More Classic Movie Stars Holiday Memories.

Martha Sleeper

Marilyn Monroe

Norma Shearer

Merry Christmas Pictures From all of us here at N and CF.

Carole Lombard

Betty Compson

Carole Lombard

Louise Brooks

Alice White

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947).

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947). Comedy, directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Victor Moore, Ann Harding, Don DeFore and Gale Storm. The film received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Story.

On New York City's Fifth Avenue, a tour bus guide points out the boarded-up townhouse of Michael O'Connor, the world's second richest man. A middle-aged drifter and his faithful dog Sam, come out of hiding and enter the O'Connor house through a loose board in the fence.

Meanwhile, O'Connor evicts the tenants of one of his city apartment houses in order to build an eighty story building. One of his tenants, Jim Bullock, has no where to go ends up sleeping on a park bench, where he meets, "Mac.". Who, invites Jim to stay with him at O'Connor's townhouse, where he has lived for the last three winters.

As O'Connor, makes plans to buy the deserted army camp Kilson, he learns that his daughter Trudy, has run away from school. When Trudy shows up at the townhouse, Jim, feeling sorry for her lets her stay. For now Trudy, wants to keep her identity a secret. When the patrole men come to check on the house, Mac tells everyone to hide and then feels forced to tell them that he really is a trespasser.

Later, Jim meets two friends from the service, Hank and Whitey and their families who are living in a car and invites them to stay with them. Mac, Jim, Whitey and Hank, begin making plans to build housing project and decide to bid on Camp Kilson.

When O'Connor arrives, he finds Trudy leaving for her new job at a music shop, he orders her to go back to school. She insists that she wants to be with, Jim. Now, O'Connor wants to meet Jim and poses as a drifter to hide his idenity and Trudy and Jim convince Mac to allow O'Connor to move into the mansion.

It is not long before O'Connor, has had enough of everyone living in his house and threatens to call the police. Trudy sends for her mother, who years before divorced O'Connor because his business came first. On Christmas Eve, Mary and O'Connor rekindle their love.

When Mary, finds out that O'Connor, outbid Jim on Camp Kilson and then tried to give him a job in Bolivia, to take him away from Trudy. Mary, has a change of heart.

O'Connor, wanting to please his family lets Jim buy the camp. On New Year's Eve, the house guests all celebrate and O'Connor tells Mary that next November, Mac will be coming through the front door.

Video: Celebrating Christmas....



It Happened on 5th Avenue, will tug at your heart strings and may become one of your favorite Christmas films. It has a wonderful line, "A man without friends is the most serious form of poverty".

Dorothea Kent (21 June 1916 – 23 August 1990). She performed in 42 films between 1935 and 1948. In addition to her credited roles, she also had roles in 6 other films, including her last role in the 1948 film. The Babe Ruth Story.

Beyond Tomorrow (1940).

Beyond Tomorrow (1940). Fantasy film directed by A. Edward Sutherland. Released by 20th Century Fox under the title: Beyond Christmas. Cast: Harry Carey, Aubrey Smith, Charles Winninger, Alex Melesh as Josef, Maria Ouspenskaya, Helen Vinson, Rod La Rocque, Richard Carlson and Jean Parker.

Three wealthy lonely elderly men, Michael O'Brien, Allan Chadwick and George Melton, are planning on Christmas Eve alone, after their Christmas guest cancel, when Michael suggests that they toss three wallets, out the window and ask who ever returns them to stay for dinner.

They give a beautiful mink coat, to their Russian housekeeper and friend, Madame Tanya, who is over come with their kindness..

George, is certain that no one would will return the wallets and just as they are about to begin to sit down to Christmas dinner. Down on his luck, Texan James Houston and clinic worker Jean Lawrence, both return the wallets. Jimmy and Jean, fall in love over dinner and soon spend all their time with Michael, Allan and George, until the three men tragically die in a plane crash.

After the accident, the three men return as ghosts, but only Madame Tanya, feel their presence. Michael has left Jimmy, some money with which he uses to launch his singing career. Because of the circumstances surrounding his inheritance, he attracts the attention of radio radio star, Arlene Terry. It is not long before Jimmy, begins to neglect Jean and makes plans with Arlene to go away for the weekend.

Soon after George is called to heaven and Allan is called to heaven by his son David, a solider killed in World War I. Michael is also called to heaven but refuses to go because he wants to help Jimmy, even if it means he has to stay on earth for eternity.

Arlene's jealous, husband fatally shoots Jimmy at the country inn. Jimmy is rushed to the hospital, where he dies on the operating table and now Jimmy, is able to see Michael. Jimmy, realizes that he has made a terrible mistake and Michael asks God to give Jimmy another chance. Will Jimmy receive another chance and will Michael go on to be with his son in heaven ?

This is an extremely enjoyable movie to add to your Christmas treasured list of films. You will need the whole box of Kleenex for this Christmas classic.

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Helen Vinson (September 17, 1907 – October 7, 1999). Vinson was often featured in roles in which she played the part of the other woman or (pre-Code). Her first film role was in, Jewel Robbery (1932), which starred William Powell and Kay Francis. She performed as Doris Dulafield in, The Kennel Murder Case, which starred Powell. One of her memorable roles was in, The Wedding Night (1935). She played the wife of Gary Cooper and the rival of Anna Sten, in a story about the Connecticut tobacco fields. Another performance was in the film, In Name Only (1939), in which she was cast as the treacherous friend of Carole Lombard, Kay Francis and Cary Grant. Another well known role for Vinson was as an undercover federal agent posing as a femme fatale in the film, Enemy Agent (1940). She followed that role with the role of Helen Draque in, The Thin Man Goes Home.

Jean Parker (August 11, 1915 – November 30, 2005). She was discovered by Ida Koverman, secretary to MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, after she saw a poster featuring Parker portraying Father Time.

She performed in important roles such as Beth in the original, Little Women, she also performed in the films, Lady for a Day and Gabriel Over the White House, Sequoia, Limehouse Blues, The Ghost Goes West, Rasputin and the Empress, with the Barrymore siblings (John, Ethel, and Lionel) in the only movie they all made together. In 1939, she starred opposite Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in, The Flying Deuces.

In the 40s, she performed in the film, Dead Man's Eyes. Parker managed her own airport and flying service with then-husband Doug Dawson in Palm Springs, California until shortly after the start of World War II. During the war, she toured many of the veteran hospitals throughout the U.S. In the 1950s, Parker co-starred opposite Edward G. Robinson in, Black Tuesday, had a small role in, The Gunfighter and performed in another western, Lawless Street (1955). Her last film performance was in, Apache Uprising (1966).

A Christmas story that you will not soon forget: All Mine to Give(1957).

All Mine to Give(1957). Drama starring: Glynis Johns, Cameron Mitchell, and Rex Thompson. This story is based on a true-life story set in Wisconsin.

The film is told in flashback, while pulling one of his sisters in a sled through the snow on Christmas Eve, young Robbie thinks about how his family was before their lives began to fall apart:

Just off the ship from Scotland, Robert and his pregnant wife Mamie come to America to begin their new lives.. They are very disappointed to find that Mamie's uncle, had died in a fire three weeks before. The couple can not believe when their neighbors help them to rebuild the cabin.

After Robbie is born, Rob, walks to a logging camp twenty-five miles from home looking for work. Tom Cullen, hires Rob as a cutter, but when Cullen calls him a "Nordsky," Rob, informs him that he is Scottish. Cullen, rarely allows him to go home to see his family. Rob, at the end of his rope challenges his boss to a fight. When Rob wins the fight Cullen, begins calling him "Scotty" and they become good friends.

Rob, wanting to spend more time with his family returns to building his boats after the birth of his son, Jimmie. During the next few blissful years, Mamie and Rob have four more children: Kirk, Annabelle, Elizabeth and Jane.

One day, Kirk, becomes ill with diphtheria and Dr. Delbert, quarantines the house. The rest of the family stay in an abandoned cabin in the woods, while Mamie nurses Kirk back to health. After a couple of weeks, Rob and the very dirty children happily return home, Rob begins coughing.(You will want to keep the Kleenex box in your lap for the rest of the film.)

Mamie, takes care of Rob until his death and then takes in sewing to support her children. Around Christmas Mamie, comes down with typhoid fever. Mamie calls Robbie, to her bedside and asks him to find good homes for the children, after she dies.

During Mamie's funeral, Mrs. Runyon cruelly asks what they are to do with six orphans. Robbie, asks that they be allowed to spend their last Christmas together and Dr. Delbert agrees. After, his brothers and sisters have fallen asleep, Robbie and Jimmie decide which families the children would be happy living with. On Christmas Day, Robbie visits each of the families hoping that they have the Christmas spirit in their hearts to take them in:

Annabelle, is given to the Tylers, as they are just sitting down to Christmas dinner. The family Robbie has chosen for Lizzie is away for the holidays, so he asks childless couple who teach at the school to take her.

When they arrive back at the cabin, Mrs. Runyon, is trying to leave with baby Jane. The brothers bar the door, but Mrs. Runyon promises to return later for Jane.

Realizing, he has run out of time to send Kirk to the family he had selected for him, Robbie gruffly sends his tearful brother to another family. This all takes its toll on Robbie and he collapses, by a tree that they all craved their names on. He soon gets it together and says goodbye to Jimmie. As Jimmie knocks on the door of Mrs. Raiden, whose daughters were always calling him "cute," Robbie loads Jane into a small sled and pulls her ten miles, until he finds a cosy looking home with a kindly woman, who agrees to take them both in. Robbie is tempted for a minute and then continues through the snow back to Cullen's logging camp.

A wonderfully heart-warming movie about a large family, who's troubles lead to an extremely heart-breaking conclusion, that you will never forget. All the children give wonderfully, believable performances

Video: First of 11.

Hope Emerson (October 29, 1897 – April 25, 1960). Made her film debut in Smiling Faces (1932). In the 1940s, Emerson was well known as the voice of Elsie the Cow in Borden Milk commercials on radio.

Standing 6 ft 2 in, Emerson's most memorable performances were a circus strong woman in the film, Adam's Rib who lifts Spencer Tracy up in the air (1949), in the film noir, Cry of the City (1948) and as a mail-order bride in, Westward the Women (1952). Her most famous role, was as prison matron Evelyn Harper in the film, Caged (1950) which landed her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

A Christmas Carol (1910, Edison)

“A Christmas Carol” (1910) is an early version of the classic Charles Dickens’ novel. Ten minutes in duration, this silent short was directed by J. Searle Dawley at the Edison Film Manufacturing Corporation. The story begins with an old miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Marc Mc Dermott, who is so harsh that on the day before Christmas he refuses to donate to the Charity Relief Committee. Scrooge also denies his worker Bob Cratchit, played by Charles Ogle, the permission to leave early. He even rejects his nephew’s invitation to spend Christmas at his house. That night, Scrooge sees the ghost of his former business partner Marley, who warns him of the punishment he will suffer in the next life if he does not change his ways. Late that night, Scrooge is visited by three spirits who show him more than he wants to see.

Even though it is ten minutes in duration, “A Christmas Carol” (1910) is faithful to the Charles Dickens’ novel, and it manages to condense the most important parts of the tale without losing the novel’s meaning. The highlights of the film are the visits by the four ghosts done with excellent special effects considering the film is one hundred years old. While it might seem primitive by today’s standards, “A Christmas Carol” (1910) has nicer sets and costumes compared to the average Edison shorts. The Edison Company contributed little to screen progress, but they did have some good actors like Viola Dana and Marc Mc Dermott, who gives a great performance as Scrooge. Hired by film pioneer Edwin S. Porter to make new and original films at the Edison Company, J. Searle Dawley adapted many popular novels to film. A Christmas Carol (1910) is a curiosity piece of the early years of American cinema when the first filmmakers were shaping the new art form.


Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 26, 1897, Viola Dana, who was born Virginia Flugrath, began dancing at the age of three at Coney Island eating places. Patrons would throw coins at her, and Viola would pick up the money for her mother. From Coney Island, she became a legitimate child actress, appearing with Dustin Farnum and William Faversham. Her first major stage role was as Gwendolyn in Eleanor Gates’ “The Poor Little Rich Girl” which opened at New York’s Hudson Theatre on January 21, 1913, and ran for 160 performances. It led to Viola being billed as “Broadway’s Youngest Star.” The play was filmed in 1917 as a starring vehicle for Mary Pickford. Long before “The Poor Little Rich Girl,” Viola and her mother had discovered the Edison Company, and the actress first worked there in 1910, making her debut in “A Christmas Carol.” She was to remain with the company through 1916, playing primarily in the short subjects that Edison emphasized over features long after the advent of the long format production. The final major films that Viola made at Edison were five-reel features, “Children of Eve” (1915) and “The Cossack Whip” (1916), both directed by John Collins, who became her husband in 1915. The emphasis of Edison was on drama, and Viola gained a reputation as a dramatic actress, with the ability to cry often. It was a reputation that led to a contract in 1916 with Metro, with whom the actress remained through 1924, starring in some 51 feature films. By the early 1920’s, Viola Dana was the highest paid female star at the studio where she played both drama and comedy. Her diminutive stature, 4’11”, and good looks made Viola easy to cast, but by the 1920’s, she was tired of serious drama. She was fond of remarking, and her saucy grin was ideally suited to comedy. Viola had a wicked sense of humor. She always claimed that Frank Capra had chosen her for his first Columbia feature, “That Certain Thing” (1928 ) because, when she walked, she had the “cutest little wiggle.” With her stage background, Viola could easily have continued in talkies but chose to retire comfortably. Viola died on July 3, 1987. She was 90 years old.

Dawn's Top 10 Christmas Movie List.

I thought, I would share with you a list of some of my favorite Christmas movies, that have lots of holiday atmosphere. Boys choirs singing, park skaters skating, shoppers shopping even a cat with special powers. Why only a scrooge wouldn't like these wonderful movies. :) Have a wonderful Christmas from everyone here on N and CF !!

The Bishop's Wife (1947). Romantic/comedy. Cast:Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven in a story about an angel who helps a bishop with his problems. The film was adapted from the novel of the same name by Robert Nathan. Directed by Henry Koster. The film won the Academy Award for Sound, and was nominated for Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Picture. Originally Cary Grant played the bishop and David Niven the angel. When original director William A. Seiter left the film, Henry Koster replaced him. He realized that the two were in the wrong roles. It took some convincing because Grant wanted the title role of the Bishop. He soon accepted the change and his role as the angel was one of the most widely praised of his career. Cary Grant's 51st credited film.

Elsa Sullivan Lanchester (28 October 1902 – 26 December 1986), played Matilda in, The Bishop's Wife, studied dance as a child and after the First World War began performing in theatre and cabaret, where she established her career. She met the actor Charles Laughton in 1927, and they were married two years later. She began playing small roles in British films, in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933). Laughton's success in American films resulted in the couple moving to Hollywood. Her role as the bride in Bride of Frankenstein (1935), brought her recognition, and came to be one of the roles most closely associated with her throughout her life. Lanchester played supporting roles through the 1940s and 1950s. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Come to the Stable (1949) and Witness for the Prosecution (1957), the last of twelve films in which she appeared with Laughton. Following Laughton's death in 1962, Lanchester resumed her career with appearances in such Disney films as Mary Poppins (1964), That Darn Cat! (1965) and Blackbeard's Ghost (1968). The horror film, Willard, (1971) was highly successful and one of her last roles was in Murder By Death (1976). Other favorite Elsa films: Son of Fury, The Bishop's Wife(1947), The Big Clock (1948), Bell, Book and Candle(1958) and Pajama Party(1964).

A Christmas Carol(1938), is still one of my favorite adaptations of the Dickens classic. Cast. Reginald Owen, Terry Kilburn, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, Barry McKay and Lynne Carver. The spirits: Leo G. Carroll and Ann Rutherford. On Christmas Eve the hardhearted Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by his nephew Fred who invites him to his home for Christmas dinner. Scrooge refuses, saying that Christmas is a "humbug", and although he gives Bob Cratchit the day off, he later fires him when Bob accidentally hits him with a snowball while playing with his crippled son "Tiny Tim". Bob still wanting to give his family a wonderful Christmas, comes home with all the fixings for a wonderful Christmas dinner. Scrooge goes home, to his empty house, where he is visited by his business partner, the late Jacob Marley. Marley warns him to change his ways or face the consequences in the afterlife. In one of my favorite scenes the "Ghost of Christmas Past", makes an appearance. Scrooge sees events in his past life, both happy and sad, that formed his character.

The second spirit, the "Ghost of Christmas Present", shows him how everyone he knows is celebrating Christmas. The Ghost of "Christmas yet to Come" shows him how he will be remembered once he is gone. The spirits complete their mission in one night hoping that Scrooge will mend his ways.

Ann Rutherford (born November 2, 1920), her first film role was in Waterfront Lady (1935). Her best known role was in Andy Hardy's, You're Only Young Once(1937). In the Andy Hardy film series, she played Polly twelve times, with the last appearance being in Andy Hardy's Double Life(1942).

Ann also played Scarlett O'Hara's younger sister, Carreen O'Hara in the 1939 movie Gone with the Wind. As of November 2010, she is one of three actresses from the movie still living, all of them in their 90s.

Christmas in Connecticut (1945). Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, and Sydney Greenstreet. Directed by Peter Godfrey. The character of Elizabeth Lane was loosely based on the then popular Family Circle Magazine columnist Gladys Taber, who lived on Stillmeadow Farm in Connecticut.

Holiday Affair(1949), is a light romantic comedy film starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh. Directed and produced by Don Hartman who wanted Mitchum to expand from his roles in film noir and war films. The movie begins during the busy Christmas season with Connie Ennis working as a professional comparison shopper, who job it is to purchase an expensive electric train set. Connie, in a hurry and does not have time to ask questions, which sends a red flag to sales clerk, Steve Mason. After purchasing the train, Connie rushes home to be with her six year old son. She believes that Timmy, will not see the train, so she brings the electric train home with her. Timmy's curiosity gets the best of him and he takes a peek inside the box, with the train in it. Thrilled, thinking he is getting a train for Christmas until Connie, who is unaware that he has seen it, tells him the train is for the store. That night, Connie's boyfriend, lawyer Carl Davis , asks Connie to marry him. Connie then talks it over with Timmy, who is not happy about sharing his mother.

The next day, when Steve sees Connie bringing back the train for a refund, he threatens to report her to the store detective. Connie explains to him that she is a war widow with a son to support. Steve, in the Christmas spirit, refunds her money, but he is soon fired for not turning her in. While spending a wonderful afternoon together in Central Park, they talk about his future plans to build sailboats with his friend in California.

Later, while comparison shopping, Connie and Steve become separated in a crowd. Steve, with some detective work finds Connie's apartment and discovers Carl there. Carl is questioning Steve's presence and has an awkward moment with Timmy, who is still upset from the night before. Carl thinks it is best to leave before things get worse. Steve angers Connie, by saying that she should stop trying to make Timmy into the image of his father. Thinking he has worn out his welcome, he stops in to say his good bye's to Timmy. Timmy tells him about the train. As he is leaving, Steve gives Connie a passionate kiss.

On Christmas morning, Timmy opens the apartment door and finds the gift wraped train set outside. Excited he runs to thank his sleepy mother. Connie puts two and two together where the train came from and goes to confront Steve. Connie finds Steve in Central Park, and although she offers to pay him for the train, he refuses her money.

Who will Conny and Timmy be stringing popcorn on the Christmas tree with? Wendell Corey, a wonderful, stable man who is a little condesending, who wants to marry her. Or... Robert Mitchum, the drifter. Watch this charming Christmas film to find out...

Wendell Corey (March 20, 1914 – November 8, 1968), movie debut was playing a gangster in the film Desert Fury (1947). He went on to perform in the films: Sorry Wrong Number (1948). Holiday Affair, The File on Thelma Jordon (1950), Harriet Craig all were released the same year, Rear Window (1954), The Big Knife (1955), The Rainmaker (1956) and Loving You(1957).

Holiday Inn (1942). Musical. Cast: Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with music by Irving Berlin. The film has twelve songs written for the film, the most notable being, "White Christmas". The song was written by Berlin on the set of the film Top Hat in 1935. He hummed the melody to Astaire and the film's director Mark Sandrich as a song for a future Astaire-Ginger Rogers film. Astaire loved the tune, but Sandrich passed on it. Berlin's assignment for Paramount was to write a song about each of the major holidays of the year. He found that writing a song about Christmas was the most challenging. When Crosby first heard Berlin play "White Christmas" in 1941 at the first rehearsals, he did not immediately recognize its full potential. Crosby simply said, "I don't think we have any problems with that one, Irving."

Also,the film features the song,"Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning", written in 1917 for the World War I musical Yip Yip Yaphank and a complete reuse of "Easter Parade", written by Berlin for the 1933 Broadway revue As Thousands Cheer. The film's choreography was by Danny Dare.

Marjorie Reynolds (August 12, 1917 – February 1,1997), performed in more than 70 films. She was featured as a child actress in silent film, Scaramouche (1923). Her first speaking role was in Murder in Greenwich Village (1937). She also appeared in bit parts in many A-pictures including Gone with the Wind (1939). A stand-out role for Reynolds was in the film, Enemy Agent (1940). That same year, in The Fatal Hour. Her later films included Holiday Inn (1942), Ministry of Fear (1944) and Up in Mabel's Room (1944).In the film, Holiday Inn, she showed her ability to dance, and she performed "White Christmas" as a duet with Bing Crosby, although her singing was dubbed by Martha Mears.

I'll Be Seeing You (1944). Drama. Directed by William Dieterle and costume design by Edith Head. Cast: Joseph Cotten, Ginger Rogers and Shirley Temple, with Spring Byington, Tom Tully and John Derek. The story begins when Mary Marshall, who is half way through her prison sentence, is given an eight day leave pass for the Christmas holidays. Travelling by train she meets Zachary Morgan, the two quickly become friends. Zachary has just been released from the hospital as he has been suffering from shell shock and has become a prisoner of his own mind. In hope to speed up his recovery he prepares himself to getting back to his life. Attracted to Mary he follows her to her stop and pretends that he is visiting his sister in the same town of Pine Hill. Mary invites Zachary to visit her at the home of her aunt and uncle. Romance soon develops for the two as they spend Christmas Day together and attend a dance on New Years Eve. Both however have the problem of having to tell the other of their past. On their last day together Mary's cousin Barbara, unintentionally tells Zachary about Mary's real situation and in his is anger he boards the train without saying goodbye to her. After telling her family goodbye Mary travels back to prison to continue with her sentence. Will Zachary have enough confidence to overcome his disappointment?

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942). Comedy. When Bette Davis saw the Broadway production of The Man Who Came to Dinner, she decided the role of Maggie Cutler would be a wonderful change of pace after her performance in the film, The Little Foxes. She urged Jack L. Warner to purchase the screen rights for herself and John Barrymore, who tested for the role of Whiteside but was deemed unsuitable when he had difficulty delivering the complicated, fast-paced dialogue.

Remember the Night (1940) is a romantic/comedy/drama/Christmas film written by Preston Sturges and directed by Mitchell Leisen. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray and features Beulah Bondi and Sterling Holloway. Lee Leander is arrested during the Christmas holidays for trying to shoplift a very expensive bracelet. Assistant District Attorney John Sargeant is assigned to prosecute her. Thinking he may lose his case against Lee Leander when he hears O'Leary's argument to have the case decided quickly. He quickly adjourns the case until after the first of the year.

John posts her bail so she does not have to spend Christmas in jail. When John learns that she is from Indiana, where he is about to drive to visit his mother for the holidays, he offers to drop her off at home. Unfortunately, they get lost in Pennsylvania and end up crashing the car and spend the night in a field. The next morning, they are arrested by a farmer and taken into the justice of the peace. Lee starts a fire in a wastebasket as a distraction, and they escape..

When they arrive at Lee's mother's farm, Lee's mother turns her away, Lee is devastated. John decides to bring her home to his mother and Aunt Emma. Lee is looking forward to visiting a loving home for Christmas. John in confidence tells his mother about Lee, and she welcomes Lee into her home. A romance between her and John, begins to bloom. Jack's mother, believes that a relationship with Lee would destroy her son's career, and asks Lee to give him up. On the drive home, John comes up with a plan so that she can avoid prosecution. Will Lee pay for her crime?

Beulah Bondi (May 3, 1888 – January 11, 1981), played Mrs. Sargent, in the film, Remember the Night. She also perfomed in many supporting roles in several films during the 1930s, and was twice nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She played the mother of James Stewart in four films, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

The Shop Around the Corner (1940). Romantic comedy. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Cast: James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. The screenplay was written by Samson Raphaelson based on a 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie, written by Miklos Lászlo. Set in and around a Budapest store, co-workers Klara Novak and Alfred Kralik do not like each other, while maintaining a secret letter-writing relationship, neither realizing who their pen-pal is. They fall in love via their correspondence, while being argumentative towards one another in real life. A major subplot concerns the infidelity of the store owner's wife, and its effect on the working relationships in the shop.

Bell, Book and Candle (1958) romantic/ comedy directed by Richard Quine based on the Broadway play by John Van Druten. Cast: James Stewart and Kim Novak in their second on-screen pairing (Alfred Hitchcock' s Vertigo, being the first). Columbia Pictures allowed Novak to perform in Vertigo (as a replacement for pregnant Vera Miles) in exchange for Stewart. Fans recognised similarities between I Married A Witch (1942) and the (1960s) much loved TV series Bewitched , believing that this film may have been an inspiration. The film is about your average, modern day, witch, living in a New York apartment/Bohemian art studio with her Siamese cat, Pyewacket. Gillian is bored with her everyday life. When one fateful day a handsome publisher, Shep Henderson walks into her apartment building and Gillian decides she wants to meet him. While hanging out at the local underground club, she discovers that he is going to marry her college rival Merle Kittridge. Gillian decides to cast a spell over Shep to ruin their marriage plans. With help from her aunt.

But.. her powers are in danger of being lost by something stronger than the bell-book-and-candle. Could it be love? Jack Lemmon and Elsa Lanchester add a lot of bewitching flavor as Gillian's beat nick family. "Bell, Book and Candle" is a reference to excommunication, which is performed by bell, book and candle. It is opened with "Ring the bell, open the book, light the candle," and closed with "Ring the bell, close the book, blow out the candle."

This was Jimmy Stewart final appearance as a romantic lead. This was because many of the leading ladies that were playing his romantic interest were a lot younger. The critics in 1958 felt that Stewart was miscast. After this film he would concentrate more on roles where he played a father figure.

A Trap for Santa” (1909)

A Trap for Santa Claus is a 1909 one-reel film, a Biograph Company production, directed by D.W. Griffith.

A Trap for Santa (1909, Biograph)

“A Trap for Santa” (1909) is a holiday film that was directed by D.W. Griffith at Biograph. Sixteen minutes in duration, this heartwarming melodrama was produced as a cinematic Christmas card to moviegoers of the era. The story begins with an unemployed man, played by Henry B. Walthall, with a wife, played by Marion Leonard, and two children, played by Gladys Egan and John Tansey. He turns to alcohol and eventually leaves his family when he feels he has let them down. Time passes and the mother inherits a fortune from her deceased aunt. On Christmas Eve, the children set a trap for Santa Claus to come through the window because their house has no chimney. The father, unaware that the house belongs to his family breaks into the house and falls into the trap.



Filmed in Fort Lee, New Jersey, “A Trap for Santa” (1909) is a relatively well-made film considering it was made over 100 years ago. Griffith had personally directed for two years from the summer of 1908 all Biograph films. Thereafter as general director he superintended all Biograph productions and directed the more important features until October 1, 1913. Even though from a technical aspect there are a couple of weaknesses, it’s quite an interesting film. The acting style is a bit old-fashioned, but Henry B. Walthall turns in a good performance as the father. Fans of early silent films should recognize an uncredited Mack Sennett in a few scenes. Despite its shortcomings, “A Trap for Santa” is an interesting curiosity piece of the early years of cinema.






















Like his mentor D.W. Griffith, Henry Brazeale Walthall was a Southerner, with perhaps a little more affluent family background than the director. He was born, one of eleven sons, on a farm near Columbiana, Shelby County, Alabama, on March 16, 1878. He studied law, but quit to fight in the Spanish-American War, and then took up acting, making his New York debut in 1901. In 1909, a chance encounter with a friend and fellow actor, James Kirkwood, resulted in a meeting with D.W. Griffith at the American Biograph Company. Griffith was already familiar with Walthall’s stage work, and immediately cast him in “A Convict’s Sacrifice”(1909). Walthall appeared in more than 100 Biograph shorts from 1909 through 1913, and, with a short break at Pathe, was to remain with Griffith until 1915. Walthall played Holofernes in Griffith’s first and Biograph’s only feature-length production, “Judith of Bethulia” (1914). Walthall had played many Southerners in many Biograph shorts, and he was the obvious choice for Ben Cameron, the “little colonel” in “The Birth of a Nation” (1915). Walthall left Griffith and first joined the Balboa Amusement Company in Long Beach, California, and then the declining Chicago-based Essanay Company in late spring of 1915. Both Walthall and his actress wife, Mary Charleson, remained with Essanay through May 1917. Walthall formed his own independent production company, releasing through Paralta, the first two films which were directed by Rex Ingram. In 1918, Walthall returned to Griffith’s direction. He was cast in Griffith’s minor and “lost” production of “The Great Love.” By the late teens, Walthall’s career was in rapid decline. He made many films, but only a handful in the late 1920’s are famous titles: “Three Faces East” (1926), “The Scarlet Letter” (1926) and “London After Midnight” (1927). With the coming of sound, the situation improved. Walthall had a solid stage background, and his voice was quiet yet authoritative. Some of the sound films he made were “Abraham Lincoln” (1930), “Chandu the Magician” (1932), “Judge Priest” (1932), “Dante’s Inferno” (1935), and “The Devil-Doll” (1936). Walthall was to have played the High Lama in Frank Capra’s production of “Lost Horizon” (1936), but died on June 17, 1936, before shooting commenced. Walthall was 58 years old.

CHRISTMAS SPOTLIGHT: HEIDI (1937)

Heidi, is a novel about the life of a young girl who lives with her grandfather, in the Swiss Alps. It was written in (1880) by Swiss author Johanna Spyri. Two sequels, Heidi Grows Up and Heidi's Children, were not written by Spyri, but by her English translator, Charles Tritten.

The story begins when, Heidi, a 5 year old orphan girl is taken by her Aunt Dete, to live with her grandfather, Adolph Kramer, who has lived alone in the Alpine mountains for years. Although, at first Kramer does not speak to her, he gradually grows to love her.



When Pastor Schultz comes for a visit, he says Heidi should be going to school. Grandfather, sends the pastor away, but after remembering the story of the prodigal son, the grandfather takes Heidi to church where they are welcomed with open arms.

Things are going well until Heidi's eighth birthday, Aunt Dete shows up and and takes her to Frankfurt to be the companion/friend of invalid Klara Sesemann. When Heidi arrives, Fraulein Rottenmeier thinks that Heidi is not a proper companion and demands the Aunt to take her back to the Alpine mountains. Klara, really wants her to stay and Fraulein Rottenmeier agrees that Heidi can stay the only the night. Klara promises her that if she is still homesick when her father returns for Christmas in two weeks, she will ask him to take Heidi back to her Grandfather. Grandfather heartsick, begins to walk the hundred mile journey to Frankfurt.

On Christmas Eve, Klara's, Christmas gift to her father is that she can stand and walk with Heidi's help. Sesemann, knowing grandfather's mean personality from Dete, does not think it a good idea to send her back and no longer trusting Fraulein Rottenmeier, fires her.

Later... on Christmas Eve, Grandfather is arrested for disturbing the peace while looking for Heidi. A few minutes later he makes a break for it, just in time to save Heidi from Fraulein Rottenmeier, who is trying to sell her to the gypsies. When the police catch up with grandfather, Fraulein Rottenmeier says that he stole "her" child, will the the police captain believe her..

Cast: Shirley Temple, Jean Hersholt (grandfather)

Heidi, is one of my favorite Christmas movies, that I love to watch while decorating the Christmas tree...Melts my heart every time I watch it.

fun facts:

The movie was filmed during the summer.

The Alpine scenes were filmed at Lake Arrowhead, California.

Mary Nash (August 15, 1884 – December 3, 1976). She was a famous stage actress before moving to Hollywood in 1934. She performed in the films: College Scandal (1936) and Charlie Chan in Panama (1940) Mary Nash's most sympathetic role was in the film, Easy Living (1937). Nash, is best known for two films where she performed with Shirley Temple, first as Fraulein Rottenmeier in Heidi (1937) and then as Miss Minchin in, The Little Princess (1939). She also was well known as Katharine Hepburn's socialite mother in both stage and movie productions of, The Philadelphia Story (1940). She played a supporting role in the 1936 Academy Award-winning film, Come and Get It and a featured role in, In the Meantime, Darling in 1944.

A little CHRISTMAS NOIR: LADY IN THE LAKE (1947)

Lady in the Lake (1947), a film that was the first directorial film of actor Robert Montgomery who also starred in the film. Based on the 1944 Raymond Chandler novel The Lady in the Lake. Cast: Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully, Leon and Jayne Meadows.

The storyline was a murder mystery similar to many others of the time. Except the entire film was seen from the viewpoint of the main character, detective Philip Marlowe, who was played by Montgomery. The movie also, did not have a musical sound track, which very unusual for that time.

The story begins on Christmas Eve, when Publications editor Adrienne meets with Marlowe, who offers him a job as a detective instead of a writer. She wants him to find the missing wife of her boss, Mr. Adrienne, so they can hurry on with the divorce so they can get married. Marlowe, accepts the job and goes looking for clues at the home of the wife's lover, Chris. When Marlowe, gets knocked out and picked up for drunk driving, he decides to drop the case when he is threatened by the police.. He returns when he learns that his wife maybe to blame for the murder of the mysterious lady in the lake.

The performances are very good: Lloyd Nolan, is perfect playing the bad cop and the dramatic turn by Jayne Meadows, is one you may not soon forget. Montgomery, gives a good performance as the cynical Marlowe. You will also love how Totter's character mellows overtime and falls for Marlowe. If you enjoy film noirs you may want to add this one to your "gotta see" list of films.

MONTGOMERY FUN FACTS:

During World War II, he joined the Navy, becoming lieutenant commander.

Montgomery has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Montgomery had two children, daughter actress Elizabeth Montgomery(Bewitched), and son, Robert Montgomery, Jr.

Please click here to view  Doriantb Blogspot. Lady In The Lake.  movie review.  Also, Vinnie has a wonderful review to the film, Trancers (1985).

Jayne Meadows (born September 27, 1920), most famous movies include: Song of the Thin Man (with William Powell and Myrna Loy), David and Bathsheba (with Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward and Raymond Massey), Lady in the Lake (with Robert Montgomery and Audrey Totter), Enchantment (with David Niven and Teresa Wright), and City Slickers (as the voice of Billy Crystal's mother).

Meadows was a regular panelist on the original version of I've Got a Secret and an occasional panelist on What's My Line?, the latter alongside husband Steve Allen. She also appeared on the NBC interview program Here's Hollywood. During the early days of the live entertainment scene in Las Vegas, the Allens occasionally worked together as an act.

She was married to Steve Allen from 1954 until his death in 2000.