Here is a diverse and fun viewing list of 12 movies and TV shows to watch during the TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. The traditional 12 DAYS start on Christmas day and runs to Jan. 5 - Christmas to Epiphany. But, choose your own time frame, and for twelve consecutive nights here is a viewing list.
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This never gets old and never fails to charm. Just listening to the music of the great Vince Guaraldi makes it feel like Christmas. It also introduced me to real jazz music ... as opposed to the Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass LPs my parents listened to.
Day Two:
A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
An unknown film, which should be a holiday tradition. Set in 1944 France, an American Intelligence squad locates a German Platoon in the Ardennes wishing to surrender rather than die in Germany's final war offensive. The two groups of men, isolated from the war at present, put aside their differences and spend Christmas together before the surrender plan turns bad and both sides are forced to fight each other. Sad, but powerful. Based on a equally great novel.
Day Three: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
Come on ... it's hokey, but we all love it. The Snowman (Burl Ives) sings one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" in a show based on one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.
Day Four: THE SANTA CLAUSE
To me, one of the better modern Christmas movies. Funny and sweet. Sure the kid is annoying, but Tim Allen makes up for it.
Day Five: THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
The great pairing of Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan in a quirky romantic comedy set in Budapest during Christmas season. This was the basis of the Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan remake You've Got Mail, and even though that movie is good, the original is outstanding. If you've never seen it, you've missed one of the great Jimmy Stewart performances.
Day S
ix: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
NOT the Jim Carrey / Ron Howard-directed disaster, but the REAL Grinch narrated by Boris Karloff.
Day Seven
: HOW THE GHOSTS STOLE CHRISTMAS, X-Files Episode
Mulder and Scully go visit a rumored haunted house on Christmas Eve and get more than they bargained for. One of the all-time great episodes of a great TV show. Funny, scary and romantic at the same time.
Day Eight:
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Tim Burton's ingeniously dark romantic view.
Day Nine: THE BISHOP'S WIFE
NOT the Whitney Houston remake, but the original 1947 Cary Grant classic. Funny and irreverent while being very mainstream traditional.
Day Ten: LOVE, ACTUALLY
This follows the ups-and-downs of several characters' lives in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Alternately hilarious, sad, touching, heart-breaking and joyous. Just a great movie, period.
Day Elev
en: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
One of the all-time great movies, period. It is a testament to everything Christmas embodies: family, friends and the joy of life.
Day T
welve: A CHRISTMAS STORY
THE Christmas movie. The story of a young boy's epic quest to get his hands on a Red Ryder BB gun provides the hilarious backdrop for a timeless tale rife with family hijinks, frozen tongues and, of course, sex-oozing leg lamps.
MarkJonesBooks.com
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Day One: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
This never gets old and never fails to charm. Just listening to the music of the great Vince Guaraldi makes it feel like Christmas. It also introduced me to real jazz music ... as opposed to the Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass LPs my parents listened to.
Day Two:
A MIDNIGHT CLEARAn unknown film, which should be a holiday tradition. Set in 1944 France, an American Intelligence squad locates a German Platoon in the Ardennes wishing to surrender rather than die in Germany's final war offensive. The two groups of men, isolated from the war at present, put aside their differences and spend Christmas together before the surrender plan turns bad and both sides are forced to fight each other. Sad, but powerful. Based on a equally great novel.
Day Three: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
Come on ... it's hokey, but we all love it. The Snowman (Burl Ives) sings one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" in a show based on one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.
Day Four: THE SANTA CLAUSE
To me, one of the better modern Christmas movies. Funny and sweet. Sure the kid is annoying, but Tim Allen makes up for it.
Day Five: THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
The great pairing of Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan in a quirky romantic comedy set in Budapest during Christmas season. This was the basis of the Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan remake You've Got Mail, and even though that movie is good, the original is outstanding. If you've never seen it, you've missed one of the great Jimmy Stewart performances.
Day S
ix: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMASNOT the Jim Carrey / Ron Howard-directed disaster, but the REAL Grinch narrated by Boris Karloff.
Day Seven
: HOW THE GHOSTS STOLE CHRISTMAS, X-Files EpisodeMulder and Scully go visit a rumored haunted house on Christmas Eve and get more than they bargained for. One of the all-time great episodes of a great TV show. Funny, scary and romantic at the same time.
Day Eight:
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMASTim Burton's ingeniously dark romantic view.
Day Nine: THE BISHOP'S WIFE
NOT the Whitney Houston remake, but the original 1947 Cary Grant classic. Funny and irreverent while being very mainstream traditional.
Day Ten: LOVE, ACTUALLY
This follows the ups-and-downs of several characters' lives in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Alternately hilarious, sad, touching, heart-breaking and joyous. Just a great movie, period.
Day Elev
en: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFEOne of the all-time great movies, period. It is a testament to everything Christmas embodies: family, friends and the joy of life.
Day T
welve: A CHRISTMAS STORYTHE Christmas movie. The story of a young boy's epic quest to get his hands on a Red Ryder BB gun provides the hilarious backdrop for a timeless tale rife with family hijinks, frozen tongues and, of course, sex-oozing leg lamps.
