Editor’s note: The holiday season means the television airwaves are filled with Christmas movies, and new would-be classic films are released around each Thanksgiving. Most of what are considered “favorites,” though, are those that have been around for awhile. The News + Record queried some Chathamites about their all-time favorites, and here they are, in no particular order — along with CN+R reviewer Neil Morris’ all-time top-12 list. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to yours.
Charlie Brown Christmas
John Bonitz, Pittsboro Commissioner: “I love ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ The Vince Guaraldi Trio soundtrack is probably my favorite holiday season music.”
April Weaver, director, N.C. Arts Incubator: “(Aside from ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’) I also want to choose A Charlie Brown Christmas for the warm fuzzy quality. I mist up at the end of that one. The music in it is magical and something about the Peanuts movies takes me back to the feeling of childhood. The uncomplicated care free 70s! This movie has an enormous amount of that intangible Christmas spirit. Goodwill and all that! It’s so nice.”
A Christmas Carol
Jim Nass, Pittsboro Mayor: “My favorite Christmas movie is ‘A Christmas Carol’ with George C. Scott as Scrooge. I love it because it is about the redemption of the human spirit and how we are capable of changes in our life for the better.”
Derrick Jordan, Chatham County Schools Superintendent: “If I’m flipping channels at home and see ‘A Christmas Carol,’ I’ll watch that, especially if it’s the old 1951 version.”
Rita Van Duinen, Branch Manager, Chatham Community Library: “My all-time favorite is an adaption of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol called ‘Scrooge.’ Produced in 1970, Albert Finney is cast as Ebenezer Scrooge and it’s the version of the classic Dickens tale that I grew up with. One of my favorite scenes is Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Present. After making much merriment, the Ghost returns Scrooge home. Scrooge enjoys himself so much he doesn’t want the Ghost to leave. The Ghost of Christmas Present replies, ‘There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have,’ and ‘Remember, Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you’re not there anymore.’ Good advice from a ghost! Happy Holidays!”
A Christmas Story
Chip Price, Siler City Commissioner: “It reminds me of Christmas when I was little. I wanted a BB gun as well!”
Daniel Simmons, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina: “My favorite Christmas movie is definitely ‘A Christmas Story.’ I love the antics of the children in the story, and I love the wonderment of Christmas in Ralphie’s eyes as he dreams and schemes for his coveted ‘Red Ryder’ BB gun. What I love best, however, is the musical scoring of this film. You’ll hear major works of music such as Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, and Tchaikovsky’s music for Hamlet. All of these things wrapped up (no pun intended) into one film make it a holiday classic.”
Die Hard
Dolly Sickles, Pittsboro author: “Because we’re an action movie family, our two ultimate favorites are ‘Die Hard’ and ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight.’ ‘Die Hard’ was just so unusual when it came out, and the plot and characters so compelling. It’s a hold-over favorite that we’ve seen a million times, and usually watch it about mid-month. ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ is another family favorite. The original ‘Grinch Who Stole Christmas’ and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ are our favorite cartoons, and throughout the month we listen to Vince Guaraldi on repeat. But since it came out, we watch ‘Elf’ while we put up the Christmas tree. Everything about it is satisfying, from the sweet message to fun dialogue and sing-a-long opportunities. My mother is a huge fan of ‘White Christmas,’ and when I was a kid we watched that every year. It’s super dated now, but it makes me think of my mom, and singing along with Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen to ‘Sisters.’ But if I had to choose one, I guess we’d go with ‘Die Hard.’”
Elf
Dan LaMontagne, Chatham County Manager: “I watch it with my wife and daughters every Christmas Eve. It is great for all ages. One of my favorite parts is when he is in the office with his dad and thinks the coffee is hot chocolate. His reaction is hilarious! And who can forget that ‘the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!’”
Brooke Simmons, owner, The Chatham Rabbit: “This movie is hilarious and heart-warming. My favorite quote is when Buddy the Elf says, ‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing along for all to hear.’ My family can attest that the closer it gets to Christmas day the more I adhere to this philosophy much to their dismay. The thing I love the most about the movie is that it shows us to live our truth and be who we are no matter how annoying and that by doing so everything will work out in the end.”
Home Alone
Alyssa Byrd, President, Chatham Economic Development Corporation: “I love watching ‘Home Alone’ with my kids. It’s a classic, and the physical comedy gives us all belly laughs.”
Randall Rigsbee, Managing Editor, Chatham News + Record: “The late John Hughes gave us two enduring holiday classics: ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles,’ which he wrote and directed, about Thanksgiving; and ‘Home Alone,’ which he wrote, about Christmas. Both are terrific holiday movies brimming with humor and warmth, but especially humor. So much to love about ‘Home Alone’ — ‘Keep the change, you filthy animal’ — it hasn’t lost its punch after nearly 30 years and I never tire of seeing it.”
It’s a Wonderful Life
Bill Haiges, Siler City Commissioner: “I love it for many reasons. First, it’s because of the message that wealth isn’t measured in dollars, but in the strength of the reputation and character of a person. My father taught me that if you do the right thing, for the right reasons, good things will happen. That is exemplified in the character of George Bailey in that movie.”
Cindy Bray, Siler City Commissioner: “It is a good example of what we should all remember not only at Christmas but every day.”
Anabelle’s Wish
Sara Pack, Chatham Sheriff’s Office: “Although few may recognize the title, this beautiful animated story is forever etched in my country girl heart; it’s best enjoyed alongside your favorite pet and a box of tissues! It’s about an orphaned, non-speaking child named Billy who lives on a farm with his grandfather and an adorable calf named Annabelle. Early on, we learn that Annabelle dreams of being one of Santa’s reindeer and hopes to ask him for the ability to fly. Over the next year, we learn of Billy’s hardships, his grandfather’s financial struggles, and most importantly, his growing friendships with Annabelle and a young girl named Emily. I won’t spoil the ending too much, but let’s just say that Annabelle gets her wish, and the result is unforgettable. I never tire of re-watching this incredibly moving tale of love, sacrifice, and Christmas miracles!”
Miracle on 34th Street
John Grimes, Siler City Mayor: “The movie puts a question in the mind of the viewer, ‘Do miracles really happen?’ Not only at Christmas time, but in different seasons and in different years of our life. Do you really believe in miracles? I do!”
Judy Hogan, Moncure-based author and poet: “I haven’t seen many Christmas movies in my life, but I especially loved ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ which I saw when I was 10 in 1947. I believe it’s still available. Why? Good things happen, even miracles. We were re-united with our father. We moved from Norman, Oklahoma, to Jacksonville, Florida. The war was over. I decided to become a writer, and I did. I have 22 books in print at age 82.”
Mister 880
Dr. John D. Dykers, retired Siler City physician: “My big surprise was that my real favorite was ‘Mister 880,’ a 1950 movie starring Burt Lancaster and Dorothy McGuire in which Edmund Gwenn plays an old man who deals antiques in New York City and counterfeits a few $1 bills to ‘get by’ when times are tough. Gwenn is the actor who plays Kris Kringle in ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ which is a real Christmas movie and also charming. It is probably because I am old that the other Christmas movies that stick are ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Jimmy Stewart in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ But it may be because Christmas feels so commercial now. The spirit of Jesus and love and real person to person giving to those in real need is not as often found on the big screen. ‘Mr. 880’ became conjoined in my memory with Christmas. Surely part of that was Gwenn the common actor. The basic kindness of all the characters was the Christmas spirit personified, and it was the Christmas spirit we all want to express every day.”
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Curtis Brown, Siler City Commissioner: “It reminds me of some of my relatives and some people I grew up with.”
April Weaver, director, N.C. Arts Incubator: “I’m going to say National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for the sheer hilarity of it. It’s a big tradition in my family to just let it play over and over. I have a Cousin Eddie bobblehead in my office one of my daughters gave me. He’s in the short robe and boots from the scene where he’s emptying the RV toilet into the street shouting ‘Merry Christmas’ and something else I can’t say here.”
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Rev. Ricky R McKinney Sr., pastor, Jordon Grove AME Zion Church, Siler City: “By far my favorite belongs to a 1993 movie entitled ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’ For beginners, it’s a fantasy/musical which we love because we’re a singing family. Once we discovered it, my children, wife and I have made it a ‘must see’ ever since; every year! It’s the story of Halloweentown’s Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, who is totally bored of frightening people and he discovers Christmastown. He sees the difference of dark and gloomy and profoundly prefers the brightness of color and joy of Christmas. He enjoys Christmas so much so that he wants to be Santa Claus, kidnaps Santa to bring Christmas under his control, and finds he has some big shoes to fill”
The Polar Express
Dennis Streets, Executive Director, Chatham County Council on Aging: “Besides being an admirer of Tom Hanks, I love how this movie reminds us of Christmas magic. It truly is a magical season – a time to share joy among family, friends and strangers; to put others before self; and to remain youthful in spirit. We are inspired to believe and listen for the sound of all that is good about the holiday season in hopes that it will last throughout the year.”
Bill Horner III, Publisher/Editor, Chatham News + Record: “It’s hard to beat ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ which has all the elements of a great film and that incredible performance from Jimmy Stewart, but my go-to favorite for now is ‘The Polar Express.’ I love snow and I love trains and each time I watch it I’m really transported and really forget it’s a movie. The movie reminds me of the wonder of the season of Christmas and the magic I always felt as a child. There are probably 20 ‘I love that film’ Christmas movies on my list (and no, I’ve never seen ‘A Christmas Story’ or ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’), but ‘Polar Express’ — which I’ve probably seen 30 times — is the only one I ever watch out of season.”
White Christmas
Bill Haiges, Siler City Commissioner: “I would say that in ‘White Christmas’ the message resonates with me because it’s all about doing something for others with no expectation of getting anything in return...It’s more blessed to give than to receive. Also, I love the music! Christmas music to me is all of the traditional stuff, Ray Coniff, Nat King Cole, the Robert Shaw Chorale, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Dean Martin and so on. It’s what Lisa and I were raised listening to and passed that on to our own kids. I love that my 16-year old daughter and 21-year old son can identify Tony Bennett versus Dean Martin and have an appreciation for that generation.”
Zachary Horner, Reporter, Chatham News + Record: “My wife and I stumbled across ‘White Christmas’ a couple years ago on Netflix and we instantly decided to make it a family tradition. Great music — I get ‘Lord, help the mister who comes between me and my sister’ stuck in my head all the time — and a great story compliment Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney’s solid performances. The duos are particularly good together as well. Worth a watch. ‘The Santa Clause’ is a close second.”
The Christmas Chronicles
Jaime Detzi, Chatham Education Foundation: “My current favorite holiday movie is The Christmas Chronicles. I love a few things about this movie. First, it gives you some really concrete ideas on how Santa Claus handles the logistics of traveling around the world in 24 hours. As a kid, I could never stop thinking about the ‘how’ and it is a brilliant movie to see one writer’s ideas on Santa’s magic. Second, a family in tragedy (loss of their father) comes together, makes a believer out of the teenage son, and learns how to bring Christmas joy back to their home. It is a true reminder of how loss strikes many families, especially children, and that you can find a way to keep that person’s memory alive.”
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Mike Roberson, Chatham County Sheriff: “I’ve enjoyed this classic since childhood! Although Rudolph was shunned and bullied, he rose above the negativity to become a true hero and dependable teammate. Rudolph’s journey is a reminder that we all have different strengths that should be celebrated, not ridiculed or concealed. Every member of the team has value as well as leadership potential… You just have to give them the opportunity to shine!”