12 days of blogging: Day 12- It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

"every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings"

Come on now you didn't really think I wasn't going to include this christmas classic in the list, shame on you. This film is considered the best christmas film by many and some have even said that it is the best film in the world so it has earned its place as my post for christmas eve and last post of this blogathon. I recently went to watch a production of this film in my local theater and though some of the acting and set design was questionable it did remind me of why I fell in love with this film and the meaning behind it. Though the film was a flop in 1946 it has now become one of the most powerful and inspirational films that has ever touched the world, it has now become timeless. I couldn't praise this film more, so please if you haven't already watched this film than now is the time.

Cast

James Stewart

Donna Reed

Lionel Barrymore

Henry Travers

Thomas Mitchell

Beulah Bondi

Gloria Grahame

Synopsis

An angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), is hired to help a man so he can get his wings, George Bailey (James Stewart) is contemplating suicide, to help him he must see his life up to this point. We are shown all of the people who George has touch and all of the significant points in his life. George saved his brothers life by rescuing him from drowning and because of this became death in one ear. George also helped his boss who had recently lost his son and turned to alcohol. He had made plans to leave Bedford Falls and go to college but he kept having to stay and run the bailey and loans company in order for it to not be taken over by the greedy Mr. Potter, who owned everything else in the town. George soon falls in love with Mary (Donna Reed), they marry and have children while still living in Bedford Falls, the town of which George always wanted to leave. 

On christmas eve, George's uncle Billy loses the businesses $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter found the money and kept it in hope that they would get arrested and he could then take over their company. When George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company would collapse, thinking of his loved ones he contemplates suicide while on a bridge in order for them to receive his life insurance. Clarence then shows up to help George, he does this by showing him what the world would be like if he didn't exist, when finding out of the things that he did that caused the world to change for the better he realizes that suicide isn't the answer and so returns home. Once he returned home, his friends, after finding out the trouble that George was in all came together to raise the money he needed to keep the company. Afterwards Clarence is seen to have gotten his wings for helping George Bailey.

"no man is a failure who has friends"

Some Little Facts

• 42 bells are heard throughout the film, so 42 angels get their wings.
• This film created an alternative to using painted cornflakes as snow and instead used foamite, soap and water, pumped at a high pressure through a wind machine. The company was awarded for this achievement.
• Frank Capra said the film would be shot in 90 days and when he was right a party was made to celebrate.
• This was Donna Reeds first starring role.
• It is James Stewart's and Frank Capra's favourite of their films.
• The role of George Bailey was originally made at another studio with Cary Grant in mind but when Frank Capra took over he rewrote the part to suit James Stewart.
• Though a stunt double was hired, Donna Reed successfully threw the rock that broke the window in the Granville house, she had a strong throwing arm from playing baseball in high school.
• This was the only time that Frank Capra co-wrote, produced, financed and directed a film.

Now I know it's sad that it is the end of my Christmas blogathon but I feel like I have made a great achievement and have been successful in what I set out to do, I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I have. Don't worry I will still post regularly just not as regularly as this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 

12 days of blogging: Day 11- The Santa Clause (1994)

don't you just love that caption...

Yes it may be a Tim Allen Christmas film that spawned two mediocre sequels, but....well I really have no excuse for this one after all there are only so many Christmas films in the world. My sister just loves festive, trashy films so they are always on, always and forever. Though I really don't mind the first one (it sometimes even warms my heart) the others are just unnecessary and create a laughable franchise. The good thing is this posts isn't about the lesser two films so lets not dwell on them to much and lets get straight to the original. It's full of cheese but that's why we love it so just go ahead and watch it, it is Christmas after all.

Synopsis
Scott Calvin is a divorced dad looking after his son on Christmas, then he accidentally kills Santa. Scott finds out that there is a clause saying if you kill Santa you then become recruited as the new Santa and so on. Scott tries to ignore the signs but undoubtedly he is turning into Santa, beard and all. He is incredibly reluctant as people don't believe him and he seems crazy but he soon embraces the fact that he is now the knew Santa on the block and takes his place in lap land, but he still has a lot to learn.

Some Little Facts

• Tim Allen is an ex-convict and Disney usually doesn't employ convicts but in this case an exception was made.
• When Scott and Charlie are leaving the North pole on the sleigh and pass by the moon,it has a mickey mouse logo on it.
• The role of Scott Calvin was made with Bill Murray in mind.
• The movie shows us that Santa's favorite snacks are cookies and hot chocolate.

12 days of blogging: Day 10- Elf (2003)

"This holiday, discover your inner elf."

Well we always have to watch Elf at Christmastime because it is always on and you can only run for so long. I have mixed feelings towards this film, sometimes I like it, other-times I don't...usually I don't. There are aspects of this film that are just to cliched, even for me, and others that are just annoying. I am not an avid fan of Zoey Deschannel either, as I have previously expressed so it was disappointing to find her in this, though I do prefer her in this (I think it is because of the blonde hair). It really isn't to everyones taste but you may find it enjoyable, I mean it is bright and colourful so it does get a plus for the aesthetics.

Synopsis
Buddy (Will Ferrel) is an orphan who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up in the North Pole. Buddy grew up as an elf but always knew he was different and so went to New York City to find his birth parents. His real dad, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), is on the naughty list because he is cruel and when he finds out about Buddy he doesn't really care for him and finds him quite frankly, annoying. Buddy has fun living in New York but is seen as very weird and again, as an outsider. He finds love in a department store girl, Jovie (Zoey Deschannel). He has also started to interfere in his fathers work, making Walter rethink his priorities. Walters family had previously felt neglected but now with the help of Buddy, all is well and everyone is happy. Also with the lack of Christmas spirit Santa is finding it hard to deliver all the presents for Christmas.

12 days of blogging: Day 9- Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

Well nothing has made me cry more as a child than Mickey's Christmas Carol did. I know it's only a short film at only half an hour but it is definitely noteworthy in my blog as it is probably one of if not my favourite retelling of the Charles Dickens tale. It's been awhile since I last watched this but you couldn't forget a film as memorable as this. If you ever watched DuckTales as I did you shall know that Scrooge McDuck plays a faithful rendition of the character of Scrooge in this film (I mean come on it's in the name). The film is just a captivating story of love and humbug, it will change your life forever.

Synopsis
Scrooge McDuck is a grumpy, old ma with eyes for only one thing, money. He treats everyone he meets poorly,especially at Christmas. On Christmas eve he is the visited by three ghosts who give him the chance to change his mean ways and treat the people around him with kindness. One of these people being his clerk, Bob Cratchit, whose crippled son, Tiny Tim, may soon die The ghosts show him his past, present and future with his life now, giving him one last chance to avoid the fate that fell upon his old business partner, Jacob Marley.

Please I beg you to watch this short film it is so sad and so good and will really make you think of the meaning of Christmas and waht it is to be kind and generous.

12 days of blogging: Day 8- Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis was the second Judy Garland film I had ever seen and one of my favorites (though it wasn't until I bought Love Finds Andy Hardy on a whim that I was then hooked). This film came in one of the first box sets I ever bought, at the time I thought it was extortionate to pay £10 for a nine film magical musicals collection, but oh how that has changed and I am so glad I took the leap to part with my money for that set. It opened me up to a world of films that would captivate your soul. Anyway I have been trying to get my family hooked on the film for over a year but it is discouraging when you show your mum it for the second time and she insists she has no recollection of it. I guess it just didn't touch them as it did me, which is sad. Though this film doesn't revolve around Christmas it is shown and from this film came the birth of the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" so I though it qualified.

Synopsis
The rich Smith family have four daughters one of the daughters, 17 year old Esther (Judy Garland), has fallen in love with the boy next door (Tom Drake) though he doesn't seem to notice her at first. During this time her younger sister, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), is causing mischief and being cute. When the father of the family has decided to take a new job opportunity in New York it the family turns chaotic as love-lives are turned upside down and tears are shed and even a snowman or two are killed. Mostly the family are worried whether they will miss the St. Louis fair of which they have eagerly awaited.


Facts

• "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was originally about war until Judy Garland refused to sing it to Margaret O'Brien because she thought it would upset her, so the lyrics were changed.
• Judy Garland met her future husband, director of the film,Vincente Minelli during this production.
• A lightning guy of the film intentionally dropped a heavy spotlight on Margaret O'Brien, narrowly missing her. He did this because His daughter had gotten the part after Margarets mother asked for more money though this was later changed and Margaret was then cast as Tootie, the lighting guy was actually institutionalized for a short period of time after this.
• The trolley song was apparently filmed in one take, though I find this hard to believe as they would usually do an extra take for safety.

12 days of blogging: Day 7- Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

I watched this film probably over a year ago but I remember being very fond of it. I remember always loving the poster for this film and it always intrigued me to find out more and also that it was a black and white film, thought they really aren't uncommon to me so I really have no idea why that drew me in.

look at it, aren't you intrigued it's just so cool 

Synopsis
A journalist, Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck), writes a famous food column. She is seen as a great cook, housewife, mother etc by her fans when she is in fact an unwed Newyorker. When her boss and a heroic sailor then decide to spend Christmas with her on her "farm" she has to pretend to be the person that they think she is or she believes she could lose her job. As a string of white lies ensue she finds herself getting further and further into the lies and so things get tricky. There may also be love on the table.

Watch the film after all it is Christmas so why not. Merry Christmas everyone

12 days of blogging: Day 6- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

One of the best and probably only holiday crossover films. The first time I watched this was on a really awful vhs tape and I found it terrifying, the whole play-dough puppet thing just scared the heck out of me. I find it so weird that they actually managed to make a christmas film as creepy and scary as this, it is truly unbelievable. The film was envisioned by the weird and wonderful Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick it also features the voices of Danny Elfman, Paul Reubens and Chris Sarandon to name a few. 

Synopsis

Jack Skeleton is pumpkin king of halloween town though he is bored with the same routine every year and everyone not showing the holiday the affection they think it deserves. When Jack finds a door to Christmas town he is so taken by the concept and the love that the children have for the holiday so he tries to take it over but instead of using the normal Christmas themes they add a little bit of their holiday and it doesn't exactly go right.

I have always liked this film but it has never overjoyed me as it has for overs, I think Tim Burtons work can be quite a hit or miss on some things. Don't get me wrong it's a good film and I'm sure you'll enjoy it, I think the concept is great and it's beautifully presented it's just some aspects aren't for me. Also guys we're halfway through 12 days of blogging YEAH!!!