Merry Little Podcast Classic Christmas Movies that Suck

[MMC Postmaster]

Classic Christmas movies are those that get watched year after year. We all have our favorites. And we all have those that maybe we can do without.

In this merry episode we take on some truth-telling about some classic Christmas movies that everyone knows and most like but movies that nonetheless really suck. Is such a thing possible?

We think so and yes we go there.

Lest you think I’m just a Christmas movie Grinch consider that complaining about Christmas movies is something of an art on the Internet. There are a lot of people out there who cannot stand certain Christmas movies. I know it’s shocking.

When it comes to bad Christmas movies most publications play it safe and make lists of B-grade Christmas movies like this one.

Not us. We go there — to the Christmas big leagues. We’re talking genuine Grade-A top flight CLASSIC Christmas movies that suck.

It is an interesting thing to think about. Christmas movies are really like no other kind of movies. There will always be diversity of opinion when it comes to any movie, Christmas or otherwise. But like hanging stockings or drinking eggnog, there is a tradition of having to endure replays of the same bad Christmas “classics” year after year.

We note in this episode about the growing trend of Christmas podcasting and how many new podcasts are out there. The great majority of them pursue movies as their topic. But would any of them really take on this topic? Movies are a sacred cow of Christmas that we think needs some tipping.

For many of this old Christmas films we grew up with them. As kids, maybe we did not know they were bad.

I can recall seeing A Christmas Story with my family when I was a teenager. We all thought it was a great movie, especially because it was a movie we saw with my Dad in a theater – a rare event. Even more rare was that he enjoyed it so much. We thought he was taking us because it appealed to us. We were surprised — and I think he was surprised — at how much he laughed at it. Of course, my father was a child of the 1940s. It makes sense it would connect with him.

Imagine my shock years later when discussing that movie with a friend. She was a young school teacher at the time. When I brought the movie up she immediately frowned. “That’s a terrible movie,” she said. “No child should ever see on a screen an image of Santa sticking his boot in a child’s face.”

It never occurred to me that was a bad scene or that it would affect someone. But I saw her point.

Movies in general are things we will never agree on.

But Christmas movies, for whatever reason, seem to get a pass in many ways.

In this episode we take a look a Christmas movies that play every year that should have been forgotten long ago.

Will we bring up one of your favs?

Do be shy in commenting what you feel — that is what makes this discussion always so interesting.

Continue reading...

 

[cparishjr]

Great show. Some people are hosting Christmas movie podcasts because they want to do a podcast and talking about a movie is easy. Very little research is needed to just talk about what happens on screen and give an opinion. I think it would be great if there was a good quality Christmas movie podcast that provided a lot more depth. I would like to learn facts like Danny Kaye actually hurt his ankle while dancing in White Christmas. Maybe they should have used that instead of the horrible scene where Danny Kaye faked an injury to keep the General away from the TV. Even though I cringe at the acting and have to suspend disbelief that there is a Broadway sized stage at a Vermont inn, I still watch White Christmas every year.

 

[Jeff Westover]

Great show. Some people are hosting Christmas movie podcasts because they want to do a podcast and talking about a movie is easy. Very little research is needed to just talk about what happens on screen and give an opinion. I think it would be great if there was a good quality Christmas movie podcast that provided a lot more depth. I would like to learn facts like Danny Kaye actually hurt his ankle while dancing in White Christmas. Maybe they should have used that instead of the horrible scene where Danny Kaye faked an injury to keep the General away from the TV. Even though I cringe at the acting and have to suspend disbelief that there is a Broadway sized stage at a Vermont inn, I still watch White Christmas every year.

That's REALLY good feedback. I vascillated on where to take this episode. But I think you're right -- a more in depth look at the history/details of making some of these classics is worthy of greater exploration. Thanks!

 

[MerryCarey]

I have a possible answer to the question of why so much online discussion takes place about Christmas movies above all other Christmas topics. Could it be because that's one thing most of our celebrations have in common? Everyone's family Christmas is different in its traditions, but the movies people tend to watch at Christmastime are pretty much all the same.

Christmas movies---especially vintage favorites---for me, they open the door to the Christmas season and awaken Christmas feelings. Sometimes I wonder if that's a shallow way to enjoy Christmas, but I don't think it is. Something that is personally nostalgic and makes you feel good about the holiday can't be so bad a way to celebrate.

The history of Christmas movies WOULD made a fascinating podcast. One thing I've learned from Mr., who's a knowledgable film historian, is to remember that movies are an industry ... and business drove many creative decisions, especially back in the studio era, including casting, release dates, etc.

 

[Jeff Westover]

I think you're right. Movies are kind of the low hanging fruit of Christmas.

In a year like this one I see them being a downright critical element.

But for all we're locked down I would say the choices we have require us to even still discriminate over what we watch. There just isn't enough time to absorb everything we WOULD see if we COULD.

That being said, would I choose a new Hallmark flick over a classic?

Probably not, for the very reasons you've outlined. My Christmas counts on those things that make me feel safe and happy and comfortable.

I will have to invest more time in the study of the history of some of these films. I think it's worthy of more exploration.

 

[MerryCarey]

I will have to invest more time in the study of the history of some of these films. I think it's worthy of more exploration.

Speaking from experience---especially if you do your research online---there are a lot of myths and half-true stories out there regarding studio-era films and actors. Nearly every good story comes in several different versions. And not everyone reporting the stories is knowledgable or trustworthy. It's sometimes hard to know what's really true and who's a reliable source.

Mr. likes to do his research among primary resources like trade papers of the time (e.g., The Exhibitor), some of which are available online. Sometimes it's a matter of putting scattered pieces together to come up with the whole story.

One good resource for It's a Wonderful Life is the book by Jeanine Basinger. She did her research among Frank Capra's personal papers, and the book is a treasure house of backstories, photos, production information, anecdotes, and more, including the complete final script of the film. She's a reliable film historian. (Our favorite part is the lists Capra made of the actors he was considering for each role---e.g., W. C. Fields as Uncle Billy!)

 

[Jeff Westover]

Speaking from experience---especially if you do your research online---there are a lot of myths and half-true stories out there regarding studio-era films and actors. Nearly every good story comes in several different versions. And not everyone reporting the stories is knowledgable or trustworthy. It's sometimes hard to know what's really true and who's a reliable source.

Mr. likes to do his research among primary resources like trade papers of the time (e.g., The Exhibitor), some of which are available online. Sometimes it's a matter of putting scattered pieces together to come up with the whole story.

One good resource for It's a Wonderful Life is the book by Jeanine Basinger. She did her research among Frank Capra's personal papers, and the book is a treasure house of backstories, photos, production information, anecdotes, and more, including the complete final script of the film. She's a reliable film historian. (Our favorite part is the lists Capra made of the actors he was considering for each role---e.g., W. C. Fields as Uncle Billy!)

Yes, absolutely. That's why the hardest part of this is time. Of course, The Merry Little Podcast still accepts guest hosts....just saying...

 

[MerryCarey]

One more observation, re the comment that comedians rarely have chops as real actors: Alastair Sim, before "Scrooge," was best known for his comedy roles in British films. "Well done him," as the British say, for stepping up and creating an unforgettable Scrooge.

 

[Jeff Westover]

One more observation, re the comment that comedians rarely have chops as real actors: Alastair Sim, before "Scrooge," was best known for his comedy roles in British films. "Well done him," as the British say, for stepping up and creating an unforgettable Scrooge.

I did not know that. There are always exceptions. In our day, I would say Robin Williams was a comedian who could act -- although I think he was classically trained.

I've had some blowback about Bill Murray. I haven't seen his dramatic stuff but I have seen his Christmas stuff...and it's not impressive.