Bandoff - Xmas Films - Semi Final Results & Final

[StillSpike]

Well, both Semis went the way of the form book - with It's a Wonderful Life comprehensively beating Miracle on 34th St, while Alistair Sim's Scrooge bested Planes Trains and Automobiles.

But which will the board crown the second best Xmas movie?

Go!

[Kent]

Watched Festive classic ‘Scrooge’ / ‘A Christmas Carol’ (1951) adapted from Charles Dickens’ 1843 ghost story by Noel Langley, produced and directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, starring Alastair Sim.
“I haven't taken leave of my senses. I've come to them”
Watched to mark the anniversary of the novel first being published on 19th December 1843.
This mid-Victorian celebration of the Christmas holiday is set against the extremely harsh conditions for working class people in Industrial Britain. For context… during this period three acts of Parliament were passed to make working life safer for the Victorian working-class: Factory Act (1832) stopped children under the age of 9 working, Mines Act (1842) stopped women, girls and boys under 10 working below ground in mines, Ten Hours Act (1847 limited women and young people to working a maximum of 58 hours a week!
Alastair Sim, excellent as the old miser Ebenezer Scrooge, goes from cold and greedy to remorseful and joyous.
Sim is ably supported by a stellar cast: George Cole (the young Ebenezer Scrooge), Michael Hordern (Jacob Marley), Hermione Baddeley (Mrs Cratchit), Mervyn Johns (Bob Cratchit), Kathleen Harrison (Mrs Dilber), Patrick Macnee (young Jacob Marley and Jack Warner as Mr. Jorkin.
The transformation of the main character Ebenezer Scrooge seeing the errors of his ways is central to the narrative as he sees his life past, present and future via spirit visions on Christmas Eve. The childlike delight at his newly reformed perspective is wonderful.
David Lean’s two Dickens’ adaptations: ‘Great Expectations’ (1946), ‘Oliver Twist’ (1948) are much darker and equally terrific.
Note to self and all: the glimpses into depressing aspects of poverty & ignorance should be compulsory viewing for all who lack the spirit of human kindness as spiritual regeneration is possible!
This perennial favourite is just wonderful.

[Kent]

Watched Festive Classic comedy/drama, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ (1946) based on ‘The Greatest Gift’ by Philip Van Doren Stern, written, produced and directed by Frank Capra for RKO Radio Pictures.
“Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings!” “Attaboy Clarence!”
Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Ward Bond, Frank Faylen, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Gloria Grahame, Todd Karns and Lionel Barrymore.
Viewed to celebrate the film’s 75th anniversary tells the story of a bumbling Angel called ‘Clarence’ (Travers) sent down from heaven to show the selfless George Bailey (Stewart) what life would have looked like had he now ever been born. “It would be better if I had never been born”
A wish Bailey makes when he’s desperate to find lost money after potential financial ruin from the town’s hard-nosed businessman Mr. Potter (Barrymore).
Like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ this displays the small-town American values of “no place like home” and an honest work ethic married to a spirit of fairness. Wearing these social themes proudly on his sleeve Capra shows a strong family and community moral code in the homely Bedford Falls, released right after WWII, to be hugely important.
There are definitely some dark nourish moments and the revelations after being shown an alternate life echoes Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. “Please God, let me live again”.
Donna Reed as George’s childhood sweetheart Mary and Lionel Barrymore as the heartless Mr.Potter are really excellent.; however Stewart (in his first picture after serving in WWII) just excels in the lead role, giving an iconic performance.
Italian-born American film director Capra made some of the finest movies of the 1930s and 40s: ‘Platinum Blonde’ (1931), ‘The Bitter Tea of General Yen’ (1933), ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934), ‘Mr. Deeds Goes to Town’ (1936), ‘You Can't Take It with You’ (1938), ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’(1939), ‘Meet John Doe’ (1941), ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1945) and ‘It's a Wonderful Life’ (1946).
Although audiences found the story too bleak this has become almost everyone’s favourite Festive movie. Much loved this has deservedly nominated for five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Sound Recording, Best Film Editing) becoming a classic due to its universal sentimental and uplifting appeal. “Merry Christmas”
Simply wonderful cinema.

[Long slender neck]

Old farts dominate again

[EH16]

Old farts dominate again

Why do you think something's good just because it's new?

[EH16]

For once, a thoroughly merited victory. Not only the best Xmas movie but one of the best movies ever made in any genre. If you haven't watched this just because it's old you're a fool.

[Long slender neck]

I don't hold that view, but there's only so many hours in a day and im unlikely to spend it watching something from 70 years ago.

[Long slender neck]

I just watched the trailer, it looks boring.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

It’s a wonderful life is actually fantastic. It was on channel 4 the other day so may be on catch up

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Be good if they could colourise it though, for dimwits like caca.

[StillSpike]

I remember watching a colourised verion of the 1951 Scrooge film - presumably done to try to attract the youngs - I'm sure it was very clever, but can't believe it was worth the effort.

Looks like It's a Wonderful Life is going to romp this, with only a couple hours left to go on the voting. I think that's the right result - I wonder what would have happened had it been up against the Muppets ? Maybe we should put the winners up against it ?

[Omygawd]

I remember watching a colourised verion of the 1951 Scrooge film - presumably done to try to attract the youngs - I'm sure it was very clever, but can't believe it was worth the effort.

Looks like It's a Wonderful Life is going to romp this, with only a couple hours left to go on the voting. I think that's the right result - I wonder what would have happened had it been up against the Muppets ? Maybe we should put the winners up against it ?

Go for it!!!!!

[EH16]

I don't hold that view, but there's only so many hours in a day and im unlikely to spend it watching something from 70 years ago.

Your loss, then. I hope, in due course, your grandkids don't feel the same way.

[Beradogs]

I called it before the start. The nerd herd win.

[EH16]

I called it before the start. The nerd herd win.

Fool