Wrap music …
Yes, I open and close every class with one of those incredibly funny jokes, so I figured to do the same for you (assuming my editor thinks they are funny too). With two weeks to go before the Christmas holiday, let’s continue with the “Twelve Days of Christmas Movies” theme … lots of fa la la la fun.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965)
Fifty-five years ago almost to the date (Dec. 9, 1965), the world was treated to the first Peanuts prime-time special. Saddened by the commercialism of the holiday, good ol' Charlie Brown looks for the true meaning behind Christmas. The 25-minute animated special drew in 15 million viewers and has been a staple in December ever since.
What makes the show so unique is that it was a pioneer of children’s television. First, they refrained from the canned laughter (normally called a laugh track) and went with a much more serious tone. For the majority of early animated films, adults usually performed the voices, but the producers used actual children to voice the characters, even though they didn’t give credit to them at the end. Another risk was that the special went with Biblical references to point out what the season was actually about.
The Peanuts gang would return a year later for “The Great Pumpkin” (which I reviewed back in October) and would treat us to a variety of holidays and events for many more years to come. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” would win the Emmy for outstanding children’s program, and today is part nostalgia and part life lesson, making it a true gift to all who watch.
It is half an hour well spent and certainly will be played on television over the next two weeks. In fact, it is the second-longest-running U.S. television network special. The longest? Well, we do have a few days of Christmas movies left.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966)
Over a full year later, in December 1966, the first book by Theodor Geisel would be turned into an animated TV special. Of course, most people don’t recognize that name, for Mr. Geisel is better known as Dr. Seuss.
One of the most noted children’s authors of the 20th century, Dr. Seuss was hesitant to have one of his beloved works brought to the screen. Sure, he got his start in advertising and had many works visually realized into animated “shorts,” but it wasn’t until the great Chuck Jones (yes, the fella behind the Looney Tunes) talked him into it.
With a flavor of Jones’ style, there was only a need for a one-person cast (the incredible Mel Blanc was solely responsible for the voice characterizations of many of Jones’ other animated projects), and the list was just Boris Karloff. Karloff, among other fantastic performances in his 52-year, 204-acting-credit career, was both the narrator and the Grinch (with a little help from some audio technology to drop the “high” part of his voice to make it sound more gravelly). Seuss originally was concerned that Karloff would be too scary but later mentioned he was the perfect fit.
Disliking Christmas and all the ballyhoo that goes along with it, the Grinch attempts to steal it from Whoville in the valley below Mount Crumpet. After he takes all the presents, decorations and food on Christmas Eve, he discovers that Christmas was a little bit more. Much like Charlie Brown, we are treated to a life lesson that extends far past the 26-minute run time. The film would be reincarnated a couple more times, but the original is still the gift that keeps on giving. It can be found on Prime for $3.99, but chances are it will be on one of the hundreds of cable channels over the next couple weeks. It's another film worthy of half an hour that should be shared with all the little ones of the house.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
"National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" (1989)
Speaking of great writers, how about the incomparable John Hughes? The late filmmaker was known for his string of "Brat Pack” hits through the '80s and '90s, though he preferred the writing aspect more than directing. He gave us Ferris Bueller, Uncle Buck and Beethoven, but possibly his most notable family members were the Griswolds.
So after trekking across country to Wally World and nearly starting a revolution in Europe, Clark (Chevy Chase) and Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) look to enjoy the holidays with their children and some of their extended family.
The film is a 97-minute, PG-13 comedy experience that could only be told by Hughes. His dialogue and situations are amped-up tropes, but he provides the pacing that makes you grateful for your own family. The supporting cast is outstanding; John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts and Randy Quaid, as cousin Eddie, deliver performances that will make you laugh and cringe at the same time. The house decoration scene is particularly dazzling, both literally and figuratively.
Fill up a Wally World mug with some eggnog and enjoy the shenanigans of the Griswolds. You can get it on Prime for $2.99 or channel surf and find it too.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my favorite reviewer gave to me:
"While You Were Sleeping" (1995)
Our final film this week is a classic rom/com that many miss as a holiday film. Set around Christmas in Chicago, Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is an “L” station fare collector who falls for a man she has never actually met. Peter (Peter Gallagher) is a suave-looking Chicago attorney who rides the train every morning. After an accident causes him to fall onto the tracks, Lucy saves him and accompanies the unconscious Peter to the local hospital.
In a series of misunderstandings (which are more than mildly funny), it is believed that Lucy is engaged to Peter, and his family thinks he is suffering from amnesia. The movie then follows how they welcome her into the family (she has no family of her own) and the interactions between everyone. An all-star cast play the Callaghans, and as Lucy gets to know them, love blossoms. Not between her and Peter, mind you, but between her and the younger brother, Jack (Bill Pullman).
The 103-minute film is predictable but wonderfully put together by versatile director Jon Turteltaub. It will warm your heart more than a cozy fireplace. Prime has it for $2.99, and be sure to stay awake, or others will enjoy it while you were sleeping.
There you go, four more that bring us to eight. We’ll give you the last quartet next week for a merry dozen!
• Jim Stockwell is a tenured instructor of film and broadcast journalism at McHenry County College, teaching Introduction to Film, Advanced Film and Introduction to Public Speaking.
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Review: Four Christmas films that deliver cheer - Northwest Herald
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