Favorite Christmas/Holiday special
- Thread starter Vanyel
- Start date
Charlie Brown Christmas, which despite being almost 50 years old, remains timeless because of its clarity of story and message, the simplicity of its animation, the honesty of the performances by the all-child voice cast, and of course Vince Guaraldi's great score, which I can (and do) listen to year-round despite it being "Christmas music".
"How The Grinch Stole Christmas," the original animated feature, is one of my absolute favorites. Boris Karloff's narration is perfect.
Also, I like to catch at least one version of "A Christmas Carol," if not more, every year. I love it. I don't think many people understand what a very sad, and yet uplifting, story it is.
A more recent tradition has been catching the Doctor Who Christmas Specials.
Also, I like to catch at least one version of "A Christmas Carol," if not more, every year. I love it. I don't think many people understand what a very sad, and yet uplifting, story it is.
A more recent tradition has been catching the Doctor Who Christmas Specials.
I have to agree with all said above about A Charlie Brown Christmas. I am not religious, but Linus's speech in counterpoint to the commercialization of the holiday strikes a perfect note. And the soundtrack album is the greatest Christmas music record ever, in my book.
My favorite Christmas episode of a series is "The Christmas Story," The Andy Griffith Show, season one.
My favorite Christmas episode of a series is "The Christmas Story," The Andy Griffith Show, season one.
I love Karloff, too, but I also have to give a nod to Thurl Ravenscroft, one of the all-time great (or "Grrreat!") voices.
Movie: Die Hard
TV: Blackadder's Christmas Carol
TV: Blackadder's Christmas Carol
Same here. For the last twenty years, I've watched it every year on the 24th. First on VHS, and then, for the last few years, on DVD-R.
Another favorite is "Yes Nicholas, There is a Santa Claus", a two-hour second season episode of Eight is Enough that I watch every year around this time. Not strictly a "special", but I still count it.
Christmas Special: "A Charlie Brown Christmas," followed closely by "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (the Karloff version, of course).
Movie: "Scrooged." Probably the greatest modern verson of "A Christmas Carol" and maybe Bill Murray's best role ever.
Movie: "Scrooged." Probably the greatest modern verson of "A Christmas Carol" and maybe Bill Murray's best role ever.
nope.
A very underrated special is the "ALF" Christmas special.
The scene where ALF reveals himself to Santa is heartbreaking.
Watch at 36:43
[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxeSYWPIeh0[/yt]
The scene where ALF reveals himself to Santa is heartbreaking.
Watch at 36:43
[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxeSYWPIeh0[/yt]
Hard to pick, but as numerous of my favorites are already posted, I'll add to the list with Albert Finney's 'Scrooge'. He was completely delightful as the crabbed and vile little soul Scrooge had become. His playing the transformed Scrooge was wonderful for portraying Scrooge's joy in a body so long lived so ill. I also loved the music, rare as I can't stand musicals on the whole.
