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It's
a Wonderful Life (1947) : Now perhaps the most beloved American film, It's a
Wonderful Life was largely forgotten for years, due to a copyright quirk. Only
in the late 1970s did it find its audience through repeated TV showings. Frank
Capra's masterwork deserves its status as a feel-good communal event, but it is
also one of the most fascinating films in the American cinema, a multilayered
work of Dickensian density. George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart)
grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and
travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf.
Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to
commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to
show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been
born. The sequence is a vivid depiction of the American Dream gone bad, and
probably the wildest thing Capra ever shot (the director's optimistic vision may
have darkened during his experiences making military films in World War II).
Capra's triumph is to acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments of life,
while affirming--in the teary-eyed final reel--his cherished values of
friendship and individual achievement. It's a Wonderful Life was not a big hit
on its initial release, and it won no Oscars (Capra and Stewart were nominated);
but it continues to weave a special magic. --Robert Horton.
More Christmas Classic Movies ...
Santa
Claus is Comin' to Town/The Little Drummer Boy/Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer/Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns (3-DVD Gift Collection) : The
original television holiday classics DVD collection now with Spanish-language
tracks. Three DVDs containing five of the all-time favorite television specials
known the world over!
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The
Happy Holiday Hearth
Familiar Christmas carols and relaxing in front of a crackling fire epitomize
the holidays. The Happy Holiday Hearth provides an instant, portable fireplace
that's mess-free and burns brightly all evening. The mesmerizing flames are
complemented by a choice of realistic crackling fire sounds, a holiday music
track, or a combination of the two. The music track features traditional choral
arrangements of classic Christmas songs like "White Christmas" and "Silver
Bells" with full instrumental accompaniment.
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Home
Alone (1990) : Now and forever a favorite among kids, this 1990 comedy
written by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) and directed by Chris Columbus (Mrs.
Doubtfire) ushered Macaulay Culkin onto the screen as a troubled 8-year-old who
doesn't comfortably mesh with his large family. He's forced to grow a little
after being accidentally left behind when his folks and siblings fly off to
Paris. A good-looking boy, Culkin lights up the screen during several funny
sequences, the most famous of which finds him screaming for joy when he realizes
he's unsupervised in his own house. A bit wooden with dialogue, the then-little
star's voice could grate on the nerves (especially in long, wise-child passages
of pure bromide), but he unquestionably carries the film.
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  An
American Christmas Carol
This American version of Dicken's immortal classic takes place in a small New
England town during the time of the Great Depression. The greedy president of a
finance company learns Christmas lessons about love and generosity.
 A
Christmas Carol
Ebeneezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) contentedly meanders through his life as a
cruel miser until one fateful Christmas Eve when he is visited by three ghosts.
The spirits show him how his behavior has degenerated over the years as his
heart has become colder. Using events from Scrooge's idealistic past, dreary
present, and dismal future, the apparitions try their best to melt his steely
soul. Will Scrooge see the error of his ways and learn the true meaning of
Christmas? Check out this hailed classic and find out| Many critics widely
consider this the definitive film version of Charles Dickens' cherished novel.
More Christmas Classic Movies ...
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