A Wonderful Life - For a Wonderful Road Trip
We’re getting ready for a 16 hour family road trip to see my parents in Northern Michigan. When I was a kid these types of trips involved a lot of reading, drawing, and playing count the car games as I looked out the rear facing window of our family station wagon with one of my brothers. Today these trips involve media and movie watching. The kids have pro-actively put together a movie 32 hour movie watch list for there and back. To ensure we actually do some talking, reading, and drawing..I’ve trimmed the media back to 16 hours. The list includes films from disney, some Tim Allen Santa Claus, some Grinch, and my personal favorite… “A Wonderful Life” the incredible story of George Bailey. (I’ve included some script from a favorite scene below)
What are your top 3 films for the season? And what is your reason? If you would leave your comments on the Blog site then we could all enjoy what you have to share.
Then and Now: History for Today
December 20 1946 - The classic holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life premiered in New York City. Despite initially being considered a box office flop due to high production costs and stiff competition at the time of its release, the film has come to be regarded as a classic and is a staple of Christmas television around the world.
George Bailey: Just a minute… just a minute. Now, hold on, Mr. Potter. You’re right when you say my father was no businessman. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, penny-ante Building and Loan, I’ll never know. But neither you nor anyone else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was… why, in the 25 years since he and his brother, Uncle Billy, started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn’t that right, Uncle Billy? He didn’t save enough money to send Harry away to college, let alone me. But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter, and what’s wrong with that? Why… here, you’re all businessmen here. Doesn’t it make them better citizens? Doesn’t it make them better customers? You… you said… what’d you say a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait? Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they’re so old and broken down that they… Do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5,000? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about… they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man than you’ll ever be!
A Wonderful Life, for A Wonderful Road Trip
Kirk
December 20th, 2012 at 9:13 am
Love “Wonderful Life”
A Christmas Carol
Grinch Animated and Jim Carey
Santa Clause 1, 2, 3
Charlie Brown Christmas
Rudolf (of course)
We also like to watch “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Les Miserable (made for TV version 1980 time frame)
and that is our list.
Thanks for all you do here on the T4D
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Bo
December 20th, 2012 at 9:27 am
Top Three - “A Wonderful Life”, “Miracle on 34th Street” (old and new), and “White Christmas” - all the good that comes of Christmas needs to be perpetuated the year round. We all have a wonderful life, with belief and faith in someone or something, and all your Christmases will be as bright and cheerul as you make them (hopefully the rest of your time as well). We also like to watch some of the newer ones “Last Holiday” and “Love Actually”.
December 20th, 2012 at 9:44 am
I’ve watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” more than 40 times. I still cry multiple times during every viewing. Something gets to me about the importance of family, history, and lost, redirected, and ultimately fulfilled potential. And the scened you picked above is one of the best. Charlie Brown Christmas is also a favorite, mainly due to the classic music and the ability of the children to control their own lives. So many more but I’ll end here and give someone else a chance.
Thanks for your continually great T4D and have a Merry Christmas.
- Tom
December 20th, 2012 at 9:44 am
My top 3 Christmas movies that I will watch over & over & over every year are: 1- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation - because whose family is any less dysfunctional? =) 2- The Polar Express - because of the music & how it keeps the spirit of Christmas alive & 3- The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (w/Jim Carrey) - because he is the funniest actor ever & plays that part PERFECTLY! I laugh hysterically every time like it’s the first time watching it. =)
Merry Christmas to All!
December 20th, 2012 at 10:43 am
Hmm.
1. See yesterday’s T4D. I really like the one with George C. Scott.
2. Charlie Brown Christmas. I have two versions of his tree in my office.
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town with Fred Astair
Enjoy your trip. We take a 26 hour trip twice a year out West to be with family. You can only play so much iSpy and you can only spell your name using street signs and license plates so many times. I am one who is thankful for the great peace brought about by mobile electronics.
Merry Christmas. Travel safely.
December 20th, 2012 at 10:48 am
My favorite Christmas movies are Miracle on 34th Street (old) - which my daughter and I watch to start the Christmas season, The Christmas Shoes to remind us that everyone is going through something and sometimes a little helping hand is all that they need to make it a better day and The Grinch (animated version) - just for fun!
Have a great roadtrip Kirk - the last one I did with my daughter we had movies all planned but ended up singing songs, talking and never did turn on dvd player.
Merry Christmas.
December 20th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I picked up a book this year to use as reflection during the Advent season -52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life by Bob Welch. Consider picking it up. There are some nice nuggets about life lessons.
Enjoy the family time!
Favorite movies - Miracle on 34th Street (old and new), Rudolph (OK its a TV show…)
December 20th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I love Miracle of 34th Street, The Snowman (it’s all music no dialog and it’s wonderful), and I enjoy some of the newer one like The Holiday, Love Actually, The Grinch and Elf.
I also love the claymation movies like Rudolph and Frosty the snowman. I gre up with them and love them!
December 20th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
There are so many good Christmas movies…the top three that come to mind this morning are: White Christmas - going above and beyond for someone, Elf - innocence, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation - keep trying.
Have a wonderful holiday season everyone…
December 21st, 2012 at 8:46 am
I love Silent Night which stars Linda Hamilton. It’s a hard one to find. The story takes place right after WWII.
Another good one that I haven’t seen in years is The Story Lady which stars Jessica Tandy.
Enjoy your vacay. I envy you those hours in the car with your kids. I’m sure there will be tiring moments, but all in all it will make for some of the best memories. You inspire me on a daily basis and that is one of the best gifts of all. Take care!
December 21st, 2012 at 2:24 pm
It’s fun reading the posts from everyone! White Christmas is my very favorite - something about adventure, romance, and music that just puts me in the holiday spirit every time! And the family favorite is Polar Express - my son is 10 and for me it’s the movie that keeps him believing in the spirit of Santa, even if some of the sheen is lost on him already. They don’t stay young for long!
Happy Holidays to you and your family, Kirk!
December 21st, 2012 at 3:49 pm
I love all the verisons of ‘A Christmas Carol’ including the one starring Allstair Sims and especially the ‘Muppet Christmas Carol.’ Before my daughter got married we always watched the ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’ on Christmas Eve just so we could hear the song ‘Only one more sleep till Christmas.’
Have a safe trip and enjoy all the family memories being created as you travel!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!