The Christmas Movies Tag // Black + White and Color Films to Deck Your Halls

Friends! Neighbors! Maids a milking! Lords a leaping! Readers!

I hope you're all having a lovely winter solstice and having a festive season! I've been on break from school for about 10 days now and have finally started to relax. One way that I've been slowly doing that is noodling around on filling out a tag that Hamlette bestowed upon me! Thank you, Hamlette!

At first I was dubious I'd seen enough Christmas movies to qualify but I've actually seen SO MANY, so let's do this.

The Rules:

• Fill out the prompts (expound as much or as little as you like)
• Tag some friends (however many or few you feel like)
• Have fun (this is mandatory)

The Questions:

 1.  A favorite funny Christmas movie:

Elf (2003). I aspire to be Buddy. He's so pure and sweet and deserves all the maple syrup he wants.

As a writer, the parts about coming up with a story are a HOOT because the struggle is real.

And I'm missing Bob Newhart now. </3

2.  A favorite poignant Christmas movie:

For the answer we all expect: It's a Wonderful Life (1946). I think of this as the best movie ever made. Not just best Christmas movie or best black and white movie or best "old" movie. Best movie, period. It captures a desperation and a duty and how much each and every person is worth in this world. It wouldn't be the same without them.

Jimmy Stewart, need we say more?

For the answer that no one will expect: Beyond Tomorrow (1940). This was ADORABLE but also talks about life and death and cautions against forgetting who you are in the search for success.

No CGI for the win.

3.  A favorite romantic Christmas movie: 

The Shop Around the Corner (1940). This movie and Pride & Prejudice are to blame for why I think enemies-to-lovers is a spectacular device when done correctly.

JIMMY STEWART, NEED WE SAY MORE??

It's actually got such a serious side and I'm here for it! I wrote all about it one year, HERE.

4.  A favorite feel-good Christmas movie:

Home Alone (1990). I just got to see this on the big screen yesterday and it was buckets of fun. I've always been sort of "meh" about this movie, thinking it was just for laughs but no, it's so much more. It's got such a solid storyline about family and responsibility. My little sister is very much like Kevin so I feel for her.

Kevin is so much braver than I am. I'm still scared of grocery stores.

The least "feel-good" part is the infamous section where everyone is getting hurt. I have a hard time watching that, but the rest is a delight.

5.  A favorite movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol:

See, I used to make fun of the Muppets version because I thought it was ridiculous. My sister and I watched it in July a couple years ago which I thought was ridiculous, too. Now I see it's brilliant and I totally want to watch it again. And I also would be here for Muppet adaptations of classic literature. I mean, I can't really complain when I haven't seen Treasure Island, but still!

Source
I'd pay to see all of the above. It applies for classics, too.

The first adaptation of A Christmas Carol I ever saw was the Patrick Stewart version and thought I haven't seen it since that one still sticks with me and is the one that I compare every other version to.

The one I watch most often is Scrooged (1988). I have a friend named Frank who I always feel like the Carol Kane to his Bill Murray.

Manic pixie dream girl?

Okay, to actually decide, I'll go with Scrooge (1970) because "Thank You Very Much" is one of my favorite songs.

6.  A Christmas movie you watch any time of year:

Guys, I'm SUCH a stickler for watching Christmas movies only at Christmas. See above question with the whole reason I was doubting Muppets.

However, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) has, as my sister pointed out, every season. It was kind of an old Hollywood device but I don't care because I get to see so many awesome costumes. So I'll watch it at Halloween, too.

I love how Tootie chose the biggest chair when she could've sat on someone's lap. Power move.

I recently got to see this on the big screen, too! It was a JOY. The dialogue is so witty, the family dynamics are the most realistic in all of cinema, and I cried in a spot I've never cried before. The friend I went with was also an old movie buff and we were living it up.

7.  A Christmas movie that surprised you:

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) just surprised me that it was just as disturbing and unhinged as I remembered and maybe even more so. I thought I'd played it up in my head to be more than it was, but no, I was just as stunned. It's a cool concept and I'm glad so many people like it, but me, being the literalist that I am, get stuck on certain things. The group I was watching it with was probably really annoyed that I kept complaining about Jack Skeloton having eyelids but HE'S MADE OF BONE?? I didn't get to see the end because of a costume fitting and I don't really remember it so more surprises lurk there. 

Whoever came up with this shot is genius.

I also was surprised that Fred Astaire was purposely unlikable in Holiday Inn (1942)? That was before his hero/leading man era?

I'm totally with Bing on this one.

8.  A favorite "but is it really a Christmas movie?" movie:

Little Women (1994). For years it seems like I watched this on Christmas with my sisters so that's what I associate this version with.

Having done this scene as one of these characters I feel it even more, now. Any guesses about which one I was?

9.  The oldest Christmas movie you've seen:

For exact OLDEST chronologically, I'm going to have to snag Hamlette's answer, too, with The Thin Man (1934). When I think about it I realize, yeah, that's Christmas, but for some reason it feels more like New Years. So I'm more apt to watch it around New Years than Christmas, but who am I kidding, I'm still watching Christmas movies until Epiphany.

We will never been Myrna Loy fashion fab.

Other than that, I have a couple from 1940, but I've already mentioned them.

10.  The newest Christmas movie you've seen:

Godmothered (2020). It felt like it was trying to be Elf (2003) too much? Looking through pictures for this, I guess I remember what happens but not what it looks like.

Pretty dress take 2? 

Thanks for the tag, Hamlette! Because I'm trying catching up from my school-induced hiatus I don't know who's done this, but I'll tag:

Along the Brandywine

Revealed in Time

Tales of a Triple Threat

I was amazed at how many of these movies I've reviewed! Now it's bothering me that I haven't reviewed all of them, so let me know which ones you think I should tackle.

I have some other Christmas post ideas in the works but I'd like to talk about what you guys what to read! I either want to compare:

•  Home Alone (1990) to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 

OR

• Love Actually (2003) to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989). 

One of those probably seems more common sense than the other but maybe that's the fun in it...

Thank you so much for reading! What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Have you ever seen a Christmas movie (new or old) on the big screen of a movie theater? 

Chloe the MovieCritic

Movie Review: Pot O' Gold (1941)

 Greetings, friends!

It is no secret that my favorite actor is James Stewart and I want to watch every movie he was in. It was May when I last reviewed one of his movies, Seventh Heaven (1937), so it’s high time to do it again! This is might be my least favorite of his films that I’ve seen so far (and I’ve seen 15), but there were redeeming factors. One of them is a certain person. Any guesses of who? Keep reading to see!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This review is spoiler-free!


Pot O’ Gold (1941):

(Also known as The Golden Hour and Jimmy Steps Out.)
Based on: the TV show Pot O’ Gold (1939-1941), an idea created by Haydn Roth Evans & Robert Brilmayer.
When Jimmy Haskell has to close his music store he agrees to work for his uncle’s health foods corporation in the city. His uncle, C. J. Haskell, is always bothered by the musicians practicing outside of his building. He hates music! Jimmy accidentally falls in with these musicians, the McCorkles, by playing his harmonica. They don’t know who he is and he wants to keep it that way because there is quite a feud between the families. How can he hide his identity and keep jiving to music while his uncle doesn’t know?

Genre: Comedy. It doesn’t have enough music to call it a musical, but there are some tunes in here.
Length: approx. 85 minutes.
Script: 10. No bad words!
Crew: Directed by: George Marshall. Written by: Andrew Bennison, Walter De Leon, Monte Brice, Harry Tungend, Haydn Roth Evans & Robert Brilmayer. Produced by: James Roosevelt (yes, the son of FDR!).
Starring:
James Stewart as Jimmy Haskell.

Paulette Goddard as Molly McCorkle.

Charles Winninger as C.J. Haskell.
Horace Heidt as himself.
Mary Gordon as Ma McCorkle.
Dick Hogan as Willie McCorkle.
Donna Wood as Donna McCorkle.
Frank Melton as Jasper.
Jed Prouty as Mr. Louderman.
Charlie Arnt as Parks.
James Burke as Lt. Grady.
Costumes: 7. They are all fine. In one scene I thought they were a little weird and random, but that’s just me. Nothing bad!
Cinematography: 6. I don’t remember anything stunning about it being new and different, but it was okay.

inematography by: Hal Mohr.
Music: 8. We get the amazing few seconds of Jimmy Stewart singing, so of course I’m a little biased. I really liked his involvement in all of the musical endeavors though they were small. I wasn’t crazy about the rest of the songs because it was without him. Yeah, I can’t really be trusted on this matter.
Music by: Louis Forbes.
Notes: I didn’t know this until I started doing research for this review, but this was inspired by the success of the TV program called Pot O’ Gold which gave away money the same way it does in this film! That straightens things out for me because I was confused why it was called this for the whole time watching the film.

Quotability: 7. I got one line out of it in my notes, but I haven’t quoted it in my daily life since I saw it.

‘“And I told him when he opened this place he’d never make a go of it!”

“Well, he kept it failing successfully for 25 years. That’s not bad.”’

Content: 9. I can’t think of anything that I could take away points for this category. I guess there are some people who are slightly intoxicated at one point, but that’s it.
Originality: 7. I’m not singing it’s praises for being the most creative film in the century, but it was cute enough. It reminds me of Herbie Rides Again (1974) in a few ways, but of course that came later.

Good For: Fans of the actors especially Jimmy Stewart, anyone who wants a cute little movie.
Age Range: It’s perfectly fine for all ages. I feel like a younger audience would like the carefree attitude the most, but it’s good for anyone who just wants a jolly break with their movies.
Overall Score: 7.5.
Worth watching?: Yes, for one reason that is a great excuse for so many things: Jimmy Stewart! I’m so used to seeing him play more dramatic roles that this looks like it was a fun role for him to just be able to play with. It was the first time that I’ve seen him where the character’s name is his own which kept making me laugh.

Will I watch again?: I’m not quite sure. There’s potential that I would for Jimmy, but Paulette Goddard sometimes annoys me. Maybe one day!
Bonus thoughts:
Something that I didn’t like and that really confused me was this extravagant dance routine which was being recorded for the radio. Why did they go through so much work if people wouldn’t see the visual? Especially because the head actress/singer didn’t really do any singing, she just strutted around. It was funny in an annoying way. I know that other people were watching it live, but it just seemed over the top. It’s interesting to think about radio now because it isn’t used as often with all of our newer technology.

I liked that the musicians looked like they were hanging out and relaxing at a jam session so it felt natural. Charles Winninger was very amusing and a lot of my favorite parts revolved around him! There were a few cringy moments, but overall I’m glad that I watched this to cross off another on my list of James Stewart movies!


There you have it! Have any of you seen this? Tell me your favorite James Stewart movie! Are you guilty of watching things just because they have your favorite actor or actress? How’s your Easter season going?

MovieCritic

Older vs. Newer Review: Seventh Heaven

Hello, my fellow movie lovers!

It is a big trend right now to remake movies that have already been made previously. Maybe it's to turn it into a series, or to go from animated to live action. I know that a lot of people are getting tired of this and want new ideas instead of reusing the old ones. Though I haven't done it a lot, I love to compare the older to the newer. Today I will be talking about a movie that was remade in 1937. Yep, you read that correctly, the remake was in 1937. So, hold up, you say, when was the original made? 1927. They converted it from a silent film, into a talkie! Remakes are not a new thing, almost as long as we've been making movies, others have wanted to do it again in their way.
Anyway, couple months ago I found these gems of films that are so sweet and no one knows about! I'm going to review them to let people know that it exisits!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


7th Heaven (1927):

Based on: the play by Austin Strong.
A sewer worker saves a girl from her abusive sister and then has to pretend that he's married to her because he lied to the police. All will be fine as soon as she can leave. With a new job everything seems to be going well, but is something else going to be put in his way?

Genre: Drama, Silent.
Length: approx. 110 minutes.
Costumes: 7, we see one person without a shirt, and others in underclothes. There is nothing fancy.
Script: N/A, as this is a silent movie. I did like the opening title card:
"For those who will climb it, there is a ladder leading from the depths to the heights---from the sewer to the stars---the ladder of Courage."
Crew:
Directed by: Frank Borzage.
Written by: Austin Strong, Benjamin Glazer, Katherine Hilliker, & H. H. Caldwell.
Starring:
Charles Farrell as Chico.

Janet Gaynor as Diane.

Gladys Brockwell as Nana.

David Butler as Gobin.
Albert Gran as Papa Boul.

Marie Mosquini as Madame Gobin.
Emile Chautard as Father Chevillon.
Ben Bard as Colonel Brissac.

George E. Stone as Sewer Rat.
Cinematography: 9, I was so impressed by the actions and expressions of the actors because with a silent movie you really have to show what they are thinking because they can't talk. There was also one part with climbing stairs where the cinematography was just so neat!
Cinematography by: Ernest Palmer & Joseph A. Valentine.

Music: I'm going to mark this as N/A because while the background music in silent movies can change a lot.
Quotes: Again, N/A.
Oscars won: 3: Best Directing (Dramatic Picture), Best Writing (Adaptation), & Best Actress (Janet Gaynor). This film was nominated for Best Picture for the first Oscar ceremony! Janet Gaynor's award was for a combination of three performances Street Angel, Sunrise, and Seveth Heaven.
Content: 8, there is a suggestive thing (just one with the Street Rat, the rest is so clean), war scenes, smoking, and some violence and abuse, but is shown as bad.
Originality: 10, I'll talk about this later, but I love this storyline so much!
Good For: Silent movie lovers, everyone.

Age Range: It is pretty clean, as I mentioned in my content section. It might be a bit boring for younger viewers, but it depends on the individual person.
Overall Score: 8.5!

VS.



Seventh Heaven (1937):

Based on: the play by Austin Strong and the 1927 silent movie.
In Pre-World War I France, an aethiest is tired of working in the sewers. When he saves an abused and suicidal girl, a priest helps him out. After lying about her to the police to save her from being arrested he is in a tough situation. He figures out a temporary situation, but with the world always changing will his plans be stopped?
"You aren't dead! Unless you keep thinking you're dead, then you are dead."

This is the picture that made me want to watch it!

Genre: Drama.
Length: approx. 102 minutes.
Costumes: 8, Nothing indecent at all, but nothing eye-catching.
Script: 10, no bad words!
"Street workers never speak to sewer men, that's part of the social system."
Crew:
Directed by: Henry King.
Written by: Austin Strong and Melville Baker.
Starring:
James Stewart as Chico.

'"One day you'll be yourself."
"Myself? What would that be? Myself?"'
Simone Simon as Diane.

Jean Hersholt as Father Chevillon.
Gale Sondergaard as Nana.
J. Edward Bromberg as Aristide.
Gregory Ratoff as Boul.
John Qualen as Sewer Rat.
Victor Kilian as Gobin.

Thomas Beck as Brissac.
Cinematography: 8, ah, I love black and white!
Cinematography by: Merritt B. Gerstad.
Music: 8, a nice score.
Music by: David Buttolph & Cyril J. Mockridge.

Quotes: 8,
'"You have a great head!"
"You have a great heart!"'
Content: 9, as with the original, there are war scenes, a suggestive thing, and violence and abuse, though shown as bad.
Originality: 10, Ah, this story makes me so happy!
Good For: James Stewart fans! Everyone!

Age Range: Same as the older one, but younger viewers might find a talkie more interesting.
Overall Score: 9!

Sorry, there is a lot of pictures of the same people because my skills at finding good ones were not up to par today!



Character comparison:

Chico:

L: Charles Farrell. R: James Stewart.

I love Chico so much! He's a sewer worker who claims to be a "very remarkable fellow" and is not scared of anything. He thinks that he doesn't need God, and therefore doesn't believe in him. He's tired of being treated like dirt and actually, to be on dirt, on the ground would be a step up in the world. This is my biggest complaint, that Gobin isn't nice to him because of that. I love his character, and I completely understand the need to seem big and "untouchable" and in charge because you are scared of people seeing your weakness.
Charles Farrell did really well with his facial expressions and everything, but (surprise surprise) James Stewart is my favorite. It is so funny, because in the talkie everyone has a French accent except him, but I still love it.


Diane:

L: Janet Gaynor. R: Simone Simon.

Diane is such a sweet loveable dear who I want to hug. She has been through so much and is tired of being what she is. She is scared and hurt, and so afraid of hurting others or being a burden. She just wants to thank people as she can and is so beautifully faithful.
As I said, Janet Gaynor won the first Best Actress Oscar for her performance, and it was so good, but Simone Simon was such a sweetheart, I just have to say that she is my favorite.


These two darlings are so precious! I love their reverse character arcs as Chico begins to show his fears and Diane becomes so brave. AH. These two deserve all the love!! Please, I need someone to love them as much as I do.

Conclusion:
Ah!! This story is so sweet! You know those books or movies that just make you so incredible happy and get warm fuzzies? This is one of them for me. When I watched this it has been awhile since I was so obsessed with a movie, and an older one, too! These plot lines are pretty much identical. The only differences are:
1. Diane's backstory. Her sister is still very abusive, but for slightly different reasons.
2. The added character of Aristide.
That's basically it! You might wonder, "Why would they remake a movie and not change any of it except by adding sound?" The answer: James Stewart. Jimmy makes every movie 100X better. But, he is my favorite actor so I might be biased. I saw the 1937 version first and absolutely loved it. It wasn't until a few days ago that I watched the original. The original is really good, I just kept imagining everything with the other actors. Haha! So yeah, both are great, but my favorite is the 1937.
I know that these movies might not be the thing for everyone, but they are so sweet, I would love for you, my readers, to watch them! I would recommend the 1937 first, but if you do that then you spend the whole time watching the 1927 thinking about it, hehe!

The Newer Wins!


Well, I'm off to rewatch the 1937 because all of this talk about it has made me so happy and I want to just laugh, cry, and full out "fangirl". Thanks for reading! Favorite silent movie? Favorite James Stewart movie? Tell me in the comments! And please, if anyone has seen either of these, WE NEED TO TALK.

MovieCritic

Movie Review: The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Hello, once again, readers!

I know that my posts have been a little sparse lately, but I am going to make up for it this week, because I will be having a post every other day! Why? Because I am participating in a lot of blog parties, it's going to be a lot of fun!

For today I will be reviewing a movie with my favorite actor, Jimmy Stewart. It was actually the movie that earned him an Academy Award! At the beginning of this movie I was a little concerned with what was going to happen, but I was loving it by the end! I feel like this is a movie that the more you watch, the more you like!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

The Philadelphia Story (1940):

Based on: The Philadelphia Story, a play by Philip Barry.
"Oh, I wish something would happen."
High society girl Tracy Lord is getting remarried. When her ex-husband, Dexter, shows up a few days early with reporters, she has no choice to let them stay because Dexter warns he that if they don't get coverage of this they will print a scandalous article about her father. Much to Tracy's annoyance, her sister and mother are very excited to see Dexter. As she gets to know Mike, one of the reporters, better, she begins to have confusing feelings about the three men in her life. She's always thought of herself as perfect, but she begins to doubt that, too. Who does she want to spend her life with?
"This is the voice of doom calling."

Genre: when I looked it up, it says that this is classified as Comedy, but I would also call it a Drama.

Length: approx. 112 minutes.

Costumes: 8, there were some nice ones.

Script: 10, I don't recall any bad words.
"I don't want to be worshiped, I want to be loved."

Crew:

Directed by: George Cukor.

Written by: Donald Ogden Stewart, Waldo Salt, & Philip Barry.

Starring:
Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord.

Cary Grant as C.K. Dexter Haven. "What kind of a name is C. K. Dexter Haven, anyway?"

James Stewart as Macaulay "Mike" Connor.
Ruth Hussey as Elizabeth Imbrie.

'"You're the darndest girl, Liz."

"I think I'm sweet."'

John Howard as George Kittredge.
Roland Young as William Q. Tracy.
Virginia Weidler as Dinah Lord. (She was a hoot!)

John Halliday as Seth Lord.
Mary Nash as Margaret Lord.
Henry Daniell as Sidney Kidd.
Lionel Pape as Edward.
Rex Evans as Thomas.

Cinematography: 9, besides the fact that I love black and white movies, there were a few cool things.

Cinematography by: Joseph Ruttenberg.

Music: 7, nothing special caught my attention.

Music by: Franz Waxman.

Quotes: 9, there were so many great lines! (Especially from Jimmy Stewart, but I might be biased.)
"What is thee wish?"

Oscars won: 2: Best Actor (Jimmy Stewart), Best Adapted Screenplay.

Storyline: 8, there is smoking, drinking (we see several people intoxicated), there are some suggestive things (but they turn out fine), and we deal with the subject of divorce.

Good For: Anyone who likes James Stewart, anyone who has a complicated family life, anyone who likes comedy or drama.

Age Range: It's comedy, so there are a plenty of funny bits for any age, but I have a feeling that younger viewers might get bored.

Overall Score: 8.5!

Bonus thoughts:

"You talk so big and tough, then you write like this."

I had heard so much about this movie that I couldn't wait to watch it! I even told a fellow blogger once there wasn't a movie that I wanted to watch more than this. I have this notebook that I write down any quotes that I like or take notes while I'm watching a movie, and I wrote this:

"Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn: YES!"

As I said in the beginning of this post, it started and I was really enjoying it, but I started to get nervous because I didn't know what was going to happen. I mean, obviously I didn't, I hadn't watched it before! And I usually don't feel this way, but I was so into the movie that I was kind of "stressed out" because I didn't know how it would end! I enjoyed it a lot. That is why I feel like this is one of those movies that you like the more you watch. I look forward to watching this for years to come!

Remember that blogathon I mentioned earlier? Well, what I was talking about is the Second Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn Blogathon, hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Love Letters to Old Hollywood! I had planned to participate the first time in 2017, but I had to pull out, so I was super excited to be able to join this year!

"Oh, we're going to talk about me, are we? Oh goody."
Katharine Hepburn was so great in this! I know a few people who are not a fan of hers (shocking, I know!), but I don't think that they've seen enough of her! She played Tracy perfectly (fun fact: the role was actually written for her), and I love how funny she is, and the way she played the character arc! I've only seen a few movies with her, which are: Bringing Up Baby (1938) [My favorite!], The Philadelphia Story (1940), part of The Lion in Winter (1968) [I do not recommend], Rooster Cogburn (1975), & one movie with her and Spencer Tracy that I saw a long time ago and I don't know what it was. She is so much fun to watch, I can't wait to see more films with her!

A big thank you to Crystal and Michaela for hosting this blogathon! Make sure to check out all of the other posts HERE and HERE.

Are you a fan of Katharine Hepburn? Why or why not? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic