I've been trying to get in all of the holiday movies that I can these last few weeks. With the kickoff on Thanksgiving night, we've watched as many holiday movies as possible. Watching "Miracle on 34th Street" after the turkey was a particular pleasure, since one of my daughter Kate's friends had never seen it! I was horrified to learn on Christmas Eve that he's never seen "It's a Wonderful Life", either! I know, I know.
We've seen Miracle on 34th Street, The Holiday, Love Actually, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and The Family Stone. The DVR has half a dozen more and the Hallmark Channel has been turning out some nice new ones.
I can't help falling in love with Mary and George Bailey's old Victorian in "It's a Wonderful Life". Since saving old houses is my passion, my favorite Christmas house has to be that one. Having owned an 85 year old house, I get it when George Bailey wants to throw that old newell post cap.
Here are some of my other favorites:
The great Winnetka, Illinois house that was in almost every scene of "Home Alone"
The cozy English cottage that Cameron Diaz retreated to in "The Holiday"
Another classic is the stone Connecticut farmhouse in "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck. I've always loved the stone farmhouse that it takes place in ever since I saw it as a girl. I love the the walls of windows, the built-in bookshelves, the wide board floors and the big stone fireplace in the living room. This might be the one I'd pick to spend my Christmas in.
One recent movie that became an instant classic is "Elf" with Will Ferrell. His journey to meet his birth father and his childlike yearning for a home touched me deeply. The 1929 high-rise is located on West 55th Street.
Another Victorian that charmed in the movies was the home built for the Judy Garland movie "Meet me in St. Louis". If you're a Victorian lover, this might be your pick for the perfect Christmas celebration.
"Uncle Fred, Stop the car, Uncle Fred" was the line in "Miracle on 34th Strret" when the house little Susan longed for first came into view. Susan jumped out of the car and ran up the hill, sure she had found her new home. This one is on Long Island, (like my own childhood home) and looks much the same today as it did when it was built in 1947. It looks to me like the second story dormer may have been added since the movie.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
