Too Much Romance? by Tim Smith

Every year at this time, we’re bombarded by holiday-themed romance flicks on TV. Christmas and love affairs go together like cookies and hot chocolate, but some cable networks take it to the extreme. The most recent count is 116 new TV movies this year. With that many on deck, I question the originality factor. The Hallmark Channel began airing their lineup before Thanksgiving, followed by Lifetime, Ion and Netflix. I try to catch a few, but some of them threaten to push my blood sugar level into the diabetic danger zone.

To that end, I submit my own list of favorite holiday movies, the ones that are part of my yuletide tradition. Some of them feature romance in the plot, but most are just good holiday cheer, designed to help you enjoy the magic and take your mind off of seasonal stress. How many of these have you seen?

“Holiday Inn” (1942) – The first onscreen pairing of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire introduced “White Christmas,” “Happy Holiday” and “Easter Parade,” among other holiday-themed songs by Irving Berlin. The concept was cliched even then (two show biz partners break up the act, they fight over the same girl, true love wins out in the end, etc.) but it’s enjoyable for the music, laughs, and some of the best dancing Astaire ever did in a film. A highlight is the Valentine’s Day ballad “Be Careful, It’s My Heart.”   

“White Christmas” (1954) – This was originally intended as a reworking of “Holiday Inn,” again featuring Crosby and Astaire, along with some new Irving Berlin music. The plan changed after Astaire read the script and turned it down. Donald O’Connor was then chosen to be the dancing partner but he became ill, and was replaced by Danny Kaye. Kaye let it be known that he wasn’t happy about being third choice, and wouldn’t be taking a back seat to Crosby. Despite all the backstage drama and fighting, it was the most successful movie that year and has remained a beloved holiday favorite. The songs are good, the dance numbers are top-notch, and the chemistry between Crosby and Rosemary Clooney reflects their off-screen friendship.  

“The Man Who Came to Dinner” (1942) – This film version of the Broadway comedy hit came along when America was deeply entrenched in WWII, and the country needed something to lift its spirits. Monty Woolley is a snobbish radio personality who becomes injured while visiting an Ohio family during a lecture tour. He remains in their home through Christmas, imposing his eccentric lifestyle and pompous demands on his unwilling hosts. The whole thing is performed at a fast pace with dialogue and situations that are still funny. This was updated for TV in the ‘70s with Orson Welles in the title role.

“Grumpy Old Men” (1993) – The reunion of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau turned out to be a surprise hit. Two widowered childhood friends who have been feuding for years live next door to each other, but barely get along. When carefree spirit Ann-Margret moves in across the street, the competition for her attention gets intense. This movie is a delight, with hearty laughs and on-target observations about relationships, aging, and holidays with estranged families. Burgess Meredith is a hoot as Lemmon’s father. After the ending, stick around for the outtakes over the closing credits.

“The Apartment” (1961)—Speaking of Jack Lemmon, here he’s teamed with Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray in a cynical romance by Billy Wilder. I used “cynical” because for a love story set during the holidays, there are very few likeable characters. Office clerk Lemmon lets his supervisors use his apartment for their extra-marital flings in exchange for perks and a promotion. The conflict arises when he falls hard for co-worker MacLaine, who, unbeknownst to him, is sleeping with his married boss (MacMurray). The New Year’s Eve finale has become a classic. Even though MacMurray had played his share of heels, by this point he had become synonymous with Disney movies and TV’s “My Three Sons.” He caught all kinds of hell from his fans for playing a philandering family man, and stuck with nice guy roles for the rest of his career.     

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1988) – Here we have Chevy Chase doing his hapless family guy persona, Beverly D’Angelo as his long-suffering wife, and a situation where anything that can go wrong probably will. Chase’s quest to provide “the perfect family Christmas” is pretty much doomed from the start. While you’re watching this, think “How many of these things have happened to me?” I can always come up with a few.  

“A Christmas Story” (1982) – “I triple-dog-dare ya!” This one brings back many of my own childhood Christmas memories, especially Darren McGavin’s hilarious portrayal of The Old Man. And how many of us lusted after that one special gift we just had to have, like Ralphie with his Red Ryder BB gun? I was guilty of the “F-dash-dash-dash word” thing when I was his age, too.  If you can’t catch this one at least once over the holidays, you’re probably living on Mars.  

“When Harry Met Sally” (1989) – Rob Reiner’s ode to contemporary romance makes the list because the big finish takes place on New Year’s Eve. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are besties who avoid a romantic relationship because they think two friends who become emotionally involved can’t possibly make it work in the long term—or can they? Nora Ephron’s script contains her usual insightful prose, and the music by Harry Connick, Jr. sets the right mood. And let us not forget “I’ll have what she’s having.”

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969)—This is the one James Bond adventure where the taking-over-the-world plot centers around Christmas. It’s also the one where Bond falls in love and gets married, with tragic consequences. Additionally, it’s the first series entry not to feature Sean Connery as the iconic spy. The seasonal backdrop of the Swiss Alps provides great atmosphere, along with the most exciting ski chase sequences ever filmed (remember that this was pre-CGI, where special effects and stunts were done on the real). In addition to one final hit song for Louis Armstrong (“We Have All the Time in the World”), the soundtrack features a seasonal tune, “Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?”      

“The Bishop’s Wife” (1947) – This overlooked Christmas gem stars Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. A church Bishop (Niven) neglects his wife, family and congregation because of his single-minded pursuit of building a new cathedral. Along comes Grant as a suave angel named Dudley to remind him of what’s really important in life. There are laughs, charm, and some genuinely touching moments. Remade as “The Preacher’s Wife” with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987) – This John Hughes road movie for grown-ups is a lot of fun. Steve Martin is an uptight businessman trying to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, but one delay after another pops up to aggravate him. The main distraction is John Candy as a well-meaning but overbearing salesman whom Martin ends up traveling with. Lots of laughs abound as Martin makes getting home to his family his personal crusade, in spite of the albatross around his neck. Watch for the “Those aren’t pillows!” scene about a half-hour in.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965) – Not technically a movie, but a sentimental favorite nonetheless. I’ve been watching this since it premiered in 1965 (when I first saw it in glorious black-and-white!). The simplistic animation adds to the charm, as does Vince Guaraldi’s jazzy soundtrack. This was the first attempt at animating Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters. The message about the real meaning of Christmas still resonates, and hopefully influences a new batch of kids each year.   

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary erotic romance. His website is www.allauthor.com/author/timsmith