Christmas Films

Friday December 15, 2006

One of the highlights of my Christmas is the Radio Times double issue; the nerd within makes me sit down with a marker pen to highlight all the films I want to watch over the holiday period. Here follows some random thoughts about films I associate with Christmas. Some of the following are on television this year and others have disappeared into the vaults forever…

Scrooge (1970)

The musical version with Albert Finney. This is possibly my favourite screen adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and probably one of the lesser shown versions. It’s a bit of an oddity in that you wouldn’t normally associate Finney with musicals, and also for the fact that he was only in his early 30s when he did this and most actors tend to tackle Scrooge in their later years. Worth a look, especially for Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley.

Look out for: an interesting Victorian party game called The Minister’s Cat.

Oliver! (1968)

Dickens has become entwined with Christmas, and I can never quite get the image of Harry Secombe as Mr Bumble trudging along in the snow singing “boy for sale!” out of my mind, the snow gathering on his huge hat as he drags the shivering Oliver along. My daughter has just discovered this film and wants to watch it repeatedly. And it is a cracker, especially for Ron Moody’s brilliant performance as Fagin. Avoid Polanski’s dreadful recent Oliver Twist and forget the overrated David Lean film. Oliver! is the best version of Dickens’ classic novel.

Look out for: Leonard Rossiter as Mr Sowerberry, the drunken undertaker (“We must all sit on Oliver!”)

The Marx Brothers

Until very recently, Marx Brothers films were shown in late night Christmas slots. My personal favourite (possibly Duck Soup?) is the one with Groucho Marx dancing around in front of a mirror (which is really Harpo on the other side of a window).

Look out for: The Marx Brothers playing a very odd game of cards and Chico repeatedly demanding “give it a slap!”.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

This was the big Christmas Day afternoon film when I was a small child. In later years it was demoted to the early morning slot, but I would still take a peek as I hastily prepared the sprouts in the kitchen. I haven’t seen Oz for a long time and I would love to watch it again, if only to see how it has dated as viewed with my increasingly cynical eyes.

Look out for: duck, it’s the flying monkeys!

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

A ship turns upside down and they’ve all got to get out! A brilliant premise for a film. If my memory serves me correctly, the shipmates are all celebrating Christmas when disaster strikes. Just a terrific film.

Look out for: Gene Hackman as a great team leader.

The Great Escape (1963)

Great American stars (Steve McQueen, James Garner) and great Brit stars (David McCallum, Donald Pleasence). What more could you ask for? Answer me truthfully: it’s the day after Boxing Day – are you going to go to the sales or are you going to watch this?

Look out for: escapees Mac (Gordon Jackson) and Bartlett (Richard Attenborough) are boarding a bus and converse in German with a Gestapo officer who is inspecting their passes. Papers are in order, but just as they pass him the guard says “good luck.” Mac turns around and says “thank you!” Doh! He immediately realizes his mistake, panics and runs away. The German soldier screams “Engländer!” as other soldiers give chase. It’s curtains for Mac.

Dance of the Vampires (1967)

Roman Polanski’s comedy horror film. Lots of creeping, climbing and sliding around on snowy Transylvanian castle battlements. Polanski’s made some brilliant films, so I’ll forgive him for Oliver Twist.

Look out for: Polanski in a rare starring role, as Alfred the vampire hunter’s assistant.

The London Nobody Knows (1967)

This is a very strange documentary with James Mason walking around London in the 1960s. He looks around old lavatories and music halls, forgotten parts of the city vanishing as shiny tower blocks are built. For a few years it was shown every Christmas holiday. My Father would always ask “is James Mason looking round old lavatories this year?”

Look out for: James Mason walking around London.

And finally…

To round these choices up to a neat ten I would add my two personal favourites Spartacus (1960) and Mary Poppins (1964). The best sword and sandals epic and the best children’s film.

Look out for: if you’re watching with me, be prepared for my poor Kirk Douglas and Dick Van Dyke impersonations.

I’ve only seen three of the movies on your list. It’s probably been close to fifteen years since I’ve seen “Oliver!” and as for “Mary Poppins,” well, I know I’ve seen it, but I don’t even remember it, it’s been so long. And I remember seeing “Spartacus,” but that was maybe ten years ago. My favorite Christmas movie is “Scrooged.” That movie is hilarious.

Brandon    15 December, 02:48 PM   

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