Advent Calendar – December 7, 2015
Christmas Television and Movies: Post # 7
From now until Christmas Eve, I will be participating in the 2015 Edition of the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories by Thomas MacEntee and the Geneabloggers. If you would like to know more or even join in, please see This Link. I’d like to personally thank Dawn Williams-Kogutkiewicz of Dawning Genealogy for sharing this idea on Genealogy Bloggers.
The No. 1 Christmas Special
December 7 – Christmas Television and Movies
Whether it is the movie It’s A Wonderful Life or A Charlie Brown Christmas on the telly, what is your favorite television program or movie? What are your memories of first seeing it as a child and did your family have certain traditions related to the show or movie? Are there different versions (such as The Christmas Carol) and have you found modern favorites? Tell me about your favorite Christmas television program or movie and your memories of Christmases past.
My Memories: I don’t seem to have memories of Christmas Television specials or movies when I was young. The only thing I remember watching around Christmas was The Wizard of Oz, that was the one and only time of the year it was shown. Now it’s played several times a year – kind of ruins it by being on so often – nothing to look forward to. I never watched it in its entirety when I was young, as the witch scared me, especially the scenes in the castle with those flying monkeys; I ran out of the room. Funny to remember this specific movie as a Christmas movie – guess I just associated it with Christmas as that was the only time it played. I’m surprised I was even scared – mama reminds me that I was never afraid of the dark and thought nothing of walking two houses down to my grandparents in the dark. I guess it was those flying monkeys that did me in!
Santa, Bob Hope and Freddy Freeloader (Red Skelton)
All the regular TV series had a Christmas special, but the Red Skelton show is the one I actually remember. That was one of my favorite shows – loved the hobo character, Freddy Freeloader.
When the kids were small we watched a lot of the the cartoon-type television Christmas specials like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.
My Husband’s Memories: I don’t remember watching any specific Christmas movies, but all the TV series had their own Christmas episodes. A few of my favorites were The Donna Reed Show, Ozzie and Harriet, Jeff’s Colie, and Leave it to Beaver. I basically watched whatever my parents watched, as there was only one TV set and no remote control – it was the kids who they sent to change the channel. I liked the Ozzie and Harriet Christmas special the best – they made you feel like you were part of their family.
Most of the programs I watched with my mother – she was a movie watcher; we watched many Christmas classics together like Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol or White Christmas with Bing Crosby. I don’t there’s anyone who hasn’t seen that one. Where was my father – well he was usually in the basement – working on a project; he seldom sat down to watch TV.
Ozzie and Harriet trimming the tree.
The most well known Christmas movie today is “A Christmas Story”. Although it premiered in 1983, we never saw it until about ten years ago – and now we watch every Christmas Eve; it runs All day long, so you are going to see at least a part of it, at some point, during the day.
Like to read more ~ Click on 2015: Advent Calendar of Christmas
© 2015 Jeanne Bryan Insalaco
Everyone Has a Story 