Cozy up on the couch and get ready for Christmas

By Angie Bicker

Several years ago, the Clinton Herald published a series every Monday called “On the Job.” During that time, I and many in the newsroom had the opportunity to job shadow many interesting people in the community. I had the pleasure of speaking with a movie projectionist at the Clinton 8 Theatre. I love movies so this experience was very fascinating to me. During the course of our interview, he made a statement that has stayed with me. He said, “Movies are like old friends; it’s always good to see them again.” You know that is so true, especially at this time of year.

My co-workers have joked with me over the years that I am stuck in a time warp and I’m sure that’s true. I love old movies, mostly from the late 1930s and 1940s. That was considered Hollywood’s Golden Age when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer claimed it had more stars than there were in Heaven.

I first started watching classic movies when I was in eighth grade. A miraculous thing happened to me that year — cable TV. Cable TV opened up a whole new world to me, including “The Donna Reed Show,” which I have seen countless times and never seem to get tired of. I also discovered a whole new slew of faces and genres. I became a fan of Irene Dunne, Maureen O’Hara, Gary Cooper, John Wayne and my favorite next to Donna Reed, Greer Garson. These actors and actresses had class, which I am sorry to say is missing in Hollywood’s so-called talent of today. Don’t get me wrong, I do like new movies, just not that many.

Twenty years ago I watched for the first time what would become my favorite movie, Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The first couple of years I watched IAWL non-stop to the point I knew exactly what they were going to say before they said it. Now, I reserve seeing my old friend once a year at Christmas. I get so excited when IAWL comes on — it’s like seeing long-lost faces at a family reunion.

I always hunker down in a warm, cozy chair decked out in my bathrobe and fuzzy slippers and I don’t usually move until the final credits start scrolling down the screen. I love all the characters — especially Clarence, George Bailey’s guardian angel played by Henry Travers, who shows George that he really did have a wonderful life and that his life made a difference in so many others that he knew and loved. Throughout the course of life, I think we all get a little lost like George did. We don’t realize what a difference we make in the world until it’s sometimes too late.

My favorite part of the movie comes in the beginning when Mary, played by Donna Reed, and George, portrayed by Jimmy Stewart, have just left a dance at Bedford Falls’ high school and are singing “Buffalo Gals can’t you come out tonight. Can’t you come out tonight. Can’t you come out tonight. Buffalo Gals can’t you come out tonight and dance by the light of the moon.”

Even if a meteor decided to crash through my house at that moment I still don’t think I would move. That’s just how much I love that part of the movie. And when George asks Mary if she wants the moon — I just melt into my bathrobe. I smile every time when he says, “Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey, that’s a pretty good idea. I’ll give you the moon, Mary.” At that point I’m so happy you would have thought Jimmy Stewart had jumped out of the TV and gave me the moon. There’s a hopeless romantic for you.

There are many holiday movies I love to watch around Christmas and yes a few of them are in black and white. Even if you are not a fan of black and white cinema, I still encourage you to give them a shot. I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. These movies have a knack of making you feel so much better after you’ve spent two hours with them. Just like people I suppose. Sometimes we meet people who make our lives so much better by just having known them.

Angie’s top-10 Christmas flicks

10. “A Christmas Story” — Heh, I just love the kid who gets his tongue stuck to the pole. That kid is a powerful disclaimer to not try that at home.

9. “The Note” — This is a touching Hallmark movie about a newspaper columnist who finds herself on a spiritual journey before Christmas.

8. “The Bishop’s Wife” — Cary Grant plays an angel named Dudley. How great is that?

7. “Home Alone”

6. “The Christmas Box” — This was a made-for-TV movie starring Maureen O’Hara and Richard Thomas.

5. “Meet Me in St. Louis” — I cry every time Judy Garland sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

4. “Christmas in Connecticut” — I just love this movie with Barbara Stanwyk and Dennis Morgan.

3. “Miracle on 34th Street” — Yes, the classic with Natalie Wood, not the remake.

2. “The Bells of St. Mary’s”

1. “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Well, there you have it — my favorite Christmas movies to watch on a snowy evening at home with Cordy at my feet. That sounds like a pretty good idea for tonight.

Come on Cordy, let’s go pop some popcorn.



Angie Bicker is the Clinton Herald’s Lifestyles Editor.

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