There is never a shortage of new Christmas movies to feast on during the holiday season. Streaming sites like Netflix and Hallmark have seemingly infinite choices for modern holiday tales. While these stories are fun, older films provide a true escape from reality, which is the perfect way to cope with stressors like finals or familial tensions that arise during the holidays.
So, why not appreciate the oldies this season? Here are three classic films that defined the warm and cozy holiday genre, all before the year 1960.
“The Bishop’s Wife” (1947)
The oldest film on this list, but definitely the coziest Christmas story of them all. “The Bishop’s Wife” stars Cary Grant as a charming angel named Dudley. The angel is answering a prayer for guidance from Bishop Henry Brougham, played by David Niven, who is utterly obsessed with his plans to build a new cathedral.
The stress from his preoccupation with the church strains his relationship with his wife Julia, played by Loretta Young, and their young daughter. Dudley the angel makes everyone swoon over him and romantic tension soon appears between him and Julia. Henry feels betrayed and fed up by Dudley’s shenanigans and tries to make him leave on multiple occasions.
The angel won’t give up easily and transforms the over-worked Bishop into a kind and generous man who learns to love his wife and family above all else.
If you are looking for a movie to make you believe in miracles or just to give you some hope in this bitter winter season, this film is a perfect choice. You can watch it in black or white, or a digitally edited colorized version. Both are gorgeous, but the original has that special vintage appeal.
“The Bishop’s Wife” is available to stream for free on Amazon, Tubi and Peacock.
“White Christmas” (1954)
An undeniable classic musical comedy, directed by Michael Curtiz, “White Christmas” follows a group of four performers who travel to Vermont in pursuit of a snow-covered holiday.
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star as the musical duo “Wallace and Davis,” two friends who served together in the 151st division during World War II where they bonded over a fondness for singing and the stage. They later meet a sister act, portrayed by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, who convince Wallace and Davis to journey to Vermont with them.
Romance sparks between the respective couples, but their dreams of snow are squashed when their destination proves to be warmer than expected.
Despite this setback, the group plans a fabulous and extravagant show in an attempt to win back the vacation crowds. Beautiful costumes, intensely long dance sequences and the actors’ dreamy chemistry make this film the perfect holiday movie to boost your spirits. But fair warning, the songs will be stuck in your head for weeks.
“White Christmas” is available to stream on Amazon Prime, or it can be rented through various streaming services, such as YouTube or Apple TV.
“Auntie Mame” (1958)
Although this film is not technically a Christmas movie per-say, it was released on Dec. 27, 1958, and includes one of my favorite Christmas scenes of all time. Directed by Morton DaCosta and starring Rosalind Russel, this film is everything a holiday movie should be.
The story follows spunky socialite Mame Dennis and her unconventional lifestyle, which is abruptly changed after she adopts her young wealthy nephew in the wake of his father’s death. The film chronicles her adventures with and without the young boy, as well as her rifts with societal expectations of what a proper caregiver should be.
If you aren’t already convinced to fall in love with this eccentric woman’s life, her fashion and interior design choices are fabulous, enviable and sure to win you over. Try not to miss the fast-paced dialogue because the humor lies in the quick-witted jokes and references that make this movie truly over the top, in the best way.
“Auntie Mame” is currently streaming for free on Tubi. It is also available to check out at the Monroe County Public Library.
It's hard not to get caught up in the modern film cycle. With endless new movies, plots and characters, why bother looking back? But taking the time to enjoy the classics can make you appreciate what you have now and learn where the holiday magic began.
