Article by Ellie Evergreen
Children love to write Santa Letters. It gives them hope and allows them to believe in something good when there is so much bad I the world. Letters from Santa reinforce their hope and really put a smile on the faces of those who receive them. Another thing that makes our children smile and us this time of year are those wonderful movies that we get to enjoy at Christmas time. This Christmas, schedule some family time around these great movies and smile as a family.
One of the movies that is on top of almost everyone’s list is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Frank Capra needed a great actor to pull this one off and he found one in a young and budding star named James (Jimmy) Stewart. This 1946 drama is truly an all-American classic. Inspired by the short story “The Greatest Gift” by Phillip Van Doren Stern, this classic never fails to bring a tear to the eye of even the most stalwart viewer. If you listen real close, you can hear dad suddenly develop a case of the sniffles. Do not look though, because dads are a little shy about crying in public. The movie was considered a failure when it was released but is now on the American Film Institutes Top 100 movies of all time lists!
Miracle on 34th Street is one of those movies that has been remade half a dozen times and will probably be remade half a dozen more. It does not really matter which version you watch as it is the storyline that makes the movie. My personal favorite is the one with Richard Attenborough, but many think that Sebastian Cabot was the best. My favorite part is when they see Kris’s cane standing in the corner and suddenly realize that he must be Santa Clause as he has let his cane there. Talk about letters to Santa! Here is a classic case of the US mail getting it right.
“The Santa Clause” is not a very old movie but it still hits the nail right on the head. Tim Allen’s portrayal to Santa Clause is one that is so convincing that Santa himself sent his letter of approval to the actor, thanking him for doing such a great job. My favorite part is the scene in which Allen puts on the Santa Suit for the first time and goes down the chimney. What a leap of faith that must have been. It just goes to show what a dad will do for his kids.
“A Christmas Carol” is a wonderful movie and like “Miracle,” has been remade more times than you can shake a stick at. While I do not have a personal favorite as far as actors go, they have all done a great job as far as I am concerned. I would have to say that my favorite version is the one that I witnessed first hand at our local community playhouse. To me, the play is so much more intriguing than the movie because it is being performed right in front of you and when it is a play like this one, the audience knows all the lines so the actors have to be especially good. There is no director to yell, “Cut” when you do it wrong so you cannot do another take.
My last pick gives an imaginative nod to the partnership of Ron Howard and Jim Carey. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” comes alive and is so much like and so different from the cartoon and book that it is amazing. I honestly do not believe it could have been done this well by any other actor!
About the Author
Create Magic in your child’s eyes with our and letters from Santa. EZSantaLetters.com offers 15 pre-written letters or complete customization of your ownSanta letters. All Letters are Northpole Postmarked with Santa seal and Free Shipping.
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