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When you ask people to name
their favorite holiday films and shows, few cite
recent releases. Instead, more than any other time
of year, Christmas inspires movie fans to gravitate
toward the classics that they first saw as children.
“It’s like people eating their favorite foods—
they’re looking for a particular satisfaction, or some
kind of feeling,” says Kenneth Turan, film critic for
the Los Angeles Times. “When they want that feel
ing, they go to that same film again."
And in the modern world, as the holidays grow
increasingly commercial and chaotic, it can be a
relief to bask in the simpler times portrayed in
Hollywood’s perennial favorites.
“These kinds of traditions are especially impor
tant now, when time moves so quickly," says Joel
Siegel, entertainment editor for ABC's Good Morn
ing America. “It's nice to step back."
While you'll undoubtedly revisit your favorite
movies anti TV specials this holiday season, you may
find a gem you've overlooked in our roundup of classic
Christmas films—and begin a new tradition!
When you ask people to name
their favorite holiday films and shows, few cite
recent releases. Instead, more than any other time
of year, Christmas inspires movie fans to gravitate
toward the classics that they first saw as children.
“It’s like people eating their favorite foods—
they’re looking for a particular satisfaction, or some
kind of feeling,” says Kenneth Turan, film critic for
the Los Angeles Times. “When they want that feel
ing, they go to that same film again."
And in the modern world, as the holidays grow
increasingly commercial and chaotic, it can be a
relief to bask in the simpler times portrayed in
Hollywood's perennial favorites.
“These kinds of traditions are especially impor
tant now, when time moves so quickly," says Joel
Siegel, entertainment editor for ABC's Good Morn
ing America. “It's nice to step back."
While you'll undoubtedly revisit your favorite
movies anti TV specials this holiday season, you may
find a gem you've overlooked in our roundup of classic
Christmas films—and begin a new tradition!
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It's hard to imagine a time when this perennial Christmas favorite by Frank Capra wasn't an Ameri
can classic. Though it failed miserably when released to theaters in 1946, the movie starring Jimmy
Stewart found new life in the 1960 s when shown on television. During a season steeped in family, cus
toms and memories, the graceful, sentimental tale of a man who learns his life is far more valuable than
he thought offers an especially moving message. "The notion that we’re not appreciating our life is a very
powerful ohe," Turan says. “And it’s one that people seem to really want to take to heart.’’
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Twentieth Century Fox executive
Darryl F. Zanuck felt this 1947 story set
in Macy's department store at Christmas
time was far too corny, and insisted on a
summer release to avoid losing too much
money. Instead, audiences fell in love
with the film starring Maureen O'Hara
and an adorable 8-year-old Natalie
Wood as a mother and daughter who
learn the importance of faith. The
film played packed theaters through
Christmas. "I think people really
I want to believe in Santa Claus,"
I Siegel says. “And what movie does
ft it better?”
Stars Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young
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“Cary Grant is the angel of the piece and has
never appeared to greater advantage," wrote Variety
upon the release of this 1947 film based on Robert
Nathan’s novel. Grant provides much of the magic of
the movie, a story about a bishop and his wife, played
by David Niven and Loretta Young, whose plans to
build a new cathedral are altered by divine interven
tion. Like many holiday favorites, the story demon
strates how easy it is to become consumed by the
tangible, when it's the intangibles that truly count.
(Continued on pave 6)
Page 4
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by KATIE DODD
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