Christmas movies
Few people consider any of the unending adaptations of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” as their favorite holiday movie. It seems that everyone has adapted this Dickens' book into a movie, a stage production or into another genre.
For instance, Richard Neer, a radio sports personality, has been broadcasting his 20-minute version of this world-famous novella on Dec. 25 for many years
Among the few lists of the best Christmas movies I had seen, only one highlighted the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol” as a favorite. Maybe this was due to the multitude of films and stage adaptations of Dickens' book, leading us to overlook “A Christmas Carol” as a classic movie favorite.
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Last year, after seeing the 2022 movie “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” my 2023 holiday column became, “Did Charles Dickens Save Christmas?” I began searching for this year’s theme.
Then, recently, the chair of The New Canaan Cinema Club recalled reading my 2023 column and invited me to speak about “The Man Who Invented Christmas” movie and my essay. I did a presentation on the topic several weeks ago that inspired the idea for this column.
I began searching for lists of Christmas movies people considered the best. I was overwhelmed as to how many there were. On these lists I found many excellent films I enjoyed, some of which I watched more than once. However, there were three popular movies that have, for me, become a “must-see” holiday ritual.
The big three were “Christmas in Connecticut,” “A Christmas Story,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” A person’s age has much to do with what they might list as a favorite. A younger crowd might rate “Elf” at the top of their list. One of my grandchildren thinks it’s the best.
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So, why is “Christmas in Connecticut” one of the three on my favorite list? Years ago, my wife and I invited my mother-in-law’s childhood friend to spend Christmas with us. I was surprised when she said, “For years I’ve imagined myself spending a Christmas in Connecticut.” She referenced the 1945 movie by that name. It was as if her being with us on Dec. 25 was a lifetime dream realized. I have never forgotten the joy she seemed to have by being in Connecticut on a day she considered sacred.
A second reason I’ve seen “Christmas in Connecticut” so many times is that it is tagged as a screwball romantic comedy. As a movie buff, I am a fan of the genre. Big in the 1930s and 1940s, they were known for their farcical situations, clever and quick-paced repartees, and romantic misadventures, usually with a strong woman trying to get a man to fall in love with her.
Screwball comedies made people laugh. I still laugh every time I see “Christmas in Connecticut.”
Another favorite is “A Christmas Story” (1983). I relate to Ralphie, the film’s protagonist, a bullied 9-year-old. When I was in my early teens, I experienced a form of bullying from a boy named Mario. He would continually call me “Fat Pig,” even though I wasn't heavy at all.
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Hearing his words, “Fat Pig,” pained me so much that sometimes I wished him dead. As much as I wanted to get back at him, I lacked the courage to confront him, unlike Ralphie, who eventually stood up to the bully, Scut Farkus, and punched him out.
Moreover, this movie's narrator, Jean Shepherd, was a captivating storyteller, which made it particularly special. While my classmates were busy playing music from the era, I was listening to Shepherd’s tales on the radio. He shared stories about growing up in the Midwest. Sometimes, I imagined myself one day writing about my life in Spanish Harlem.
Finally, among my three Christmas favorites is “It's a Wonderful Life.” It appeared on every favorite Christmas movie list I found, often at the top.
"It's a Wonderful Life" is a heartwarming story of redemption. I have seen it countless times. Some critics have claimed this movie is unrealistic. They argue that no successful business banker would have acted as the character George Bailey did.
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George’s decisions were supposedly based on moral obligations rather than sound business planning. While the latter point may be true, in many films, viewers are often asked to suspend reality because of the point the movie is trying to make.
So, why do certain books, songs, or movies become cherished favorites within a specific genre? My sense is that this could be due to the quality of the work itself, how it resonates with our past experiences or the emotions that fill us with warmth and love.
I believe my three Christmas movie choices reflect the touchstones people often use, sometimes subconsciously, for embracing their favorite Christmas films.
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Juan A. Negroni, a former international business executive and Weston resident, is a consultant, bilingual speaker/facilitator, and writer. His column appears monthly in Hearst Connecticut Media. Email him at juannegroni12@gmail.com
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