Movies, TV specials a Christmas staple for Saskatchewan households

battlefordsNOW polled residents, team members and more about annual Christmas specials in their respective households and the results were varied.

One of the first entries to get multiple votes was the Dr. Seuss tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Originally a 25-minute television special, the classic tale of a green antagonist who schemes to steal Christmas has since been adapted into a live action film starring Jim Carrey in 2000 and a computer-animated version in 2018. Sharp said Grinch has always been his favourite for its enduring themes.

“Over the years, the storyline hasn’t changed much, even as [some] of the characters have,” he said. “While I love the original, the new animated one is pretty good too.”

Sharp’s coworker, Krista Bird, is also a big fan of the character, crediting the Carrey version as a childhood staple, even beyond the holidays. She said she’s always transported back when watching.

“Whenever I was sick, I was always laying on the ground with my Grinch doll and watching it 24/7,” she said. “It’s trying to show kids that your heart can get bigger, you just need some help to get there.”

Another classic Bird grew up with was Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, the Rankin/Bass television special from 1964. She said it’s a great watch for families to this day, as it helps kids to see it’s OK being different.

“Rudolph and his personality (even though they were very different than how I was as a kid) helped influence the person I am today,” she said. “By the end of the special, people end up liking him because of who he is [inside].”

The most likely film in the 21^st century to be labeled a Christmas classic in the future is 2003’s Elf. The film help launch the film career of SNL star Will Ferrell and was the first directorial success of Jon Favreau, who’s recently earned praise for his work as showrunner of the blockbuster Star Wars show, The Mandalorian.

“It’s really funny,” Sharp said. “And it’s captured quite a wide audience, from younger generations to older generations.”

That same observation is true of the most popular selection from Jim Pattison team members, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Released in 1989, the third entry of the iconic comedy franchise appealed to multiple generations with its humour and portrayal of family hijinks during the holidays.

“We played it here at the theatre a couple of weeks ago,” Sharp said. “We had a fair number of people come and watch and they loved it.”

“I’m sure everyone can relate to traveling with that one annoying auntie, or getting to a destination and all heck breaking loose.”

Arlinda Foley, owner of Video Junction in Maidstone, said Christmas Vacation is also a staple in her household. She said it reminds of some of her own eccentric family members and how quickly things can change.

“It’s very funny, every time they plan [something] it’s not quite what they hoped,” she said. “Much like in real life.”

Watching Christmas specials can often go hand-in-hand with other traditions. For many families, it’s connected with, or directly follows, opening up presents.

“We’d always have the kids get to open up one present and it would have a Christmas movie and jammies,” Foley said.

If there’s one piece of entertainment that most captures the visual essence of the holiday, it’s the Charles Dicken’s novel A Christmas Carol. There have been numerous adaptations, almost every one of which have found an annual audience, whether it’s the 1951 black-and-white version or the Muppets 1992 entry. Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers said it’s message being of a joyous and charitable spirit continues to endure.

“No matter what we have, getting to share it with someone who has less, that’s an incredible experience,” he said.

However, after watching the emotional journey of Ebenezer Scrooge, it may behoove households to switch gears for their next selection, considering the current climate across societies.

“We’ve had many different laughs over Home Alone, so that might be a good choice,” Aalbers said. “We need some lightening up this Christmas.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports

by battlefordsNOW Staff

Movies, TV specials a Christmas staple for Saskatchewan households

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