The 12 Days of Christmas (Movies)

Head to the video store and have yourself a Merry Christmas Film Festival. Start December 13, watch one film a day and as you do, the full range of the holiday feeling will slide down your chimney right into your heart, just like ol’ St. Nick. Have fun.

December 13
BABES IN TOYLAND (G, 1934)
If you can find this classic gem, grab it. Victor Herbert's tale of how Mother Goose, Mickey Mouse and other fairy tale characters save Christmas sparkles. Laurel and Hardy are at their very best.

December 14
THE REF (R, 1994)
Thief Denis Leary gets in the middle of bickering couple Judy Davis & Kevin Spacey. A whip smart satire eviscerating shallow Christmas habits and poking a sharp candy cane at modern suburbia.

December 15
BISHOP'S WIFE (G, 1947)
A sweet old fashioned, and yes, Virginia religious film, albeit a Hollywood sanitized version. David Niven is the Bishop. Loretta Young is his angelic spouse. Cary Grant is the angel answering Niven’s prayer.  With a supporting cast and vintage studio production that’s top notch.

December 16
JOYEUX NOEL (PG13, 2005)
It’s World War I, Christmas, enemies become brothers, if for only one day. Smartly presented and factually correct, JOYEUX presents how common folk display more commonsense than their leaders.

December 17
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (G, 1938) / SCROOGE (G, 1951)
Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, the three ghosts and of course, our favorite miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. Take your pick, Reginald Owen or Alistair Sim as Scrooge, either does justice to the quintessential redemptive uplifter from Dickens.

December 18
THE LION IN WINTER (PG, 1968)
Dysfunctional-home-for-the-holidays family films abound, but let’s go medieval. Peter O'Toole and Kate Hepburn spend Christmas together in 1183 England. He's the King. She's his imprisoned Queen. Their three sons are manipulated, teased and demeaned. Talk about dysfunctional? It’ll make your family seem positively Brady.

December 19
BAD SANTA (R, 2003)
A pitch black and inebriated comedy for your white Christmas. Billy Bob Thonrton is a crooked Santa reformed by a young boy's belief.

December 20
ELF (PG, 2003)
Buddy is an elf, a very large elf. Problem is, Buddy is a human.  He sets out to find his real dad. Problem is, dad is on the naughty list.

December 21
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (G, 1947)
Kindly old man or St Nick? Who is Kris Kringle? Young Natalie Wood’s shines and Edmund Gwenn as Nick twinkles. The film creaks at times, but it’s still a classic.

December 22
THE SANTA CLAUSE (PG, 1996)
A divorced dad kills Santa and has to replace him. A vibrant family comedy with Tim Allen on top of his game.

December 23
A CHRISTMAS STORY (PG, 1983)
A modern cult classic from writer Jean Shepherd and director Bob Clark. Loving and  joyous, this film to behold quirky film transcends generations.

December 24
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
One of the biggest movie flops of all time is now the biggest Christmas film of all time. Visiting George, Mary, Uncle Billy, Vi, Bert, Ernie and Clarence every year soothes the soul.

All done? Now you're ready to give presents, open some, eat some tasty grub and enjoy Christmas with loved ones. By the way, is there a film missing from my twelve days? Which one is your fave?

Garen has been sitting in the dark for over 30 years as an film exhibitor, consultant and reviewer. You may have seen him on NE Cable or some other Boston station.  More likely you heard him pontificating about films on NPR, TKK, RKO, New Hampshire Public Radio, or any number of other stations he's been on, but one thing is certain, he loves, and knows, film.