Christmas Top 10s

Each year the Curmudgeon eagerly awaits the day after Thanksgiving, because that starts the Christmas season. Now not everyone feels the same way. Most retailers seem to think that the Christmas season starts the day after the 4th of July, or at the very latest, the day after Labor Day. It is a shame that Thanksgiving, which to my mind has always been a perfectly good holiday, has been lost in the shuffle and madness to outsell the other guy. Starting on the Sunday before Thanksgiving we are literal bombarded from every angle with news of the coming "Black Friday". Retailers whip us into a frenzy of bargain hunting such that people are willing to trample each other to make sure they get the "best deal of the season". How sad it is that we have let ourselves get to this point.

But I don't allow Christmas to begin until after Thanksgiving. in addition to the other Christmas related activities, that is when the family is allowed to listen to Christmas music and watch Christmas movies. So since we are in that appropriate time, I thought I would share The Curmudgeon's Top 10 Christmas movies and CD's.

Top 10 Christmas Movies (In reverse order to keep you in suspense)

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/ How the Grinch Stole Christmas - It just isn't Christmas without a viewing of these two animated classics
9. A Christmas Story - Makes me remember all of my Christmas's past, as a little boy.
8. The Santa Clause - Tim Allen makes me believe in Santa again.
7. The Bishop's Wife - An angel, Cary Grant, helps a Bishop, David Niven, and his wife, Loretta Young, rediscover their love and the meaning of Christmas.
6. White Christmas - Two old Army buddies put on a show to help out and old Commander. a movie constructed around a song, but oh what a song. Bing Crosby is a little old to be a romantic lead, but he and Danny Kaye have great chemistry. This is a great movie to watch while wrapping Christmas presents and drinking hot chocolate, or if you prefer, while drinking buttermilk and eating liverwurst sandwiches!
5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Chevy Chase deconstructs the good old fashioned Christmas experience. Clark: "Its not big...its just full." Russ: "That thing wouldn't fit in our yard!" Clark: "Its not going in our yard Russ, its going in our living room."
4. The Three Godfathers - John Ford's Western tale of 3 outlaws who find redemption in saving a child they find in the desert on Christmas is a great change of pace at Christmas time. With good performances by John Wayne, Ward Bond, Harry Carrey, Jr. and Pedro Armandez.
3. A Christmas Carol (1951) - You know the story and no one has ever done Scrooge better than Alastair Sim. Enough said
2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - A Macy's Department Store Santa maintains that he is the real St. Nick and is put on trial to prove it. Every year I watch this film and every year I come away thinking maybe there really is a Santa Clause! Edmund Gwynn shines as Kris Kringle as do most of the rest of the cast. This movie also illustrates the fact that Maureen O'Hara is one of, if not the, most beautiful stars Hollywood ever produced.
1. It's a Wonderful Life - "Capracorn" at its best! The heartwarming tale of a man who finds out what the true meaning of life and Christmas are all about. With Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in the leads, supported by the stalwarts of the Frank Capra stable of players. I can always find something new in this film with every viewing.

Just a note, all of the films that were originally released in B/W should be viewed that way! Colorization is a sin.

Top 10 Christmas CD's

10. Bette Middler: Cool Yule
9. John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
8. Harry Connick, Jr.: When my Heart Finds Christmas
7. Peter, Paul and Mary: A Holiday Celebration
6. Amy Grant: Home for Christmas
5. Steve Vaus: When the Satrs Come out for Christmas
4. Dean Martin: Making Spirits Bright
3. Stormy Weather: Doo Wop, Yule Pop
2. The Sackville All Stars: The Christmas Record
1. Bing Crosby: White Christmas