It’s a Wonderful
Life. A Christmas Story. Home Alone.
A Christmas Carol. What do these
films have in common? They’re all, in
their own special way, brilliant, whimsical, and outright beautiful tributes to
the Yuletide holidays. Oh, and one other
thing; they’re all about DUDES. All of
these films concern the various ways in which various males celebrate, suffer
through, and/or see their earthly existences forever transformed by this, the
most wonderful time of the year.
Now before you
pelt me with generously molded fruitcakes or outright threaten my earthly existence (I’m not sure which
would be worse at this point), let me assure you that I absolutely love all the
movies mentioned. It’s just that, since
my book Mauve Christmas was published in 2006, a lot of people have expressed
wonder at the fact that I wrote a story about a female Santa Claus; and it got
me to wondering about the existence of Christmas movies that feature feminist
characters and themes.
Yes, Virginia,
there are feminist Christmas movies!
Enjoy this list of femme-centric holiday features:
- Christmas
in Connecticut: It’s interesting to note that the ultimate feminist
Christmas movie was produced way back in 1945. Starring the legendary Barbara Stanwyck,
this is the story of a successful writer who is forced to conform to
conventional gender norms in order to make her fortune. Columnist Elizabeth Lane is a single,
self-sufficient career woman; but in order to attract readers of her
generation, she poses as a homemaker and farm wife in order to write a
food column. Eventually she does
find the man of her dreams; he’s a hot guy that can cook and change
diapers—bonus! And she keeps her
career at the end; a rarity for movies of this era.
- Miracle
on 34th Street: One of the most celebrated holiday films of all
time, this classic stars two of the finest actresses in Hollywood history—Natalie
Wood and Maureen O’Hara—in the story of a little girl who discovers the
true meaning of the Christmas spirit and the value of whimsical
dreaming. While most child-centered
movies focus on male characters—i.e., A Christmas Story, Home Alone, A
Charlie Brown Christmas—this beautiful film centers on a bright,
inquisitive little girl whose life is enriched by a meeting with Santa
Claus. In addition, the girl’s
mother is a powerful department store executive and a divorced mother—a fact
that, according to IMDB, actually raised the hackles of the Legion of
Decency upon the film’s release—bonus!
- Come
to the Stable: “Come to the WHERE?!” you’re probably thinking. Sadly, this lovely little film is
virtually unheard of these days; yet after catching a showing this time
last year I became an instant fan.
Loretta Young and Celeste Holm play enterprising nuns that start a
children’s hospital in New England.
These women are bright, resourceful, and endlessly good-natured;
and they ring in the Christmas season by making a real difference in the
world.
- White
Christmas: As a romance writer, this gorgeous little gem of a motion
picture is probably my favorite Christmas movie overall; but could it
really be considered a feminist movie?
After all, it’s understood from the beginning that the two female
protagonists (singing sisters Betty and Judy Haynes, portrayed by the
luminous Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) intend to give up their
lucrative singing careers once they find their husbands. Yet both ladies are portrayed as smart,
caring, resourceful and deserving of respect. Betty Haynes at one point deserts her
newfound love and musical partner because she (mistakenly) believes him to
be false and opportunistic, staking out on her own to start her own show;
and as a self-admitted bratty little sister myself, I just adore the sly,
clever and completely incorrigible Judy!
In addition, one of the movie’s major dance numbers revolves around
a song called “Sisters”—this making it a “well, duh!” must for this
particular list!
- Call
Me Claus: Santa Claus is about to retire and he has a specific replacement
in mind; and it’s Whoopi Goldberg.
Ain’t it cool? This 2001
comedy, which also stars Nigel Hawthorne as Santa, is a little seen
delight that showcases Goldberg at her smartest, sassiest, funniest best.
- A
Christmas Without Snow: In this 1980 TV movie, available on DVD, a
divorced mom (played by the brilliant Michael Learned) is trying to find a
job and make a new home for her son; also honing a newly discovered
singing talent as a member of a local church choir. She holds her own against choirmaster
John Houseman, takes on racial and sexual prejudice, and saves the day at
the end.
- The
Bishop’s Wife/The Preacher’s Wife: These two takes on the same beautiful
Christmas story feature Loretta Young and Whitney Houston in the title
roles. Both of these films address
the importance of respecting and valuing the woman of the house—and the
church. Plus you get to see the
legendary Cary Grant and the widely respected Denzel Washington as very
hawt angels—bonus!
