The Greatest Christmas Movies

It's a Wonderful Life

In my opinion, A Christmas Story and Its A Wonderful Life are the greatest holiday movies ever made.  I am obviously not alone with this opinion as these are probably the two most watched holiday movies. (A close third would be Miracle on 34th Street) Its A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story have the same theme of wanting something.  In Its A Wonderful Life George Bailey wants to travel and have adventures so that he may feel successful in life. Of course, at the end of the movie he finds that he has been very successful all along. In A Christmas Story, Ralph wants a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle.  Of course, he eventually gets it but he does shoot his eye as every adult warned him he would. Irony catches up with both George and Ralph.

Most of Its A Wonderful Life takes place during the 1940's as does A Christmas Story.  Its A Wonderful Life has World War II as background references, where as in A Christmas Story the war is never mentioned, although one of Ralphs friends appears to be wearing an airforce pilots cap as winter wear and a couple in military dress can briefly be seen at the beginning of the movie when Ralph is looking in the store window.

   There were no televisions in everyone's home and radio was still king.  A Christmas Story has a very funny scene involving a radio program and a decoder ring.    Its A Wonderful Life was made in the 40s and in one scene George and Mary get turned on by each other because they have to talk on the phone very close to each other.  They have to speak loudly into the phone so Sam can hear them long distance from New York.

Was life simpler then?  The world was at war and microwave ovens had not been invented yet.  But life in these movies seem quaint and simple, no political correctness.  I doubt A Christmas Story could be made today.  If they did they would have to take the gun out and put in an action figure. (see Jingle All The Way)

Both movies also have themes of the family unit and the need we have for it.  George Bailey's wife rallies the family and neighbors when George is in trouble.  They come to his aid in the emotionally wonderful final scene.  Ralph's mom comforts him after a fight with a bully. That evening he thinks his dad will be very mad about the fight but his mom helps smooth things over.

Its A Wonderful Life is about the value of a persons life and how we measure it.  A Christmas Story is about the desire to get something and the absurd length Ralph goes to get it.  For a childs Christmas, happiness is achieved by getting the toys and presents they want.  An adult's Christmas is a little more complicated.  When George's family and friends give him money on Christmas Eve, to bail him out of financial difficulty, it is their love and generosity that is so impressive, not the money.   The ending to A Christmas Story is so endearing in that we all can relate to Ralph and his quest.  We have all at one time or another wanted something very badly.  In Its A Wonderful Life we watch that final scene and wonder how many people would come to our aid if we were in that predicament.  Have I had a wonderful life?  Is it being measured by the material items I acquire or the amount of friends I make?

A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story is light and whimsical.  You will smile the whole movie watching a boy go through the trials and tribulations of being a child during the holidays.  Its A Wonderful Life is not nearly paced as well, but is far more thought provoking.  A Christmas Story reminds you of what Christmas use to be like when you were a kid and Its A Wonderful Life shows what it should be like as an adult.

I watch both of these classics every year.  A Christmas Story for a good laugh.  Its A Wonderful Life for a joyful tear.