It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

Looking for something new for your holiday viewing this year?  Look no further than the little-known 1947 heartwarmer It Happened on Fifth Avenue. Directed by Roy Del Ruth, this delightful film stars Victor Moore, Don DeFore, Charlie Ruggles, Ann Harding, and Gale Storm.  Since catching this 4-star charmer when it made its TCM premiere in 2009 (as one of their holiday movies), our family has included it in our own holiday viewing schedule.  Although the setting is more winter than Christmas---with the exception of a small tree-trimming/Christmas Eve scene---I think the message of the movie shouts that this is a holiday movie.

The story takes place on Fifth Avenue in New York City, at the home of the extremely wealthy Michael O'Connor (Charlie Ruggles).  Every winter, from November 1st to March 15th, O'Connor closes up his mansion and heads south to Virginia.  What he doesn't know is that after he moves out, the homeless Aloysius McKeever (Victor Moore) moves in.

This particular year, McKeever runs into Jim Bullock (Don DeFore), whose apartment building has just been sold, sending him to the streets in search of new living arrangements.  Unable to find anything, Jim is resting on a park bench when McKeever meets up with him.  Telling Jim he lives alone, McKeever invites Jim to be his guest for the evening.  Jim has no idea Mac (as he calls McKeever) is living in the home with the owner unaware, so he accepts the offer.

That same evening, O'Connor's daughter, Trudy (Gale Storm), who has run away from her finishing school, arrives at the house, and not wanting Mac and Jim to know of her connection to the very wealthy O'Connor, she invents a story about being in town looking for a job.  She, too, is invited to remain a guest in the mansion, and very soon, she and Jim are in love with one another.

Before long, two of Jim's Army buddies---unable to find a suitable apartment---are calling the O'Connor mansion home, and then when O'Connor himself makes an unexpected early appearance, he is assumed to be homeless and, also, is welcomed into the fold.

How long can the charade be kept up?  How long will Michael O'Connor be willing to be a guest in his own home?  And what happens when Trudy's mother---Michael's ex-wife (Ann Harding)---shows up as well?  These are the questions that play out in this very sweet little film.

According to Robert Osborne, when this film was originally being made, Frank Capra was going to direct it; however, early on, he heard about another script---the beloved It's a Wonderful Life---and he chose to direct that film instead, selling his rights to It Happened on Fifth Avenue to Roy Del Ruth.  In true It's a Wonderful Life style, though, It Happened on Fifth Avenue also features a beautiful line about friendship...  "To be without friends is a serious form of poverty." 

This sweet film is on TCM's Christmas Day schedule---Friday, December 25th at 6:00 p.m. (ET), so if you'd like to see it (and I definitely recommend it), be sure to set your DVR.  It's also TCM's lineup earlier in the month---Sunday, December 20th, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

Happy viewing!!!

I'll Be Seeing You (1944)

My husband and I began our holiday viewing last week, and the first film on this year's "must watch" list was 1944's I'll Be Seeing You.  This movie is one of my 25 all-time favorites, and though I've reviewed it here before, that was back in 2011---the first year of They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To's life; therefore, I'm going to re-run that article, as I think the Christmastime setting (including a singing of "O, Come, All Ye Faithful")  makes this a perfect movie to add to your holiday viewing schedule.

A touching wartime romantic drama, I'll Be Seeing You stars Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten, with Tom Tully, the always-delightful Spring Byington, and a teenaged Shirley Temple taking on supporting roles.  Directed by William Dieterle, this charming film just might bring a mist to your eye.

The story is about Mary Marshall (Ginger), who is on furlough from a women's prison. (You'll find out during the movie why she was sent to prison.) While on a train traveling to visit her aunt, uncle, and cousin for Christmas, she meets Zachary Morgan (Joseph Cotten), a handsome soldier who has recently left an Army hospital, where he was being treated for the effects of what we now know as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Mary and Zach both disembark the train at the same stop, and upon Zach's request, Mary gives him her uncle's telephone number.  They begin spending time together and soon fall in love. However, since Zach's emotional state is still quite tenuous, Mary doesn't tell him that she's been in prison and will soon be going back.  And with Zach working through his own personal demons, can there possibly be a future for these two hurting souls?

I'll Be Seeing You is a sweet and tender movie, and although it doesn't bring huge sobs, it definitely gets me misty-eyed a couple of times.  I think all hopeless romantics will love it.  With its Christmastime setting, it's a lovely film to watch this time of year.  Out on DVD, it should be quite easy to track down; plus, it's on TCM's schedule twice this month---Friday, December 18th at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, December 25th, at 12:45 p.m. (ET). 

Happy viewing!!

Big Screen Happenings

Nearly eighteen months!  That's how long it's been since I've written anything classic film-related here at They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To. Although I considered abandoning this film blog and converting it to a "life" blog (and did so for three days), in the end, I decided to keep this site devoted to nothing but those great oldie goldie films of yesteryear.

There haven't been a lot of classic film happenings in my life in 2015.  I did manage to catch Double Indemnity on the big screen back in June; it was a wonderful experience, and I'm hopeful that 2016 will bring more such opportunities into my life.

The week after Thanksgiving, for the fourth year in a row, I'll be watching White Christmas on the big screen of Boise's beautiful (and historic) Egyptian Theatre.  Sharing this fun film together is a Christmas tradition for my daughter and me; to be honest, it wouldn't seem like Christmas without Bing, Danny, Rosemary, and Vera-Ellen. She and I used to watch White Christmas from our DVD copy, but ever since 2012, it's been showing at the Egyptian as part of Boise Classic Movies' Christmas film series.

I've recently discovered that Fathom Events is putting on a big screen showing of Roman Holiday November 29th through December 1st.  Given that that adorable film is the one which began my love affair with the classics, I'm pretty sure I'll be in the audience one of those days.  Check HERE to see if it is playing in a theatre in your city.

What about y'all?  What classic films have you been able to catch on the big screen lately?

The Christmas Box (1995)

A Christmas movie in August?  And a 1995 one at that?  I know what y'all must be thinking . . ."Surely you jest, Patti.  There's no way in the world you of all people should want to talk about Christmas now.  After all, you know Christmas means December and winter---two things not at all on your list of "likes."  And furthermore, why are you---who almost never watches a film made after 1965---highlighting a 1990's work?" Alas, yes, y'all would be right on both counts.  I am not even remotely ready to consider the all-too-soon departure of the glorious season of summer or to start thinking about the holiday season. And, typically, I do steer clear of  "modern" (my translation: post-1965) films.  However, The Christmas Box really isn't a Christmas movie, but only has a short hunting-for-a-Christmas-tree scene and, thus, can be enjoyed any time of the year; plus, made in the 90's or not, it's clean, wholesome, and inspiring.  It also happens to be one of my absolute favorite Maureen O'Hara films, so spotlighting it during her reign as star of the month is a definite must.

                                                   Image Source:  TV Guide

Based on Richard Paul Evans' novel of the same name, The Christmas Box is a 1995 made-for-TV drama/fantasy movie, starring Richard Thomas, Maureen O'Hara, and Annette O'Toole, with child star Kelsey Mulrooney taking on a supporting role.  Winner of a Primetime Emmy, The Christmas Box is Miss O'Hara's 3rd to last work.  After this, she would go on to make 2 more TV movies, before retiring and bringing an end to her six-decade career.

Part-owner of a busy ski shop, Richard Evans (Richard Thomas), lives with his wife, Kerri (Annette O'Toole), and young daughter, Jenna (Kelsey Mulrooney), in a small apartment in suburban Salt Lake City.  Although Richard's business is successful and he is at a point where it may be possible to open a second store in another city, the long hours he has put in have robbed him of time with his family. Grieved by how much Richard's workaholism keeps him away from home, weary of the problems which come with managing their apartment complex, and feeling it is not a good environment for Jenna, Kerri suggests they take on a live-in caregiver role for the wealthy, elderly Mary Parkin (Maureen O'Hara). Though he has no desire in the world to do such a thing, to appease Kerri, Richard agrees to an interview with Mrs. Parkin; he makes a bad first impression, though, and upon leaving the interview, it seems unlikely that their family will be chosen for the position.

As it turns out, the Evans family is chosen by Mrs. Parkin to be her caregivers.  Although she really doesn't desire to have live-in domestic help, widowed Mary has unwillingly agreed with her lawyer that her tenuous health requires another's presence in the home.  Adamant that remaining in her home with strangers is preferable to having to leave it, the elderly lady grudgingly offers the position to the Evans family, and they move in just before Thanksgiving.

Thrilled to be living in the beautiful Parkin mansion, Kerri and Jenna soon break through the icy wall Mrs. Parkin has erected around herself, becoming quite close to her.  Richard, however, can't seem to get on with the old woman.  Besides disapproving of everything he does, she asks the most bizarre questions of him, such as "What was the first gift of Christmas?"  With the holiday rush and the hoped-for expansion keeping him busy at the store and Mrs. Parkin's strange, probing questions, Richard finds himself incredibly stressed. His sleep is disrupted by dreams of angels calling his name; on top of that, he is drawn to the beautiful, old Christmas box---with its trove of love letters---in the attic  Will Richard be able to figure out what it is Mary longs for him to understand before it's too late?

                                              Image Source:  The Movie Scene

One of my family's absolute musts during the Christmas season, The Christmas Box is a tender, lovely, heart-tugging movie, which always brings me to tears.   The characters are ones who will capture your hearts---even Richard.  You so want him to "get it," to understand the lesson Mary is trying to impart to him before it is too late.  While I love The Waltons, I have never been a  John-Boy fan, so I wasn't sure Richard Thomas would work for me in this movie. Alas, he does.  I like his character, and I enjoy the comical way Mr. Thomas brings him to life.

                                             Image Source:  The Movie Scene

Maureen O'Hara aged beautifully and gracefully.  She's 75-years old here, and she's totally lovely. The beauty of her youth has not diminished with age...nor has her acting ability. She does a terrific job as the feisty, but loving, Mary Parkin.   Little Kelsey Mulrooney is completely charming as Jenna, and she and Miss O'Hara have wonderful chemistry together.  Annette O'Toole is totally believable as the kind, loving, gracious Kerri.

Although the characters in the story have the names of Richard, Kerri, and Jenna Evans, the story is not an autobiographical one.  It actually was a story Mr. Evans wrote for his two young daughters, and he never intended for it to be published.  To read more about how The Christmas Box touched hearts and became an international bestseller, visit Mr. Evans' website (HERE).

Out on DVD, The Christmas Box should be easy to track down.  One of its releases pairs it with its prequel story, Timepiece, starring James Earl Jones, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Kilner, and, Naomi Watts (in the Mary Parkin role which Maureen O'Hara will have in The Christmas Box). Additionally, The Christmas Box is available in its entirety on YouTube.  It's a lovely movie, with a timeless, much-needed message, and I highly recommend it, whether at Christmastime or anytime during the year.

Happy viewing!

The Luck of the Irish (3 stars)

The Luck of the Irish, from 1948, is a fun little romantic comedy starring Tyrone Power and Anne Baxter.  Featuring Cecil Kellaway, who received a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his work here, Jayne Meadows, and Lee J. Cobb in supporting roles, this film was one our family enjoyed as part of our St. Patrick's Day celebration this year.

While traveling in Ireland, American newspaperman, Steven "Fitz" Fitzgerald (Ty Power), encounters car problems.

In a hurry to get back to New York and the job awaiting him there, Fitz sets out in search of assistance, and he soon discovers an old man (Cecil Kellaway) sitting beside a waterfall.

Though the man is a bit odd, he, nevertheless, directs Fitz to a nearby inn, where he makes the acquaintance of the beautiful Nora (Anne Baxer).  Fitz and Nora click immediately, and when Fitz mentions the old man and the waterfall to her, he is told that no such waterfall exists.  Sure enough, when he makes another visit to that location, there is no waterfall; however, he does come upon the old man, and he soon realizes the man is a leprechaun...unless, of course, it was all just a strange dream.

Leaving the lovely Nora behind, Fitz returns to America, where his writing abilities will be used developing speeches for his politically-minded boss (Lee J. Cobb).

Engaged to the boss's daughter, Frances (Jayne Meadows), and with a fancy apartment and servant to call his own, things appear to be looking very fine for Fitz.  But with Nora suddenly arriving in New York and his new servant none other than Horace, the Irish leprechaun---whose one goal is to give Fitz gold, instead of the pebble he is willing to settle for---Fitz's life is soon to be turned upside-down.

Will Horace and his "pot of gold" get Fitz's life back on track?  Or will Fitz continue to compromise his beliefs to satisfy his boss's political plans?  These are the questions which play out in the balance of this adorable little film.

While not a spectacular film, The Luck of the Irish is, nevertheless, very sweet and fun.  Ty Power is great in this role...as is Anne Baxer.  Both of them are completely beautiful...and you will love the soft brogue Anne sports here.  Cecil Kellaway is absolutely delightful as the little leprechaun.  He more or less bounces around Ty's apartment and is quite adorable.  Though nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role here, quite honestly, since Walter Huston was nominated that year for Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Mr. Kellaway didn't have a hope of winning.  Even so, though, he was wonderful in the role and played the part perfectly.  Another delightful aspect of this film is the lovely Irish score.

This film is out on DVD as part of the Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down. Plus, it's available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE). Really, it's loads of fun...and it's the perfect addition to a St. Patrick's Day movie night.  Put it on your "watch list" for next year.

Happy viewing!!

Remember the Night (4 stars)

Remember the Night, from 1940, is a little-known holiday film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray.  This delightful movie, which features Beulah Bondi and Sterling Holloway in supporting roles, is the first of four pairings between Stanwyck and MacMurray. 

Lee Leander (Stanwyck), a compulsive shoplifter, has just been picked up for her third offense.  While she has gotten off easy in the past, since her problem is a habitual one, her case, this time, is sent to trial, with John Sargent (MacMurray) set as the prosecutor.  When Lee's trial is postponed until after the holidays, Sargent, who doesn't want her to have to be in jail at Christmas, bails her out; with nowhere to go, and thinking there were strings attached to the bail-out, Lee shows up at John's apartment just as he is getting ready to go home to Indiana for the holiday.

Upon discovering that Lee, too, is from Indiana, John offers to take her along with him, promising to drop her off on the way to his mom's house and to pick her up on his return.  Lee's reunion with her mom doesn't go well, though, and John ends up inviting her to share Christmas with his family.  As the two spend time together, they begin to fall in love---but with John's prosecution of Lee hanging over their heads, do they have any chance for happiness?

Remember the Night is a very sweet film.  Yes, it's rather predictable, but it is lovely and sentimental and very much worth watching during the Christmas season.  Barbara Stanwyck, who is easily one of my all-time favorite actresses, is really wonderful here. As usual, her character is a bit rough around the edges, but with a heart of gold.  She and Fred MacMurray worked very well together here and had really great chemistry.

This film was released on DVD last year, so you should be able to track it down.  It's also available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE).  I definitely think it's a perfect addition to the holiday viewing schedule. 

Happy viewing!!

Good Sam (5 stars)

Good Sam, from 1948, starring Gary Cooper and Ann Sheridan, is a touching Leo McCarey comedy very much in the same spirit as the beloved "It's a Wonderful Life."  Since Gary Cooper is one of my great loves, I had been doing a search of his filmography a few years ago, and this lovely film was one that really jumped out at me as a must-see.  So, through the fantastic inter-library loan program, I obtained a VHS copy (from a library in Missouri, as I recall), and I totally fell in love with this little-known gem.  I watched it in the middle of the summer, and because there is a holiday theme to it, I kept hoping TCM would put it on their Christmas movie schedule, and after three years of waiting, they have finally done so---this coming Tuesday!! I couldn't be more thrilled!!

Much like It's a Wonderful Life, Good Sam is the story of a man who continually touches the lives of others...and ends up broke and in hot water as a result.  Coop is Sam Clayton, a man who would---and usually does---give the shirt off his back to someone in need.  Sam's wife, Lu (Ann Sheridan), is mildly frustrated by Sam's generosity, for it has kept them from having the money to purchase a home of their own.  When they finally do have enough savings for a down payment, Sam loans some of it to a friend.   With the remaining "house money," Sam buys turkeys for a charity giveaway, with the intent to reimburse himself from donations given.  Only problem is, Sam gets robbed, so there is no money with which to pay himself back, which means he won't be able to close on the house...and with Lu already starting to move their things in, Sam is desperately in need of a little help himself.

This movie is totally delightful...I absolutely love it!  It's a warm and fuzzy story, the kind that leaves you feeling good all over. Coop is his usual handsome, loveable self, and Ann Sheridan is totally fantastic.   The two of them had amazing chemistry together and played fabulously off one another. There is one scene in which Ann gets into a major laughing fit...it's quite hysterical to see her going on that long.

I highly recommend adding this movie to your Christmas movie list.  It is on the TCM evening schedule for Tuesday, December 20th.  Check for the time in your area, then set your DVR.  I think this is one you will want to record, as it's not out on DVD and is pretty difficult to track down.  I know I will be recording it to a disc and adding it to my own classic movie library (and, thus, my annual Christmas viewing schedule).

Happy viewing!!

Christmas Movies, Part 2

In addition to all the wonderful old classic Christmas movies, here are some of the more current films our family enjoys watching.

The Nativity Story---a viewing of this lovely movie is one of our annual Christmas Eve traditions...it reminds us of the true reason we are celebrating Christmas.  One of the things I like most about it is the fact that it revolves heavily around Joseph. Usually, Joseph is overlooked in the Christmas story, but as this movie accurately portrays, he was as much a part of the story as Mary, the baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the angels. This movie shows the humanness of both Joseph and Mary.  Very moving!!

The Christmas Card---a mid 2000's Hallmark movie, this is sappy and sweet, but my daughter and I love it.  It's the story of a caring woman, a deployed soldier, and the Christmas card that binds them together.

Christmas Child---this mid 2000's movie is based on the Max Lucado book of the same name.  It's the story of a middle-aged man's search for his birth parents, entwined with the story of a missing baby Jesus from a local nativity scene.

A Charlie Brown Christmas---A dear friend gave a VHS copy of this as a gift to my kids when they were very young, and it has been a part of our Christmas viewing since then.  (Since our VHS player is broken, we've had to track it down on DVD.)  I totally love Linus's classic line towards the end!!!  (Actually, this isn't all that current...it's mid 1960's.)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever---this 80's TV-movie, which stars MASH's Loretta Swit, is based on the book of the same name.  It's the funny, but tender and heartwarming, story of what happens when the six rather wild and unruly Herdman children take part in the church's annual Christmas pageant.

Little House on the Prairie Christmas at Plum Creek---this precious episode always brings me to tears. Laura's sacrificial gift to her beloved Ma is so incredibly touching.

The Christmas Box--a 1995 movie starring Richard Thomas and the beautiful Maureen O'Hara, who aged fabulously.  Based on the book of the same name, it's the story of a workaholic dad/husband, who, through a feisty elderly woman, comes to understand what is most important in life.

Since all these movies/shows are current, I feel sure they are all available on DVD and quite easy to track down, so if you're looking for something new and different this holiday season, give one of these movies a try.

Happy viewing, and, of course, Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Movies, Part 1

Our family has many "wouldn't seem like Christmas without it" movies.  In case anyone is looking for some holiday season movie suggestions, here is the list of what we enjoy throughout the month of December.

It's a Wonderful Life---this is my all-time favorite Christmas movie.  It has been our Christmas night tradition for about seven years now.  We pretty much know the movie line for line.  (We used to watch the movie a few times during the year, but for the past four years, we have saved it for Christmas night...somehow it makes it more special to reserve it for once-a-year viewing.)

A Christmas Carol---Charles Dickens's timeless classic.  Our favorite is the 70's version with George C. Scott.

Miracle on 34th Street (classic black and white version, with Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood)....Now I am going to be totally honest here and tell you that I really don't like this movie and only tolerate it because it is a must-see for my family.  I know I am marching to the beat of my own drum here because most everyone loves this movie, but it just doesn't do it for me.

Christmas in Connecticut---an adorable 1945 romantic comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan.  This is right up near It's a Wonderful Life as my favorite holiday movie.  It is totally charming and delightful.

Holiday Affair---1949 romance starring Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey.  It's rather fun seeing Robert Mitchum in a romantic role.

The Bishop's Wife---from 1947, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven.  Cary Grant plays an angel who helps David Niven get back to what is most important.

I'll Be Seeing You---touching 1944 romantic drama starring Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten.  I reviewed this film HERE.

It Happened on Fifth Avenue---Heartwarming 1947 flick starring Victor Moore and Don DeFore.  (Reviewed HERE)

White Christmas---such a classic...love the music...love Danny Kaye...love Bing.

Remember the Night---1940 romance starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray.  The first of four pairings between Stanwyck and MacMurray.  I am in the process of reviewing this one...hope to get it up in a day or so.

Christmas Eve---this is a sentimental 1986 TV movie, starring Loretta Young (who aged beautifully!!!) and Trevor Howard.  I reviewed this film HERE.


This is our list of classic Christmas movies.  I'll be back soon with part 2, which will include the more current fare we enjoy during the holiday season.  So what are some of your "wouldn't be Christmas without it" movies?  And what is your absolute favorite Christmas movie?

As always, thanks for sharing!!

Christmas Eve (5 stars)

With it now being December and Christmas very much on everyone's minds, I want to spotlight a Christmas movie every now and then.  While our family watches more than just Christmas movies in December, we do have several must-watch films, some of them not very well known.  In the hopes of helping all of you discover some new holiday gems, I will share a few of our family's favorites during the coming week.

First up is Christmas Eve, a 1986 made-for-TV movie.  Yes, this "really don't like post-1960's movies" gal is recommending a film from 1986.  That's because it stars two classic movie greats...Loretta Young and Trevor Howard.  And I must say this...Loretta Young aged beautifully and gracefully.  She was 74 years old in Christmas Eve..and looking beautiful and elegant.

Briefly, the story is as follows:   Amanda Kingsley (Loretta Young) is a wealthy, somewhat eccentric widow, who lives in a posh New York apartment with her butler, Maitland (Trevor Howard, who was 73 years old in this film).  Amanda has a 50-ish son, Andrew (Arthur Hill), and three adult grandchildren.  Because Arthur is a cold-hearted, money-and-power-hungry, controlling man, he has long been alienated from his children.  Due to their dislike of him, they have all moved away.  Though they love their grandmother, they haven't seen her in years because they don't want to come in contact with their dad.

This particular year, however, as Amanda's health begins to decline, she hopes to unite the family in her apartment on Christmas Eve.  At the same time, though, Andrew, tired of his mother's generous giving to the less fortunate, intends to have her declared mentally incompetent.

Will Amanda's fondest wish come true?  Will she be able to track down her grandchildren?  Will she be able to convince them to come home for Christmas?  Will Andrew be successful in having Amanda declared incompetent?  How it all plays out is the focus of this touching movie.

I found this clip on YouTube...just see how totally gorgeous Loretta Young was at 74 years of age!!

I remember watching this movie when it aired on TV back in 1986. I was 25 years old, newly married, and absolutely NOT into classic movies. (At that point in my life, I was completely about all things modern!) However, I was extremely close to my grandparents and had even lived with them for a few years before getting married. And they, of course, having been born in the 1910s, were very much into classic movies. (From the recesses of my mind I can recall that Ray Milland was my grandmother's top guy...wouldn't she love to know that Milland makes my top dozen list!). Anyhow, my grandmother was beyond excited about the TV movie...it would be the first film appearance of Loretta Young in years. Though I didn't know the names Loretta Young and Trevor Howard from Adam, because I loved my grandmother, I was willing to watch the movie with her, and I remember really enjoying it and being touched by it.

Fast forward to the mid 2000's. I had gotten into classic movies and was looking for Christmas movies. After watching (and totally loving!) The Bishop's Wife, Loretta Young was on my mind, and from the stores of my long-term memory, Christmas Eve came forth. Though I hadn't thought about this movie in all those years, I remembered that Loretta Young was in a made-for-TV Christmas movie in 1986. I did a search and found that the film was out on VHS...and my local library had a copy. So, for four years (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009), our family enjoyed this tender and touching film as part of our holiday viewing. Sadly, though, this film is not out on DVD and since our VHS player bit the dust in December, 2009, we were not able to enjoy this beautiful movie last year. (Additionally, our library has purged their VHS collection, so even if our player worked, the movie is no longer in their inventory.)

For those that have a working VHS player, I highly recommend trying to track down this movie.  It is really beautiful...and those that love classic movies will enjoy seeing two wonderful stars in their twilight years.  In preparing this post, I have discovered that Lost Holiday Classics (HERE) has this film available on DVD, but I don't know if that is a reputable site or what the quality of the DVD is.  Even so, though, I love this movie, so I think I'm going to take a chance on purchasing through them...because Christmas movie viewing just isn't the same without it.

By the way, I see used VHS copies available through Amazon.  And of the 12 reviews posted there, 11 of them call this a 5-star film; the other review calls it a 4-star.  Very definitely, a must-see holiday movie!!

ADDENDUM:  Since this post, I have purchased through this company, and I am completely satisfied with their service and quality.  (I purchased the Robert Ryan film,  Inferno, so read that review HERE, which contains a link to the company's non-holiday movies.)

SECOND ADDENDUM:  Because I am completely comfortable with the quality and reliability of Rare Classic DVD's, I have ordered several films from them...including Christmas Eve.  This beloved film is now, once again, a regular part of my family's holiday viewing.

Happy viewing!!