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‘Tis the season for nostalgia, so join me in throwing away your cynicism…at least for a few hours. It’s time to relive those old holiday movies from the 1940s.
Who can make those old retail adversaries Mr. Macy and Mr. Gimbel shake hands? Ah, it must be Kris Kringle. When I was a child, Miracle on 34th Street graced our television screen every Christmas season, but I enjoy it so much more now. There’s comedy, romance, and yes, even politics in this 1947 classic.
At the start of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, a portly, bearded old man (Edmund Gwenn) complains to Macy’s events director, Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara), that their inebriated Santa is guzzling down a bottle on their float. Since Doris immediately needs a sober Santa, she asks him to fill in. He enjoys his new job, but he’s puzzled when he’s asked to promote toys that the children don’t need or want. So instead of doing as he’s told, he forwards customers to Gimbels and other department stores. Moreover, this sweet, elderly man, who goes by the name of Kris Kringle, actually believes that he is Santa Claus. Doris is disturbed by this and sends him for psychological evaluation. After all, she, a divorcee, has taught her young daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood), that along with there being no Prince Charming, there is definitely no Santa. However, there’s a neighbor, Fred Gailey (John Payne), who’s scheming to become Doris’ prince. At a sanity hearing, he represents Mr. Kringle as his attorney, and this trial is crammed with more notoriety than OJ’s. Will Kris be able to overcome his greatest challenge—that of convincing Doris and Susan? More importantly, will he be able to stay out of Bellevue Sanitarium?
Now, we all know what Santa looks like, but how about an angel? Would you recognize one in the form of Dudley (or should I say Cary Grant)? Well, you would in another 1947 holiday film, The Bishop’s Wife. Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) prays for guidance in securing the funds to build a grand cathedral. Of course, all money comes with strings attached. Salvation arrives in the form of Dudley, who becomes his assistant. However, this is not the salvation that he prayed for. Dudley mesmerizes everyone he comes in contact with, including Henry’s wife, Julia (Loretta Young). This movie reminds us to slow down and reevaluate our needs and desires.
Sometimes, an angel may appear as an elderly man. Clarence (Henry Travis), “Angel second-class,” sees an opportunity to earn his wings when he saves George Bailey (James Stewart) from committing suicide. Yes, this is the 1946 Frank Capra classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. Though George has a wife, Mary (Donna Reed), and four children, he puts the needs of friends, family, and even his hometown of Bedford Falls before his own. George even gave up his childhood dreams in order to save his father’s Building and Loan and keep it from the old, unscrupulous Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore). As no good deed goes unpunished, on Christmas Eve, George covers for his absent-minded uncle who loses a large deposit. This will cause the Building and Loan to go under and George to go to jail. With a warrant out for his arrest, George contemplates suicide. When Clarence intervenes, George admits that he wishes that he were never born. Clarence takes George on an amazing trip through Bedford Falls, but no one recognizes him. After all, he never existed. This is the entrancing part of the movie, and it’s where Stewart shines. Though I won’t reveal the ending, I will say that Clarence did earn his wings. Initially this was considered a flop; however, now it has become the signature classic Christmas movie.
Each of these films reminds us to step back and appreciate ourselves, others, and what’s truly important in life. You can view Miracle on 34th Street and The Bishop’s Wife in the original black and white. Unfortunately, It’s a Wonderful Life fell victim to colorization, and I have yet to find a black and white copy. In any event, if these classics can bring out the sentimentality in my pragmatic soul, I’m sure that it will for you. So pour yourself a hot cup of spiced cider and enjoy.
