. Hope you’re having a lovely holiday! ♥
Merry Christmastide to you and your family, Stacey. Thanks for the film list. Many of them are great favorites of which I am happy to be reminded. Desk Set! Brilliant! My husband and I will make a date for that one. Don’t know Metropolitan, but it came out in a time that especially hectic and child focussed for us! Cheers and enjoy your couch time.
LindaB.
Of course let’s not forget the wonderful film “The Holiday” starring two gorgeous actors — Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet AND two of the MOST gorgeous homes too! LOL!
Love your blog!!! And have watched each and every one of your videos too!
Cheers! Jan at Rosemary Cottage
Stacey you have definitely included most of my favorites!! I Watched “Love Actually” again last night after getting home from a Holiday celebration!
xoxo
Karena
The Art by Karena
A wonderful movie of hope and faith!
The Bishops Wife..that is! We’ve been watching the MGM channel and are delighted with many older movies.