Here are some vintage holiday films from Hollywood's Golden Age that are designed to warm your heart and, perhaps, reveal something of the true meaning of Christmas.
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"March of the Wooden Soldiers"
(1934)
Originally titled "Babes in Toyland", this children's fantasy is set in the village of Toyland where characters from various children's stories live. Starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, this musical comedy involves a mixed–up order for Santa and a complicated plot to save the Widow Peep (who lives in a shoe) from eviction. A great holiday movie for kids, and adults who still feel like kids.
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"Scrooge"
(1935)
This darkly atmospheric British version of Charles Dickens famous story "A Christmas Carol" stars the celebrated English stage actor Sir Seymour Hicks. It was the first sound film made of Dickens' tale.
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"A Christmas Carol"
(1938)
Reginald Owen plays Ebenezer Scrooge in this stirring version of Charles Dickens' classic story. Lionel Barrymore was originally cast as Scrooge, but ill–health prevented him from being in the production.
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"Remember the Night"
(1940)
A shoplifter (Barbara Stanwyck) is caught during the Christmas season and brought to trial by a New York City prosecutor played by Fred MacMurray. When the trial is posponed, the prosecutor brings the shoplifter to his mother's for the holidays where, surrounded by a loving family, they fall in love. How will they now handle the upcoming trial?
"Holiday Inn"
(1942)
The movie that introduced Irving Berlin's song "White Christmas" has Bing Crosby running a resort that is open only on holidays. This black & white movie was remade in color in 1954 and released as "White Christmas". This DVD contains both the original black & white version, and a colorized version, of the original "Holiday Inn".
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"Bells of St. Mary's"
(1945)
Starring Bing Crosby (as Fr. O'Malley) and Ingrid Bergman (as Sister Benedict), this classic proves that miracles still happen for those who truly believe. (The Christmas Story, as told by the young school children, will soften even the hardest heart.)
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"Christmas In Connecticut"
(1945)
This is a delightful holiday comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, and Sydney Greenstreet. Complications arise when a magazine columnist invents a bucolic lifestyle that she then has to create in reality.
The 2–disc set from Turner Classic Movies contains "Christmas in Connecticut" and three other holiday movies.
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"It's A Wonderful Life"
(1946)
Directed by Frank Capra, and starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, this is the story of how a man who is driven to contemplate suicide ends up finding that his life really has been worth living. This movie is one of the most watched and loved Christmas classics. This DVD contains both the original black–and–white version of the movie, and a colorized version.
Also avaiable in Blu–ray
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"Miracle On 34th Street"
(1947)
A department store Santa claims to be the real Kris Kringle and wins the heart of a skeptical child. The movie stars Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and a 9–year–old Natalie Wood.
Also available in Blu–ray
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"The Bishop's Wife"
(1948)
A touching holiday fantasy about an angel who restores spiritual direction to an overworked bishop, and makes both the bishop and his wife realize what is truly important in life. The film stars Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven.
This 3–disc set includes "The
Bishop's Wife" and two other
holiday movies.
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"Holiday Affair"
(1949)
Janet Leigh stars as a war widow who can't afford to buy her son a toy train for Christmas. A veteran, played by Robert Mitchum, offers to purchase the toy but complications arise. This is a charming romantic comedy that captures the Christmas spirit and is perfect for the holiday season.
This 4–disc set includes "Holiday Affair" and three other holiday movies.
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"A Christmas Wish"
(1950)
Originally titled "The Great Rupert", this whimsical family film stars Jimmy Durante, Terry Moore, and a very clever squirrel. This disc contains both the original B&W version, and a new colorized version of the film.
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"A Christmas Carol"
(1951)
This is one of the finest film versions of how Ebenezer Scrooge discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Alastair Sim stars as Charles Dickens' famous character, Scrooge, and these discs include a number of extras including the famous 1939 radio dramatization of "A Christmas Carol" narrated by Orson Welles and starring Lionel Barrymore.
Also available in Blu–ray
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"O. Henry's Full House"
(1952)
Some of Hollywood's brightest stars bring five of O. Henry's short stories to life. This delightful film includes O. Henry's moving Christmas story "The Gift of the Magi", featuring Jeanne Crain and Farley Granger as a loving couple who sacrifice their most precious possession to buy the other a perfect Christmas gift.
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"White Christmas"
(1954)
A color remake of the 1942 musical "Holiday Inn", this enduring yultide classic was named after Irving Berlin's wonderful song "White Christmas". It stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney, and was the first film ever shot in the wide–screen format called VistaVision.
Also available in Blu–ray
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