# Cult Holiday Movies: Whats your favorite? RALPHIE!!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 4, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391 "2003-11-04T18:24:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/21 "2003-11-04T22:38:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baby Fish Mouth \* > \*\*I used to love **A Christmas Story** until my mother decided that it was going to be on our television the whole 24 hours of TNT’s marathon. \*\* I’m with you there, only in my case I think I was visiting one of my sisters. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/22 "2003-11-04T23:37:21Z")
Here’s our Christmas lineup: Nightmare Before Christmas The various Blackadder Christmas shows The Mr. Bean Christmas episode A Muppet Family Christmas A Muppet Christmas Carol, because I love Michael Caine ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/23 "2003-11-05T00:29:22Z")
We enjoy **The Shop Around the Corner.** _Every single cast member_ is nothing less than delightful, especially Frank Morgan. I second Chefguy’s **A Christmas Carol** with George C. Scott, especially the great **Frank Finlay** as Marley’s ghost. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/24 "2003-11-05T01:14:13Z")
**Nightmare Before Christmas** is my fave, though, like others, I also have a soft spot for **A Christmas Story**. I also love, though I haven’t seen it in years, **Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas**. How can you not like a Christmas movie about weasels and jugbands? ---
**Author:** ![BuckleberryFerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BuckleberryFerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckleberryFerry)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/25 "2003-11-05T01:26:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Khadaji \* > \*\*Another good one - but you’re thinking of: [The Year Without a Santa Claus](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004VVPA/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/104-3920352-0263902?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846&st=*) \*\* Ah! Thank you! I always forget the name. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/26 "2003-11-05T03:06:56Z")
**Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas** is available on DVD/VHS from Amazon, if you’re feeling nostalgic. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/27 "2003-11-05T03:18:33Z")
die hard, of course… weeeelll, the weather outside is frightful… you can buy your own “leg lamp” desk top and standing version. i saw them at suncoast. ---
**Author:** ![DeepPurple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@DeepPurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepPurple)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/28 "2003-11-05T03:23:26Z")
I love a Christmas cartoon, someone please tell me the name of it. It’s an old man going by an orphanage early Christmas Day, he breaks in & fashions toys for all the orphans out of things in the kitchen. I’m sure someone can supply/correct more details. The last time I saw it was years ago, after a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life on tv, kind of as a filler. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/29 "2003-11-05T04:22:52Z")
Black Adder’s Christmas Carol (‘We’ve never been so insulted in all our lives’ – ‘Well, all I can say is, you’ve been damned lucky!’) Bernard and the Genie (‘Please use the words “I wish” with the same care as you would say, “Please castrate me.”’) George C Scott in A Christmas Carol – I grew up adoring David Warner, even though he always seemed to play lunatics, although he is so sweet as Bob Crachit…every year, though, I always wonder if he will turn to Mrs Crachit, and say, ‘Dear, I’ve solved our Tiny Tim problem _and_ what to have for Christmas dinner in one go!’ :eek: 😃 Odd yuletide associations: Absolutely Fabulous, because the first time I saw it was one year at Christmas, and I remember staying up late to watch it whilst lying under the lit xmas tree (nothing says kindness, good cheers, and selfless generosity like Patsy and Edina)…and also A Clockwork Orange! Cos again I saw it one snowy Christmas, late at night… ---
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/30 "2003-11-05T04:23:15Z")
**Santa Clause Conquers the Martians, & Santa Clause** MST3k and/or unMST3k versions **Star Wars Holiday Special** ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/31 "2003-11-05T04:41:29Z")
**A Christmas Story** is the only movie that will truly get me in the mood for the holidays. > [@](#): > > Randy lay there like a slug. It was his only defense. Yay Randy! I need to find a copy of it on DVD this year. Other movies include: **It’s a Wonderful Life** **Nightmare Before Christmas** **Miracle on 34th Street** **White Christmas** The **Mr. Bean** Christmas special And of course, **The Grinch**. I’ll have to add the **Thin Man** too now that it was pointed out it takes place at Christmas! ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/32 "2003-11-05T05:23:50Z")
Am I the only one who loves **The Homecoming**? That’s the Christmas special that introduced us to the Waltons, but this wasn’t syrupy-sweet. It was actually kind of dark. Patricia Neal wandered around the house as if in an alcoholic fog, talking crazily in her three-pack-a-day rasp. Elizabeth won a Bible contest and got a dead doll as her prize. The family’s best friend was arrested. The father is feared dead but shows up at the last minute looking like Peter Boyle’s stand-in for Young Frankenstein. In all seriousness, it’s a moody story that, I think, actually captures a rural, Depression-era Christmas, with the mix of tradition and uncertainty that involves. I love seeing it, along with **A Christmas Story** , **Rudolph** , **The Grinch** and other classics. ---
**Author:** ![lesa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/34f0e0/32.png) [@lesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lesa)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/33 "2003-11-05T09:23:54Z")
I always try to watch the Christmas movies that involve criminals and murderers: Trapped In Paradise: In which three brothers try to rob a bank. The brothers are played by Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey. Very believable. We’re No Angels: Your typical sentimental story about violent murderers escaping from prison. Featuring Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Joan Bennett. Batman Returns: What’s Christmas without a costumed vigilante and Christopher Walken? Now that I know The Thin Man is set at Christmas, I have one more for my Christmas Crime collection. ---
**Author:** ![Mazikeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9a28c/32.png) [@Mazikeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mazikeen)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/34 "2003-11-05T12:57:57Z")
One Christmas movie I never get tired of watching every holiday season is **National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation**. The squirrel in the Christmas tree, the sledding incident, Uncle Louis and his stogies, Aunt Bethany “saying grace”–these never fail to crack me up. I also love the original Miracle on 34th Street. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Pirate\_LeChuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dead\_Pirate\_LeChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Pirate_LeChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/35 "2003-11-05T14:17:29Z")
We have some friends of the family whose favorite Christmas movie is **Gremlins**. Odd, odd people. My vote has to go to **A Christmas Story** as well, having come from a family whose patriarch has also woven a tapestry of obscenity that is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ShadiRoxan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@ShadiRoxan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadiRoxan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/36 "2003-11-05T15:03:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BuckleberryFerry \* > \*\*Jumping on the bandwagon with **A Christmas Story** (try reading “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash,” upon which the movie was (loosely) based.) > \*\* I read the book. Somehow it didn’t capture my interest like **A Christmas Story** did. It’s never Christmas for me without that movie and **How the Grinch Stole Christmas** , the original that is. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/37 "2003-11-05T16:55:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rocking chair \* > \*\*you can buy your own “leg lamp” desk top and standing version. i saw them at suncoast. \*\* There’s also a [website](http://www.theleglamp.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/38 "2003-11-05T17:59:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Torgo \* > \*\*We enjoy **The Shop Around the Corner.** _Every single cast member_ is nothing less than delightful, especially Frank Morgan. > > I second Chefguy’s **A Christmas Carol** with George C. Scott, especially the great **Frank Finlay** as Marley’s ghost. \*\* Best. Marley. Ever. And Scott’s portrayal of Scrooge is nothing short of genius. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/39 "2003-11-05T19:37:05Z")
Nobody has mentioned Home Alone! Nothing says Christmas like Joe Pesci getting his hair burned off! My personal faves are It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Scrooge (the musical), and Scrooged with Bill Murray. I also love Die Hard, but they play that all the time. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391/40 "2003-11-05T19:56:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Scrooged is THE Christmas movie in the Bunny Household. Also frequently quoted throughout the year for any occasion. I had the special pleasure of getting to scream out the window at a noisy neighbour making repairs to his boat at 11:30 PM: “Would you PLEASE! STOP! THE GOD! DAMN! HAMMERING!!!” Hee! Me too! “Will you please, for the love of god, and your own body, HOLD THE GODDAMNED HAMMERING!” I use it for everything, not just hammering. Other wonderful lines: “You can’t _buy_ publicity like this!” “Come and get me you…_pussy_.” My other favorite Christmas move is **Santa Clause**. That’s what it’s called right? The brilliant movie with John Lithgow and Dudley Moore and flying candy canes? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cult-holiday-movies-whats-your-favorite-ralphie/211391.md?page=3)