Christmas Books and Films
The Snowman and Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs Two picture books written and illustrated by Briggs could not be less similar. The Snowman is a quiet, magical adventure in the short and sweet life of a snowman. Father Christmas follows a disgruntled Santa Claus on his rounds. The film versions capture the rich illustrations. Miracle on 34 Street by Valentine Davies The lives of three people are changed by a man who insists he is Santa Claus. The 1947 Academy Award winner featured a young Natalie Wood. The 1994 remake starred Richard Attenborough as Santa. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens The story of an uncaring, old miser who transforms into a charitable, kind gentleman with the help of three spirits. It was the inspiration for many films including Scrooged with Bill Murray. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville’s holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. The film version starring Jim Carrie is a much, much expanded storyline. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans A young family moves in to the house of a wealthy widow. Together they discover the greatest gift of Christmas and learn what Christmas is really all about. The made-for-TV Hallmark Home Entertainment movie stars Maureen O’Hara. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham The story of tax accountant Luther Krank and his wife Nora who plan to forego Christmas and all the costly trappings and treat themselves to a Caribbean cruise. The movie, Christmas with the Kranks, stars Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant. The 1986 film version starred Loretta Swit. In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd Set in Indiana during the 1940’s, 9-year-old Ralphie desperately wants a Red Ryder BB-gun for Christmas, over his parents’ objections. This book inspired the movie A Christmas Story. Unfortunately, it is only available in large print. The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsberg A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. Tom Hanks stars in the film version that is already a modern Christmas classic. It’s a Wonderful Life – Frank Capra film - 1946 - An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed. A Charlie Brown Christmas – Charles M. Schultz – TV special - 1965 - Repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas. White Christmas – 1954 movie – directed by Michael Curtiz - A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.
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Frosty the Snowman – 1969 – TV special - A living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman's magic hat. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – 1964 – TV special - A misfit reindeer and his friends look for a place that will accept them. The Nightmare Before Christmas – Tim Burton film – 1993 - Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept. The Santa Clause – Tim Allen starring - When a man inadvertantly kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. National Lampoons’ Christmas Vacation – Chevy Chase - The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster Elf – Will Ferrell - After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity Prancer - An endearing story about a young girl who finds an injured reindeer and wants to return it to Santa. There is a sequel to it as well, Prancer Returns The Muppet Christmas Carol (1993) - The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve.
A Christmas Story - A tale that takes place in the 40s involving Ralphie, a boy obessesed with
the Red Ryder single action rifle.
A Garfield Christmas – 1987 - Garfield, Jon and Odie go to Jon's grandmother's house for
Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma. Babes In Toyland – 1934 - Mother Goose rhymes come to life in this '34 classic (reissued in '52 as 'March of the Wooden Soldiers') starring comedy legends Laurel and Hardy as gut-bustingly bumbling toymakers out to save Toyland from the nefarious Barnaby. Home Alone – 1990 - An eight year-old, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars. The best thing about this holiday staple is watching an 8-year-old kid toss burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern a good oldfashioned Christmas beat-down. Scrooged – 1988 – Bill Murray - A cynically selfish TV executive gets haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. The Night Before Christmas – Two mischievous elves add their rambunctious spirit to this familiar 1823 rhyming story.
Other Links Christmas Movies 100 Greatest Christmas Movies