The only thing I can say against it is that it’s in black and white. While that fact doesn’t alter my affection for it in the least, it’s something my kids had to get past. I don’t know how they developed a prejudice against black-and-white movies (you think you’re raising them right), but even they enjoy this wonderful old movie (it’s from 1947, yikes, even older than me!).

— Charlotte Bader,
Manchester Township

Classic ‘Carol’

Since way back in the early ’50s, I have watched "A Christmas Carol" each year at Christmastime. Over the years, there have been several remakes; however, the movie is always the same. For me, a year without “A Christmas Carol” is like a day without sunshine; therefore, that is my vote for favorite holiday movie. By the way, I have come to enjoy the George C. Scott version as the best one.

— Vince Powell,
West Manchester Township

Stewart or Santa?

The greatest holiday movie of all time? It’s a split between "It's A Wonderful Life" (which my family and I try to catch every year on the big screen at the Senator Theatre in Towson, Md.), and “The Year Without A Santa Claus” (you gotta love Heat Miser and Cold Miser!).

— Joe Durika,
Windsor Township

Let it snow!

You know it’s time for the holidays with Rudolph and Charlie Brown, but my all-time favorite holiday movie is “White Christmas,” starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Not only is the dancing and singing fantastic, it has a wonderful story of friendship and love.
The best part of the movie is at the end when they open the doors of the inn and it is finally snowing and they all sing “White Christmas.”

— Kathy Reisinger,
East Prospect

24 hours of Ralphy

Beyond a doubt, “A Christmas Story” (aka the Ralphy movie). Our family always looks forward to the 24 hours of Ralphy every year. We never tire of it because we were those kids.
My husband and I grew up in the ’50s. Santa came to town a few days before Christmas, not Halloween. Christmas carols were sung in the car. Retread tires and the flats that come with them. I could go on for hours about the details of this movie and our childhoods. This movie is a joy to watch no matter how many times we see it.

— Sharon Jeffrey,
Dover

Charlie, George and Ernest

Just one favorite holiday movie? It’s impossible to pick just one! But here are three that hit my DVD player each year.
The original “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has to be on the list. When Linus says, “Lights, please” and steps into the spotlight to quote scripture and explain the true meaning of Christmas to Charlie Brown . . . well, a lump always comes to my throat.
I get the same reaction when George Bailey returns to the world he helped shape at the end of "It's A Wonderful Life." Truly a moment to reflect on what contributions you have made to those lives you touch daily.
And finally, for a smile and warm, fuzzy feeling, nothing beats “Ernest Saves Christmas.” The lovable loser saves the holiday and a couple lost, disbelieving souls.
What a way to spend a cold, snowy evening.

— Michael C. Gurtizen,
York

Musical tradition

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a viewing of “White Christmas.” My parents took my brother and me to see the movie at the Capitol Theatre many years ago, and ever since then it’s become a tradition within our family. Often we would watch it together on Christmas Eve, complete with my father and brother singing along with many of the songs, especially “Sisters.” Unfortunately, our lives have become busier and we aren’t able to watch it as a family. But I can’t let the holiday season go by without popping Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye into the DVD player and wishing for a white Christmas in York.

— Lena Poff,
Springettsbury Township

'Clear’ choice

One of our favorite holiday movies is probably not well known. We first saw it around 1984 on television. It is called “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” and stars Mickey Rooney as a grandpa living with his daughter and family in California. He is a former New York City police detective and is saddened by the commercialization of Christmas and especially the way that the California celebration seems to differ from his old traditional “New York City Christmas” that he remembers. After suffering a heart attack and being declared dead by paramedics, Mickey Rooney “comes back to life” and escapes with his grandson to New York, much to the dismay of his daughter and family, who conduct an all-out search for them in New York.
You see Mickey and his grandson riding in the carriage at the end of the movie, and he quietly slips away to Heaven. We will often mimic Mickey Rooney’s comment at home, in his characteristic voice — “Sing your favorite carol!” My brother and sister-in-law found the video for us years ago through a video mail order, and so you can be sure we watch it every year! It’s an oldie but goodie with a great message.

— Jennifer Owens,
Springettsbury Township

Made-for-TV gems

For years I have been an avid fan of the made-for-TV movies around the holidays. They become no less enjoyable for me to watch on the fifth time or the 10th time than it was on the first night I saw them. "It's A Wonderful Life" is the quintessential holiday movie, but recently two other movies have pushed the Jimmy Stewart classic from its reign at the top of my list. “Christmas in Connecticut” is a fun trip back in time to the late 1940s with Barbara Stanwyck at her best! It is best seen in its original black-and-white version, but it is just as heartwarming and delightful colorized . . . just don’t confuse it with an updated version with Dyan Cannon. (The difference there is like comparing filet mignon with a hot dog!) The movie has it all . . . a baby, a love story, comic hijinx, and even a horse-drawn sleigh-ride in the snow!
The movie tying for No. 1 is a Hallmark movie of just a few years ago starring Carla Gugino as the loving aunt who desperately tries to keep her niece and nephew together with her when a social worker tries to put them into foster care at the holidays. The movie is called “A Season for Miracles” and, like the best Christmas movies do, it shows the importance of family and the powerful effects of love!

— Denise Ward,
Dover

A list of favorites

Here is a list of my picks for the best Christmas movies of all time.

1. "It's A Wonderful Life"

2. “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation”: This is one Christmas movie that’s worth seeing any time of the year.

3. “The Muppet Christmas Carol”: This one is both heartwarmingly dramatic and funny at the same time.

4. “The Preacher’s Wife”“The Preacher’s Wife”: A real heart-warmer.

5. "Die Hard": Since this is set during Christmas Eve, it does indeed make this kick-butt auctioneer a definite Christmas pic.

Honorable mentions: Let’s not forget the first two “Home Alone” films. Also, you cannot overlook the first two “The Santa Clause” films.

— T.J. Murray,
Mechanicsburg