It feels great to be a ZERO!

Happy holidays, Firedoggies!

enjoy the day!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

We just watched “A Christmas Carol” this early am. Yep. Sim “owns” this one. But the Reginald Owen version isn’t bad. Watching “Tenth Avenue Angel” now. I don’t know who enjoys these timeless flicks more. The kiddos or us so-called grownups.

We watched the Albert Finney musical last night, which is my all time favorite. ELF is pretty hilarious as well. Merry Christmas!

Christy, you should get your hands on the Barbie Nutcracker, the Peanut will absolutely love it.

Good Christmas morning everyone. “Miracle on 34th Street,” Wonderful life. The RevDebs watched “Love Actually” on Christmas eve.

I quite agree with you, Redd, that the Alistair Sim version is the best. I’ve never been particularly fond of the Reginald Owen version; Owen has zero pathos.

I would also argue that Groundhog Day makes excellent Christmas viewing, even though it takes place in February.

And if you’re looking for good schmaltz, check out 29th Street.

I love this Day for so many reasons. Later we’re going to put “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on. I’m like a child with this movie.

The Bill Murray version of Razor’s Edge is one of those movies that succeeds despite it’s casting - the writing is just too good to screw up.

My favorites at Christmas are:

The Desk Set
Bell Book and Candle
White Christmas
The Bishop’s Wife (the original with Cary Grant and Loretta Young)

newly added: Love Actually

A MUST: A Claymation Christmas (buy through deep discount DVD, much better price than Amazon)

Some of the special Christmas episodes of West Wing.

there are more but I need a few to think about it.

and it’s been fun having Scarecrow with us for the holiday. He’s even tolerating my crazy family pretty well.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without “A Christmas Story” which is on an all day marathon on TBS today. I’m watching it now. My feeling for this movie may be a function of the fact that I’m originally from Gary, Indiana, and the film is set in Hammond, IN. Also, it fits so well with the era I grew up in. I’ve also watched “A Miracle on 42nd Street” and I know that “It’s a Wonderful Life” is one of my oldest son’s favorite films. By the way, he’s the biggest capitalist in the family, and not even a liberal, as near as I can tell, although he does think the government should stay out of citizen’s bedrooms and religious beliefs, or lack of them.

Schweaty Balls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....&eurl=

“Ground Hog Day”? It simply doesn’t get any better. If course, my having a crush on Andie MacDowell doesn’t hurt.

I was fixin to write about the Chile Colorado I’m making but I’ve just discovered that James Brown has died.

Politics aside, James Brown was one of the greats. The Godfather of Soul (Though in my mind, Otis Redding was the King).

A terribly sad way to start Christmas Day.

I like “The Bishop’s Wife” too.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 16

I like “The Bishop’s Wife” too.

The original?

James Brown. May he find the peace that so eluded him. I love this man.

RevDeb @ 17

Oklahoma kiddo @ 16

I like “The Bishop’s Wife” too.

The original?

I am thinking here of the Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monte Woolley version. Is there one before this one?

I think the Cary Grant one is the original “original.”

If we’re talking Christmas movies, I raise my hand with ” It’s a Wonderful Life.” Honorable mention to “Groundhog Day.”

R.I.P. J.B.

Merry Xmas to all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.....tmas_Carol
—-
‘The Hardest Working Man In Show Business’ –
BBC said he did 100 shows this year.

It’s a Wonderful Life
Christmas Story
A House Without a Christmas Tree
(I’ll have to pull out Bell Book and Candle too now that I’ve been reminded of it)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Story is a favorite in my house. As a matter of fact, I just alerted the family that it’s on all day.

“Earnest Saves Christmas” is wonderful, especially for girls. If you can put up with Earnest at all, it has an uplifting story about a troubled young girl who ran away from home.

We like to watch movies which are sort of magical around Christmas time. Amadeus, with the snowy scenes in Vienna. The Red Shoes. And we know It’s a Wonderful Life by heart.

Well, dang it. For some reason, the YouTube clip didn’t take the first time through posting. I’ve re-done the link and it ought to be on there for you guys now. So sorry for the delay.

We started out day with the traditional North Shore blackout.

I am not really joking, more Christmases than not, we have a blackout, usually because snow or freezing rain brings a tree limb down on the power lines. Today however warm and there is no precipitation, so I guess the transformer up the road decided to blow, just for the sake fo tradition.

Unfortunately, we have all electric cooking appliances, so Christmas breakfast did not get under way until the power was restored.

We did finally get power, overate a mess of crispy cooked artisianel bacon and some pop and fresh cinnamon buns and vats of coffee with frothed milk. The presents are all opened, the living room is a mess and there is quite a big fire going in the fireplace.

I want to give a special shout out to Christy for taking time away from the peanut this AM to go to the trouble of putting posts up for us. That is a HUGE level of commitment.

Oh and Christy, I spent a chunk of time plowing through all 165 eye glazing pages yesterday and may have something to send you today or early tomorrow. It’s not really good for posting today, so you can count on it for later in the week.

So many wonderful films. Does anyone recall the old “Twilight Zone” episode where Art Carney plays the drunk, and gets to be Santa Claus? For real.

Love Actually
The Big Lebowski
Dreamgirls in the theatre later today.

Happy Christmas morning all!

With grown children and being a leaning pagan family, it’s been a morning for sleeping late though dtr and bf came back late last night from his family’s (where they usually stay for hols) so I will soon whip up some breakfast …

have to confess to not being a Christmas movie sort (tho RevDeb, I watched Love Actually last year and was surprised at how fun it was) so I’m doing a marathon watch of this years season of The Wire and will follow that with Weeds … I love being able to just laze!

It’s off to one of the family ranches. Can you smell the home grown and home smoked ham? And the deep fried wild turkey? Have a wonderful day!!! And I am going to try and remember what this day is all about.

OK kiddo -

Sounds like this one:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734666/

Plot Outline: After a derelict Santa Claus is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish - to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.

I have a vague recollection…probably just because my father was such a fan of Carney (the ‘Unsung Genius of The Honeymooners’)

It’ll air New Year’s Eve 6:30 Sci-Fi channel for pups w/cable.

I forgot one of my all-time faves — the original “Shop Around The Corner.” It was re-done as “You’ve Got Mail,” in a sort of passable version with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. But the original is so magical. Love it.

Merry Christmas to all the West Coasters who are just waking up to greet the day. :)

Christy Hardin Smith @ 34

I forgot one of my all-time faves — the original “Shop Around The Corner.” It was re-done as “You’ve Got Mail,” in a sort of passable version with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. But the original is so magical. Love it.

Merry Christmas to all the West Coasters who are just waking up to greet the day. :)

I agree with you on the original. Jimmy Stewart, yet again.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....37095.html

Cenk makes an interesting observation about the ‘72 virgins in paradise’ thing I hadn’t heard before:

I recently heard Salman Rushdie tell the story of Islamic scholars debating whether the line about 72 virgins waiting in paradise for martyrs was a mistake. It turns out the Koran might mean 72 raisins instead. Rushdie asked the crowd to imagine the look on Mohammed Atta’s face when Allah lets him in on that small misunderstanding.

Darn the luck anyway.

Good morning, Christy and all FDLer’s from the west coast. *blink, blink* Coffee’s on.

Santa was good to me. I got what I wanted most,a Democratic Congress. It was an early present, but that’s ok! And Ikea, here I come. I don’t care what anyone says, gift cards are GOOD.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Just got back from our Christmas morning beach poop. Settling down to coffee and big bowls of Newman’s Own organic turkey dog food. Makes their breath really stinky.

Big kisses all around.

Blank Kludge @ 33

OK kiddo -

Sounds like this one:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734666/

Plot Outline: After a derelict Santa Claus is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish - to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.

I have a vague recollection…probably just because my father was such a fan of Carney (the ‘Unsung Genius of The Honeymooners’)

It’ll air New Year’s Eve 6:30 Sci-Fi channel for pups w/cable.

That’s it!!! Thanks!! Merry Christmas! ;)

I’m outta here, and I got a car full of little bitty cousins. And some bigger ones too. And we’re hungry. And it’s four-wheeler time at the farm.

Merry Christmas, Jane and the pooches. We had soft food here for PJ (the doxie) and Rascal (the kitty), and we now have two big bellied pets laying in front of their respective heater vents. Too funny. :)

RevDeb @ 35

Christy Hardin Smith @ 34

I forgot one of my all-time faves — the original “Shop Around The Corner.” It was re-done as “You’ve Got Mail,” in a sort of passable version with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. But the original is so magical. Love it.

Merry Christmas to all the West Coasters who are just waking up to greet the day. :)

I agree with you on the original. Jimmy Stewart, yet again.

Good morning and Happy Day to everyone. I love Jimmy Stewart……….

Just watched “Shop Around the Corner” with my family the other nite– awesome and funny, too. The other re-do with Van Johnson and Judy Garland was lame-o.

Bishop’s Wife is on Comcast On Demand on the Free movie listing. Just starting to watch it.

The original with Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young and Monty Wooley.

Fun.

Independent Appeal: ‘What would happen if the Virgin Mary came to Bethlehem today?’
Johann Hari on the plight of pregnant women in the West Bank, where babies are dying needlessly
Published: 23 December 2006

In two days, a third of humanity will gather to celebrate the birth pains of a Palestinian refugee in Bethlehem - but two millennia later, another mother in another glorified stable in this rubble-strewn, locked-down town is trying not to howl.

http://news.independent.co.uk/.....097790.ece

RevDeb @ 11

My favorites at Christmas are:

The Desk Set
Bell Book and Candle
White Christmas
The Bishop’s Wife (the original with Cary Grant and Loretta Young)

newly added: Love Actually

A MUST: A Claymation Christmas (buy through deep discount DVD, much better price than Amazon)

Some of the special Christmas episodes of West Wing.

there are more but I need a few to think about it.

and it’s been fun having Scarecrow with us for the holiday. He’s even tolerating my crazy family pretty well.

Ooh I adore Desk Set - especially Kate Hepburn beling out “Night and Day” with Spencer Tracy on bongos. It was produced by Nora Ephron’s parents. Nora in turn produced, among others, You’ve Got Mail.

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for such a wonderful community.

The holiday season frequently features both selfless charity and empty gestures. For Barbara and George H.W. Bush, 2006 proved no exception.

For the details, see:
“Happy Holidays from Barbara and George H.W. Bush.”

AngryOne @ 45

The holiday season frequently features both selfless charity and empty gestures. For Barbara and George H.W. Bush, 2006 proved no exception.

For the details, see:
“Happy Holidays from Barbara and George H.W. Bush.”

Thank you but I’d rather not pollute the day with his visage. Maybe tomorrow.

Merry Christmas everyone.

The turkey’s in the oven!

We watched Love Actually on Christmas Eve. Schmaltzy and so many kinds of love. I cry at the end every time. Night before we watched Amadeus. A great movie.

Yesterday, Miracle on 34th street…first in B&W, next in color. I always like the colored versions better…even with yellow pajamas.

Now we’re kinda’ back to normal. Mr. Cyn2 is watching UFO sightings! And, I’m checkin’ out the blogs.

The Eddie Goulding version with Tyrone Power is better. But here’s something I’ll be t you didn’t know. The hero of Maugham’s book was based on Christopher Isherwood.

Long before he moved to the U.S. to study Vendatta, Isherwood was famous in England as a seeker of the spiritual.

And to top that when he came here he wrote a movie adaptation of The Razor’s Edge that 20th Century-Fox still owns. Bill Murray and John Byrum were told of its existence but had no interest in reading it.

Merry Christmas, every one!

Love Actually went on my holiday viewing pile this year, too.

Bell, Book, and Candle, oh yes.

I saw The Shop Around the Corner for the first time just this year. It is lovely, so sweet. And in our house we always watch Christmas Story at least once starting right after Thanksgiving.

Scrooged for the “I believe in it now” speech, Michael J. Pollard, Carol Kane, and Bill Murray’s Richard Burton immitation at the soup kitchen.

I haven’t seen Desk Set in probably over twenty years! I’m going to have to check that out.

As for Christmas movie favorites . . .

We watched our favorite “The Ref” last night. Such a favorite that we can recite much of the script. The acting, writing, and I suppose the directing are great.

Oh, and Holiday–

–another one with Cary Grant, this time with Kate Hepburn. Love it.

Thanks Christy
I made your hot artichoke dip for a party out here on the west coast last night and it was a huge hit.

merrygregious to all, and to all, a good blog!

I also love all the MASH Christmas episodes…very touching and appropriate with all that is going on .

Twisted Martini @ 55

I also love all the MASH Christmas episodes…very touching and appropriate with all that is going on .

First year of West Wing. “In Excelsis Deo” with a homeless vet found dead with a coat Toby had donated to Good Will. Very touching ending with a military funeral overlaid with a childrens’ choir singing Little Drummer Boy. Powerful.

and it was made in 2000.

I never got into West Wing, primarily because it was too much torture to watch real adults running things. In contrast with the Gambinos and their criminal incompetence and corruption.

Lounging around at my parents house. We had the american side party last night. Beer, humor and laughter, pictures and pets. Definitely worth the 3 hour drive east for me.

Mom’s watching an older version of Little Women at the moment. But i like the original version of Miracle on 34th Street, along with the remake done a few years ago. I was never fond of A Christmas Story, though i know the movie by heart. Mostly because it was always shown so much. *grins* My personal favorite is Scrooged. I also like the Patrick Stewart version of A Christmas Carol, and adore The Muppet Christmas Carol.

For now? A bit of relaxing while i tweak this laptop to my heart’s content before we take off over to ontario, for my mom’s side of the yearly parties. Cousins, yet more pets and food! Lotsa FOOD! Merry Christmas firepups!

Twisted Martini @ 57

I never got into West Wing, primarily because it was too much torture to watch real adults running things. In contrast with the Gambinos and their criminal incompetence and corruption.

It’s what kept my sanity while the crime family was trying to kill the country. I tried to live in my mind in that alternate universe.

Well this has nothing to do with a Christmas theme but we just rented “Word Play” about Will Shortz and crossword puzzles. Great documentary and well worth your two hours.

Merry Xmas, firedogs. The TL kid and I watched “And Justice for All” Xmas eve, the classic with Al Pacino as the overworked defense lawyer, Jack Warden as the crazy judge and John Forsythe as the debased, criminal judge.

RIP, James Brown. the world is a less funkier place without you.

merry Christmas, everyone.

It’s been a good one for me. I finally had the money to buy my sweetie a ring.

I asked her to marry me last night at family dinner, and she said yes. :)

“In Excelsis Deo” –

Powerful indeed. That last five minutes cutting back and forth tween the choir and the Arlington funeral with the 21 gun salute…and Mrs. Laninngham attending in momory of her two boys lost in Vietnam. (Earlier. as they wonder if she’s up to going, she say something like ‘What else am I gonna do?’ I don’t recall the exaect words; but it is heartbreaking).

Maybe (at least in my memory) THE most moving five minutes of (fictional) TV I’ve ever seen.

felicitations, Urban Pirate!

Thanks, punaise. She’s much better than I deserve. ;)

Urban Pirate -

Hey Now!

Glad tidings indeed!

IkoIko!

Urban Pirate,

HEALTH and HAPPINESS to you two!

May it be a wonderous life you two will have together.

Congrats!

Urban Pirate @ 66

Thanks, punaise. She’s much better than I deserve. ;)

then let her bring out the best in you!

Thanks, BK. We need to meet up some time.

Urban Pirate -

Youbetcha!

Maybe if Bobby tours, some Ratdog show in Hartford/Spfld area.

EDIT:
http://www.rat-dog.com/dates.html
Feb dates on the Left Coast…no can do. Will watch for closer venue. The first Ratdog CD was HOT. Never got to a show, though.

Concur on the Alistair Sim version, Christy. When I was little, they ran this every Christmas Eve. Great acting and just the right touch for Christmas. Also the ghosts that visited Scrooge were spooky. God Jul og Godt Nytt r. .

punaise @ 62

RIP, James Brown. the world is a less funkier place without you.

Ain’t that a bummer? I have a lot of bootleg/b side James Brown. He created the foundations of so much that we now take for granted musically. Funk/Rock/R&B/Blues/Disco etc. Amazing artist, tortured man. Rest in Peace, JB, you deserve it.

Without a doubt, I love “It Feels like Christmas” in the Muppet Christmas Carol, and my favorite verse:

A part of childhood that we’ll always remember
It is the summer of the soul in December
Yes, when you do your best for love
It feels like Christmas

May we all bask in the summer of the soul.

Blank Kludge @ 71

Urban Pirate -

Youbetcha!

Maybe if Bobby tours, some Ratdog show in Hartford/Spfld area.

My buddies are promoting the “gathering of the vibes” again in B’Port this summer. Bobby is headlining. If not before then, I’ll get you some comps.

www.gatheringofthevibes.com

We just watched some serious stuff. Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Concur on the Alistair Sim version of “A Christmas Carol” Christy. Sim was the perfect Scrooge; when I was a child, they ran this version every Christmas Eve. It was the right touch after Christmas Eve services. God Jul and Godt Nytt r.

Urban Pirate @ 63

merry Christmas, everyone.

It’s been a good one for me. I finally had the money to buy my sweetie a ring.

I asked her to marry me last night at family dinner, and she said yes. :)

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

(((((Urban Pirate and the future Mrs. Pirate!!)))))

Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk

Funk is an African American musical style. It originated in the 1960s with performers such as James Brown,…

I didn’t really KNOW…but could feel the roots when listening to Clinton/P-Fink/Prince etc. and then hearing JB. Influence is undeniable. I know he used the word (back when I was just your avg. white jr.hi boy.)

—–
Urban Pirate - Whoa! Just read that…
gatheringvibes…ooohhhh.
That could work…heehee!

Our favorite Christmas Eve video is “The Tailor of Gloucester” based on the Beatrix Potter story with Ian Holm, Thora Hird, and the children of the Royal Ballet School as the little mice who save the day for the tailor. Look closely and you can recognize a very young Jude Law as the Mayor’s gullible servant.

The Pacific Northwest Ballet version of The Nutcracker with sets & costumes by Maurice Sendak and narrated by Claire Bloom is closer to the original E.T.A. Hoffman vision than other more famous interpretations and is really magical.

My first exposure to “A Christmas Carol” was courtesy of Mr. Magoo. 42 years later I can say it is a faithful adaptation, and belongs on any list of versions of the tale with at least an honorable mention.

As for other Christmas movies, for my money you can’t beat Die Hard…

Blank Kludge @ 79

Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk

Funk is an African American musical style. It originated in the 1960s with performers such as James Brown,…

I didn’t really KNOW…but could feel the roots when listening to Clinton/P-Fink/Prince etc. and then hearing JB. Influence is undeniable. I know he used the word (back when I was just your avg. white jr.hi boy.)

—–
Urban Pirate - Whoa! Just read that…
gatheringvibes…ooohhhh.
That could work…heehee!

I have 2 box sets of jb, One is “plays the Blues”, the other is “the J.B.’s”

Both are amazing, the first catalogs his sound that became the foundations for classic blues/soul/r&b , the second (with the jb horns)is his work that became the basis for funk/disco.

I always liked his ‘popular” stuff, but it wasnt until I really started learned what he created and WHEN that I realized just how influential he has been.

The world would literally not be the same had he not lived his life. Not bad for a guy who slept on a wooden floor with a straw mattress until he was a teenager.

Thanks, egregious. (((((egregious)))))

Sorry I’m so off topic this thread Christy. ;) Hugs to you and the peanut. As an FYI, there is a muppet show dvd which has the John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, and Harry Belafonte episodes on it. I must have seen it 100 times. If you get the chance, grab it. Merry CHristmas.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!!!

I am sorry, but the finest filmed version of A Christmas Carol is the George C. Scott version:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087056/

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but I thought this one captured both the emptiness of his soul before his visions, and the flowering of a new life afterwards. George C. Scott gave one of his most remarkable performances.

Please check it out. It is worthy of your consideration. Nothing against Alister Sims. I just liked the emotions this version captured. It remains my personal favorite version of the story.

Despite the hell on earth, Merry Christmas to everyone.

Rell @84. I agree on the GCS Christmas Carol.

It’s a beautiful day here in the NW. No snow, thankfully, but it’s sunny and pleasant. That’s unusual this time of year.

Plus, the days are starting to get longer.

Hope everyone who celebrates Christmas has a good one. As for the rest of us, let’s just get through this one, OK?

See you later.

Evil Santa!

Who loves lobster?
I know I do.
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Atlantic/061223/t122302A.html

Crew members safe after lobster vessel Monster Inc. sinks off Nova Scotia

YARMOUTH, N.S. (CP) - Four lobster fishermen whose vessel sank off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia are safe.

A spokesman for the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax says the vessel Monster Inc. sank Saturday afternoon about 85 kilometres south-southeast of Yarmouth.

Doesn’t have to be a ‘Perfect Storm’ to be a dangerous way to make a living. They and their families must be so relieved to be safe. Could be their best gift ever.

just sayin’…

Merry Xmas to all. Returned from 500m. round-trip up the Oregon Coast to dinner with relatives. Watched local surfers in ‘double-overheads’ on the way back. Todays forcast 20′ swells. We’ve had 20″ of rain since Oct. 1st. Begining to gurggle my words again. We’ll be watching Sidney Poitier in ‘Mandela’ here shortly and I’ll be anticipating the ‘hot rock’ massage gift cert. received this a.m. Okay Firedogs, have a great holiday and I’m more thankful for all the great insights, writings, humor & support since my first visit a little over a year ago. I think I’m a better citizen because of all your efforts and understanding.

Rell 84, you beat me to it. The George C. Scott version is the absolute best. Watching the converted Scrooge/Patton act like a giddy school boy is priceless. His performance brings tears to my eyes every single time I watch.

Turkey’s in the oven, and I’m off to take a nap.

Merry Christmas all!

From James Browns - ‘A Funky Christmas’ album

listen for free

Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto

I last saw him in Tunica, MS in the late nineties. A true original who taught this boy to dance wherever the notion hits.

Oh I hope Christy sees the recommendation of Bill Murray in The Razors Edge. A gem that slipped by to many folks, imo. Just the locations make it worth a watch. Think I will watch it today.

Peace and love to all pups on this fine day.

JB:

Christmas In Heaven (MP3):
http://loudersoft.com/songs/Ja.....Heaven.mp3

It isn’t Christmas for me without having seen A Child’s Christmas in Wales (based on Dylan Thomas’ book of the same name)

bookwoman @ 92

It isn’t Christmas for me without having seen A Child’s Christmas in Wales (based on Dylan Thomas’ book of the same name)

Me too. When now-grown children were young, we used to read it together every Christmas afternoon.

Merry Christmas All!

Ohio @93
You can also get the CD with Thomas reading his own work. Such pure joy!

The part where the firemen arrive is my favorite, of course.

Thanks to TCM, I get to spend some quality time remembering my mother every Christmas, watching her favorite actress/singer of all time, Judy Garland.

You are all soooooo young. Turner Classic Movie station is playing “Meet Me in St. Louis” one of my very favorite Christmas movies. I called my sister on the west coast to tell her so we could watch it together (despite 3,000 miles apart). There are other really good old Christmas movies that if you youngsters haven’t seen, look for them. “Christmas in Connecticut” with Barbara Stanwick and “Cuddles” “Holiday” with Cary Grant and Kathryn Hepburn, and one I haven’t been able to find for some time, “Larceny, Inc.” with Edward G. Robinson. I like the Alistair Sim “A Christmas Carol” the best; but, enjoy all of the other versions, too. “The Shop Around the Corner” as mentioned above is great; but, I enjoyed the remake “You’ve Got Mail” along with the other Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan outing in “Sleepless in Seattle.” If I want action at Christmas, there is nothing like “Lethal Weapon.” “A Christmas Story” won my heart when I first saw it at a $1 movie theater in July one year. I only watch the black and white version of “Miracle on 34th Street”. Laurel and Hardy had a “Babes in Toyland” that scared me and made me laugh and cry when very young; but, I haven’t seen it in a long while. And, of the new ones, I am absolutely bonkers for Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman in “While You Were Sleeping.”

And, here is my own trivia question: What does the “Godfather” have in common with “It’s a Wonderful Life”? You see a movie theater marquis in both and they both have “The Bells of St. Mary’s” playing.

Merry ChristmaS! Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Holidays! And, I’ll wish you a Happy New year next week. Name one New Year Movie . . . “When Harry Met Sally.”

Bonnie @97: And, here is my own trivia question: What does the “Godfather” have in common with “It’s a Wonderful Life”? You see a movie theater marquis in both and they both have “The Bells of St. Mary’s” playing.

Yes–I think that was a deliberate homage from Francis Coppola.

And bookwoman@95: Thanks. I’ll look for the CD.

“GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IT’S TRULY
A REAL HONORABLE EXPERIENCE TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
A VERY WONDERFUL AND WARM AND EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR
ALL OF US. AND I’D LIKE TO SING A SONG: FOR ALL OF
YOU.
It’s Christmas in Heaven,
All
the children sing,
It’s Christmas in Heaven,
Hark hark those church bells ring.
It’s Christmas in Heaven,
The snow falls from the sky…
But it’s nice and warm and everyone
looks smart and wears a tie.
It’s Christmas in Heaven,
There’s great films on TV…
`The Sound of Music’ twice an hour
And `Jaws’ I, II, and III.
There’s gifts for all the family,
There’s toiletries and trains…
There’s Sony Walkman Headphone sets
And the latest video games.
It’s Christmas it’s Christmas in Heaven!
Hip hip hip hip hip hooray!
Every single day,
Is Christmas day.

It’s Christmas it’s Christmas in Heaven!
Hip hip hip hip hip hooray!
Every single day,
It’s Christmas day.”

Albert Finney is my all-time favorite too!! I watch it every Christmas. Bill Murray’s is next…wonderful. I cry at them both.

Sorry if I was aggressive. I was just surprised the George C. Scott version had not been mentioned.

Love the Muppets version. Michael Caine is thought of well as an actor, but I think people underestimate him. Also, I loved Jacob Marley, and his brother, Robert.

The Patrick Stewart was good, but I thought it felt more like a stage production than a film. Stewart has done A Christmas Carol BRILLIANTLY as a one-person show on Broadway, and I think, as a result, the film he did had a greater stage quality. That may be your preference, Christy. I certainly ENJOY that version, no doubt.

What I liked about the Scott film was the intimacy. I felt a part of the story, as Scrooge was, traveling with the spirits. I felt I got to know them. And honestly, at the end, when David Warner comes in to work, and is confronted by the duplicitous, changed Scrooge, the shock, relief, and JOY Warner felt was real and welcome. Also, Edward Woodward as the Ghost of Christmas Present!

Maybe next time before you open your mouth you will find out who the surplus population is and where it resides. It may be that in the eyes of Heaven that you are more worthless than hundreds like this poor mans crippled child.

He was relentless in this role, all about the joy of Christmas, but he was about justice, not merely peace. It was a Christmas of the Magnificant!

It has always been a good story, and the film versions all have usually brought interesting insights and angles to the tale. This one just happens to be one I did not want lost in the shuffle.

Not a Christmas movie, but one of the best scenes in it takes place at Christmas-the wonderful Ronald Coleman version of A Tale of Two Cities (finally out on region 1 DVD).

Of Christmas Carols: Sims, then Magoo, then George C. Scott for me.