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Cover Story 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! _ ! dHHHH| Jg£ mMi ; . A < l^ng^^f r ' V j^BMßfPSyw'f' ••'*' -- j A' 7 HHHB&. i wBBB -' J^HBn lb , v *V % ' , ‘ : Sfci^vV^; liir 11 \ •Cfr- -Sr M '0 •, ~ss|siw r ~ a ■ 'hs a l( i iulci jnl l iji• 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.’’ Vimr/c cii Hill Si reel 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 7/,r I)i slih). s A ijc “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 • www.americanprofile.com by KATIE DODD © B ettmann/CORBIS