Christmas movie favorites

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Friday, December 23rd.

Thank you for turning to WORLD Radio to help start your day.

Good morning. I’m Nick Eicher.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown.

Coming next on The World and Everything in It: Christmas movies.

It’s a massive genre with more releasing every day, it seems. You could spend hours scrolling through lists of titles, looking for a good one.

Well, good news! Our team has pitched in with some thoughts on their favorite…and not-so-favorite…films of the season: Classics both past and present. We’ll start with production assistant Harrison Watters.

HARRISON WATTERS: At Christmas time, my family likes to drive around town looking at decorated homes. While we do, we listen to the radio dramatization of A Christmas Carol from Focus on The Family. When a movie about the book’s real-life backstory came out in 2017, I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or worried that the movie would ruin my nostalgia.

Thankfully, The Man Who Invented Christmas with Christopher Plummer has made me love A Christmas Carol all the more.

CLIP: So he's had a couple of flops, well who hasn't?

You have a new book in mind?

Oh of course he does!

The film captures the story of author Charles Dickens, played by Dan Stevens. He’s trying to keep his family afloat financially, but several of his books have bombed and dark boyhood memories oppress him. A spark of inspiration sends him on a journey that connects the world of his imagination to the world of his friends and family.

CLIP: If I get the name right, the character will appear.

Scratch…Scranger...Scrooge!

Shut the window. You I think I'm made of money?

Scrooge, how delightful to meet you.

I’m sorry I'll can’t say the same.

Over the course of the film, Dickens realizes that Scrooge’s story is not so different from his own, and that his own fate will be determined by the outcome of his frantic book project.

CLIP: I have to get to the printers by nine o'clock

But you still don't have an ending.

A very Merry Christmas to one and all!

I’m Harrison Watters.

BROWN: Next, Whitney Williams had high hopes for a new Christmas release.

WHITNEY WILLIAMS: Having grown up on the 90s sitcom Home Improvement, I tend to fangirl over anything Tim Allen.

CLIP: Yeah. [GRUNT]

So naturally, I welcomed Disney Plus’ new miniseries The Santa Clauses with open arms.

CLIP: “I retired too soon, I hired the wrong guy, I’ve gotta go back to the North Pole.”

I wanted, so badly, for it to be great, and even held out hope after dancing elves accidentally spelled out “We love Satan” instead of “We love Santa”

CLIP: I don’t think so, Tim.

But in the end, I found the miniseries to just be okay.

Perhaps my expectations were set too high after I read, prior to watching the series, that Allen had fought for the true meaning of Christmas to be included in the show. He told producers,

ALLEN: “This is Christ-mas. It’s Christ-mas. It literally is a religious holiday.”

But all we get is a nod to the religious history of Santa Claus:

CLIP: Scott Calvin: “St. Nicolas, his parents died and he became quite wealthy, and then he gave all his money away to help those in need …”

St. Nicolas: “I thought I was telling my story. Anyway, life was hard during that time. Parents couldn’t always shield the children from the horrors of the world so I found ways to give back with food, candy, small joys … life’s kindling.”

Scott Calvin: “You gave them what they needed. Hope.”

It’s more than we get in a lot of mainstream Christmas flicks and it’s certainly a step in the right direction, but if you’re looking for Jesus, and a whole host of Hollywood celebrities bowing to the one true King, look to the 2017 animated movie “The Star,” which also boasts a stellar soundtrack.

MUSIC: CAN YOU SEE

For WORLD, I’m Whitney Williams.

EICHER: Next, Anna Johansen Brown shares an old classic that may or may not count as “Christmas.”

ANNA JOHANSEN BROWN: My pick isn’t technically a Christmas movie. But I grew up watching it practically every year in December, alongside all the other Christmas classics. And hey, it has Christmas scenes in it.

AUDIO: Happy holiday…

It’s Holiday Inn. The old, black and white musical released in 1942, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It was the first time movie-goers heard the song White Christmas.

AUDIO: You know I’ve written special music for each holiday and this sort of gives me a chance to keep a little promise I made to myself. I said I was going to sing this song at the inn tonight. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know…

The film does have some problems my 10-year-old self never considered. The plot involves lots of sneakery and truth-avoidance and stealing a fella’s girl from him after he’s bought the ring. The scene on Lincoln’s birthday features an inappropriate blackface routine that’s jarring to modern viewers.

Broadway producers cut that number when they put the story on stage. And they added some really excellent dance routines that might actually—dare I say it—improve on the original.

CLIP: Blue Skies

You can watch it with a free trial or subscription at Broadway HD. The Christmastime jump rope tap number alone is worth the price of admission.

AUDIO: Shake ‘em away! [applause]

For WORLD, I’m Anna Johansen Brown.

BROWN: Finally, Paul Butler’s family has a Christmas movie favorite that has a deceiving title:

PAUL BUTLER: I have to admit I enjoy the looks I get when I mention the 1949 film In the Good Old Summertime is one of our family favorites this time of year. Like Anna’s suggestion, this musical isn’t technically a Christmas movie, but the story’s climax occurs on December 24th. So December seems the right time to pull it out. Our family isn’t going to be all together this Christmas, so the kids and their spouses came home last weekend to watch it together:

SOUND: KIDS COMING HOME / MOVIE START

The story is set in early 20th century Chicago. The two main characters—played by Van Johnson and Judy Garland—are co-workers in a music shop who spar like cats and dogs at work yet unknowingly carry on an anonymous romance via the post office.

MOVIE CLIP: SCENE FROM LOCKER ROOM

The turning point in the film comes when Mr. Larkin discovers that his anonymous pen pal is none other than Miss Valerie Fisher.

MOVIE CLIP: SOMETHING OF THE MARKINGS OF MISS FISHER

The film is a masterclass in romantic comedy script writing. Scene transitions are seamless and often clever. Most of the characters have development arcs that are enjoyable to watch over the six month story-line. It’s not a perfect film by any stretch. There are a few plot holes—they are more quaint than annoying. And all the main characters have clear flaws. Judy Garland's character's readiness to throw off traditional roles is the film’s major drawback.

MOVIE CLIP: I DON’T CARE MUSICAL NUMBER

But what I enjoy about the film—especially today—is the reminder that sometimes there’s much more to people than what we can see--even those people who drive us crazy.

For WORLD, I’m Paul Butler.

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Friday, December 23rd.

Thank you for turning to WORLD Radio to help start your day.

Good morning. I’m Nick Eicher.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown.

Coming next on The World and Everything in It: Christmas movies.

It’s a massive genre with more releasing every day, it seems. You could spend hours scrolling through lists of titles, looking for a good one.

Well, good news! Our team has pitched in with some thoughts on their favorite…and not-so-favorite…films of the season: Classics both past and present. We’ll start with production assistant Harrison Watters.

HARRISON WATTERS: At Christmas time, my family likes to drive around town looking at decorated homes. While we do, we listen to the radio dramatization of A Christmas Carol from Focus on The Family. When a movie about the book’s real-life backstory came out in 2017, I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or worried that the movie would ruin my nostalgia.

Thankfully, The Man Who Invented Christmas with Christopher Plummer has made me love A Christmas Carol all the more.

CLIP: So he's had a couple of flops, well who hasn't?

You have a new book in mind?

Oh of course he does!

The film captures the story of author Charles Dickens, played by Dan Stevens. He’s trying to keep his family afloat financially, but several of his books have bombed and dark boyhood memories oppress him. A spark of inspiration sends him on a journey that connects the world of his imagination to the world of his friends and family.

CLIP: If I get the name right, the character will appear.

Scratch…Scranger...Scrooge!

Shut the window. You I think I'm made of money?

Scrooge, how delightful to meet you.

I’m sorry I'll can’t say the same.

Over the course of the film, Dickens realizes that Scrooge’s story is not so different from his own, and that his own fate will be determined by the outcome of his frantic book project.

CLIP: I have to get to the printers by nine o'clock

But you still don't have an ending.

A very Merry Christmas to one and all!

I’m Harrison Watters.

BROWN: Next, Whitney Williams had high hopes for a new Christmas release.

WHITNEY WILLIAMS: Having grown up on the 90s sitcom Home Improvement, I tend to fangirl over anything Tim Allen.

CLIP: Yeah. [GRUNT]

So naturally, I welcomed Disney Plus’ new miniseries The Santa Clauses with open arms.

CLIP: “I retired too soon, I hired the wrong guy, I’ve gotta go back to the North Pole.”

I wanted, so badly, for it to be great, and even held out hope after dancing elves accidentally spelled out “We love Satan” instead of “We love Santa”

CLIP: I don’t think so, Tim.

But in the end, I found the miniseries to just be okay.

Perhaps my expectations were set too high after I read, prior to watching the series, that Allen had fought for the true meaning of Christmas to be included in the show. He told producers,

ALLEN: “This is Christ-mas. It’s Christ-mas. It literally is a religious holiday.”

But all we get is a nod to the religious history of Santa Claus:

CLIP: Scott Calvin: “St. Nicolas, his parents died and he became quite wealthy, and then he gave all his money away to help those in need …”

St. Nicolas: “I thought I was telling my story. Anyway, life was hard during that time. Parents couldn’t always shield the children from the horrors of the world so I found ways to give back with food, candy, small joys … life’s kindling.”

Scott Calvin: “You gave them what they needed. Hope.”

It’s more than we get in a lot of mainstream Christmas flicks and it’s certainly a step in the right direction, but if you’re looking for Jesus, and a whole host of Hollywood celebrities bowing to the one true King, look to the 2017 animated movie “The Star,” which also boasts a stellar soundtrack.

MUSIC: CAN YOU SEE

For WORLD, I’m Whitney Williams.

EICHER: Next, Anna Johansen Brown shares an old classic that may or may not count as “Christmas.”

ANNA JOHANSEN BROWN: My pick isn’t technically a Christmas movie. But I grew up watching it practically every year in December, alongside all the other Christmas classics. And hey, it has Christmas scenes in it.

AUDIO: Happy holiday…

It’s Holiday Inn. The old, black and white musical released in 1942, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It was the first time movie-goers heard the song White Christmas.

AUDIO: You know I’ve written special music for each holiday and this sort of gives me a chance to keep a little promise I made to myself. I said I was going to sing this song at the inn tonight. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know…

The film does have some problems my 10-year-old self never considered. The plot involves lots of sneakery and truth-avoidance and stealing a fella’s girl from him after he’s bought the ring. The scene on Lincoln’s birthday features an inappropriate blackface routine that’s jarring to modern viewers.

Broadway producers cut that number when they put the story on stage. And they added some really excellent dance routines that might actually—dare I say it—improve on the original.

CLIP: Blue Skies

You can watch it with a free trial or subscription at Broadway HD. The Christmastime jump rope tap number alone is worth the price of admission.

AUDIO: Shake ‘em away! [applause]

For WORLD, I’m Anna Johansen Brown.

BROWN: Finally, Paul Butler’s family has a Christmas movie favorite that has a deceiving title:

PAUL BUTLER: I have to admit I enjoy the looks I get when I mention the 1949 film In the Good Old Summertime is one of our family favorites this time of year. Like Anna’s suggestion, this musical isn’t technically a Christmas movie, but the story’s climax occurs on December 24th. So December seems the right time to pull it out. Our family isn’t going to be all together this Christmas, so the kids and their spouses came home last weekend to watch it together:

SOUND: KIDS COMING HOME / MOVIE START

The story is set in early 20th century Chicago. The two main characters—played by Van Johnson and Judy Garland—are co-workers in a music shop who spar like cats and dogs at work yet unknowingly carry on an anonymous romance via the post office.

MOVIE CLIP: SCENE FROM LOCKER ROOM

The turning point in the film comes when Mr. Larkin discovers that his anonymous pen pal is none other than Miss Valerie Fisher.

MOVIE CLIP: SOMETHING OF THE MARKINGS OF MISS FISHER

The film is a masterclass in romantic comedy script writing. Scene transitions are seamless and often clever. Most of the characters have development arcs that are enjoyable to watch over the six month story-line. It’s not a perfect film by any stretch. There are a few plot holes—they are more quaint than annoying. And all the main characters have clear flaws. Judy Garland's character's readiness to throw off traditional roles is the film’s major drawback.

MOVIE CLIP: I DON’T CARE MUSICAL NUMBER

But what I enjoy about the film—especially today—is the reminder that sometimes there’s much more to people than what we can see--even those people who drive us crazy.

For WORLD, I’m Paul Butler.

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