10 Best Christmas Films on TCM

The Greatness of Classic Movies

There is no question that I am a big fan of classic movies; I even wrote a chapter about such in my book to reaching youth. The thing is, movies are a wonderful vehicle for immersing one into a story that can challenge, enlighten, and bring positive entertainment.
Being the Christmas season, I would think that this represents the very best opportunity to dip your toe into the waters of great classic movies. Some of the very best movies of all time are Christmas films, and some of these films were crafted decades ago, many of which were specifically crafted to be a positive influence, partially due to help patrons relax for a few hours, while their loved ones were off fighting in World War II.

As I write this, we are now in the home stretch. (It is Gaudate Sunday). And movie channels are stepping up their frequency of holiday entertainment. Of these channels, only one stands out for me: Turner Classic Movies. And if your cable provider has Turner Classic Movies on its roster, then you are going to want to pay particular attention.

My Favorite Christmas Movies on TCM

What follows are my favorite Christmas movies well worth DVR-ing that will be playing uncut, without commercial interruption, on Turner Classic Movies. If you have never watched a Black and white movie, or even a foreign film, then I envy you; you will have an opportunity to experience some of these classics—some tender, some uproariously funny—for the very first time.
It should be noted that these are not my favorite movies ever, just those that happen to be on Turner Classic Movies’ roster of this year. There were 26 movies by my count that they carried, and I whittled those down to the ten you see here.
I get that you may not yet be tired of “Christmas Vacation”, “A Christmas Story”, or even “Elf.” But I promise you that these ten films are well worthy of the monicker “Classics.” Give these a try. Enjoy.

10. THE APARTMENT (1960)

Playing on Friday, December 19 at 5:45PM EST

This movie is one of Billy Wilder’s greatest triumphs, and Billy Wilder is my favorite director. Jack Lemmon plays an office drone who allows executives to borrow his apartment for extra-marital activities, doing so with the hope that his career will advance because of this. The story takes an abrupt turn around Christmastime, where he begins to fall for one of these girls. It builds to this fantastic triumphant moment which happens in a manner where we think that he becomes most defeated.
Of all the movies listed here, this is probably the least Christmas-like, but I cannot ignore it because it is one of the great comedy-dramas, as it won Best Picture of 1960. Perhaps you will want to watch it in the week between Christmas and New Year’s, where you can reminisce about your own desires for self-growth and empathy.

9. BACHELOR MOTHER (1939)

Playing on Thursday, December 25 at 9:30AM EST

Through a series of events (around Christmastime), a single saleswoman (Ginger Rogers) is left with the responsibility of raising a newborn that is not hers. This is a daffy romantic comedy that utterly surprised me two years ago. I couldn’t believe how funny the events were. David Niven is at his most nimble performance. And the story helps draw one’s attention towards the less fortunate, charitable giving, and the plights of the impoverished single-family households.

8. BEYOND TOMORROW (1940)

Playing on Friday, December 19 at 2:15AM EST

Three rich businessmen (played by C. Aubrey Smith, Harry Carey, and Charles Winninger–notable character actors of their day) make a bet on Christmas Eve as to which average pedestrians would return a “lost” wallet of cash to its rightful owner. Their generosity begins the seeds of a romantic relationship, which takes some interesting turns. This is an undervalued movie which has excellent acting, and warmth in spades.

7. IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (1949)

Playing on Thursday, December 25 at 2:00PM EST

I’m not generally a fan of remakes, but this musical remake of “The Shop Around the Corner” is worth checking out. Two salespeople are at odds with each other professionally, but are unaware that they are actually secret pen pals of each other. The climactic sequence takes place around the busy Christmas shopping season. And what a cast: Judy Garland, Van Johnson, Buster Keaton, S. Z. Sakall, and even an extremely young Liza Minnelli in her very first film role.

6. I’LL BE SEEING YOU (1944)

Playing on Wednesday, December 24 at 2:15PM EST

One of the few romantic dramas in this list, it stars Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten as a pair of damaged souls (him, suffering from post-traumatic disorder, her, a woman prisoner on furlough) who cross paths around the holidays. This movie emphasizes the power of forgiveness and healing in hard times.

5. FANNY AND ALEXANDER (1982)

Playing on Friday, December 19 at 3:45AM EST

Of all the films on this list, I admittedly have not seen this one yet (it’s currently set to be recorded). But it’s considered to be one of the great movies of the late Ingmar Bergman, and it is epic in scope while being very accessible. I also hear that the opening 45 minutes (it’s over 3 hours—and that’s the edited version) is devoted to Christmas and is top notch. However, it may also be rather challenging; two children experience the challenges of being raised by a new clergyman father, who happens to be for ascetic living. Supposedly a treatise for the power of art. Nominated for a slew of Oscars in 1982, including Best Director, which is a rarity since it is a foreign film.

4. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945)

Playing on Sunday, December 21 at 2:00PM EST

From here all out, it is all comedies. First up is this screwball farce that is far more zany than its title suggests. A 40’s-era Martha Stewart (also a fraud) has to serve Christmas dinner to her media-magnate boss and a war hero. Can she keep up the charade and discover true love? I quote this movie (“Catastroph!”) nearly every other day. With Barbra Stanwyck (my favorite actress) in the lead, with swell comedic support from Casablanca players Sydney Greenstreet and S.Z. Sakall.

3. IT HAPPENED ON FIFTH AVENUE (1947)

Playing on Wednesday, December 24 at 12:15PM EST

I am a recent fan of this comedic masterpiece, a high wire balancing act that can easily topple upon its own self, but never does. A homeless man breaks into a rich businessman’s opulent home while the latter is away on winter vacation. And then he invites another to stay. The surprises in this film are a treasure to witness firsthand, as you sit slack-jawed “they are going there?” Victor Moore is the principal player, with supporting turns by Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles, and a young Alan Hale Jr. (Gilligan’s Island).

2. A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938)

Playing on Thursday, December 25 at 11:00AM EST

There are as many as 100 versions of A Christmas Carol in existence. My personal favorite version is the 1984 George C. Scott version, while others hold the 1951 Alaistair Sim as the best. Of the ones playing on TCM this month, my vote goes to this 1938 version, which, while flawed (it detracts from the original story in one significantly distracting way), it has the warmest heart of the bunch. Credit goes to real-life marrieds Gene and Kathleen Lockhart as the Crachits, obnoxious child-star Terry Kilburn as Tiny Tim, overly zealous singer Barry MacKay as cousin Fred, and Reginald Owen (”Mary Poppins”) as Ebenezer Scrooge himself.

1. THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942)

Playing on Wednesday, December 24 at 8:00PM EST
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In terms of pure comedic mastery, this movie tops the list. No, it is not warm-hearted (except in spurts). No, it does not exemplify a retelling of the Christmas story (although there is a moment where it is explicitly mentioned). No, a Scrooge does not get a change of heart (although he does get a come-uppance). In terms of comedic delivery and a smashing star turn by Monty Wooley, this imminently quotable movie will leave you dizzingly in hysterics. With a fantastic ensemble cast, including Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Billie Burke (”Wizard of Oz”) and Jimmy Durante.

What are your favorite classic Christmas movies? Share them below.