This year for the Holiday Season, the Activist staff reflects on their favorite Holiday films.Greg Jivoin was quick to answer with “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the 1946 film directed by Frank Capra, ranked 26th on the top-200 movies of all time. Clarence, the guardian angel for George Bailey (played by James Stewart) shows a miserable salesman how life would’ve been different for everyone without him.
Suzanne Barton said that her favorite, the frightening black and white 1939 version of “A Christmas Carol,” is presented the way the Dickens classic was meant to be seen.
Amanda Hagedorn listed “Prancer” at the top of her list. The 1989 flick is about a farmer’s daughter who discovers an injured reindeer that she rehabs in preparation for Santa’s flight.
Nicole Haake enjoys “The Christmas Story” and can’t forget that fra-gee-lay lamp or the famed BB gun. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”
Mary Carter just couldn’t decide on one. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Santa Clause” were among her favorites, as well as the new animated version of “The Polar Express” featuring Tom Hanks’ voice.
Professor Mike Roos, Faculty Advisor, says his favorite is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The 1966 Dr. Seuss cartoon is still a classic and is often shown on television throughout December.
And last but not least, my personal favorite can’t go without being mentioned. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered in 1965, and to this day is shown frequently during the holiday season. Who doesn’t love the dejected tree, the pageant, and Charlie’s quest for the “true” meaning of Christmas?