Classic Christmas movies have a unique way of capturing the joy of the holiday season. Films such as It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone remind audiences of the importance of family and friends during the Christmas season, according to viatorvoice.com.
In the film It’s a Wonderful Life, the protagonist, George Bailey, is at his lowest point in life and fights internal struggles. George receives a visit from a guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence shows George what the world would look like without him in it. By doing this, Clarence shows George how much he means to his community and the impact he has made throughout his life. George saved his brother’s life as a child and saved countless lives from financial hardship during World War II. Through this experience, George realizes life’s purpose and returns home to find his friends and family joining together to help him overcome his financial struggles, according to imdb.com.
The production of It’s a Wonderful Life set the standard for Christmas movies with its unique set and props, according to life.com. The set directors used new technology to create life-like snow, which differentiated this film from other films. The mixture of foamite, a solution made from the substance inside fire extinguishers, combined with sugar and water, created realistic snow. Director Mr. Frank Capra’s vision for an authentic and realistic experience transformed this movie into a revolutionary experience for the viewers of this time. The storyline surrounding the film was different than most Christmas movies, touching on more complex and unique ideas of faith, joy, and family, which resonated with viewers around the world. Mr. Carpa shared his surprise at the popularity of the movie, according to life.com.
“The film has a life of its own now, ” Mr. Carpa said, according to life.com. “I’m like a parent whose kid grows up to be President. I’m proud [of the successes] but it’s the kid who did the work. I didn’t even think of it as a Christmas story when I first came across it. I just liked the idea.”
Similarly, Home Alone, created almost 50 years after It’s a Wonderful Life, also centers around family. In Home Alone, directed by Mr. Chris Columbus, the protagonist Kevin McCallister finds himself accidentally left behind by his family during Christmas vacation. Kevin initially fools around and enjoys his freedom but soon faces the threat of two burglars named Harry and Marv. Kevin uses his creativity and smarts to outwit the burglars. As he defends his home, Kevin learns the valuable lessons of self-reliance, courage, and the importance of family. At the end of the film, Kevin not only prevents Harry and Marv from succeeding, but also mends his relationship with his family, realizing how much he truly values and loves them, according to imdb.com.
When looking for the perfect location to film the exterior shots of this holiday classic, Mr. Columbus and his crew took several weeks to settle on a house in Winnetka, Illinois. They found this particular house both warm and inviting for audience appeal and big enough to carry out the mischief in the plot. Home Alone holds the record for the highest grossing live-action comedy with 285.7 million. Screenwriter Mr. John Hughes, who also wrote 1980s blockbusters like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, created the first draft of the screenplay, according to businessinsider.com. Mr. Hughes thought of the storyline while preparing for a vacation to Europe and commented on the inspiration for the plot, according to time.com.
“I was going away on vacation, and I was making a list of everything I didn’t want to forget,” Mr. Hughes said, according to time.com. “I thought, well, I’d better not forget my kids. Then I thought, ‘What if I left my 10-year old son at home?'”
The themes of love, nostalgia, and holiday cheer offer comforting reminders of the Christmas spirit. Watching classic Christmas movies, like It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone, has become a part of family traditions around the world, according to usatoday.com. Sophomore Bobbi Drummey shared her family’s tradition of watching It’s a Wonderful Life during the Christmas season.
“Watching It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas season brings my family together during the busy time and allows us all to take a moment and laugh and smile with each other,” Bobbi said. “I love this tradition, and I cannot wait to continue this holiday ritual this year and for years to come.”
Featured Image by Emma Mathews ’27
